A full-day event for technical professionals and leaders in the sector. As one of Scotland’s biggest software conferences for over 25 years, ScotSoft allows you to connect, learn, and innovate while meeting new talent at the Young Software Engineer of the Year Awards.
This year, the event offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain invaluable insights from industry leaders, collaborate with peers, and explore the latest industry trends.
This year, the ScotSoft 2026 conference will incorporate a special ‘AI Scotland’ stream, as part of the Scottish Government’s AI Strategy, aiming to bring together the organisations that are building AI, implementing AI and using AI across Scotland.
The event will provide a practical forum for knowledge exchange, cross-sector collaboration and market development, with a strong focus on responsible adoption, productivity, skills and economic opportunity.
The speaker sessions will align with the key pillars of the AI Strategy: People and Skills, Companies and Innovation, Infrastructure, and Data and Regulation.
By attending ScotSoft 2026, you will be placing yourself at the forefront of the conversation, amongst the pioneers, innovators, public sector and investors collaborating in this space.
Heather Rattray of Interface will be attending this event.
This programme is designed for SME leaders who want to make confident decisions about AI investment, governance and implementation.
Join this in person masterclass on AI strategy, governance and policy. Move beyond experimentation. Deliver lasting business growth.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already transforming the way people work. Across many organisations, employees are using AI tools to improve productivity, accelerate decision-making and unlock new opportunities. Yet while AI adoption is happening rapidly at an individual level, many businesses haven’t yet established the governance, policies and strategic direction needed to maximise value while managing risk.
The challenge now is moving beyond single use cases and pilots to create a clear strategy that delivers measurable business value at scale.
This intensive, full-day in-person masterclass is designed for a small to medium sized enterprise (SME) leaders who want to make confident decisions about AI investment, governance and implementation. Through expert guidance, practical frameworks and peer learning, you’ll develop a clear understanding of how AI can support your organisation’s growth ambitions while ensuring responsible, secure and compliant adoption.
Gillian Hambley of Interface will be attending this event.
Innovation often starts with a conversation.
Join the North of Scotland KTP Centre and Interface for our Innovation Funding Drop-in Session and discover the funding and support available to help turn ideas into impact. Whether you’re a start-up, SME, established business, researcher, or innovation-focused organisation, we’re here to help you navigate the funding landscape.
Shelley Breckenridge will be presenting at this event.
Glasgow built its reputation by making things that changed the world. From the steam engines that powered the Industrial Revolution to a shipbuilding industry that connected the world, the city has spent generations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Today, Glasgow is once again at the forefront of industrial innovation. By combining world-class engineering expertise with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and smart production methods, the city is helping write the next chapter for manufacturing.
As part of Glasgow Tech Week 2026, the next edition of the Art of Possible series will explore how intelligent manufacturing, automation and digital technologies are transforming how products are designed, made and delivered – and how that’s making businesses more productive and globally competitive.
What to Expect?
- Lightning Talks – Insights from the innovators shaping the future of manufacturing.
- Panel Discussion & Q&A – Expert discussion on industry trends, challenges & opportunities — ask your questions during registration or live.
Why Attend?
- Network with manufacturers, engineers, researchers and technology leaders.
- Connect with Glasgow’s manufacturing and wider innovation ecosystem.
- Discover the technologies and talent positioning Glasgow at the next industrial revolution.
Fusion Fest is the headline event of Glasgow’s Tech Week, this years Fusion Fest is a half-day crossover event connecting the creative and tech sectors across Glasgow through a dynamic programme of ideas, experimentation, collaboration and performance. Delivered by Glasgow City Innovation District in partnership with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow School of Art, the festival brings together artists, designers, technologists, entrepreneurs, researchers, students and industry leaders to explore the growing intersection between creativity and innovation.
Through talks, performances, installations and live demonstrations, Fusion Fest will showcase the people, projects and ideas redefining the relationship between the creative and tech communities- from AI and immersive storytelling to digital design, gaming, music, performance and creative entrepreneurship.
Fusion Fest is designed to inspire new partnerships, spark conversation and open up fresh possibilities for how creative thinking and technological innovation can work together to shape industries, communities and culture.
The agenda for the event is based around the themes of Flow, Expand and Amplify. Flow: Every great idea begins in motion; Expand: When ideas move, they grow; Amplify: Ideas reach their greatest impact when they are shared.
Heather Rattray of Interface is attending this event.
