IT innovation, research and development

Post-Brexit passport checking tool to start pilot

The government is looking for companies that can carry out large-scale tests of the Document Checking Service, which will allow organisations to digitally check the validity of passports Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Future Decoded: AI-powered data revolutionises software development

Microsoft believes artificial intelligence will drive an entirely new way to develop software that can take advantage of massive data growth Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

UK government readies bus open data portal

The government’s bus data service is part of plans to provide better information to get more people to use bus services Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Healthcare and technology have cultural similarities, says NHSX CEO

Common factors in healthcare and technology could help bring about a shift in attitudes, says Matthew Gould Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Interview: James Smith, director of digital, Nationwide Building Society

James Smith says heading up the digital unit at Nationwide Building Society is the best job in the business Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Polaris Transportation digitises with RPA and hyperledger tech

Transportation group has embarked on a digital transformation journey using WorkFusion and blockchain hyperledger for straight-through processing Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

The most influential women in UK technology 2019

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we announce our annual list of the 50 most influential women in UK technology. Meet the winner, Debbie Forster, CEO of Tech Talent Charter, and find out who are this year’s five rising stars. Also, our latest buyer’s guide looks at the latest developments in robotic process automation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Australia gets ready for open banking

Traditional banks and fintech firms alike will need to bite the bullet in the crucial startup period if Australia’s open banking regime is to succeed Continue Reading

By

• Stuart Kennedy

Chancellor Sajid Javid set to make £5bn investment commitment to improve UK broadband coverage

The Chancellor Sajid Javid is expected to take to the stage at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester later today, to set out the group’s “infrastructure revolution” plans, which include ramping up broadband coverage across the UK Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

UK Parliament readies cyber security change programme

A request for information has been launched to find a consultancy firm to support and shape the Parliament’s cyber security project, which will be delivered in two years’ time Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Data challenges jeopardise service provision in government

Several challenges have to be tackled to make the government’s new data strategy work and departments have “barely scratched the surface” of what needs to be done, says PAC report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Pure Storage APAC CTO talks up storage trends

Flash-based storage will be around for at least two decades more, while crystal- and DNA-based storage needs a lot more work before becoming mainstream, according to Pure Storage’s CTO for the Asia-Pacific region Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

HMRC chief digital and information officer departs

Jacky Wright, HMRC chief digital and information officer, will return to Microsoft in October after a two-year loan arrangement Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

If data really is the new oil, the raw materials need a different economic approach

The International Monetary Fund is the latest to say that data is the new oil – the change agent in the economy – but striking it rich is a complicated matter Continue Reading

By

• Tim Worstall, Adam Smith Institute

How Graphcore is putting AI on steroids

UK chipmaker Graphcore’s intelligence processing unit may just hold the key to unlocking the full potential of artificial intelligence Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Government launches guidelines for AI procurement

Document intended to inform public sector buyers has been created by the Office for AI and the World Economic Forum Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Brazilian fintech Creditas chases UK tech talent

Latin American firm Creditas is looking to lure senior professionals who may be leaving the UK to its technology hub in Spain Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

PM invites global leaders to discuss ethics in tech

London summit next year will invite countries to discuss standards for emerging technology Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Why quantum needs a classic approach for supremacy

Google claims it has developed an algorithm for a quantum computer that would take a traditional “classical” computer 10,000 years to run. We investigate Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Latest Lorca cyber security challenge has IoT focus

Government-backed cyber security innovation centre Lorca has issued new challenges around connectivity for its next intake of scaleups Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 31

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly and Clare McDonald are joined by Ryan Priest for an accidentally transport-heavy chat about the week in tech Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor
• Ryan Priest
• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Basic data and skills needed to fix UK social care

Foundations need to be in place to save the social care system from collapse, and NHSX needs to step up to the task, according to a Doteveryone report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

The Nordics’ passion for gamification goes global

Nordic startups are pioneering the gamification of educational apps, with an international market looking on Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

Putting blockchain technology to good use

Experts share their views on the best and most effective ways information security professionals can use blockchain technology Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Government looks into digitising cultural collections with AI

A government report and trial investigate possibilities around mapping and connecting digitised cultural material with emerging technologies Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Cross-government collaboration is key to overcoming legacy IT issues

