The SEBI-Livestock team recently attended DataFest, hosted by DataLab, a major event bringing together Scotland’s data and AI community. The event showcased real-world applications of artificial intelligence, with inspirational talks from thought leaders across sectors, exploring the future of AI, ethics, and society.
The event was a unique opportunity to connect with innovators, policymakers, and technical experts.
Why We Attended
We are a team driven by curiosity. It was an invaluable experience to be exposed to new ideas, and and return with insights to apply to our work, as we found out more about:
- How data-driven innovations can help solve global challenges
- How to ensure that ethical, inclusive, and responsible practices are embedded in the development of AI tools
- What tools and trends are shaping AI today—from technical capabilities to societal impact
- What skills are critical for navigating a rapidly changing AI landscape
Skills for the Future
To thrive in an AI-powered world, we need to cultivate:
- Flexibility and lifelong learning: The ability to adapt and demonstrate that you can learn is more valuable than fixed knowledge.
- Creative, strategic thinking: AI will likely automate a big proportion of our daily tasks — humans need to focus on why and what else can be done differently.
“Attending DataFest 2025 reinforced how we approach data analytics at SEBI-Livestock. The biggest takeaway for me was the emphasis on building trust through responsible AI and clear data governance. It’s not just about using the latest tools – it’s about making sure the insights we deliver are transparent, ethical, and truly valuable to the communities we serve. This mindset is especially important in our work at SEBI-Livestock, where robust data practices directly impact data-driven decisions that support livelihoods, animal health, and sustainable agriculture.” – Isabell Orlishausen, Data Analyst Programmer
AI is shaping our world now, attendance at events like this will ensure that SEBI-Livestock’s work is future-focused, ethically grounded in best data science practices, and human-centred, and open to innovations to solve livestock data gaps.
Image: SEBI-Livestock Data Science Team. From left to right: Xiawen Wang, Isabell Orlishausen, Sophia Jenkinson, Vlald Cherman.
Learn more about DataFest 2025 on the conference website (external link).