NatWest Group has opened applications for its 2026 Fintech Programme, inviting UK fintechs using AI to transform customer experience in financial services to apply.
Category: AI
Artificial intelligence coverage with the Business Matters filter: not the hype cycle, but what AI adoption actually looks like inside UK firms – the tools, the costs, the failures, and the regulation heading down the track.
Businesses plan major AI investment surge for 2026 – but security and privacy fears threaten progress
A Storyblok survey reveals 90% of firms plan to increase AI spending in 2026, but data privacy, regulation and security risks remain the biggest barriers to adoption. Only 23% have fully implemented GEO strategies.
Health and social care firms build cash buffers as they accelerate AI investment for 2026
Barclays’ latest Business Prosperity Index shows health and social care firms strengthening cash buffers while planning a 20% rise in AI investment for 2026, as leaders cite benefits to patient care, efficiency and workforce wellbeing.
Your next laptop could cost £300 more after AI land-grab triggers soaring memory prices
Experts warn laptops, consoles and business tech could rise by £300 after OpenAI secured 40% of global memory chip supply. UK consumers and SMEs face soaring hardware costs amid an AI-driven squeeze.
AI investment boom built on debt poses growing risk to financial stability, Bank of England warns
The Bank of England says the global AI boom is increasingly funded by debt, warning that a $5tn investment surge poses financial stability risks if valuations fall. Governor Andrew Bailey likens current tech valuations to the dotcom bubble.
Accenture rebadges 800,000 employees as ‘reinventors’ as consultancy pivots to AI
Accenture has started calling its 800,000 employees “reinventors” as it restructures around AI, sparking criticism over corporate jargon and concerns about internal confusion. The consultancy is also cutting staff unable to adapt to new AI tools.
AI could replace half of the work carried out by American workers, McKinsey warns
A new McKinsey report warns AI and robots could automate 57% of US work hours, putting nearly half of American jobs at risk while creating new hybrid roles and boosting productivity.
Chancellor urged to use AI to ‘Make Britain Great Again’ as Budget looms
Business leaders urge Rachel Reeves to use AI to drive UK growth, warning that investment must be paired with cyber protection and measures to rebuild confidence after tax rises.
Government risks further harm if it fails to act on viral misinformation, MPs warn
MPs warn the government risks public harm after rejecting recommendations to strengthen the Online Safety Act and regulate AI platforms amid rising viral misinformation.
Government unveils major AI investment package to drive UK growth and create thousands of jobs
The government has unveiled a major AI investment package, including a £10bn South Wales AI Growth Zone and £350m in national AI infrastructure funding to boost UK innovation and jobs.
Pibit.AI raises $7m Series A to bring trusted AI underwriting to the insurance sector
Pibit.AI has raised $7m to scale its CURE™ AI underwriting platform, aiming to modernise insurance decision-making with faster, more accurate and trusted risk analysis.
Reeves urged to set out how £2bn AI investment will be spent in Autumn Budget
Blick Rothenberg says Rachel Reeves must clarify how the £2bn AI Opportunities Action Plan funding will be spent, warning that new taxes or cuts to incentives could harm the UK tech sector.
Jeff Bezos launches new AI start-up Project Prometheus with $6.2bn backing
Jeff Bezos has launched AI start-up Project Prometheus with $6.2bn in early funding, hiring talent from OpenAI, Meta and DeepMind to build advanced engineering and manufacturing AI systems.
Carbon3.ai to invest £1bn in UK’s first fully sovereign AI infrastructure network
Carbon3.ai will invest £1bn to build the UK’s first fully sovereign AI infrastructure network, converting legacy energy sites into renewable-powered data centres under full UK jurisdiction.
Government abolishes Police and Crime Commissioners as £100m is diverted to AI and cyber policing
The Government will abolish Police and Crime Commissioners, redirecting £100m into AI, cyber policing and neighbourhood officers. Regional mayors will absorb PCC roles as part of a major policing reform to raise standards nationwide.
