Industrial developments have traditionally drawn people to urban centres; but digital technology has gone the other way, opening up more and more that can be done in islands and remote rural areas. It happened with computers, the internet and online meetings – could there be some special aspect of AI that gives it a particularly good angle for an island community? So far no one seems to have found it, and Dr Matjaž Vidmar of Edinburgh University, who uses AI for his work bridging space technology, art and innovation, wants to try this afternoon. He’s joined by Stephen Foggo of Orkney-based Kyloe Partners – and they need you to help them! Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided to assist the process.

Dr Matjaž Vidmar is a lecturer in engineering management at Edinburgh University, where he studies innovation and the development of emerging technology, especially focusing on space and satellite, artificial intelligence and biotech, and their interaction with a data-driven economy.

Stephen Foggo is an Orkney-based software developer specialising in AI applications. After changing careers, he now leads a team at Kyloe Partners, exploring innovative software solutions to open up new possibilities for the recruitment sector using AI.