IT innovation, research and development

Singapore and UK sign digital trade deal

Described as the world’s most comprehensive digital agreement between two countries, the deal supports the UK’s bid to join Trans-Pacific Partnership to build trade connections with 11 Indo-Pacific markets Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Finland looks to democratise the ‘wild west’ of artificial intelligence

Finland could play an important role in increasing the understanding of what artificial intelligence software can do for society Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

UAE joins the race to produce a usable quantum computer

As part of its ongoing effort to keep up with the latest technology, the United Arab Emirates has begun work on the region’s first quantum computer Continue Reading

By

• Pat Brans, Pat Brans Associates/Grenoble Ecole de Management

PAC scrutinises failure of large government IT modernisation projects

From unskilled senior government officials to over-reliance on outsourcers and contractors, the factors underpinning unsuccessful tech-driven transformation initiatives are investigated in a new report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

CDEI publishes roadmap for UK AI assurance ecosystem

Publication from CDEI sets out the steps required to verify the effectiveness, trustworthiness and compliance of artificial intelligence systems Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Home Office slammed over police IT legacy replacement delays

Modernisation initiative has seen a significant increase in costs and several changes in scope, and measures introduced to address issues seem ineffective, says Public Accounts Committee report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK and US to collaborate on privacy innovation contest

Joint UK-US innovation challenge contest centring on privacy-enhancing technology announced at Summit for Democracy in Washington DC Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CIO interview: Nicola Wadham, Financial Ombudsman Service

CIO Nicola Wadham brings Computer Weekly up to speed on the Financial Ombudsman Service’s IT challenges and successes Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK technology issues contributed to Afghanistan withdrawal chaos

Multiple problems including email management, collaboration restrictions and lack of technical expertise may have risked the lives of thousands of Afghans, according to whistleblower Raphael Marshall Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Labour reshuffle expands shadow ministerial team on digital, technology and innovation policy

New Shadow Cabinet includes three Labour spokespeople covering issues around digital, data, technology, science and innovation issues Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Digital measures confirmed under UK procurement overhaul

A new platform and data standard will be introduced as part of a government move to bring simplicity and transparency to contracting Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

AI assistant Bürokratt to reduce bureaucracy in Estonian government

Estonia to launch a Siri-like digital assistant that will automate the completion of government service requests Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Spy tech gets high tech – why MI6 invests in startups

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we’re used to James Bond and his gadgets, but now MI6 is investing in tech startups to develop new intelligence capabilities. Our exclusive IT Priorities survey suggests IT leaders are optimistic about 2022. And our new buyer’s guide examines the latest emerging technologies. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

European finance firms increase open banking spend

Financial services firms are increasing investment in open banking capabilities, with improvements to payment initiation and onboarding capabilities expected Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Winter plan for health and social care gets £250m tech boost

Upgrades in screening to reduce waiting times and remote monitoring are among the initiatives to benefit from the budget allocation Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Cyber attacks and severe space weather among extreme risks faced by UK

An attack on the country’s critical infrastructure and severe space weather events could bring the UK to a halt, says Lords report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Australia’s NSW to build A$40m digital twin

The spatial digital twin brings together government data sources to provide insights for urban planners and residents to support decision-making and see into the future Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

NUHS to tap edge supercomputing to crunch AI workloads

Singapore’s National University Health System will tap edge supercomputing resources to train AI models in a range of healthcare-related AI applications by mid-2022 Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

UK government publishes tech-enabled adult social care plan

Ten-year plan will see NHSX working on areas such as assistive technologies, and improved connectivity for care homes Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

India’s IT spending to cross $100bn mark in 2022

Led by software investments, the growth in IT spending comes as organisations in the subcontinent look to modernise their IT infrastructure and support a hybrid workforce Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Unesco member states adopt AI ethics recommendation

The non-binding recommendation seeks to define a common set of values and principles to guide the development of ethical AI globally Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Kaspersky introduces cyber policy for bionic devices

Cyber firm Kaspersky has become one of the first organisations in the world to develop and implement a security policy covering the use of bionic devices and other forms of human augmentation Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Wolverhampton to pilot app that rewards healthy behaviours

Tool is aimed at helping local residents eat better and exercise more Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Cloud-based Redwood becomes latest challenger bank to make a profit

Cloud-based business bank becomes the latest of the new wave of challengers to achieve profit Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Swedish researchers are patiently developing a useful quantum computer

By 2028, the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology in Sweden expects to have a useful quantum computer Continue Reading

