Coronavirus: UK tech sector ‘at risk’ as firms miss out on loans April 8, 2020 The thriving UK tech sector is under threat as firms are missing out on a £330bn coronavirus support plan, Deliveroo, Citymapper and more have warned. In a letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak, 12 of the UK’s most prominent tech chiefs today called for an urgent meeting with officials to find a way for tech firms [...]
Whatsapp limits message forwarding to fight coronavirus fake news April 7, 2020 Whatsapp will impose a limit on message forwarding in a bid to halt the rapid spread of misinformation about coronavirus on its platform. The social media firm said that when users receive a message that has already been forwarded multiple times, they will only be able to send it on to one chat at a [...]
Coronavirus: Pursue profit at all costs or stand by your staff? The world has its eye on business March 26, 2020 How times have changed. It is remarkable to think that it was just eight weeks ago that business and political leaders from around the world gathered in the Alpine town of Davos. The 50th World Economic Forum was dominated by discussion of the climate crisis, global trade and artificial intelligence. US President Donald Trump declared [...]
How coronavirus is turning the spotlight on sustainable investing March 25, 2020 It is difficult to start any article without referring to the threat presented by the coronavirus sweeping across countries. The human impacts are clearly devastating for anyone affected, even if the overall impact is at present relatively small in the context of major pandemics through history. The economic and financial impacts are also proving significant. [...]
Labour’s Ian Murray: We need universal basic income to beat coronavirus March 20, 2020 The government must introduce a universal basic income to protect the UK’s most vulnerable workers amid a coronavirus-fuelled economic downturn, Labour deputy leadership contender Ian Murray warned this week. He also called on Boris Johnson to step up measures to protect businesses in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – or risk “local community businesses [...]
DEBATE: Is the EU’s approach to regulating artificial intelligence misguided? March 16, 2020 Is the EU’s approach to regulating artificial intelligence misguided? James Lawson, chief AI evangelist at DataRobot, says YES. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming society for the better. We’re using it to improve services and save lives. Applications range from fighting fraud to preventing forest fires and creating new medicines. The EU’s desire to be the [...]
The EU’s attempt to regulate artificial intelligence could backfire March 12, 2020 The “Wild West” of artificial intelligence (AI) needs to be reined in, according to EU industry commissioner Thierry Breton. However, regulating AI generally, rather than regulating the technology’s uses specifically, may very well be putting the cart before the horse. Late last month, the European Commission revealed its intention to draft regulation around the use [...]
Kantar snaps up digital consultancy Mavens of London March 11, 2020 Market research firm Kantar today said it has acquired digital consultancy Mavens of London as new owner Bain Capital continues to overhaul the business. Mavens, which was founded in 2009, provides research services for marketers, using data to help marketers optimise their digital search and content strategies. Kantar said the takeover would bolster its existing [...]
Has the time come for healthtech? March 10, 2020 More than 110,000 coronavirus cases have been recorded worldwide and at least 3,800 patients have died. Only time will tell how devastating the effect of coronavirus will ultimately be on the human population and the global economy. Whatever happens, the Covid-19 virus could well go down in history as a moment of profound change in [...]
If cities like London and Cardiff collaborate, the whole UK will prosper March 9, 2020 Last week, digital bank Starling announced the creation of 400 new jobs in Cardiff. To anyone familiar with the thriving city, it should come as no surprise. The Welsh capital has cultivated an innovative digital and tech centre with particular specialities around life sciences and software technology, as well as fast-growing adjacent industries such as [...]