IT innovation, research and development

Longer-term tech investment must support policing reform

Investment in technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence should be introduced to tackle compromises to public safety levels, says report Continue Reading

GDS signs agreement with Polish counterpart

The memorandum of understanding is aimed at boosting trade and technology development opportunities between the UK and Poland Continue Reading

Implementing IoT – overcoming barriers to commercial adoption

Tim Wright from the Institute of Telecoms Professionals reports from a recent seminar exploring questions around the barriers to commercial, at-scale adoption of the internet of things, and how to overcome them Continue Reading

Competition watchdog launches study into internet firms

Findings from a Competition and Markets Authority consultation will inform a report aimed at assessing how digital advertising can harm UK consumers Continue Reading

Why PSD2 adoption in the Netherlands is lagging behind

The Netherlands appears to be falling behind in open banking, even though the Dutch are digitally proficient and are often early adopters of new technology. What is going on? Continue Reading

One-third of people prefer instant reply from chatbot about finances to waiting for human reply

Consumers are warming to being supported by chatbots when it comes to financial services, but firms in the sector face hurdles to achieve true end-to-end automation Continue Reading

Government ramps up efforts to counter fraud with analytics

Challenges have been outlined and a consultation launched to find ways to reduce fraud and error loss in central and local government through data-driven technologies. Continue Reading

CPS faces legal ruling over refusal to disclose emails with US on WikiLeaks and Assange extradition

A court will decide whether the Crown Prosecution Service can refuse to neither confirm nor deny the existence of correspondence with US on investigations into Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Continue Reading

DWP data hub develops prototype skills recommendation engine

Machine learning algorithm on Microsoft Azure identifies associated skills, based on the skills specified in online job adverts Continue Reading

Watchdog urges biometrics regulation in policing

The annual report from the biometrics commissioner warns that lack of clear laws on the application of the technologies could further undermine privacy and citizen trust Continue Reading

Symantec gearing up for future cyber security

Symantec is focusing on enabling businesses to secure data in the cloud after a string of acquisitions, but it also has its eye on the future, which will be all about empowering people, says CTO Hugh Thompson Continue Reading

NTT picks London for newly formed global business

NTT says unifying its various units under one umbrella and basing it in London will help it take full advantage of both its clients’ demands for joined up digital services, and the capital’s booming tech economy Continue Reading

Rise of the machines: How AI is changing unified communications

Artificial intelligence is now moving into live UC environments at scale. We look at the impact it will have and what lies ahead Continue Reading

Visa modernises B2B global payments through open source blockchain

Visa is modernising cross-border business-to-business payments, with blockchain used to connect participating corporate Continue Reading

Interview: Yasmeen Al Sharaf, head of fintech and innovation unit, Central Bank of Bahrain

Yasmeen Al Sharaf heads up financial technology strategy at Bahrain’s central bank, which is on a mission to grow and diversify the sector in the Middle East island state Continue Reading

Data drives decentralisation in Nordic healthcare

Nordic tech startups are applying their skills to solving some of the challenges for the region’s healthcare sector Continue Reading

Executive interview: George Yianni, head of technology, Philips Hue

In 2007, Wi-Fi required dongles, Bluetooth was for streaming music and smart lights didn’t exist in people’s homes – but then George Yianni had an idea Continue Reading

Singapore aims to be global node for 5G innovation

The government will spend S$40m to develop 5G technology use cases in key sectors such as maritime and manufacturing with an eye on exporting Singapore's expertise to global markets Continue Reading

NHSX ends digital programmes and sets out delivery priorities

The digital unit concludes tech spending review in the health system, defines delivery missions and drives focus on standards and platforms Continue Reading

Nordic public dispels fears over AI and welcomes its advance

People in the Nordic countries are more welcoming and less fearful of the advance of artificial intelligence than those in other regions Continue Reading

Half of Dutch IT decision-makers can’t explain blockchain technology

IT decision-makers in the Netherlands know that blockchain has significant benefits, but half don’t understand how to apply it Continue Reading

Outdated IT systems are hindering patient care

Lack of modernisation is presenting a threat to patients and healthcare practitioners, says study Continue Reading

Post Office appoints new chief information officer

Former Holland & Barrett IT chief joins the Post Office as interim CIO after former incumbent is promoted Continue Reading

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 21

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Brian McKenna, Clare McDonald and Caroline Donnelly are joined by Computer Weekly’s acting management editor, Angelica Mari, to talk about some of the past week’s biggest news stories Continue Reading

Saudi banks trial blockchain-based identity technology at ATMs

Biometric and blockchain technologies are being used in tandem to provide ID verification at Saudi Arabian cash machines Continue Reading

