Business intelligence and analytics

AI Seoul Summit: 27 nations and EU to set red lines on AI risk

The countries will now work together to identify thresholds at which the risks presented by an AI model or system would be unacceptable without safeguards in place, as well as develop interoperable safety testing regimes for the technology Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK government announces £8.5m in grants for AI safety research

The funding programme will be directed by the UK’s AI Safety Institute, with grants being used to understand and mitigate the impacts of artificial intelligence, including any systemic risks it presents at the societal level Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

AI Seoul Summit: 10 nations and EU recommit to safe inclusive AI

During the latest AI Summit in South Korea, the participating governments reaffirmed their prior commitments to deepening international cooperation on AI safety, and have agreed to launch an international network of ‘safety institutes’ Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Parliamentary committee criticises big tech response to election threats

Parliamentary committee says tech companies ‘regurgitated publicly available content’ and failed to address questions raised by MPs and peers Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

CIO interview: Nic Granger, director of corporate and CFO, North Sea Transition Authority

Spending time with penguins in the Falkland Islands may not seem an obvious background for an IT leader, but it's worked for Nic Granger as she sets out to overhaul the way data is used in the oil and gas sector Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Dell Technologies World: AI at core of Dell’s next chapter

With a significant anniversary just passed, Dell CEO Michael Dell was in reflective mood as he looked ahead to the impact of artificial intelligence on the tech giant’s product stack Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

DataStax launches on-premise GenAI in ‘hyper-converged’ format

NoSQL database specialist adds generative AI for datacentre deployments where cloud is a no-no for cost, security or compliance reasons, with a focus on vector storage Continue Reading

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• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

UK AI Safety Institute to open San Francisco branch

News of the AI Safety Institute’s expansion to the US follows the first public release of its AI safety testing results Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

NetApp upgrades AFF all-flash as it targets AI storage

New AFF arrays offer performance boost for artificial intelligence, while NetApp trumpets its advantages as a provider of sustainable and intelligent infrastructure for all kinds of workloads Continue Reading

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• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Four key impacts of AI on data storage

We look at the key impacts of AI on data storage, including I/O and possible bottlenecks, how I/O differs across training and inference, plus data management and compliance concerns Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Pritchard

Knowledge24: GenAI dominates ServiceNow annual user conference

ServiceNow put the future use of GenAI at the centre of its annual user conference, Knowledge24 Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

ensemble modeling

Ensemble modeling is the process of running two or more related but different analytical models and then synthesizing the results into a single score or spread. Continue Reading

By

• Rahul Awati
• Ed Burns

Ofcom publishes draft online child safety rules for tech firms

In the draft codes, Ofcom calls on technology firms to use ‘robust’ age-checking and content moderation systems to keep harmful material away from children online Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Google Cloud accelerates asteroid discovery for US-based non-profit

Google Cloud opens up about the work it is doing with a US-based planetary science non-profit to help map the solar system Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

association rules

Association rules are if-then statements that show the probability of relationships between data items within large data sets in various types of databases. Continue Reading

By

• Cameron Hashemi-Pour, Site Editor
• Ben Lutkevich, Site Editor

What’s it like being the IT chief at Man Utd?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we speak to the chief digital information officer at Manchester United Football Club to discuss the IT that keeps a premiership team running. We also investigate how well prepared the UK is for major semiconductor supply chain disruptions. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Case study: Seeing clearly with data at Specsavers

Helen Mannion, director of global data and business transformation at high street opticians firm Specsavers, opens up about the importance of data to the organisation Continue Reading

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• Stephen Pritchard

European Parliament approves platform worker directive

The approval of the platform worker directive gives member states two years to incorporate its measures into their national legislation, which includes provisions on how to classify the employment of gig workers and deploy algorithmic decision-making at work Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

logistic regression

Logistic regression, also known as a logit model, is a statistical analysis method to predict a binary outcome, such as yes or no, based on prior observations of a data set. Continue Reading

By

• Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer
• George Lawton
• Ed Burns

business analytics

Business analytics (BA) is a set of disciplines and technologies for solving business problems using data analysis, statistical models and other quantitative methods. Continue Reading

