Series 1 - Artificial Intelligence and The Modern World
Placing Panmure House at the Heart of Debate in Scotland
A bold new series of public discussions that brings the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment into the 21st century. Hosted 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.
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. An event itinerary is listed below.
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.
Today, Panmure House Debates continue that legacy, convening leading thinkers, policymakers, academics, and the public to engage in meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping our modern world.
Hosted by the Adam Smith Chair in Sustainable Capitalism, Professor Adam Dixon, join us as we revive the Enlightenment tradition of critical inquiry and civic dialogue — right where it began.
About AI & Education
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.
This event brings together educators, technologists, philosophers, and policymakers to ask:
- Can AI enhance human learning — or does it risk diminishing it?
- How do we prepare students for a world where knowledge is abundant, but wisdom is scarce?
- What values should guide the integration of AI into our educational systems?
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:
Professor Thusha Rajendran - Professor of Developmental Psychology, Heriot-Watt University and member of the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics
Audience participation via polls and live Q&A encouraged.
