Edinburgh International Data Facility holds first Town Hall meeting
28 May 2026
Earlier this month we hosted the inaugural EIDF Town Hall meeting in Edinburgh, UK. Here are some of the highlights.
The turnout for the first Edinburgh International Data Facility (EIDF) Town Hall was impressive, with numerous attendees both in person and online, which significantly enriched discussions on innovative research across various disciplines. This hybrid event welcomed a diverse group of participants, including current and past users, as well as prospective users from academia, the public sector and industry. In this blog post, I will share some of the day’s highlights and resources.
A day of insightful discourse
Insightful updates
Professor Jano van Hemert, the Director of Data Service at EPCC, detailed the strategic expansions planned for EIDF. Highlights included significant enhancements in GPU resources, advanced storage solutions, and sustainability initiatives to minimise the environmental impact of data-intensive research.
Protecting intellectual property in the age of AI
Bence Szilágyi – co‑founder and CTO of Garandor, a startup focused on minimising IP and GenAI risks – gave an overview of innovative efforts to mitigate intellectual property risks in artificial intelligence (AI). Through watermarking and content filtering techniques, Garandor is setting benchmarks in securing the authenticity of AI-generated content.
Digital transformation of historical archives
Dr Alan Williams explained how the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) leverages EIDF’s robust capabilities to digitise historic aerial photographs. This initiative is making once-inaccessible data broadly available and searchable, revolutionising historical research.
Pioneering advances in genomic medicine
Dr Jing Su discussed the groundbreaking integration of bioinformatics with NHS healthcare, facilitated through powerful computational resources provided by EPCC. This collaboration has bolstered the analysis of genomic data, delivering faster and more precise diagnoses.
Engage with EIDF
I gave a comprehensive overview of the services and collaborative opportunities at EIDF. Highlighting our commitment to supporting academia and industry, I invited attendees to engage with our state-of-the-art computational tools tailored for expansive and complex computational tasks.
EIDF is dedicated to advancing global collaboration and innovation. We are more than just a facility; we are a community where theoretical insights transform into practical impacts.
How to stay connected with us
Don't miss out on future interactions and breakthroughs! Join our events and become an integral part of our transforming community.
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For a deeper understanding of our resources, visit our Documentation.
Let’s innovate together
This Town Hall was just the beginning. We are enthusiastic about collaborative projects and innovative research that push the boundaries of what’s possible with data-driven research.
For inquiries, collaborations, or more information, reach out to us at eidf@epcc.ed.ac.uk.
About the Edinburgh International Data Facility (EIDF)
EIDF is a world-class private research cloud infrastructure to facilitate data science research, R&D needs, and innovation. Used by private businesses, the public sector and academia, it provides tailored-made solutions, security, predictable costing, accelerated outcomes, scalable resources, and expert support.
Get in touch with us for more details: eidf@epcc.ed.ac.uk.
To find out more about our compute and storage, head to EIDF Storage Overview.