By

• Cameron Hashemi-Pour, Site Editor
• Ben Lutkevich, Site Editor
• Ed Burns

SuiteConnect London 2024: GenAI everywhere the refrain

Oracle NetSuite’s Evan Goldberg and Oracle’s business applications head Steve Miranda shared thoughts on the GenAI state of play Brian McKenna on recent customer conferences visits to London Continue Reading

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• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

How data keeps Britain’s trains on track

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how Network Rail is ensuring train safety in the face of extreme weather thanks to advanced data analytics. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the latest trends in storage technology. And we talk to the Ministry of Defence’s first ever chief data officer. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Tech companies operating with opacity in Israel-Palestine

Tech firms operating in Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel are falling “woefully short” of their human rights responsibilities amid escalating devastation in Gaza, says Business & Human Rights Resource Centre Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

TUC publishes legislative proposal to protect workers from AI

Proposed bill for regulating artificial intelligence in the UK seeks to translate well-meaning principles and values into concrete rights and obligations that protect workers from systems that make ‘high-risk’ decisions about them Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

CW Innovation Awards: Gleaning data insights with AI

Hong Kong-based Citic Telecom CPC has built a data platform that leverages large language models to generate insights and speed up data retrieval and analysis Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

CW Innovation Awards: Making AI pervasive

DBS Bank’s AI Industrialisation Programme has been instrumental in industrialising the use of data and artificial intelligence across its business, resulting in over S$370m of incremental economic benefits Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Recognising APAC’s trailblazers in digital transformation

DBS Bank and NUS were among the top industry innovators that were lauded for various transformational initiatives at the Computer Weekly Innovation Awards APAC 2024 Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Big tech’s cloud oligopoly risks AI market concentration

The oligopoly that big tech giants have over cloud computing could translate to a similar domination in the AI market, given the financial and compute resources needed to make the technology effective at scale Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Kersley

Quickwit claims big advantage in log file search and index

When the logs are the data: Startup Quickwit claims late entrant advantage in log file search and index with bigger datasets and better analytics on reduced infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

EU’s AI Act fails to protect the rule of law and civic space

Analysis reveals that the AI Act is ‘riddled with far-reaching exceptions’ and its measures to protect fundamental rights are insufficient Continue Reading

By

• Josh Osman, Computer Weekly

noisy data

Noisy data is a data set that contains extra meaningless data. Almost all data sets will contain a certain amount of unwanted noise. Continue Reading

By

• Gavin Wright

PSNI criticised after ‘utterly vague’ answers on covert surveillance of journalists

The Policing Board of Northern Ireland has asked the Police Service of Northern Ireland to produce a public report on its use of covert surveillance powers against journalists and lawyers after it gave ‘utterly vague’ answers Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

How GenAI use is evolving for Google Cloud customers

With more than one million developers now using Google Cloud’s generative AI systems to power their tools, Google customers have gone beyond experimentation and are now building their own agents Continue Reading

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• Josh Osman, Computer Weekly

Storage technology explained: AI and data storage

In this guide, we examine the data storage needs of artificial intelligence, the demands it places on data storage, the suitability of cloud and object storage for AI, and key AI storage products Continue Reading

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• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Software AG IUG 2024: Process mining as GenAI democratisation candidate

The Software AG International User Groups conference in Dublin heard about how generative AI large language models could democratise business process mining and management Continue Reading

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• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service that provides numerous analytical tools for marketing purposes. Continue Reading

By

• Rahul Awati
• Wesley Chai

Google Cloud embeds Gemini across product portfolio

Google Cloud’s Gemini model will power a slew of AI assistant capabilities across its portfolio to bring the benefits of generative AI to developers and enterprise users Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

spatial data

Spatial data is any type of data that directly or indirectly references a specific geographical area or location. Continue Reading

By

• Rahul Awati
• Andrew Zola
• Mark Fontecchio

Government struggles to upgrade legacy IT systems, says PAC chair

In her annual report, Public Accounts Committee chair Meg Hillier calls legacy IT one of government’s ‘big nasties’ and says money urgently needs to be spent to fix the situation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Police forces check intelligence and criminal databases after errors discovered in O2 phone data

