Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Scotland’s flagship GovTech conference bringing together over 1,200 delegates and 70+ speakers to address public sector digital transformation
- Core topics include AI adoption in government, cybersecurity, digital identity, service design and workforce digital skills development
- Designed for Chief Digital Officers, CIOs, policy directors and IT leaders from government, NHS, education, justice and local authorities
- Reviews progress on Scotland’s National Digital Strategy and showcases initiatives including the Scottish Government App, Digital Mailbox and ScotAccount
- CPD-accredited programme featuring keynotes, masterclasses, leadership streams and panel discussions
About the Event
DigitalScotland 2026 serves as the annual gathering point for technology and policy leaders working to modernise Scotland’s public services. Held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the conference convenes senior public servants, industry leaders and opinion formers from across Scotland, the UK and Europe. The programme combines strategic policy discussions with practical guidance on implementing digital change across government organisations.
The event provides a platform for cross-sector collaboration, enabling attendees to share best practices and develop actionable approaches to digital transformation challenges. BT serves as headline sponsor, with additional support from Amazon Web Services, Openreach, Sopra Steria, Scott Logic, Leidos and numerous technology providers.
Digital Strategy and Public Service Reform
A central focus of DigitalScotland 2026 is reviewing progress on Scotland’s National Digital Strategy. The conference examines critical milestones in the country’s digital infrastructure, including the Scottish Government App, Digital Mailbox and ScotAccount digital identity platform. Sessions address how these initiatives contribute to more efficient, secure and citizen-centric public services.
The programme tackles persistent challenges facing public sector organisations: legacy system modernisation, fragmented digital infrastructure, digital inclusion and ensuring no citizens are left behind in the transition to digital services.
Cybersecurity, AI and Emerging Technologies
The conference dedicates significant attention to cybersecurity and cyber resilience in public services, alongside practical discussions on AI adoption barriers and opportunities within government contexts. Additional technology topics include cloud infrastructure, data analytics, connectivity and digital platforms. These sessions explore how emerging technologies can be deployed responsibly while maintaining information governance standards.
Who Should Attend
DigitalScotland 2026 targets senior leaders and professionals responsible for digital strategy and delivery in the public sector. The audience includes Chief Digital Officers, CIOs, Heads of Digital, Service Owners, Policy Directors, IT Managers, Project Managers and transformation strategists. Delegates represent government departments, local authorities, NHS Scotland, education institutions, justice services and technology solution providers serving the public sector.
Programme Format
The in-person event features keynote presentations, parallel masterclasses, dedicated leadership streams, panel discussions and networking sessions, concluding with a drinks reception. Content spans both strategic and technical perspectives, with the full programme carrying CPD accreditation for professional development purposes.