By

• Pat Brans, Pat Brans Associates/Grenoble Ecole de Management

Security Think Tank: In the cloud, anti-human approaches set us up to fail

Security learning is a career-long process, so as 2021 draws to a close, participants in the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank sum up the most important cyber lessons they’ve taken away from the past 12 months Continue Reading

By

• Mike Lloyd, RedSeal

MI6 will ‘open up’ to tech firms to innovate faster than adversaries, says chief Richard Moore

MI6 will use investment fund to back tech companies to develop long-term technologies that will help it to keep pace with China and Russia Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Technology horizon-scanning programme launched by UK regulatory bodies

Goal of the initiative is to build knowledge and understanding of emerging tools Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Financial Ombudsman Service takes step towards digital transformation with Workday

Ombudsman uses human resource and financial management software in the cloud Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK government launches report on digital trade

Report outlines future opportunities and challenges such as the rise of digital protectionism and poor infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Over 100 civil society groups call for changes to EU AI Act

Civil, human and digital rights organisations sign open letter calling on European policymakers to put fundamental rights at the heart of the proposed Artificial Intelligence Act Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Accenture to create 3,000 UK tech jobs

Accenture’s recruitment plan in the UK is a response to businesses to the release of pent-up demand for digital transformations Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK announces standard for algorithmic transparency

Public sector organisations will pilot artificial intelligence governance framework and evolve it based on feedback Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK ‘impact startups’ raise £2bn in 2021

Impact startups in the UK have raised record levels of investment this year, with most of the capital raised going to climate tech firms Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

British Army announces transformation programme

The Future Soldier initiative will see a modernisation supported by use of emerging technologies and bolstered cyber capabilities Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

One in three Norwegian unicorns created in 2021 alone

Norway’s tech sector has undergone rapid growth in the past year, consolidating the Nordic country’s position as an emerging European tech hub Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK government announces NHS digital delivery review

Report from NHS Digital chair Laura Wade-Gery sets out recommendations on how to approach digital transformation in the public health system Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Police tech introduced with little scrutiny or training

A Lords inquiry into the adoption of advanced algorithmic technologies by police in England and Wales has been told that new tools are being introduced without proper training and with little scrutiny of their impacts Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

CIO interview: Mia Sorgi, director of digital product and experience, PepsiCo Europe

A trial project using gesture-based technology to help customers order in restaurants is just one example of the pioneering digital innovations being explored by food and drinks giant PepsiCo Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

NHSX and NHS Digital to merge with NHS England

Overhaul part of recommendations under a digital delivery review led by NHS Digital chair Laura Wade-Gery Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Can the tech community show us how to save the world?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we report from the COP26 conference on how the tech world’s collaborative open source model could help tackle climate change. Gartner has urged IT leaders to rethink their role as business come to rely on digital technologies. And we ask if your office security is at risk as staff return. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Home secretary urged to respond to concerns over EU travel systems

Priti Patel is challenged over the various issues relating to new border checks affecting UK residents travelling to the European Union, in aspects such as facial recognition and algorithmic profiling Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

DHSC reluctant to confirm details of digital delivery review

Sajid Javid heightens expectations around Wade-Gery review at NHS conference, but health department is unable to say when it might be delivered Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK holds international digital government conference

Countries convened to discuss digital transformation issues and the application to services of technologies such as AI and digital identity. Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK government announces safety tech challenge fund winners

The Safety Tech Challenge Fund winners will now develop technologies to limit the spread of child abuse material in encrypted environments, which the government has claimed will not be repurposed for other uses Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

HMRC should boost data analytics capability, says NAO report

Department urged to develop its current set-up to better manage the range of taxpayers’ needs it encounters Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

ONS data points to rise in UK tech employment for women

Female professionals accounted for 71% of the new jobs created between June and September 2021 Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

GovTech to enhance Government on Commercial Cloud

GCC 2.0 will include improvements in user onboarding and provide single credential access to public cloud services and engineering tools, among other areas Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Tech suppliers chosen for £5bn NHS digital records framework

A pool of 46 firms has been selected to deliver digital document solutions and associated hardware and software Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHS Digital announces sustainability pledge

NHS Digital outlines its commitments and plans to tackle the net-zero challenge, including a new approach to cloud hosting Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

IBM readies System Two modular quantum architecture

127-qubit Eagle represents IBM’s last System One quantum computer design. Scaling to more qubits requires multiplexing and modularity Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

