From flying taxis to a London shuttle: Here are five of the coolest driverless concepts June 16, 2017 Over the next decade, driverless technology is set to transform not only how we drive, but the prospect of owning a vehicle. Advances in artificial intelligence, cameras, sensors, and radar are making this possible. With that in mind, here are five of the most exciting autonomous prospects on the horizon… Read more: Not a load [...]
Goldman Sachs-backed fintech startup Circle wants to become the Alipay of Europe with social payment app expansion plans June 15, 2017 A fintech startup backed by Goldman Sachs has unveiled ambitious plans to make emoji friendly social payments as popular in Europe as they are in China, where nearly $3 trillion was sent via WeChat and Alipay last year. Circle lets users send payments to each other via its WhatsApp-style chat app and iMessage. It is [...]
Google’s opening a huge new tech hub in London for training the UK in digital skills June 13, 2017 Google is opening the doors to a huge new space in London designed to give the nation training in vital digital skills. The Academy will offer lessons to anyone, from schoolchildren to chief executives, at the 40,000 sq ft space in Victoria with input from Google staff and other industry experts. Read more: The mayor [...]
Job cuts? No, artificial intelligence and automation will usher in a new wave of roles, IT bosses say June 12, 2017 Widespread job losses will not be a natural consequence of greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) by UK businesses, research released today by telecoms giant BT suggested. In fact, a third of those polled by BT felt AI and automation said the so-called “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, would have the opposite effect: to create more jobs. [...]
Insurance sector readies for soaring M&A (merger and acquisition) activity as firms look to spend surplus capital following Solvency II Directive June 12, 2017 A surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and share buybacks could sweep Europe’s insurance sector this year, as firms look to put surplus capital to work. According to a survey of chief financial officers conducted by Moody’s Investors Service, low interest rates remained the single biggest worry in the sector. The results gathered opinion in [...]
Artificial Intelligence is a threat to society, an EU committee (EESC) has warned June 1, 2017 Artificial intelligence (AI) could pose a threat to the fabric of our society, according to an opinion published last night by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EESC’s Workers’ Group, which is comprised of representatives from national trade unions, found 11 areas in which AI raises societal concerns – ranging from labour to [...]
These are the 100 most disruptive startups in the world (and a third are from the UK): Roman Abramovich-backed Storedot, AI chip maker Graphcore and cancer detection scientists at Grail top list June 1, 2017 A Bristol-based startup developing computer chips for artificial intelligence, an app for helping kids manage money, and a fintech just backed by Aviva, are among the UK startups to be named the most disruptive in the world. AI chip firm Graphcore was ranked second in the annual list identifying companies with the potential to “influence, [...]
Ireland: a perfect partner for AI development May 25, 2017 China is emerging as a global powerhouse for artificial intelligence (AI) and Ireland offers an ideal location for Chinese companies to extend their international reach in this critically important space. China’s growing pre-eminence in this area is in line with the “One Belt One Road” initiative announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013 and the [...]
Aviva just backed insurance focused fintech startup Neos and will probably acquire one soon, says CEO Mark Wilson May 25, 2017 Aviva is splashing cash on a startup focusing on insurance for connected homes in the latest signal of the insurers intent when it comes to technology – and it may even stretch to buying a small tech firm in future, it has revealed. The venture arm of Aviva has led a £5m series A funding [...]
Ford chief executive Mark Fields leaves in management shake-up as boss of driverless car unit Jim Hackett replaces him May 22, 2017 The chief executive of Ford is being replaced by another Ford executive, Jim Hackett. Mark Fields has chosen to retire after 28 years with the firm. Read more: Ford to cut 10 per cent of salaried jobs across the pond Hackett oversaw the Ford subsidiary that works on driverless cars, Ford Smart Mobility. The US [...]