A state-of-the-art £225 million supercomputer, Isambard-AI, is set to become the most powerful in the UK when fully operational this summer. Based at the National Composites Centre in Bristol, the system uses artificial intelligence to aid in developing vaccines and drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer. Researchers are already using its vast computational power to enhance melanoma detection across diverse skin tones.
Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, a high-performance computing expert at the University of Bristol in the UK, described Isambard-AI as “potentially world-changing.” By simulating molecular interactions, the AI can drastically cut the time and cost of drug development, which traditionally relied on educated guesses and laborious physical experiments. The system virtually screens millions of potential treatments, allowing researchers to identify promising candidates faster.
Despite concerns about its energy consumption, the supercomputer is designed to operate efficiently and may even repurpose its waste heat to warm local homes and businesses. Highlighting the project’s broader significance, Professor McIntosh-Smith likened Isambard-AI to the invention of the internet, emphasising its potential to save millions of lives while keeping its research publicly accessible.
The UK government has introduced a new AI assistant named ‘Humphrey,’ inspired by the scheming character Sir Humphrey Appleby from the sitcom Yes, Minister. This innovative suite of digital tools aims to modernise civil service workflows, reduce costs, and simplify tasks such as summarising public feedback and searching parliamentary records.
The initiative forms part of a broader overhaul of government digital services, announced by Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle. Central to this plan are two new apps for secure document storage, including digital driving licences. The Humphrey AI tools, particularly Consult and Parlex, are designed to replace costly external consultants and assist policymakers in navigating parliamentary debates.
Despite the programme’s ambitions, the choice of name has sparked debate. Critics like Tim Flagg from UKAI argue that the association with Sir Humphrey’s ‘devious and controlling’ persona might undermine trust in the technology. However, Flagg also expressed optimism about the government’s technical capabilities, calling the project a positive step towards embracing AI.
The UK government insists that these tools will foster efficiency and collaboration, with improved data sharing between departments being another key feature of the initiative. By cutting consultancy costs and increasing transparency, officials hope Humphrey will become a symbol of progress, rather than parody.
The UK government is exploring new AI tools to streamline public services and assist ministers and civil servants. Among these is Parlex, a tool that predicts how MPs may react to proposed policies, offering insights into potential support or opposition based on MPs’ previous parliamentary contributions. Described as a ‘parliamentary vibe check,’ the tool helps policy teams craft strategies before formally proposing new measures.
Part of the AI suite Humphrey—named after the Yes Minister character—Parlex and other tools aim to modernise government operations. These include Minute, which transcribes ministerial meetings, and Lex, which analyses the impact of laws. Another tool, Redbox, automates submission processing, while Consult is projected to save £80 million annually by improving public consultation processes. The Department for Work and Pensions has also utilised AI to analyse handwritten correspondence, accelerating responses to vulnerable individuals.
The broader government strategy, unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasises integrating AI into public services while balancing privacy concerns. Plans include sharing anonymised NHS data for AI research under stringent safeguards. Ministers believe these innovations could address economic challenges and boost the UK’s economy by up to £470 billion over the next decade. However, past missteps, such as erroneous fraud accusations stemming from flawed algorithms, highlight the need for careful implementation.
The UK government has launched an ambitious AI Opportunities Action Plan to accelerate the adoption of AI to drive economic growth, create future job opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for its citizens. The plan seeks to position the UK at the forefront of the AI revolution by leveraging its technological strengths.
The Action Plan outlines a strategic framework centred on three key goals: enhancing the nation’s foundational infrastructure and regulatory environment to attract global talent, promoting widespread AI adoption across sectors to improve public services and productivity, and establishing the UK as a leader in AI innovation with domestic champions in critical technology areas. The initiative acknowledges the challenges and complexities involved, emphasising the need for strong public-private partnerships, significant investment, and a commitment to support innovators and new market leaders.
The UK’s plan introduces terms such as AI sovereignty and bottom-up AI development based on the UK’s world-class AI research, a dynamic startup scene, and leading corporate AI entities like Google DeepMind and OpenAI. Coupled with its AI safety and governance leadership, this robust foundation is intended to support the country’s long-term AI ambitions. This comprehensive approach promises transformative outcomes for the UK, reinforcing its status as a global leader in AI innovation and fostering societal advancement through technology.
Apple and Amazon have successfully defeated a UK lawsuit accusing them of colluding to remove resellers of Apple products from Amazon’s platform. The Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled on Tuesday that the case, valued at £494 million, could not proceed.
The tribunal rejected the case, citing Riefa’s failure to prove sufficient independence and robustness to represent the claimant class, particularly concerning third-party litigation funding. Apple and Amazon had previously argued the lawsuit lacked merit and requested its dismissal.
Riefa’s legal team and representatives for Apple and Amazon did not respond to requests for comment following the tribunal’s decision.