DBS Bank goes big on open source

Besides using a slew of open source software, DBS Bank is looking to contribute some of its own projects to the open source community in future Continue Reading

Scotland ‘needs stronger digital leadership’

Despite some good progress, Scotland needs greater strategic direction to further its digital endeavours, says central auditor Continue Reading

European and UK space agencies start CAV connectivity project

Academia and telecoms operators partner to investigate 5G and satellite systems for connected and autonomous vehicles, with proofs of concept expected for 2020 Continue Reading

Ministry of Defence appoints chief scientific adviser

The first female to hold the role, professor dame Angela McLean will direct the department's core research programme and advise on all science and technology matters Continue Reading

ASEAN CIOs learn to navigate the data economy

A group of IT leaders in Southeast Asia will converge in Edinburgh this July to delve deeper into issues that have been holding back efforts to become better data-driven organisations Continue Reading

Government must address shortcomings to make data strategy work

A National Audit Office report outlines the challenges that need to be investigated around making more effective use of data in citizen service delivery and government operations Continue Reading

West Midlands paramedics test remote ultrasonic sensor scans

Ultrasound sensor works with a haptic glove worn by a paramedic connected over 5G to a clinician, who provides remote diagnosis Continue Reading

UK citizens call for diversity in AI to be addressed

Public wants government and tech companies to tackle diversity issues related to the application of artificial intelligence, a study has found Continue Reading

Online porn age-verification checks delayed for six months

Changes to force UK internet users to prove their age to access adult content are postponed for a third time because of failure to notify the European Commission of key policy details Continue Reading

Facebook officially unveils cryptocurrency plans

Facebook has released details about its Libra cryptocurrency, but questions still remain over how, and if, it will work Continue Reading

HCL delivers digital services to Cricket Australia

Cricket governing body chooses Indian IT supplier to expand the boundaries of its customer engagement platforms Continue Reading

Tech startups establish deep roots in Copenhagen

Danish capital offers all the advantages startups need to get off the ground and many are staying there for the long haul Continue Reading

Women in IT trailblazer Maggie Berry gets OBE

Early pioneer of networking who aimed to get more women into technology is included in Queen's Birthday Honours Continue Reading

Finland’s Tieto and Norway’s Evry merge to fend off competition from Indian suppliers

Two of the Nordic region's biggest IT suppliers merge as competition in their home region increases Continue Reading

Oxford University accepts £150m for artificial intelligence research

Oxford University has accepted £150m to build a new humanities hub that will include a centre for artificial intelligence ethics research from Stephen Schwarzman, a US private equity boss Continue Reading

UK government pushes data-driven agenda

A smart data report has been published with consultations under way, while an open call for evidence has been launched to help shape the national data plan Continue Reading

Interview: How Hackney Council will help accelerate innovation across London boroughs

Hackney Council’s director of ICT, Rob Miller, talks to Computer Weekly about how one of the most digitally advanced local authorities plans to collaborate with counterparts across the capital to revamp public services delivery Continue Reading

Signify goes after Wi-Fi with range of Li-Fi office lighting

Although analyst Gartner has urged IT departments to approach Li-Fi with caution, the use of light as an alternative to Wi-Fi is set to gain momentum Continue Reading

GDS director general to move on to global promotion role

Kevin Cunnington will be travelling around the world to promote government services under a newly created unit Continue Reading

Ministry of Justice publishes public cloud security baseline

Guidelines from the Ministry of Justice aim to avoid potential cloud security issues such as S3 ‘leaky buckets’ Continue Reading

Transport for London supports innovation to tackle road congestion

The London RoadLab programme has selected products using emergent technologies to alleviate problems caused by roadworks Continue Reading

Department of Health aims to drive change through tech innovation

Revamped Accelerated Access Collaborative is intended to “genuinely drive change” in NHS by identifying the best in healthtech, aligning policy and establishing testing mechanisms Continue Reading

Airbus works with Microsoft to trial HoloLens in aircraft manufacturing

Aircraft company Airbus believes mixed reality systems, powered using headsets such as HoloLens, will drive its digital manufacturing strategy Continue Reading

UK Armed Forces seeks digital recruitment platform provider

The UK's Armed Forces has gone to market to procure a new digital recruitment platform, to be implemented by March 2022 Continue Reading

How computer vision powered by Nvidia helped Winnow tackle food waste

Winnow has developed a biologically inspired machine learning algorithm to identify what foods are being thrown away Continue Reading

Government reviews regulation to enable tech innovation

The government reforms are aimed at ensuring that regulations keep up with technological change Continue Reading

IT outsourcing is increasing, but not as we know it

IT outsourcing is growing in the UK, as organisations spend more as part of their digital transformations Continue Reading

Innovation drives Nominet to cyber security

Embracing an innovation strategy for a mature organisation led domain name registry Nominet to found a cyber security business based on its core expertise, its CEO tells London Tech Week Continue Reading

CW Europe: Why are Dutch companies slow to take advantage of the IoT?

