I loved chairing the DataFutures, AIFutures conference - and listening to fascinating insights on Artificial Intelligence and data from the brilliant minds of Stephanie Hare, Shannon Vallor and many others.

I also got my first ever caricature, done by the superb John Elson. Everyone says it's a really good likeness, and I have to agree - although I would prefer more hair and less nose!

There were some terrific discussions about how data is shaping the future of employment and energy, and creating safer futures for children and older people.

But the central focus was AI and whether we are losing sight of the risks it poses now because big tech companies want to talk about long-term existential threats. Stephanie Hare also made some great points about the enormous climate impacts of Large Language Models like ChatGPT - because it requires such a massive amount of electricity and huge quantities of water to cool it.

A typical exchange with ChatGPT of 20-50 questions and answers consumes the equivalent of a half-litre bottle of water - and with tens of millions of people using Large Language Models, that's a lot of water wasted.

Thanks to all the speakers for their fantastic contributions, and for the delegates who were so complementary about the day.

It's a pleasure to work on these events with The Scotsman and the Data-Driven Innovation initiative over the last few years - and to go beyond the usual platitudes and get to the heart of some of the big issues affecting society. Watch the video of the event here.

See you in 2024!