CMA drops concerns over Microsoft takeover of Call of Duty developer Activision Blizzard… for now March 24, 2023 The UK competition watchdog has provisionally dropped concerns that Microsoft’s proposed takeover of Call Of Duty developer Activision Blizzard would damage the UK console gaming market. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last month warned the 68.7 billion dollar (£56.7 billion) deal could result in higher prices, fewer choices or less innovation for UK gamers. [...]
Reining in ChatGPT: AI tech titans must navigate a regulatory maze to thrive in the UK and beyond February 14, 2023 As ChatGPT continues to amaze, and Alphabet and others try to follow suit, Jess Jones explores some of the legal and regulatory challenges facing AI tech, and what they mean for the UK’s ambition to become a science superpower. “The genie is out of the bottle – and it’s hard to imagine how it goes [...]
Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard bid would mean higher prices and less choice for gamers, CMA probe warns February 8, 2023 Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of gaming firm Activision Blizzard could result in higher prices, fewer choices or less innovation for UK gamers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said. In the provisional findings of its five-month investigation into the 68.7 billion dollar (£56.7 billion) deal, the CMA said the merger could make Microsoft stronger, stifle [...]
Apple’s first reported revenue drop in four years adds to tech woes with Google also reporting a decline in sales February 3, 2023 Apple posted its first quarterly revenue drop in nearly four years after pandemic-driven restrictions on its China factories curtailed sales of the latest iPhone . The company’s sales of $117bn (£96bn) between October and December period were down five per cent on the same quarter the previous year, a deeper downturn than analysts had projected. [...]
Microsoft confirms it will cut 10,000 jobs January 18, 2023 Microsoft will be making 10,000 job cuts by the end of the third quarter of this year, the company said today confirming earlier reports. As incomes at Big Tech firms continue to decline, Microsoft has joined giants like Google and Twitter in laying off staff. Earlier today, Microsoft issued a statement, saying that the staff [...]
Davos round-up: Goldman’s consumer banking headache, Big Tech layoffs and Germany’s green drive January 18, 2023 As some of the world’s most important CEOs, politicians and thinkers gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss an array of economic, political and social challenges, City A.M. wraps up some of the top lines from the day. Goldman Sachs’ consumer banking headache Goldman Sachs’ foray into consumer banking has not gone [...]
Microsoft to cut 11,000 jobs worldwide – reports January 17, 2023 Microsoft is likely to become the latest tech giant to slash thousands of jobs worldwide after reports emerged today. Sources told Sky News’ Mark Kleinman the Seattle-based powerhouse could announce plans to cut five per cent of its global workforce within the next few days. This means that over 11,000 people would be made redundant, [...]
Ocado beats Google, Microsoft and Mastercard to become one of best firms to work for in Britain January 11, 2023 Food delivery tech firm Ocado beat Google, Microsoft and Mastercard to be crowned as one of the best firms to work for in the UK. In fresh data published by Glassdoor today, Bain & Company was rated Britain’s top employer, with the tech sector dominating the list, taking 21 out of 50 spots. There were [...]
Exclusive: IBM UK and Ireland appoints first female CEO replacing veteran of two decades with Microsoft leader January 9, 2023 IBM UK and Ireland has appointed its first ever female chief executive following the departure of its existing general manager after 22 years. Dr Nicola Hodson will take over from Sreeram Visvanathan at the tech giant’s UK arm, arriving from Microsoft. She was Microsoft’s Vice President of Customer & Partner Solutions, Transformation, and a member [...]
EU opens probe into Microsoft’s £59bn deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard November 8, 2022 The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Microsoft’s proposed $68.7bn (£59.5bn) acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard. The commission said it was concerned that the proposed deal may reduce competition in the market. A preliminary investigation found that the transaction may significantly reduce competition, including multi-game subscription services and cloud game [...]