How cosmetics retailer Lush authenticates with ease

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how Lush has modernised user authentication, governed by a desire to care for customer data. We also talk to the chief data officer at Nasa about data as a strategic asset, and the ground of better decision-making. And we foreground a call for the government and the Post Office to compensate victims of the Horizon computer system without delay. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Medtronic ups ante in digital health

Medtronic wants a slice of the burgeoning digital health market and is teaming up with startups and other organisations in Asia-Pacific’s healthcare ecosystem to raise its game Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

General Motors restructures IT to develop $25bn software business

Carmaker has divided its IT function, one part focusing on the back office, the other on its software-defined business opportunity Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Security Think Tank: What to find out before investing in SASE

Petra Wenham of the BCS shares her thoughts on what organisations need to consider as they investigate whether or not to invest in secure access service edge technology Continue Reading

By

• Petra Wenham

Nominations open for Computer Weekly Innovation Awards APAC 2022

Computer Weekly is looking for nominations for the annual Innovation Awards to honour digital transformation initiatives in Asia-Pacific that have transformed organisations in seven industries Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Royal Navy gets £100m electronic warfare boost

Contract will see new technology deployed to bolster the UK's radar detection capabilities for the Royal Navy Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

New law needed to rein in AI-powered workplace surveillance

MPs and peers call for new legislation to regulate the growing use of artificial intelligence in the workplace, which is being used to surveil workers’ performance and behaviour Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Oversight of biometrics and surveillance should not go to ICO

Biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner Fraser Sampson has panned the UK government’s proposed plan to absorb the functions of those roles under the remit of the information commissioner Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

BT applies Covid-19 R number modelling to threat response

A prototype cyber security tool developed at BT uses epidemiological principles to detect and respond to cyber threats Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

LOTI to develop data ethics governance approach for London

The technology and innovation office is working on the elements needed to ensure ethical standards in data projects in the capital’s boroughs Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Government publishes research on maritime technology sector

The report outlines opportunities and recommendations for the industry in areas such as autonomous systems and artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

IT Priorities 2022: APAC enterprises invest in digital future

Nearly two-thirds of enterprises in Asia-Pacific plan to increase their IT budgets next year in areas such as cloud computing and cyber security to secure their digital future Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Cambridge Quantum tackles rail optimisation for German operator

Among the promises of quantum computing is to run combinational optimisation for tasks such as complex train scheduling to minimise disruption Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

How the tech sector can lead the green revolution

Tech has often been highlighted as a contributor to climate change, but technology innovation will be central to achieving a net-zero economy Continue Reading

By

• Julian David, TechUK

Northumbria University enters next phase in developing a shoebox-size comms satellite

Researchers are collaborating on a new satellite system based on shrinking laser communications into a device no bigger than a shoebox Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

CW Benelux: Dutch IT company rips up the HR rule book for better work-life balance

One Dutch tech firm has used learnings from the pandemic to rip up its HR rule book and implement an official work-from-home policy. In fact, Infolearn has gone further than hybrid working, with a personal mobility budget for staff and a four-day working week, all with retention of full-time salary. Also in this issue, read how Dutch education administrators appear to be underestimating the threat of cyber crime. Continue Reading

Stockholm and Copenhagen: Different IT innovation journeys, similar success

Swedish and Danish capitals have build compelling tech startup success stories, and now rub shoulders with the likes of San Francisco Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

EU artificial intelligence regulation risks undermining social safety net

Europe’s proposed artificial intelligence regulation will not adequately protect people from European governments' increasing use of the technology in social security decisions and resource allocation, says Human Rights Watch Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

CIO interview: Graeme Hackland, CIO, Williams F1

The Formula One CIO has made big changes to IT over the last few years, helping the F1 team to move forward through cloud-driven business transformation Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Yoti develops age estimation algorithm for under-13s

Age estimation technology developed by Yoti is being pitched as a way of helping social media platforms and other online businesses protect younger internet users from harm Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

NHS gets £250m boost to accelerate digital diagnostics plan

NHS funding aimed at enabling faster detection of health conditions and reducing waiting times Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Standard Chartered picks Starling Bank tech for product launch

Standard Chartered able to quickly launch new product through fintech platform Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Vienna’s tech startup ecosystem gathers momentum

After a sustained period of inactivity, Vienna’s startup environment is finally on the rise again Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

Blockchain technology will help banks will cut cross-border payment costs by $10bn in 2030