Senior civil servants highlight some of the challenges with legacy IT systems and what can be done to overcome them Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Enterprises can hire software robots at the push of a button

IPsoft is beta testing a marketplace where businesses can look at what software robots are available and interview them about their suitability to take roles Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Defra chief digital information officer steps down

John Seglias is leaving the department most impacted by Brexit to join National Grid, after four years in the civil service Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

CTO interview: Paul Clark, Tandem Bank

Tandem Bank’s chief technology officer had a close encounter with legacy banking when he left his previous job to pursue a career in fintech Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Government relaunches search for chief digital and information officer

The role, which will tackle issues such as eradicating legacy and leading data strategy, has been redesigned and elevated at permanent secretary level Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

IBM opens new centre to house 53-qubit quantum computer

IBM hopes its cloud-connected quantum computer in New York will encourage the development of quantum-optimised software Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Universities tempting targets for cyber criminals, warns NCSC

As hundreds of thousands of students prepare for the new academic year, universities have been warned that they are at high risk of cyber attack Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Amadeus opens systems to kick-start innovation-driven ecosystem

By opening its systems, travel software company Amadeus is hoping to foster ecosystem-wide innovation in the travel industry Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton , Senior reporter

Inside Oman’s new tech startup drive

Oman is aspiring to be a tech startup hub and is on a mission to compete with its neighbours in the Gulf Continue Reading

By

• Alicia Buller

Network Rail to use automation and analytics in tunnel examinations and station security

Operator Network Rail will tap into its £357m R&D fund to back innovation competitions aimed to improve assessment of more than 600 rail tunnels and station surveillance Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Why CIOs must digitise internal IT processes to keep pace with change

Nothing ever stands still, and IT is now expected to be more adaptable than ever before to help businesses keep in step with the pace of innovation Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Research explores economic benefits of full-fibre and 5G at local level

The Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG) has published research by Oxera to help local authorities understand the benefits of full-fibre and 5G Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton , Senior reporter

Councils awarded funding to boost online services

Local authorities received more than £750,000 in the second round of the Local Digital Fund, aimed at improving citizen offerings in areas such as housing and payment Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHSX emphasises need for ethical patient data access

The health service's digital unit welcomed the launch of Health Data Research hubs, but stressed that it will control the design of research collaborations Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Inside blockchain and its various applications

We explore the technology around blockchain shaping how businesses use data Continue Reading

By

• Bob Tarzey

When AIs go to war: Autonomous cyber weapons ‘inevitable’

CISOs must start thinking about how to engage with intelligent, adaptive, non-human attackers, says Trend Micro’s Rik Ferguson Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Justice system transformation sees delays and reduction of scope

“Ambitious” timescales and scope for £1.2bn modernisation of services had to be scaled back, says NAO report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Fintech lender increases loan limit as customer demand accelerates

Small business lender Esme Loans has increased its loan limit to quarter of a million pounds as businesses are drawn to its simple and fast digital platform Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CW Europe: Dutch authorities call temporary halt to datacentre construction

Two Dutch municipalities are putting all datacentre construction on hold while they put together a strategy to help them control developments. A local alderman said datacentres take up a lot of space and place a large burden on the electricity grid. Also read how France is racing ahead of Germany in making the most of service companies in India, and about Google’s plans for a new datacentre and technology training hub in Finland. Continue Reading

Government departments urged to publish R&D spending roadmaps

Issues including funding concentration in the “golden triangle” of London, Oxford and Cambridge must be addressed, according to a Science and Technology Committee report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK consumers want biometrics but fear driverless cars and AI

Report also shows many adults across the country have never heard of the internet of things or big data Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

How SATS is using digital twin tech to improve operations

Singapore-based SATS has been using a digital twin platform to model food production processes to improve in-flight catering operations Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Tech startups can boost UK shipping market after Brexit

Increased connectivity and propositions based on tools such as AI and blockchain can provide opportunities to the shipping sector after Brexit, says report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Brexit disrupts FCA exploration into data use in wholesale banking

The extra work for banks due to Brexit preparations has caused a delay to FCA work on the use of data in the wholesale banking sector Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Inside NatWest Ventures

