Organised by DataKirk, Syncplex Lab CIC, and Hearts Innovation Centre, this free, one-day community event was designed with a singular, ambitious goal: to make Artificial Intelligence accessible, exciting, and hands-on for people of all ages and backgrounds across Scotland.
No stuffy lecture hall or impenetrable jargon. Only open spaces, live demonstrations, wearable tech, food, games, music and atmosphere. The carnival included a keynote address by my colleague and Economist, Dr Elena Papagiannaki. She helped frame the day’s perspectives by showing us “different futures that scholars have imagined for the development of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and their impact.” [upcoming chapter]
Techno-optimism
This is the belief that the necessity of growth leads to optimistic views about the transformative potential of technology. It is the idea that a new era of technological change will create new possibilities for innovation and enhance the capabilities of workers by making them more productive. Tech pioneers encourage everyone to learn how to use AI so they don’t get left behind.
Techno-utopianism
These idealists believe that we can repurpose existing technology to create a post-capitalist or socialist ‘society of abundance’. Labour takes on much stronger definitions, which make way for valuing intellectual or ‘immaterial’ labour. Ultimately, advancements in technology, such as AI, could lead to the inevitable death of capitalism.
Techno-pessimism
This perspective includes statistical outlooks, such as forecasting job loss to automation, arguing that technology is not neutral, but rather reinforces existing inequalities. Techno-feudalism is often mentioned in this frame. The perspective argues that each phase of the technical process—from design to use—is loaded with politics.
Techno-sceptics
They see technology, such as AI’s capabilities and limitations, and question the long-term impacts. They use phrases like “over-hyped” and are unlikely to experiment with AI tools, often viewing it as a potential net negative. Their voices are crucial, reminding us to remain critical and not get swept up in unchecked hype.
Panel discussion on our children’s futures
Panellists tackled some of the most pressing questions of our time. Rupert Goodwins, CTO of Civic Digits C.I.C, voiced concerns for the many young people in the room: the impact on future jobs. He noted that future jobs will be for AI users, and those who fail to engage with the technology risk being left behind in many ways. This echoed the findings of a recent YouthLink Scotland report, which revealed that young people are deeply aware of AI’s risks but also see its value in helping them study and find jobs.
Charlotte Bjuren, Senior Business Analyst for SSE plc, championed the message that “AI is for everyone,” and encouraged us all to be curious and understand the ethical use of AI. The conversation also highlighted how AI literacy is becoming a critical skill, supported by Scotland’s new AI Strategy 2026-2031, which outlines a vision for a globally competitive AI sector.
From Barriers to Belonging
A central theme of the event was breaking down the barriers that have made AI feel like an exclusive club. The very name, “AI For All,” is a mission statement. This focus is essential because, as Scotland’s new AI strategy acknowledges, building a “globally competitive AI sector” requires a skilled and diverse workforce . Events like the Carnival are crucial for reaching under-represented communities, building confidence, and creating genuine enthusiasm for AI across every generation.
What are people saying about AI today?
