Cracks appear in the AI boom as market reassesses growth prospects March 5, 2025 The optimism surrounding AI is facing scrutiny as investors and industry leaders reassess the long term profitability of AI-related infrastructure. Recent stock market trends suggest a shift away from the AI sector, with semiconductor and cloud computing stocks among the worst performers in 2025 so far, according to AJ Bell. AI hype faces a reality [...]
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 [...]
The slow death of billable hours at law firms March 5, 2025 With the rise of AI and the cost of lawyers going through the roof, law firms are rushing to change how they bill clients in the hopes of avoiding awkward questions
Canada and Mexico tariffs: No10 stresses ‘balanced’ trade relationship with US March 4, 2025 The UK has a “strong, fair, balanced and reciprocal trading relationship” with the United States, No10 has stressed, as US tariffs came into force against Canada and Mexico. President Trump’s tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico took effect on Tuesday, with global markets put on edge and retaliations planned by the two countries – [...]
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, [...]
Vitality: Profit on the up at health and life insurance giant March 4, 2025 Health and life insurer Vitality returned to profit growth during the first six months of its current financial year, it has been revealed. The company, which is UK’s third-largest health insurer behind Bupa and Axa, has posted a normalised profit from £40m for the final six months of 2024. Its UK health division reported a [...]
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 [...]
Former BP boss Looney joins climate focussed AI start-up March 4, 2025 Former BP chief executive Bernard Looney has been appointed chairman of a sustainability-focussed AI start-up nearly a year and a half after his scandalous departure from the oil major. London-headquartered ExpertAI aims to reduce small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) emissions by improving access to local green suppliers and subsidies. Looney joins a year and a [...]