NatWest Ventures is helping NatWest bank to remain relevant to its SME businesses customer community through digital innovation Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Nokia, NTT Docomo and Omron to test 5G at factory floor

Three firms – Nokia, NTT Docomo and Omron – have banded together to test the feasibility of running a layout-free production line operated by 5G-connected robots and human technicians Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Ministry of Defence unveils innovation priorities

Artificial intelligence and 3D printing are among the key areas of focus for the Ministry of Defence's latest approach to emerging tech Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

How Zuellig Pharma is fighting fake drugs with blockchain

The Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical giant is using a blockchain platform from SAP to help consumers identify the provenance of medicine Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Brain-computer interfaces: Promising tech needs regulating

Connecting a computer directly to the brain could revolutionise healthcare, but the tech giants might monopolise data and application areas Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

IT leaders need to speak up about the voice channel

Voice assistants represent the next frontier, and a range of new skills will be needed to move beyond pilot projects to a true voice channel Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Blockchain: hype vs reality

Blockchain technology presents a number of complex challenges that must be overcome before it can truly deliver on its promises Continue Reading

By

• Stuart Burns

Towns invited to bid for connectivity boost

Some 100 places in England are eligible to get resources from the £3.6bn fund aimed at creating local jobs and economic growth, with broadband as a key priority Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Telenor collaborates with Norwegian education providers on digitisation

Educational institutions in Norway are working with telecoms supplier Telenor to help businesses better understand technology Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Royal Navy readies autonomous technology push

A competition ran by new accelerator NavyX will seek to find mature ideas around the approach to improve operations and increase efficiency in maritime operations Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

New funding announced to tackle online child abuse

Government announces £30m of new cash to tackle online child harm as part of Spending Review 2019 Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Gartner: Eight ways blockchain can support governments

Distributed ledgers are not just limited to finance and smart contracts. Gartner explores how blockchain can tackle government inefficiencies Continue Reading

By

• David Furlonger, Gartner

Nationwide Building Society harnesses low-code platform

Software development platform makes it quicker to build apps Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Allied Irish Banks selects cloud platform for digital transformation

Bank is streamlining its operations through a cloud platform from nCino Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Post Office changes IT leadership reshuffle decision

The Post Office has changed its IT leadership reshuffle weeks after announcing its original plan Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Assessing China’s machine learning platforms

In a new market research report, technology analyst firm IDC offers insights on key suppliers of machine learning platforms in China Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Nearly £1m of EU funding to boost tech skills in UK SMEs

An initiative led by the Department for Work and Pensions will focus on enhancing skills in rural locations to unleash competitiveness in areas such as agritech and biorenewables Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Interim GDS boss gives preview of priorities

Alison Pritchard sets out key areas of attention for the digital service, from analytics to Brexit work Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Government confirms GDS minister

Simon Hart appointed minister for implementation, with responsibility for the Government Digital Service Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency hit by IT workers’ strike

DVSA tech staff are on a month-long strike over working conditions and expect their action to affect the IT workload at the government agency Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Microsoft claims AI breakthrough in Chinese game of Mahjong

An artificial intelligence system trained by Microsoft Research Asia is now nearly as good as human players in the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Government investigates matching geospatial data with AI

Report looks into the commercial opportunities of matching location data with a number of emerging technologies Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

5G standards show how tech increasingly needs one global market

The US has a problem: its military owns the spectrum everyone else will be using for 5G. It’s why the US cannot become a global leader in 5G – and why Huawei doesn’t care Continue Reading

By

• Tim Worstall, Adam Smith Institute

Building a 5G city: Bristol’s valuable lessons for the UK’s digital future

West of England Combined Authority is taking part in DCMS’s 5G Testbeds and Trials programme, exploring applications for tourism and entertainment. We find out how it is applying its learnings to life in Bristol and Bath Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

HMRC under fire over 'scaremongering' IR35 clampdown letters targeting GSK IT contractors

GSK contractors that have received “scaremongering” letters from HMRC, urging them to review their engagements with the company from an IR35 perspective, are being urged not to panic, as the missives have no legal basis, claim experts Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

CIO interview: Network Rail plans digital factory to accelerate modernisation

The operator will enhance its multimillion-pound IT strategy with a sharper focus on areas including mobile, data and cultural change for digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Councils deliver savings through digital initiatives