Criminal Bar Association calls for information about reliability of communications data used in criminal trials to be disclosed Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Greek government fined over AI surveillance in refugee camps

Greece’s Data Protection Authority has issued a €175,000 fine against the country’s migration ministry over its deployment of artificial intelligence-powered security systems in refugee camps after the watchdog’s investigation found ‘serious shortcomings’ with the roll-out Continue Reading

By

• Lydia Emmanouilidou

UN adopts ‘landmark’ resolution on making AI safe and trustworthy

A UN draft resolution promoting the use of artificial intelligence in sustainable development and the protection of human rights was backed by over 120 member states Continue Reading

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• Josh Osman, Computer Weekly

Five key principles for data insight success

Five key principles for using data to grow your organisation Continue Reading

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• Ian Bobbett, Crimson, and George Lynch, NashTech, part of Nash Squared

Europol offers law enforcement agencies data on Europe’s most threatening crime networks

Europol has collected and analysed data from over 40 countries to identify 800 most threatening criminal networks operating in Europe in what it describes as a unique dataset for law enforcemnt Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Boomi CEO anticipates rise of the AI agent economy

Boomi CEO talks up the company’s efforts to build up an AI agent architecture, its upcoming AI capabilities set to debut next month, and its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

data analytics (DA)

Data analytics (DA) is the process of examining data sets to find trends and draw conclusions about the information they contain. Continue Reading

By

• Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer
• Craig Stedman, Industry Editor

Facial recognition endangers us all without a clear legal basis

Technology researcher Stephanie Hare outlines the growing danger of the UK’s failure to legalise and regulate facial recognition technology Continue Reading

By

• Stephanie Hare

Ofgem begins consultation on dynamic price caps

Smart meters make it possible to manage the electricity grid in a more flexible way, but millions are facing connectivity issues Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Lord Holmes: UK cannot 'wait and see' to regulate AI

Legislation is needed to seize the benefits of artificial intelligence while minimising its risks, says Lord Holmes - but the government’s ‘wait and see’ approach to regulation will fail on both fronts Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Open Data Institute launches digital policy manifesto

The Open Data Institute has launched a policy manifesto ahead of the UK general election that outlines policies and issues it believes must be part of the political discussion around digital and data Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Inclusive approaches to AI governance needed to engage public

Technology practitioners and experts gathered at an annual Alan Turing Institute-run conference discussed the need for more inclusive approaches to AI governance that actually engage citizens and workers Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

How to stop data from driving government mad

The Institute for Government has recommended reforms to the way Number 10 operates - and a new way of managing and using data in the AI age is central to its proposals Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Juniper

Industry partnerships and data key to better public services

Using public-private partnerships and improving the use of data are key to improving public services and the government’s ‘science and technology superpower’ ambitions, says digital secretary Michelle Donelan Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Open source promises advantages for business applications

Open source software may provide a cost-effective approach to building business applications, as well as ensuring transparency, but there are challenges to keep in mind Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

data exploration

Data exploration is the first step in data analysis involving the use of data visualization tools and statistical techniques to uncover data set characteristics and initial patterns. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Robinson, New Era Technology
• Katie Terrell Hanna
• Jacqueline Biscobing, Senior Managing Editor, News

HP emphasises AI in partner programme enhancements

Vendor uses partner event to share details of changes coming in May, and its plans to increase support for partners keen to get involved with artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Simon Quicke, Microscope Editor

decision-making process

A decision-making process is a series of steps one or more individuals take to determine the best option or course of action to address a specific problem or situation. Continue Reading

By

• Robert Sheldon
• Ed Burns
• Kate Brush

Interview: How a fundraiser became more data-savvy

We speak to a fundraiser in the charity sector about how an apprenticeship in data analytics has given her Excel, PowerBI and Power Query skills Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Open Rights Group accuses LiveRamp of ‘unlawful’ data processing

Privacy campaigners at Open Rights Group have submitted formal complaints to UK and French data regulators about allegedly unlawful data processing by online advertising firm LiveRamp Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Own targets SaaS backup and offers analytics insight

Targeting a growing market – SaaS applications that lack backup – Own offers backup, fine-grained restores and analytics on data stores that can bring business insight Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

