Branding and buyouts: Brand Union’s Toby Southgate on corporate takeovers, Tesco’s farms and Tesla’s higher purpose August 1, 2016 Perceptions of brands change over time,” says Toby Southgate, worldwide chief executive of Brand Union. “And building them takes a long time. It’s not about the final push over the line.” A consultative arm of WPP, Brand Union specialises in brand strategy, and has shaped the identity of some of the world’s biggest names, including Vodafone, Absolut [...]
Phew! Facebook’s AI chief says intelligent machines are not a threat to humanity July 31, 2016 The chief scientist leading Facebook's research into artificial intelligence doesn't believe the technology is a threat to human existence – unless we are very stupid. "I don’t think at AI will become an existential threat to humanity," said Yann LeCun, the top professor who is leading Facebook's efforts in the space of AI and machine learning. "I’m [...]
This is the huge amount of money Apple is spending on R&D right now July 27, 2016 Did someone say iCar? The tech giant might remain coy about exactly what its plans are, but the numbers are clear – Apple is splashing some serious cash on developing new technology despite experiencing its second consecutive decline in revenues. Spending on research and development has rocketed, more than doubling in the last four years and Apple has spent a record amount on innovation [...]
Biotech, robots, Fangs – what’s the hottest tech to invest in? July 26, 2016 The sudden craze for mobile game Pokémon Go has brought the spotlight back onto the potential for investors in technology. The game became the fastest-adopted in history following its release two weeks ago, and shares in co-owner Nintendo rose a massive 70 per cent. The share price has since been tempered with a 17 per cent [...]
Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler launches drive to make three electric car models by 2020 July 23, 2016 Audi's chief executive has said the automobile maker is planning to have three electric car models by 2020. Rupert Stadler also said the firm is aiming for electric cars to account for up to 30 per cent of its sales by 2025, in an interview published today in German newspaper Heilbronner Stimme. The firm's push to move into the [...]
As Tesla unveils plans for a “solar-roof-with-battery product”, will Elon Musk’s company make money any time soon? July 22, 2016 James Hind, chief executive of Carwow, says Yes. Tesla has built a highly desirable brand, as shown by the huge number of pre-orders for the Model 3. Demand for its cars will therefore be strong – even if other manufacturers manage to rival its electric technology. The company is spending a lot on setting up supply, [...]
Eight technologies Elon Musk revealed Tesla is working on in his plan for world domination July 21, 2016 Tesla founder Elon Musk has already pioneered electric and driverless vehicles (to varying degrees of success). Now he has unveiled what the business will do next. Yep: having pulled an all-nighter to finish putting it together, last night Musk unveiled "Master Plan, Part Deux" – 10 years after he wrote the company's original plan. Today's [...]
Brace yourself: Musk’s pulling all-nighter on top secret Tesla masterplan July 20, 2016 Fans of Elon Musk and Tesla, prepare yourself – the top entrepreneur and visionary thinker will delight you with a new plan for the electric car company. Musk teased the "top secret masterplan, part two" on Twitter last week, but has kept everyone guessing about what it might contain. Working on Top Secret Tesla Masterplan, Part 2. Hoping to [...]
SEC investigating Tesla over failure to disclose driverless car crash – reports July 12, 2016 The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is investigating Elon Musk's Tesla Motors – in particular, looking at whether the tech firm broke the law by failing to disclose a fatal accident involving one of its driverless cars in May. The accident, which happened in Florida on 7 May, resulted in the death of 40-year-old Joshua Brown. [...]
Adarsh Radia and new business partner Ignacio Macias are matchmaking startups and corporates July 11, 2016 If you've already been a fund manager and serial entrepreneur, how do you seek a fresh perspective on work – and life? For Adarsh Radia, who’s ex-Merrill Lynch and co-founder of popular Indian restaurant Dishoom (you may have queued to get in), the answer was to enrol himself at the Singularity University, a Silicon Valley think [...]