Edinburgh Science: AI, Cybersecurity and Data

While most people know Edinburgh for its castle and its arts festival, there’s a whole lot more happening in the city, and for the past two weeks it has been Edinburgh Science (formally known as the Edinburgh International Science Festival). In one of the most educated cities in the world, and where the schools are often overflowing with the scientists, engineers and business leaders of the future, it seems natural that the city acknowledges its place on the world stage for its contributions to not only the arts, but, also to science and technology.

And so, last night, I presented to a packed audience in the Auditorium at the Edinburgh Museum. I was in my home city and presenting on something that I love. I spend many a happy hour in the Museum, and to present there — in my home city — was in deed an honour. That’s Edinburgh — I jump on a bus and be at a venue in 10 minutes, and where there are people there who are eager to learn new things.

The other great honour was that I was presenting the lecture in memory of Sidney Michaelson — and hosted by BCS Edinburgh — who was the first Professor of Computer Science in the UK. For this humble start, Edinburgh has become one of…