Scottish college and university education is in peril. Some challenges are the same: both have flagged being under-funded but face rising costs and student needs across the board, as well as unprecedented levels of change expected over the next 10-20 years. Universities face high volatility in international student markets and levels of research funding that challenge actual costs. Colleges face uncertain skills requirements and increased community demand. Difficult conversations about the meaning of tertiary education are all under the microscope. What’s the plan to future proof Scottish college and university education?
This event is part of the Festival of Politics and is in partnership with Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland.
Panellists include:
Gavin Donoghue is the CEO of Colleges Scotland. Previously, he was director of the college sector employers’ organisation College Employers Scotland and has served in senior roles at the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Renewables.
Claire McPherson became Director of Universities Scotland in March 2024, joining from the Scottish Government. Claire has worked in various roles in over a decade of service in the Scottish Government, including Constitutional Policy and Engagement in the lead up to the 2014 Independence Referendum and Deputy Head of the First Minister’s Policy and Delivery Unit. Prior to working for the Scottish Government, Claire served as the Deputy Director of Policy at the Scottish Funding Council.
Garrett Stell is an education correspondent with The Herald newspaper. Originally from North Carolina, he has a special interest in rural education issues, higher education and further education.
Interface’s Heather Rattray and Suzy Powell will be attending.
Join CeeD for an introductory session on Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme and find out how companies and academics can work together to secure funding, drive innovation and create impact.
This session will be delivered in collaboration with University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, CeeD Scotland, Fife Chamber of Commerce and InvestFife. The session may be of particular interest to those working in advanced manufacturing, advanced materials and digital/data.
You will hear from:
- Academics/businesses with examples of funded projects.
- East of Scotland KTP Centre about application support available.
- Opportunity to network with academics and businesses.
Edinburgh Innovation’s Startup Summer Accelerator Showcase takes place on Thursday 27th August, 1–5pm at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Twelve of the University of Edinburgh’s most promising early-stage founders will take the stage to pitch the ventures they have spent the summer building. For some of them, the right connection made that afternoon could change the trajectory of their company, whether that’s a mentor, an early collaborator, an introduction, or simply someone willing to give them a few minutes of honest advice.
The cohort are working across a range of sectors including AI, medtech, edtech and more. They have taken part in a competitive 12-week programme supported this year by the CHAI Hub and Santander Universities.
Expect an afternoon of fast-paced pitches, insightful conversations and the chance to connect with others across Edinburgh’s vibrant startup and innovation community. There will be plenty of time to connect with fellow founders, investors and partners from across the ecosystem too.
Spaces are limited, please register.
Across two days, Innovate UK and partner organisations will share insights and learning from projects focused on innovation skills, workforce readiness, and future talent development.
The showcase will explore how innovation capability, workforce foresighting and technology roadmaps can support the UK’s future innovation economy, with sessions covering:
• Innovation skills and capability development.
• Workforce readiness for emerging technologies.
• Innovation literacy and talent readiness.
• Private sector innovation roles and skills planning.
• Data-driven approaches to future workforce development.
Day One – Innovation Skills in Action – City of Glasgow College
10:00-16:00
Venue: City of Glasgow College,City Campus, 190 Cathedral Street, G4 0RF
Kick off the Showcase with a deep dive into the skills that power innovation. Day One focuses on building capability- from understanding the core skills needed to innovate, through to embedding them at scale across regions, organisations and education providers.
Hear from leading practitioners as they explore the Innovation Skills Framework, share insights from the Greater Manchester Innovation Literacy Programme, and demonstrate how regions like Glasgow are integrating innovation skills across their ecosystems. The day also introduces work to professionalise innovation practice, helping to define the roles, standards and career pathways shaping the future workforce.
Expect practical insights, real-world examples and opportunities to connect with peers working across the talent and skills landscape.
Day Two – Workforce Futures & Frontier Technologies – Glasgow Kelvin College
10:00-16:00
Venue: Glasgow Kelvin College, Springburn Campus,123 Flemington Street, Glasgow, G21 4TD
Day Two shifts focus to the future – exploring how workforce insights, data and technology roadmaps shape the skills needed for emerging industries.
Sessions will uncover who is driving innovation in the private sector, highlight the importance of aligning technology strategies with workforce readiness, and showcase how organisations are turning foresight data into actionable skills planning.
From understanding innovation roles to preparing for future technologies, this day offers forward-looking perspectives and practical approaches to ensuring the UK workforce is ready to thrive.