Many organisations in the Netherlands are missing out on the benefits of the internet of things because they lack awareness of its potential. Also read why construction of Apple's first non-US datacentre has halted in Denmark, and why some scientists have raised questions about the effects of 5G mobile phone radiation on public health. Continue Reading

Budgets for customer experience projects grow, but more are stalling

Organisations are spending on advanced analytics to improve customer experience Continue Reading

Collaboration is key to digital success in public safety

Multi-agency engagement has a significant potential to boost the digital delivery of citizen safety services, says report Continue Reading

Digital chief at Department for Work and Pensions gets extension

Acting chief digital information officer Simon McKinnon will stay in the role until 2020, since a successor for Mayank Prakash has yet to be found Continue Reading

DCMS adds cash to 5G testbed fund and moves to ease planning laws

The government is to invest £40m in new projects under its 5G Testbeds and Trials scheme, and will explore new ways to liberalise planning laws to support quicker 5G deployment Continue Reading

NHSX chief replaces senior digital clinician at NHS Digital

Matthew Gould takes over board seat from chief clinical information officer Simon Eccles Continue Reading

Rise in business-led IT spend increases risks and opportunities

Digitally leading businesses benefit from faster time to market, better employee experience and improved finances, but lack of partnership between CIOs and business units can jeopardise progress, says Harvey Nash / KPMG survey Continue Reading

Gartner: Blockchain lacks functionality needed by enterprise

Gartner has found there is generally a lack of understanding of how blockchain can be used in the enterprise Continue Reading

From oil crash to tech startup boom in Norway

For countries highly dependent on oil, the global price crash had huge potential ramifications – one of which, in Norway, was the development of a thriving technology sector Continue Reading

Government’s national Innovation Strategy launches

The long-awaited Innovation Strategy document includes evolving use of data, eradicating legacy and seconding senior tech staff to the private sector Continue Reading

Why the rise of IT managed by the business is driving creative thinking

Organisations that encourage business units to implement and run their own IT systems have an edge over competitors that rely entirely on the IT department, research from Harvey Nash and KPMG reveals Continue Reading

Cisco shows off AI-driven network analysis at customer event

New tools to help IT departments better understand network behaviour and predict potential problems were among a series of announcements made on the opening day of Cisco Live in the US Continue Reading

Government increases efforts to drive Verify uptake

Renewed push to create a ubiquitous digital identity market will include a consultation with the private sector and the creation of a dedicated unit Continue Reading

London Office of Technology and Innovation launches in ‘willing and able’ local authorities

The LOTI coalition of local authorities kicks off to speed up the adoption of new technologies and approaches within local authorities Continue Reading

Tech firms back UK in spite of Brexit

Theresa May announces funding to boost development of quantum technologies, as well as a tech competitiveness study, as sector companies pledge to invest further in the country Continue Reading

UK invests £18.5m to boost diversity in artificial intelligence

Funding for artificial intelligence will go towards conversion degrees, scholarships for under-represented groups and online learning in the UK Continue Reading

UK should be much further ahead in AI, says London mayor

Sadiq Khan calls on the next prime minister to prioritise preparations around the potential impact of artificial intelligence Continue Reading

How to avoid AI myopia

Artificial intelligence holds much promise and is generating a lot of excitement, but it can have unintended consequences. Technologists need to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past Continue Reading

Why Tech should lead, when governments lag

Last week shares in the tech giants plummeted following reports that US regulators from the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission were looking at investigating their business. On the ... Continue Reading

The UK must play a leading role in global collaboration on digital policy and ethics

All countries must work together to ensure digital technologies such as AI are ethical and trustworthy – and the UK has an opportunity to be a global leader Continue Reading

Public opposes exploitation of NHS data by large tech companies

Following the US presidential visit to the UK, a YouGov survey found citizens are largely against use of patient information by international tech firms and want benefits focused on the UK Continue Reading

CIO interview: John Finch, Refinitiv

Refinitiv CIO John Finch says finding people with the right level of data science skills is his biggest challenge Continue Reading

NHS England extends funding for new innovation projects

3D heart modelling and an advanced blood test to reduce heart attack diagnostic timescales are among the additional projects that will be offered to more patients Continue Reading