The US government has officially labelled the extreme right-wing ‘Terrorgram’ network as a terrorist organisation, citing its promotion of violent white supremacist attacks. The group operates mainly on the Telegram platform and has been linked to attacks across the globe, including shootings and planned assaults on critical infrastructure.
The move, announced by the State Department, includes sanctions against three of the network’s leaders based in Brazil, Croatia, and South Africa. The designation freezes any US-based assets belonging to the group and bans Americans from engaging with its members. Officials say the collective has provided detailed guidance for attacks on minorities and government officials, calling for a race war.
US authorities have been ramping up efforts to combat domestic extremism under President Biden, who launched the country’s first national strategy on countering domestic terrorism in 2021. Britain has already taken similar steps, outlawing the Terrorgram collective in April last year.
This crackdown follows criminal charges brought against two alleged leaders of the group, accused of using Telegram to incite violence against Black, Jewish, LGBTQ, and immigrant communities. Authorities stress that dismantling such online hate groups is essential to prevent further extremist attacks.
The UK‘s prisons watchdog has warned that drones are becoming a serious national security threat due to a surge in the smuggling of weapons, drugs, and other contraband into high-security jails. Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, called for immediate action from the police and government following investigations into two of England and Wales’ most dangerous prisons, HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin. Both facilities, holding notorious criminals and terrorism suspects, have seen an increase in illicit deliveries by drones, putting staff, inmates, and public safety at risk.
Taylor’s report highlights how gangs have exploited weaknesses in security, including the deterioration of basic anti-drone measures like protective netting and CCTV. At Long Lartin, inspectors found that large quantities of illicit items were being delivered, fueling violence and unrest among prisoners. At HMP Manchester, inmates were burning holes in windows to facilitate drone deliveries, raising concerns about potential escapes and further disruptions.
The growing use of sophisticated drones, capable of carrying large payloads and flying under the radar, has made it increasingly difficult for prison authorities to control the flow of contraband. While some prisons have deployed counter-drone technology, most do not block drones from approaching, leaving many vulnerable to this growing threat.
Prison officials are now under mounting pressure to confront this new challenge, with experts warning that the situation is a matter of national security. Taylor also highlighted the need for a more robust approach to tackling gang activity and reducing the supply of illegal items that undermine prison safety.
Apple is defending itself against a $1.8 billion mass lawsuit in a London tribunal, accused of abusing its market dominance by charging app developers a 30% commission through its App Store. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of around 20 million UK iPhone and iPad users, claims the fees have unfairly inflated app costs for consumers.
Rachael Kent, the academic leading the case, argues Apple has leveraged its monopoly to exclude competition and impose restrictive terms on app developers. Apple’s lawyers counter that the fees reflect the benefits of its iOS ecosystem, emphasising its focus on security, privacy, and innovation. They also noted that most developers are exempt from paying commissions.
This trial marks the UK’s first class-action-style lawsuit against a tech giant under its evolving legal framework. Similar cases against Google, Meta, and Amazon are in progress, including a $1.1 billion lawsuit against Google over Play Store fees scheduled for later this year. The trial is expected to last seven weeks, with testimony from Apple’s CFO anticipated soon.
Britain’s antitrust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has launched an investigation into Google’s search operations to assess their impact on consumers, businesses, and competition. With Google handling 90% of UK online searches and supporting over 200,000 businesses through advertising, the CMA aims to ensure fair competition and innovation in search services, said CMA chief Sarah Cardell.
The probe will evaluate whether Google’s dominant position restricts market entry and innovation, as well as whether it provides preferential treatment to its own services. The CMA will also investigate the company’s extensive collection and use of consumer data, including its role in AI services. The findings, expected within nine months, could lead to measures such as requiring Google to share data with rivals or giving publishers more control over their content.
Google has defended its role, stating that its search services foster innovation and help UK businesses grow. The company pledged to work constructively with the CMA to create rules that benefit both businesses and users. The investigation follows similar scrutiny in the US, where prosecutors have pushed for major reforms to curb Google’s dominance in online search.
Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell, has called on the UK government to take stronger action on online safety, warning that delays in regulation are putting children at risk. In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, he criticised Ofcom’s approach to enforcing the Online Safety Act, describing it as a “disaster.” Russell accused tech firms, including Meta and X, of prioritising profits over safety and moving towards a more dangerous, unregulated online environment.
Campaigners argue that Ofcom’s guidelines contain major loopholes, particularly in addressing harmful content such as live-streamed material that promotes self-harm and suicide. While the government insists that tech companies must act responsibly, the slow progress of new regulations has raised concerns. Ministers acknowledge that additional legislation may be required as AI technology evolves, introducing new risks that could further undermine online safety.
Russell has been a prominent campaigner for stricter online regulations since his daughter’s death in 2017. Despite the Online Safety Act granting Ofcom the power to fine tech firms, critics believe enforcement remains weak. With concerns growing over the effectiveness of current safeguards, pressure is mounting on the government to act decisively and ensure platforms take greater responsibility in protecting children from harmful content.
