Generative AI is fast becoming embedded in our daily lives and ensuring its use in education is responsible, ethical and equitable is a key consideration for teachers, school leaders and policy makers.
We are inviting Scotland’s school leaders and education leaders to this one-day, in-person symposium and launch of AICE.scot, to gather and share experience, concerns, examples of good practice with regard to the use of AI in schools, and collaboratively build consensus on the way forward for Scottish education. Attendees will actively inform the discussion and exchange ideas with directors of education, representatives of the University, and other senior leaders across Scotland.
The symposium will explore the topic from both a curriculum and governance perspective in the form of panels and group discussions. It will be an opportunity for leaders to meet and discuss the topic in depth with each other. Scottish organisations will present their resources and learning materials.
The day will be conducted under Chatham House rules; presentations will not be recorded and there will not be an option to attend remotely.
Registrations close on the 31st May 2026.
Please, note that the event is for school senior leaders (i.e., headteachers) and education leaders only.
Cost of attendance
£20. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Support towards travel costs
We can offer a limited number of travel bursaries for those travelling further than from the central belt of Scotland. If you would like to apply for support towards travel costs, please specify it in the registration form. We will then be in touch with further details.
PROGRAMME
| 0900-0930 | Registration, Networking & Refreshments
|
| 0930-0940 | Welcome and Introduction
|
| 0940-1015 | AI and the Curriculum in Focus
Professor Judy Robertson (University of Edinburgh), Jedidah Ajala (student at the University of Edinburgh), and Stuart Clark (Headteacher at Newton Mearns High School) This session will explore AI from 3 different perspectives: academic, school leader/teacher and pupil perspectives. It will include:
|
| 1015-1100 | Group Session 1: Capturing Perspectives on AI Literacy in the classroom
This session will provide space for sharing perspectives on the key themes of the morning session, to understand more fully the issues schools and learners face, and build consensus on priorities and approaches needed. |
| 1100-1105 | Youth Theatre Monologue |
| 1105-1125 | Tea/Coffee/Networking |
| 1125-1150 | Lightning Talks
|
| 1150-1230 | Focus on AI & Governance in Schools
Laurence Findlay (ADES); Anne Robertson (Edina); Stuart Caddell (Headteacher at Gairloch High School; AICE.Scot)
|
| 1230-1235 | Youth Theatre Monologue |
| 1235-1240 | Comfort break |
| 1240-1300 | Launch of AICE.Scot Network
AICE.scot aims to build a vibrant professional cross-sector community where educators and leaders can come together independently to share practice, challenge ideas, and help shape the ethical and effective use of AI in Scottish Education. Andreas Schleicher (OECD Director of Skills and Education): Stronger Together: Why collaborative networks matter for AI in Education Stuart Caddell (Headteacher at Gairloch High School; AICE.Scot): introducing the purpose of the group, where to sign up and to encourage audience members to share far and wide. |
| 1300-1400 | Lunch / Networking / Stalls |
| 1400-1445 | Group Session 2: Capturing Perspectives on governance and AI used in the schools
This session will provide space for discussing the challenges raised by the panel speakers, to understand more fully the issues schools and local authorities face, and build consensus on priorities and approaches needed to address them. |
| 1445-1500 | Closing Remarks and Next Steps |