NHS to provide funds to reward use of AI in health service

Incentives will be given from April 2020, says NHS England chief executive Continue Reading

TNMOC showcases role of Wren Colossus operators in D-Day

Colossus was used to decypher German Lorenz encrypted messages, one of which appears to have given the Allies the green light Continue Reading

Tech sector appeals to future prime minister

Trade body TechUK has urged Conservative leadership candidates to support the national digital industry and warned about the risks of a no-deal Brexit to sector businesses Continue Reading

Half of CFOs frustrated by complex accounting systems

Chief financial officers need to upgrade to easier-to-use accounting systems, but are strapped for time and lack the resources to make the right choices, according to survey Continue Reading

One in five digital transformation projects fail

Concerns around the selection of the right technology and Brexit uncertainty are among the main stumbling blocks, a new survey says Continue Reading

Digital transformation an opportunity for security

Digital transformation is an opportunity not only for the business to up its game, but also for security teams to engage with and win over the business, CISO tells Infosecurity Europe Continue Reading

National Cyber Security Strategy mostly failing, says PAC report

The Cabinet Office is on track to deliver only one objective of the 12 outcomes initially established in the National Cyber Security Strategy, with value to taxpayers still unclear Continue Reading

Uncritical use of algorithms in justice can undermine public trust and individual rights

A Law Society report has raised concerns about the use of algorithmic systems in decision making in the criminal justice system Continue Reading

NHSX urged to rethink national policy to enable healthcare digitisation

Better approaches to governance and skills as well as more realistic expectations around the digital readiness of organisations are needed, according to think tank research Continue Reading

CIO interview: Gary Foote, CIO, Rich Energy Haas F1

When he was offered the opportunity to set up the technology for a new Formula One team from scratch, CIO Gary Foote couldn’t wait to get on the starting line Continue Reading

NHSX chief to limit future NHS App enhancements

Matthew Gould doesn’t want the health service’s flagship mobile tool to be “all-singing and all-dancing” Continue Reading

Most of today’s enterprise blockchain platforms will need replacing in two years

Most blockchain platforms currently being used in enterprises will have to be replaced in the next couple of years, says Gartner Continue Reading

Free Wi-Fi to cover entire NHS estate in 2019

Nearly all trusts and clinical commissioning groups across England are now equipped with NHS Wi-Fi and the rest will be fully connected this year, says NHS Digital Continue Reading

How AI helps protect Japan’s road system from subsidence

Tokyo-based Kawasaki Geological Engineering is using Fujitsu’s Zinrai artificial intelligence system to develop a solution to erosion causing subsidence and sinkholes on Japan’s road network Continue Reading

EE launches consumer 5G, but experts say no rush to upgrade

EE launched the UK’s first official 5G network this week, but with limited availability and 4G networks improving all the time, industry watchers say there is no big impetus for users to upgrade yet Continue Reading

AI struggles with data silos and executive misconceptions

Bosses don’t seem to understand that artificial intelligence needs good data management and a different understanding of end goals compared with traditional IT Continue Reading

How Unilever found itself selling enterprise software

Ken Charman has a track record in running IT firms. In 2018, he was coaxed out of retirement to spearhead Unilever’s spin-out software business Continue Reading

ICO to shortlist Sandbox applicants

Privacy watchdog’s Sandbox service aims to help develop innovative and beneficial products and services that are privacy compliant Continue Reading

Australian firms coming to grips with AI ethics

Australian businesses are warming up to AI, but just two in five have standards and guidelines for AI ethics, a study finds Continue Reading

London Office for Technology and Innovation gets ready to launch

New organisation will officially begin its activities in June and has appointed Nesta’s former government chief as director Continue Reading

NHS Digital launches GP IT Futures tender

New framework aims to simplify IT provision for surgeries and create a competitive systems marketplace for primary care Continue Reading

Interview: How Croydon is applying GDS lessons to digital service delivery

The first chief digital officer at one of London’s largest boroughs talks about plans to transform user experience, procurement and cultural perceptions Continue Reading

Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust to drive £175m IT systems revamp

Hospital trust Guy's & St Thomas is looking to procure a single electronic health record system, with the option to include two other trusts. Continue Reading

CW Nordics: Nordea links up with IBM to meet fintech challenge

IBM’s €473m managed services contract with Nordea reflects an increasing trend among Nordic banks to outsource more of their IT to help meet the challenge of fintechs. Also read how a shortage of women in the boardroom is a problem in the Nordics but the tech sector points to a more promising future, and find out why the Norwegian government has launched a regulatory sandbox for the fintech sector. Continue Reading