Projects under the Digital Channel Shift programme reported fivefold return on investment Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

ASX partners VMware and DA on digital ledger tech

The Australian Securities Exchange is working with VMware and Digital Asset to replace its Chess clearing and settlement system with digital ledger technology Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Student Loans Company appoints chief information officer

Stephen Campbell will be leading a complex transformation programme and handling problems including high staff turnover Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHSX aims for mental health services transformation

Digital unit of the NHS has started a discovery process focused on children and young people Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

5G testbed brings Li-Fi broadband to Orkney

A number of homes on the remote island of Graemsay in the Orkneys are testing so-called Li-Fi technology as a broadband delivery mechanism Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CW Nordics: Copenhagen woos tech startups

Copenhagen offers all the advantages startups need to get off the ground and many are setting up with the intention of staying there for the long haul. Also read how shipping giant Maersk is employing a cloud-first strategy to disrupt competition and build innovation, and why three Finnish banks are sharing a core IT platform. Continue Reading

Medtech startup Andiamo uses AI and 3D printing to make orthotic manufacturing more efficient

Shortcomings in the traditional manufacturing process for orthotics mean patients can end up waiting a long time for the devices they need, but medtech startup Andiamo claims to have found a remedy Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Transport and logistics transformation driven by data

Growth in data connectivity and the adoption of technologies such as robotic process automation are fuelling a tech revolution in transport and logistics Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

NHSX kicks off discovery process to revamp screening

The digital unit decides to prioritise improving the delivery of services and starts discovery exercise Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Government opens new round of digital funding for councils

Grants of up to £350,000 will be invested from the £7.5m Local Digital Fund for local authorities to enhance their projects focused on innovation Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK government advances plans for National Robotarium

Edinburgh-based facility National Robotarium is hoped to support the growth of national smart robotics companies Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHS readies data-driven health checks

The government takes another step towards ramping up use of data-driven technologies in the public health system, with expected benefits including reduced pressure on public resources Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Private 5G networks: Are they the right choice for you?

The concept of dedicated private mobile networks for large enterprises is not a new one, but with the advent of ultrafast 5G networks, they are starting to attract more interest Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

Nvidia takes chatbots a step closer to conversational AI

New graphics processing unit platform, running on Azure, is set to make Bing a little bit cleverer Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

CW APAC: Trend Watch – Internet of Things

In this handbook, Computer Weekly looks at how APAC firms are putting the internet of things to good use in an increasingly connected world, yet technology integration and security concerns are holding back widespread adoption. Continue Reading

Government drives surge in outsourcing spend

Back-office transformation is a key area of focus for the government as new deals continue to flow despite economic uncertainty, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

What 5G applications will transform your business?

The UK’s mobile network operators have started work on their 5G roll-outs, but what applications are most likely to gain enterprise traction for the new standard? Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

HS2 rolls out augmented reality for staff training

Immersive technology will support processes around the development of high-speed railway’s London super hub before it is built Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Vodafone switches on 5G in Ireland

The first 5G sites in Ireland have gone live in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Malaysian transport ministry calls for use of technology to solve traffic challenges

The Malaysian government wants to tap telematics, IoT and other nascent technologies to improve road safety and ease traffic congestion Continue Reading

By

• Edwin Yapp

Department for Work and Pensions claims payments progress

Key milestones were completed as the government department seeks to evolve its service delivery with innovations such as distributed ledger technologies Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHS gets £250m boost for AI and genomics

National Artificial Intelligence Lab will work on new treatments for cancer, dementia and heart disease Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK businesses deserve a 5G networked nation

The tech sector needs to coalesce around a unified, positive vision of 5G to establish a proper business case for ultrafast, low latency mobile Continue Reading

By

• Russ Shaw, Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates

The $10bn question: Why is the US government’s JEDI cloud contract taking so long to award?

The announcement of who has won the US government’s controversial $10bn, decade-long cloud contract is nearly 12 months overdue. So what’s holding it up? Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Digital transformation hampered by lack of C-suite support

Most organisations are driving digital projects, but only a small percentage is happy with the board support they receive, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari