AI and hybrid patterns set to determine the future of work March 5, 2025 Rising employment costs have driven many UK businesses towards investing in AI instead of hiring new employees, while workers are resisting efforts to increase office mandates in favour of working from home (WFH). New research from Linkedin and Pleo has revealed the tension between using AI as a cost-saving tactic, and the need for meaningful [...]
UK’s ‘AI divide’ puts economic growth at risk, warns Microsoft March 5, 2025 A growing divide between UK leaders who do and don’t leverage AI could threaten the country’s economic potential, and the efficiency of its public services. According to a report from Microsoft, businesses and public sector organisations with clear AI strategies are significantly outperforming those without, highlighting an urgent need for broader adoption of AI driven [...]
Quantexa: London-based AI startup’s valuation hits £2bn March 5, 2025 London-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Quantexa‘s valuation has jumped to more than £2bn following a new round of funding. The firm, which uses AI to interpret data sets and help financial firms manage risk, secured a $175m (£137.66m) investment in a funding round led by the Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG), which will bring the firm’s [...]
CISOs losing ground to AI threats, Darktrace warns March 4, 2025 The threat of AI-driven cyber attacks is escalating, with 78 per cent of chief information security officers (CISOs) reporting a significant impact on their organisations. According to Darktrace’s newly released cyber security report, this represents a five per cent increase from last year. The findings, based on a survey of over 1,500 cyber security professionals, [...]
Verizon and Accenture partner to help businesses tackle cyber threats March 4, 2025 Verizon business has announced a strategic partnership with global professional services firm Accenture to address escalating cyber security risks. Together, they aim to strengthen cyber resilience across industries, with a particular focus on mid market and large businesses across the UK. As cyber attacks become more sophisticated and frequent, the collaboration will launch cyber risk [...]
UK watchdog probes Tiktok over child data practices March 3, 2025 The UK’s data watchdog has launched a major investigation into Tiktok, Reddit and Imgur, raising new concerns over how social media platforms handle children’s personal information. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is scrutinising the video platform’s use of teenage user data to recommend content, amid growing fears that its algorithm could expose young people to [...]
Mid size firms stifled by export barriers and rising costs March 3, 2025 Increasing workforce costs and export barriers are threatening the growth of UK mid-size firms. According to new research from BDO, which surveyed 500 business leaders representing companies with turnovers between £10m and £300m, the sector cited international trade challenges as the top concern over the next six months. Over a third, 34 per cent, of [...]
Wayve: Nvidia, Uber and Softbank backed EV startup set for global expansion March 3, 2025 British artificial intelligence (AI) startup Wayve, which develops autonomous vehicle systems, has announced plans to accelerate its international expansion by launching a new hub in Stuttgart, Germany. Backed by tech giants Uber and Softbank, the self-driving firm is testing its AI-powered self-driving tech in Germany and the US and plans to secure partnerships with various automakers. [...]
Loyalty tech startup acquired in mega eight figure deal March 3, 2025 UK-based loyalty tech startup Lux Rewards has been acquired by global rewards company Enigmatic Smile in an eight-figure deal following years of near closures. The exact purchase price has not been disclosed. The acquisition reflects growing consolidation in the loyalty tech industry as businesses compete to meet increasing consumer demand for rewards and retention-focused programs. [...]
WPP eyes AI-driven growth after missing estimates February 27, 2025 WPP has delivered a mixed set of full-year results today. The group reported an unexpected revenue decline despite a slight rise in operating profit. Revenue less pass-through costs dipped by just one per cent on a like-for-like basis, with its fourth quarter down 2.3 per cent due to weak client spending. Headline operating profit reached [...]
