M&S attack exposes long term cyber fallout for UK firms May 19, 2025 The long tail of cyber attacks is becoming clearer, and more costly, for UK businesses. New data from Hiscox revealed the long term brand and commercial damage from breaches has more than doubled in the past year, underscoring the mounting risks in an AI-driven threat landscape. In its latest cyber readiness report, Hiscox found that [...]
AI triggers biggest financial services skills crunch in 15 years May 19, 2025 The UK financial services sector is facing its most significant technology skills shortage in over 15 years, driven by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence. According to the latest Harvey Nash digital leadership report, AI has surged from the seventh to the most scarce technology skill in just 18 months – a 260 per cent [...]
Government AI pushed stalled by old tech May 16, 2025 The UK public sector is facing a digital crisis, with pressure mounting to roll out AI-driven services, enhance citizen engagement, and modernise remote working. But the sector is being dragged back by legacy systems, disconnected platforms, and chronic budget constraints. A new report from CX platform provider 8×8 and Cavell Group analysts has revealed that [...]
Sage boosts profit and margins as AI tools drive growth May 15, 2025 Accounting software giant Sage has posted a strong set of half year results, powered by rising demand for cloud services and adoption of its AI tools. The firm’s operating profit went up 16 per cent to £288m, whilst revenue saw a nine per cent uptick to £1.24bn, Sage told the market on Thursday. Sage said [...]
Small businesses ‘held back’ by £112bn of late payments May 14, 2025 Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are owed some £112bn in late payments, new research has suggested, with buyers “holding back” UK growth. Nearly 5.5m companies with fewer than 250 employees and modest revenues are seen as the “backbone” of the UK economy and key to unlocking growth. But new research by the Centre for Economics [...]
AI risks creating a cyber crunch for the UK’s national infrastructure May 14, 2025 The UK’s cyber watchdog has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could significantly increase the country’s exposure to cyber attacks, especially those across its critical infrastructure, unless urgent steps are taken. In a recent report, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) argued that AI is already transforming the threat landscape, and that by 2027, it could [...]
British Airways bets on AI to shake off delays May 13, 2025 British Airways has revealed that a major push into artificial intelligence has started to pay off. The UK flag carrier reports an improvement in punctuality after years of cancellations, IT meltdowns, and operational chaos. Chief executive Sean Doyle described the new AI systems as ‘game changing’, claiming they have helped reduce delays and cancellations that [...]
Nvidia shares boosted as Trump ditches AI chip ban May 8, 2025 Leading chip maker Nvidia’s stock rose 3.1 per cent to $116.99 (£92.80) on Wednesday, as Trump administration plans to rescind the Biden-era’s ‘AI diffusion rule’ came to light – a rule which restricts exports of advanced chips used in AI. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index lifted by 1.7 per cent accordingly, and there was a 1.7 [...]
LinkedIn is hoping AI will help you find your next job May 7, 2025 LinkedIn is launching a new AI tool which it hopes will help users find a new job easier than ever before. The Microsoft-owned social media giant has said the new tool “understands what you’re really looking for in your next role” and is said to look beyond job titles and locations. Using generative AI, LinkedIn [...]
Microsoft shares jump after AI bets pay off May 1, 2025 Microsoft shares surged over six per cent in after hours trading on Wednesday after the tech giant delivered another quarter of better than expected earnings, driven by its booming cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) businesses. The company posted revenue of $70.1bn (£52.5bn) for the quarter ending in March, up 13 per cent year on year, [...]