Machine learning, artificial intelligence and robo-advisers: The future of finance? August 4, 2017 The topic of machine learning-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining increasing visibility in the world of investment management. Of particular interest is the application of AI to the development of smarter robo-advisers that some hope, while others fear, will yield 'intelligent' and cost-effective investment management advice. This topic was raised by investment professionals during the [...]
Chancellor Philip Hammond launches consultation into funding the next UK unicorn startups August 1, 2017 Philip Hammond has proposed a new investment fund for innovative UK companies to help them become “unicorns” valued at more than $1bn (£760m). The chancellor today launched a consultation on financing growth in innovative firms in response to an identified £4bn funding gap between American and British firms. Read more: Chancellor lays out four-pronged approach [...]
Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are embroiled in a geeky spat over artificial intelligence and robots July 26, 2017 We can officially hand out the award for geekiest fight of the year. Two of the most influential entrepreneurs of the last decade, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and serial entrepreneur Elon Musk, have entered into a war of words over the future of robots and artificial intelligence. The pair have taken opposing sides in the [...]
Aviva and Founders Factory are betting on these five fintech startups for artificial intelligence, blockchain and virtual reality expertise July 24, 2017 Aviva is betting on virtual reality, artificial intelligence and blockchain when it comes to technology. The insurer has unveiled the first five startups to benefit from a multi-million pound investment into new technology with startup accelerator and incubator Founders Factory. And the two have also created their own startup together, OnCare, aiming to take the [...]
Graphcore lands $30m from top AI experts Demis Hassabis from Deepmind, Uber’s Zoubin Ghahramani and more along with Atomico and others | City A.M. July 20, 2017 Some of the world’s leading experts in artificial intelligence are among fresh investors to plough $30m into a Bristol-based chip startup. Google DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis and Zoubin Ghahramani, Uber’s chief scientist and Cambridge university professor, are among new investors in Graphcore, which makes chips that can process machine learning faster and more efficiently. It [...]
The pension pitfalls of the gig economy July 19, 2017 Our work lives are becoming increasingly malleable as millions of us turn our backs on steady nine-to-five jobs and choose to go freelance instead. Yes, we can now mould our job into a shape that fits neatly into our personal or financial lives, but this workplace revolution is by no means perfect, and has [...]
Artificial intelligence is our chance to shoot for the moon July 19, 2017 A common criticism of the recent election has been that the campaigns failed to address many of the big issues that will affect the futures of most people. It’s a fair point. I don’t recall hearing one politician talk about the rapidly changing world of business and work, and what this country may look like [...]
Hot UK cyber security startup Darktrace raises $75m series D at $825m valuation July 11, 2017 One of the Uk’s hottest startups has millions of pounds in fresh funding, pushing the firm’s valuation surging past the half a billion dollars mark. Cyber security startup Darktrace has raised $75m (£58m) in a series D round of funding, valuing it at $825m, almost double of what it was when it raised $65m this [...]
Britain is a tech powerhouse leading the global revolution July 7, 2017 In every era, when a big new technology is invented we are challenged to think fresh about how to make it work for us, in a way that improves the quality of people’s lives. Just as new technologies can bring great benefits, they also can throw up risks. It’s no different with digital technology. Britain [...]
Cyber attacks are prompting a boost in cybersecurity M&A, figures from Hampleton Partners reveal July 6, 2017 Both strategic buyers and private equity firms are showing a renewed interest in cybersecurity acquisitions, new figures from technology-focused merger and acquisition (M&A) advisor Hampleton Partners reveal. After 2010, following the period when software-based cybersecurity systems were being hoovered up in massive deals such as Intel’s $7.68bn takeover of McAfee, the value of deals done [...]