Innovative Pathways: UK’s Data Bill Sidesteps AI Disclosures
Source: TechRepublic
In a move that echoes the MP3 disputes of the ’90s, the UK government has passed its Data Protection and Digital Innovation Bill, consciously scrapping a provocative clause requiring AI developers to disclose their training data sources. Focusing on innovation akin to a balancing act, the legislation now demands transparency in AI processes without the need to divulge proprietary datasets. While tech companies toast to what they call a “pro-growth compromise,” critics argue that this decision opens up potential accountability gaps. It’s a familiar game of fair play meets innovation—one where the rules keep evolving.
Uber Hits the Streets with Driverless Taxis – and the Public’s Curiosity
Source: Mirror
Uber has begun rolling out its driverless taxi trial across Milton Keynes, utilising modified Nissan NV200 vans festooned with LIDAR, but the talk on the British streets revolves around one question: What happens when these machines glitch like our nostalgic TomToms? Despite new safety measures and Transport for London’s assurances of human override systems, social media is abuzz with apprehension. Hands up if you remember nudging your cassette-based SatNav—at least those didn’t try to parallel park without permission.
Tech Inclusivity Undermined: Motherhood and Networking Don’t Mix?
Source: Metro
A recent London Tech Week event saw a modern-day Mad Men moment when Davina Schonle, an AI CEO, was turned away for bringing her baby along, sparking new debates on workplace inclusivity. This discord sounded alarms reminiscent of the ’80s corporate culture that restricted working mums. While organisers stuck by “professional environment” policies, this act spurred criticism and prompted a Department of Work and Pensions review of funding regulations tied to tech conferences. One would think we’d left cubicles and AS400 terminals behind in the ’80s.
The Next Chapter? AI’s Influence on UK’s Tech Sector at SXSW London
Source: City AM
SXSW London hosted a spirited debate about the future role of AI, with some panellists likening new generative AI tools to the ’90s iconic HyperCard, whilst others declared it more Excel macro than messiah. IBM demonstrated impressive enterprise AI converting COBOL into Python on the fly—a potential boon for techies. Yet, sceptics argue we might just be adding another Clippy to the tech runbook. Amidst the excitement, the DCMS unveiled a £12 million research fund dedicated to AI ethics, laser-focused on uncovering algorithmic biases.
Transatlantic Tech Tango: US Dollars Push UK Innovation
Source: MSN Money
With Anglo-American technology partnerships at play, the UK has been reinvigorated by $4.2 billion in US venture capital this year alone, primarily funnelling into quantum and cybersecurity ventures. However, the ventures aren’t going unnoticed; critics fear a ‘Brain Drain 2.0’ with plans for 38% of these companies to shift headquarters across the pond. Counteracting such concerns, the Treasury introduces R&D tax breaks, hoping to keep these innovation forges on British soil. It’s a dance reminiscent of Acorn’s collaboration with IBM in the ’80s—let’s hope we avoid another ARM-shaped giveaway.
Today in Tech History: 14th June 1951
UNIVAC I Delivered—The Dawn of Commercial Computing
Imagine it: 1951, a world shedding wartime austerity and stepping into the atomic age. On this day, the US Census Bureau received UNIVAC I—a hulking unit vastly different from our pocket-sized gadgets. Boasting 5,200 vacuum tubes and processing 1,905 operations per second, this monumental marvel could also churn out 10,000 characters each second from magnetic tape. With a price tag outshining many a mansion, it still sold 46 units, blazing a trail that would lead to LEO and Ferranti’s Mark 1 arriving on British shores. UNIVAC became legendary the following year by accurately predicting the US presidential election live on TV, an early signal to the world that computers were far more than glorified calculators. Today we might groan about our phones freezing up, but UNIVAC reminds us that every revolution starts with a box too big for the living room—that’s just how tech rolls, isn’t it, fellow Gen Xers?
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