Autumn Budget 2017: Chancellor Philip Hammond’s speech in full November 22, 2017 You can read the chancellor's Budget speech in full here: Mr Deputy Speaker I report today on an economy that continues to grow, continues to create more jobs than ever before and continues to confound those who seek to talk it down. An economy set on a path to a new relationship with our European [...]
HSBC has hired ex-Google engineering director Mike Warriner to lead the bank’s tech and digital efforts November 21, 2017 HSBC is tapping up talent from tech companies to give it a leg up in an increasingly digital world with the hire of a former Google engineer. Mike Warriner, who was the director of engineering at the tech company in the UK for the past five years, has been named chief information officer at the [...]
Most businesses are about to plough cash into artificial intelligence November 20, 2017 Most businesses are planning to plough cash into artificial intelligence over the next two years as just one in ten leaders believes the UK to be a world leader in digital. Some 85 per cent of the more than 50 organisations surveyed by Deloitte, which collectively are worth more than £200bn, said they will invest [...]
Firms failing to get to grips with unconscious hiring bias, say headhunters Adecco November 20, 2017 Over a third of British businesses are failing to properly tackle unconscious bias when hiring new staff. Some 39 per cent of firms are not training hiring managers in unconscious bias best-practice, headhunter firm Adecco concluded in research released today. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents are not using blind CVs. “Despite unconscious [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Philip Hammond to accelerate Britain’s tech credentials with investment in AI and driverless car reforms November 19, 2017 The chancellor is expected to unveil a flurry of announcements to progress artificial intelligence, driverless and electric cars, and 5G across Britain in next week’s Autumn Budget, to help bolster the nation’s credentials as a leader in tech. Philip Hammond is poised to announce £75m for AI, £400m for electric car charge points, £160m for [...]
Theresa May doubles tech talent visas for non-EU foreign workers after Brexit to woo industry November 14, 2017 Theresa May is seeking to reassure the UK’s flourishing tech industry amid ongoing concerns over the impact of Brexit on hiring top talent. The Prime Minister and chancellor Philip Hammond will meet with top entrepreneurs and investors on Wednesday and is promising a flurry of measures to support startups across the country. “It is absolutely [...]
Time to recognise the value of Venture Capital Trust funds November 14, 2017 Next week, the chancellor will unveil his Budget, with just 18 months to go before the UK leaves the EU. Despite Brexit uncertainty, the UK entrepreneurial scene is thriving, and the investment opportunity ripe for those looking to access the growth potential of early-stage businesses. This is something the government has recognised, and we expect [...]
We must lay the ethical groundwork for artificial intelligence now, before it’s too late November 7, 2017 Artificial intelligence (AI) is having an identity crisis. More specifically, the concept of AI is often wrongly portrayed as a thing, a noun, a sentiment being – which it is not. The danger of overhyping and objectifying AI is that we misunderstand the valuable opportunity that presents itself, fail to fully educate the global population, [...]
Facebook makes fintech move with UK launch of p2p payments via Messenger feature November 6, 2017 Facebook is making its first foray into finance in the UK with the launch of a new feature which lets users send and receive payments via Messenger. Cash can be transferred with just a message and users can even add emojis and gifs. Facebook’s artificial intelligence powered virtual assistant for Messenger, called M, will also [...]
eDreams Odigeo hints at a merger on the horizon with a strategic review November 2, 2017 Barcelona-based travel booking firm eDreams Odigeo could be about to sell itself or merge with another company after it announced a strategic review this morning. Unsolicited approaches from potential investors prompted the unanimous decision by the board to being a review and appoint Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor. At the same time, the company [...]