APAC firms bullish on IT spending

More than half of organisations plan to spend more on key areas such as cyber security, generative AI and cloud in a sign of growing optimism across the region Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Microsoft’s ‘unfair’ cloud licensing under scrutiny

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine claims that Microsoft’s licensing policies are damaging competition in the cloud. Our latest buyer’s guide asks if hybrid cloud is now CIOs’ end goal, and not just an interim step on the journey. And we look at how the focus on customer experience is impacting the unified communications market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Uber CEO denies pricing algorithm uses ‘behavioural patterns’

Uber workers are concerned about what data is being used by the company’s algorithm to set variable pay and pricing levels after CEO Dara Khosrowshahi admits to using drivers’ ‘behavioural patterns’ Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Alan Turing Institute hits ‘key milestone’ in AI strategy

The Alan Turing Institute reaffirms its commitment to addressing “grand challenges” in health, environment and security with the appointment of four new directors Continue Reading

By

• Steve Ranger

Intelligent defence – the role of data in the military

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the role of data in tying together military operations across ground, air, sea and cyber. Has SAP finally convinced customers to migrate to cloud ERP? We assess the trends. And we talk to the CIO helping to set up the UK’s fastest supercomputer. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Amazon defends facial-recognition tech sale to FBI despite moratorium

The FBI has confirmed it is using Amazon’s Rekognition image and video analysis software, but Amazon says it is ‘false’ to suggest this violates the company’s self-imposed moratorium on selling facial-recognition technology to US police Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Government reaffirms commitment to hold off on AI laws

The UK government reaffirming its commitment hold off on artificial intelligence legislation has been received positively by industry for balancing innovation and safety Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK government responds to AI whitepaper consultation

The UK government is considering introducing binding legal requirements for companies developing the most powerful AI systems, and has outlined a range of funding to realise the ambitions of its ‘pro-innovation’ framework for artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

data sampling

Data sampling is a statistical analysis technique used to select, manipulate and analyze a representative subset of data points to identify patterns and trends in the larger data set being examined. Continue Reading

By

• Robert Sheldon
• Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer
• Jacqueline Biscobing, Senior Managing Editor, News

self-service analytics

Self-service analytics is a type of business intelligence (BI) that enables business users to access, manipulate, analyze and visualize data, as well as generate reports based on their discoveries. Continue Reading

By

• Robert Sheldon
• Ed Burns

Welsh workers’ AI experiences shaped by uneven power dynamics

Workers in Wales are being negatively affected by the unregulated introduction of artificial intelligence into workplaces due to asymmetric power dynamics Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Retail’s Big Show: Reporting from the retail technology front line

What themes will we be seeing in the retail tech space over the next year according to the 2024 National Retail Federation’s Big Show? Continue Reading

By

• Glynn Davis

content analytics

Content analytics, also known as content intelligence, is the process of measuring and analyzing how users interact and engage with digital content. Continue Reading

By

• Robert Sheldon

GenAI tools ‘could not exist’ if firms are made to pay copyright

AI firm Anthropic hits out at copyright lawsuit filed by music publishers, claiming the content ingested into its models falls under ‘fair use’ and that any licensing regime would be too complex and costly Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK government consults on age verification tech in alcohol sales

The government has said it wants to allow the use of digital identities and various age-verification technologies in alcohol sales Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

in-memory analytics

In-memory analytics is an approach to querying data residing in a computer's random access memory (RAM) as opposed to querying data stored on physical drives. Continue Reading

By

• Rahul Awati

The race to regulate AI: 2024 unpacked

EU’s AI Act is set to become ‘gold standard’ of AI regulation. Will other countries adopt the same high standards or like the UK opt for a light touch in favour of growth and investment? Continue Reading

By

• Jamie Rowlands and Angus Milne, Haseltine Lake Kempner

18 data science tools to consider using in 2024

Numerous tools are available for data science applications. Read about 18, including their features, capabilities and uses, to see if they fit your analytics needs. Continue Reading

By

• Mary K. Pratt

UN chief blasts AI companies for reckless pursuit of profit

The United Nations general secretary has blasted technology companies and governments for pursuing their own narrow interests in artificial intelligence without any consideration of the common good, as part of wider call to reform global governance Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Davos 2024: AI disinformation tops global risks

