Panmure House Debates: AI and The Modern World – 20-21 August
A bold new series of public discussions that brings the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment into the 21st century. Hosted at Heriot-Watt University’s Panmure House in the historic home of Adam Smith, these events explore the most pressing issues of our time through the lenses of Policy and Government, Economics, History, and Philosophy.
In partnership with Baillie Gifford, this programme reawakens the tradition of rigorous, respectful discourse that once filled these very rooms — where Smith and his contemporaries debated the great questions of their day, from American independence to taxation and the future of science.
AI & Education, Wednesday 20 August, 17:25
As AI transforms how we learn, teach, and think — what is the future of education?
We turn our attention to the classroom, the lecture hall, and the lifelong learner. From personalised learning algorithms to AI tutors and automated assessment, the education sector is undergoing a profound shift. But with these advances come urgent questions about equity, ethics, and the role of human educators.
Panel:
- Professor Andrew Manches – Professor of Children at the University of Edinburgh
- Dr Megan Crawford – Lecturer in Management & Strategy at Edinburgh Napier University, Business School
- Moderated by:
- Dr Thusha Rajendran – Professor of Developmental Psychology, Heriot-Watt University and member of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics
AI & The Workplace, Thursday 21 August, 17:25
As AI reshapes the global economy, how will it redefine the nature of work? We explore the profound implications of AI on employment, productivity, and the human experience of labour. From automation and job displacement to the emergence of new industries and ethical dilemmas, this debate will examine how societies can adapt to — and shape — the future of work in an age of intelligent machines.
Panel:
- Luke McKinney – Director of Consulting at Nile HQ, award-winning innovation designer and lecturer at The Glasgow School of Art
- Dr Cailean Gallagher – Associate Lecturer at University of St Andrews Business School
- Moderated by:
- Dr Luciana Blaha – Assistant Professor in Business Management and Intelligent Automation at Heriot-Watt University School of Social Sciences
Find out more and book your place: https://www.panmurehouse.org/programmes/fringe-at-panmure/fringe-at-panmure-2025/panmure-house-debates/
Each ticket includes a complimentary drink on arrival and the chance to tour Adam Smith’s final residence — a historic institution not normally open to the general public.
