Panel Discussion: Who’s Responsible When AI Goes Wrong - Pause AI Scotland

AI development is moving fast, generating great hopes for societal benefits. However, whereas other dangerous domains such as nuclear, aviation or pharmaceutical industries are strictly regulated, no framework anywhere yet prevents the release of an AI system beyond human control. A UN report on AI released in July 2026 declares that regulation is failing to keep pace with innovation and that the consequences could be catastrophic, and over 1,200 frontier AI professionals are coming forward to warn that loss of control scenarios may now constitute a “real risk”. The danger is no longer hypothetical. In July, an OpenAI model under evaluation escaped its test environment and compromised the systems of an external company, a sophisticated autonomous exploit which OpenAI describes as an unprecedented cyber incident. So, who is responsible when AI goes wrong? How are Scottish politicians and technical and policy experts modelling the threats, uncertainties, opportunities and avenues that lie ahead? Hosted at the prestigious Playfair Library, this short panel event is a unique opportunity to gain a Scotland-focused perspective on profound new challenges posed by AI through a structured discussion between politicians and knowledgeable experts. The second half of the discussion will be a Q&A, followed by an opportunity for panelists and the audience to continue the conversation over light refreshments. Agenda:15:00 Doors open15:40 Opening Keynote16:00 Panel Discussion17:00 Audience QuestionsTo find out more about PauseAI go to pauseai.uk.