In this week’s Computer Weekly, AI-generated disinformation and misinformation will be the top risks for businesses, governments and the public over the next two years, according to the World Economic Forum. Intel’s CTO discusses the chip maker’s plans for the European market. And we examine the dearth of digital skills among elected officials. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

AI will create a thousand Post Office scandals

Critical computing expert Dan McQuillan weighs in on the proliferation of artificial intelligence throughout the public sector and the potential this opens up for a slew of new IT scandals Continue Reading

By

• Dan McQuillan

2024: The year Generative AI is let out of its cage  

Instead of worrying about AI taking over their jobs perhaps people should wonder if their work will be taken over by a new starter who knows how to use AI.   Continue Reading

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• By Peter van der Putten, Director AI Lab, Pegasystems

British Library catalogues back online after ransomware attack

The British Library has restored online access to its main catalogue of nearly 40 million items on a limited basis as it continues the long and arduous process of recovering from a ransomware attack Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

AI likely to worsen economic inequality, says IMF

While artificial intelligence will replace some jobs and complement others, the International Monetary Fund says that, in most of the scenarios it envisages, the technology will likely deepen macro-economic inequalities Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Redefining the cyber domain to tackle the challenges of tomorrow

Emerging technologies have brought about a new age of cyber – and we need a 360-degree collaborative approach more than ever to succeed Continue Reading

By

• Saj Huq, Plexal

Davos 2024: AI-generated disinformation poses threat to elections, says World Economic Forum

Disinformation and misinformation are the top risks facing businesses, governments and the public over the next two years Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Richer customer experiences at your service

The arrival of contact centre technologies and services into the world of unified communications and collaboration has seen core features expanded to make customer experiences richer and more profitable Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Data: the golden thread of military defence

Information has been the lifeblood of warfare for centuries and modern data strategies are no different. From frontline fighters to logistics, manufacturing, R&D, and recruitment, data is crucial Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Pritchard

Qualtrics supports Dow digital transformation

How US-based materials science company has used analytics tools from Qualtrics to target improvements to customer experience Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Top 10 AI regulation stories of 2023

From the UK government’s publication of its long-awaited AI whitepaper to its convening of the world’s first AI Safety Summit, here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 AI regulation stories of 2023 Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Top 10 technology and ethics stories of 2023

Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 technology and ethics stories of 2023 Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Top 10 business applications stories of 2023

Generative AI has become unavoidable for business applications suppliers. C-level executives offer insights here, while the fundamentals of user enterprise software strategy remain visible beneath the AI froth Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

Immigration clampdown could worsen UK IT skills shortage

The UK government’s recent clampdown on immigration could exacerbate the IT skills shortage in the country, especially in web design and development Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

Top 10 information management stories of 2023

Generative AI was inescapable as the leading theme of the information management stories of 2023 gathered here. But also selected are pieces about data and healthcare, and the inexorable rise of the CDO Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

No UK AI legislation until timing is right, says Donelan

The UK government will not legislate on artificial intelligence until it has a better understanding of the technology, so is instead focusing on building up regulatory capacity and conducting safety-focused research, says digital secretary Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

How generative AI is put to work in business applications

Generative AI has kicked up a storm in 2023. We look the opportunities and challenges for businesses, highlighting a range of live applications Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

Yarra Valley Water to roll out smart water meters

The move is expected to stem water losses, alert customers to possible leaks and improve the affordability of water Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Withers

Re:Invent 2023: Selipsky cues Q to project future shape of work

At Amazon Web Services’ annual conference in Las Vegas, Re:Invent, CEO Adam Selipsky hails GenAI capacity of product Q to reshape the future of work Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Senior Analyst, Business Applications

Datacentres or green belt? Why the UK has to choose

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the minefield around datacentre planning permission across the UK, after government blocked a major development next to the M25 motorway. The metaverse is making inroads into the indus-trial world – is this the real future for the technology? And we analyse the trends changing the application software market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Palantir awarded NHS FDP data contract

NHS England has awarded a £330m, seven-year contract to US data specialist Palantir, prompting concerns from data privacy practitioners Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor