Polls could well be wrong on US election just like they were with Brexit, says Nigel Farage October 29, 2016 Nigel Farage had some words of warning for those dismissing Donald Trump's chances in the US presidential election. Speaking on his LBC show, the former Ukip leader said: "They thought Brexit wouldn't happen." Discussing his appearance in Mississippi alongside the Republican presidential candidate, Farage said: "I was there to talk about Brexit and possible crossover with the [...]
America is embracing the opportunities of AI while the rest of the world frets October 25, 2016 The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to generate concerns. The latest furore emerged at the start of this week. Researchers in the top ranked University College London computer science department claimed that an AI algorithm correctly predicts the outcome of 79 per cent of cases heard at the European Court of Human Rights. The current fear [...]
Meet Ernest: The free financial coach that sits in your Facebook October 24, 2016 When I was at BlackRock, I spent a lot of time on tech that was designed to improve return on investment for people who already had a lot of money,” says Niall Bellabarba, co-founder of Ernest, the intelligent finance coach. “So my starting point was that the man on the street doesn’t have access to [...]
UK law firms still growing but competition from US firms and smaller players puts a squeeze on profits October 24, 2016 Lawyers in the UK risk being left twiddling their thumbs, as US and new firms increase competition and put a squeeze on top and bottom lines, a report out today has found. Only three-quarters (75 per cent) of the Top 100 UK law firms reported revenue growth this year, according to figures from PwC, down from [...]
Financial services leads list of sectors most worried about robo-redundancies October 21, 2016 Are you concerned a robot might be after your job? Well, you may find some comfort in the fact you're not alone: this week alone, City A.M. has reported on how hedge fund bosses are bracing themselves for the rise of the machine and, eek, journalists also appear dispensable in some areas. Those working in financial [...]
How edtech innovators are making personalised learning accessible – and fun October 21, 2016 As anyone who has seen a toddler get their hands on a smartphone can testify, the digital revolution isn't just for adults. While concerns about the next generation growing up with square eyes and fried brains bubble to the surface now and again, the more positive trend of using digital to enhance education seems to [...]
As Stephen Hawking questions AI, will it be the best or worst thing to ever happen to humanity? October 20, 2016 Suranga Chandratillake, general partner at Balderton Capital, says the Best. Evolution is powerful but slow. As a result, we humans are stuck with the bodies and minds we have today – and we know that neither will change dramatically in our lifetimes, or in those of our children. It is technology that frees us from these [...]
How technophobe wealth managers risk being left behind by rivals October 20, 2016 Technophobe wealth managers have been told to get with the times or face being left behind by rivals, a new report out today warns. Groups including Brewin Dolphin, Munnypot, Nucleus, SEI and Sesame Bankhall Group contributed to the MRM report, which warns that firms could lose assets and customers by not investing in digital. Read [...]
Robots, AI and digital disruption are coming to the hedge fund industry October 20, 2016 The robots are coming. And the hedge fund industry appears to be accepting it. “There’s a very strong business case for replacing humans with algorithms in a lot of areas of the business,” said one respondent in a survey of more than 100 hedge fund leaders and executives. Some 58 per cent of those interviewed [...]
Stephen Hawking: Artificial intelligence research crucial to the human race October 20, 2016 The UK is about to further boost its status as a world leading centre for artificial intelligence (AI) with the launch of a new centre in Cambridge which is set to explore the implications the technology holds for humans. Officially opened by Professor Stephen Hawking on Wednesday, the £10m Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence [...]