Freedom of Information 2026

After more than 20 years as Scotland’s leading training forum for FOI professionals, Holyrood’s annual Freedom of Information Conference returns to bring together policymakers, regulators, practitioners, and sector leaders to explore the latest developments in FOI policy and practice.

As the FOI landscape continues to evolve, this year’s conference will examine the future of reform, the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in FOI, proactive transparency, and lessons from improving organisational performance.

Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, delegates will gain practical insights, hear from leading experts, and share best practice on delivering effective, trusted, and future-ready FOI services.

The event offers a valuable opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and help shape the future of openness and transparency in Scotland.

 

This event is supported by the Scottish Information Commissioner’s Office. 

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Practical use of AI in FOI handling, risks, AI-generated requests, and governance.

- Responding to AI-generated FOI requests
- Can AI draft responses safely?
- Risks around accuracy, bias, and disclosure
- Governance and human oversight
- Practical demonstrations of AI supporting case handling

A practical session for newer practitioners, covering the request lifecycle, timescales, and common exemptions.

- Getting requests right the first time
- Valid requests
- Timescales
- Searching effectively
- Common exemptions
- Advice and assistance
- Frequent mistakes

Speakers:

Legislative update on reform, consultation outcomes, and practical direction.

- Reform proposals
- Extension to care providers
- Committee recommendations
- Political priorities
- What organisations should prepare for

Case studies from organisations that have improved performance following commissioner intervention.

- What triggered intervention?
- What changed?
- How performance improved
- Lessons other organisations can adopt

New approaches to publication schemes, transparency by design, and reducing repeat requests.

- Publishing data before requests arrive
- Publication schemes that actually work
- Using disclosure logs effectively
- Transparency by design
- Links to any forthcoming reform proposals

Speakers:

Discussion on extending FOI to the care sector, implementation challenges, and lessons for public authorities.

- What’s changing?
- What are the biggest pressures?
- How can organisations prepare?
- What role will technology play?
- How do we maintain public trust?

David Hamilton
Scottish Information Commissioner
Gillian Mapstone
Deputy Keeper of the Records of Scotland and Head of Collections
National Records of Scotland
Carole Ewart
Director
Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland
Lorraine Currie
Lorraine Currie
Director
Anderson Strathern

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