The use of blockchain technology in cross-border payments will save global banks $10bn in 2030, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Singapore ups ante in AI with sectoral programmes

Singapore launches two national AI programmes to bolster adoption of AI by financial institutions and the public sector Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

NHSX chief information officer outlines role of tech in achieving net zero targets

The digital delivery unit will publish an update of its digital change framework to encompass sustainability, tackling areas such as artificial intelligence and data hosting Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Technology spending reaches record levels, fuelling jobs boom

Spending on IT has reached its highest levels for a decade but a shortage of skilled IT professionals could dampen growth Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Businesses failing to cut carbon footprint of ‘power-hungry’ technology

Tackling the power consumption of datacentres features low on the list of tech leaders’ priorities, but pressures to change are growing Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Reaching the data gold standard: dream or reality?

The pandemic has forced businesses to adopt digital technology at a record pace but most organisations find themselves at the beginning of a long journey towards making the most of their data Continue Reading

By

• Heather Byron, NashTech

Digital secretary calls for permanent online safety committee

Digital secretary commits to establishing ongoing oversight of the Online Safety Bill and its implementation, and suggests the grace period on criminal liability for tech company execs should be shortened from two years to a maximum of six months once it’s enacted Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

HMRC IT transformation plans under strain, says NAO report

The EU transition and higher-than-expected customer demand, as well as technical debt, are among the factors that could affect HMRC’s modernisation ambitions Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Inside Krungsri Bank’s open API journey

Thailand’s Krungsri Bank has been harnessing open application programming interfaces to enable its partners to build new services in a strategy that has won over customers from rival banks Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

UK and US governments agree joint quantum collaboration

Representatives from the two governments issue a joint statement on quantum information science and technology (Qist) Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

NAO raises concerns over systems preparedness for import controls

Delivery of enhancements and funding issues for the second phase of the Customs Declaration Service are among the points highlighted in latest report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Facebook self-imposes facial recognition moratorium

Facebook and Meta have committed to halting their use of facial recognition technology and deleting the biometric data of more than a billion people by the end of 2021, but will retain the underlying algorithms and software for potential use in future products Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Quarter of people don’t plan to visit a bank branch again

A quarter of people have no intention of visiting a bank branch again after experiencing the benefits of digital banking when branches were closed during Covid-19 lockdowns Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

How tech can help companies make bigger strides towards sustainability

Sustainability must be at the centre of a digital strategy – not a sideshow or an afterthought Continue Reading

By

• Kim McCann and Tom Day at PA Consulting

Adelaide healthcare network digitises manual processes

The Central Adelaide Local Health Network has digitised manual processes in more than 20 speciality areas to improve patient experience and alleviate the workloads of frontline staff Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Minister refuses to rule out fully autonomous lethal weapons

Lords debate the UK’s stance on drones and artificial intelligence in conflict Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

HSBC standardises on DevOps platform

HSBC to standardise and automate software development through CloudBees platform Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Government investigates the future of drones in the UK

Regulatory Horizons Council research explores the opportunities and regulatory challenges around unlocking the domestic drone market Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Covid pass deal to enable UK vaccine verification by EU countries

Under the agreement, vaccination status of UK citizens will be digitally verified via the EU digital Covid certificate gateway Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

MPs and Lords grill Facebook over online safety efforts

Facebook answers British lawmakers’ questions about the social media giant’s efforts to ensure the safety of its users, as part of legislative security of the government's proposed online safety bill Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Payments through open banking could end card dominance

Payments made through open banking will eat into those made using cards as the next five years sees an acceleration in adoption Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK government launches consultation on AI in patents and copyright

Evidence and views will be sought by UK government on how inventions and creative work made by AI should be protected Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Budget: Cloud and data added to R&D tax credits, tech skills and digital boost for departments

Rishi Sunak announces plans to incentivise private sector investment in research and development, attract global talent and boost the UK’s skills base Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Russian IT market growing steadily after pandemic

Russia’s enterprise IT sector is recovering steadily after a slowdown caused by Covid-19 Continue Reading

By

• Eugene Gerden

PAC report slams reliance on consulting at NHS Test and Trace

Consultants recruited to fill technical skills gaps on the NHS Test and Trace programme are expected to cost £300m amid concerns spend has gotten “out of hand” Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Thought Machine: Google-inspired banking fintech to unicorn and beyond

UK fintech unicorn Thought Machine is transforming the IT of large traditional banks, while working with fledgling digital-only challengers Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA