AI companies are racing to rescue the NHS September 23, 2024 An official review by Lord Darzi revealed recently that the NHS is in “critical condition” following years of underfunding. The review found that the NHS is battling soaring demand, poor productivity, financial pressures and low staff morale. “It’s not just the state of our National Health Service in crisis – it’s also the state of [...]
Databricks opens first European HQ in London in bet on UK September 20, 2024 Data and AI giant Databricks is set to open its first official European headquarters in London, as it looks to cement the UK as a key market for growth. The company’s UK staff are set to move into the new Fitzrovia-based office on Monday, ahead of an official launch event on 3 October. While Databricks [...]
Tesco boss Ken Murphy: ‘The AI revolution is upon us’ September 18, 2024 Tesco boss Ken Murphy has said that personalised grocery offers like Tesco Clubcard could “nudge” consumers towards making healthier decisions and that the AI “revolution is upon us” in retail. The Tesco chief executive said that, for example, an AI programme could note someone’s high sodium intake and encourage them to buy lower-sodium and healthier [...]
Microsoft: Tech giant announces mammoth buyback and hikes dividend September 17, 2024 Tech giant Microsoft has announced a new $60bn share buyback programme and hiked its quarterly dividend by 10 per cent. This new shareholder cash return replaces Microsoft’s previous $60bn programme, which was launched in 2021, and has no set expiration date. According to data from Birinyi Associates, the cash return is the third-largest repurchase scheme [...]
The City is a financial knowledge hub, trading in ideas just as much as in goods September 16, 2024 Despite being a hub for meaningful education, there is still too heavy a reliance on qualifications within the City, writes Michael Mainelli.
Proposals submitted for huge £3.75bn data centre in Hertfordshire September 12, 2024 Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has hailed a proposed £3.75bn investment in a colossal new data centre in Hertfordshire. A planning application for what would amount to one of Europe’s largest data centre campuses, at 85 acres and taking up 2m square feet of floor space, has been submitted via a new company DC01UK. Construction will [...]
Eleco: British software giant sees revenue soar as businesses look for AI solutions September 10, 2024 Software company Eleco has seen its revenue continue to soar as a growing number of businesses turn to tech to help improve efficiency. The listed company, which is headquartered in London and has offices across the UK and Europe, saw its revenue hit £16.2m in the six months ending June 30, 2024, up from £13.4m [...]
The Notebook: Labour is charting a dangerous course on free speech September 10, 2024 Labour's proposed expansion of the Online Safety Act is a troubling step for free speech, writes Big Brother Watch director Silkie Carlo.
John Lewis brings back ‘never knowingly undersold’ pledge in major U-turn September 5, 2024 Department store chain John Lewis is to bring back its famous ‘never knowingly undersold’ price pledge in a major U-turn. The national retailer has made the move after ditching the commitment over concerns it what less relevant to shoppers two years ago. The price promise, which was first introduced in 1925, will come back into [...]
Nvidia shares plunge: Are investors on the edge of ‘AI apathy’? September 4, 2024 Analysts are asking if we are at “peak Nvidia” or if the latest selloff is simply a healthy correction in an overheated market. Shares in Nvidia, the poster child for AI, plunged nearly 10 per cent on Tuesday, wiping out $279bn of value—the largest single-day loss ever recorded for a US stock. Since 19 August, [...]