One stock recently impacted by a whirlwind of volatility is Block—the fintech powerhouse behind Square, Cash App, Tidal Music, and more. The company’s COO and CFO, Amrita Ahuja, shares how her team is using new AI tools to find opportunity amid disruption and reach customers left behind by traditional financial systems. Ahuja also shares lessons from the video game industry and discusses Gen Z’s surprising approach to money management.   This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by Robert Safian, former editor-in-chief of Fast Company. From the team behind the Masters of Scale podcast, Rapid Response features candid conversations with today’s top business leaders navigating real-time challenges. Subscribe to Rapid Response wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. As a leader, when you’re looking at all of this volatility—the tariffs, consumer sentiment’s been unclear, the stock market’s been all over the place. You guys had a huge one-day drop in early May, and it quickly bounced back. How do you make sense of all these external factors? Yeah, our focus is on what we can control. And ultimately, the thing that we are laser-focused on for our business is product velocity. How quickly can we start small with something, launch something for our customers, and then test and iterate and learn so that ultimately, that something that we’ve launched scales into an important product? I’ll give you an example. Cash App Borrow, which is a product where our customers can get access to a line of credit, often $100, $200, that bridges them from paycheck to paycheck. We know so many Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. That’s a product that we launched about three years ago and have now scaled to serve 9 million actives with $15 billion in credit supply to our customers in a span of a couple short years. The more we can be out testing and launching product at a pace, the more we know we are ultimately delivering value to our customers, and the right things will happen from a stock perspective. Block is a financial services provider. You have Square, the point-of-sale system; the digital wallet Cash App, which you mentioned, which competes with Venmo and Robinhood; and a bunch of others. Then you’ve got the buy-now, pay-later leader Afterpay. You chair Square Financial Services, which is Block’s chartered bank. But you’ve said that in the fintech world, Block is only a little bit fin—that comparatively, it’s more tech. Can you explain what you mean by that? What we think is unique about us is our ability as a technology company to completely change innovation in the space, such that we can help solve systemic issues across credit, payments, commerce, and banking. What that means ultimately is we use technologies like AI and machine learning and data science, and we use these technologies in a unique way, in a way that’s different from a traditional bank. We are able to underwrite those who are often frankly forgotten by the traditional financial ecosystems. Our Square Loans product has almost triple the rate of women-owned businesses that we underwrite. Fifty-eight percent of our loans go to women-owned businesses versus 20% for the industry average. For that Cash App Borrow product I was talking about, 70% of those actives, the 9 million actives that we underwrote, fell below 580 as a FICO score. That’s considered a poor FICO score, and yet 97% of repayments are made on time. And this is because we have unique access to data and these technology and tools which can help us uniquely underwrite this often forgotten customer base. Yeah. I mean, credit—sometimes it’s been blamed for financial excesses. But access to credit is also, as you say, an advantage that’s not available to everyone. Do you have a philosophy between those poles—between risk and opportunity? Or is what you’re saying is that the tech you have allows you to avoid that risk? That’s right. Let’s start with how do the current systems work? It works using inferior data, frankly. It’s more limited data. It’s outdated. Sometimes it’s inaccurate. And it ignores things like someone’s cash flows, the stability of your income, your savings rate, how money moves through your accounts, or how you use alternative forms of credit—like buy now, pay later, which we have in our ecosystem through Afterpay. We have a lot of these signals for our 57 million monthly actives on the Cash App side and for the 4 million small businesses on the Square side, and those, frankly, billions of transaction data points that we have on any given day paired with new technologies. And we intend to continue to be on the forefront of AI, machine learning, and data science to be able to empower more people into the economy. The combination of the superior data and the technologies is what we believe ultimately helps expand access. You have a financial background, but not in the financial services industry. Before Block, you were a video game developer at Activision. Are financial businesses and video games similar? Are there things that are similar about them? There are. There actually are some things that are similar, I will say. There are many things that are unique to each industry. Each industry is incredibly complex. You find that when big technology companies try to do gaming. They’ve taken over the world in many different ways, but they can’t always crack the nut on putting out a great game. Similarly, some of the largest technology companies have dabbled in fintech but haven’t been able to go as deep, so they’re both very nuanced and complex industries. I would say another similarity is that design really matters. Industrial design, the design of products, the interface of products, is absolutely mission-critical to a great game, and it’s absolutely mission-critical to the simplicity and accessibility of our products, be it on Square or Cash App. And then maybe the third thing that I would say is that when I was in gaming, at least the business models were rapidly changing from an intermediary distribution mechanism, like releasing a game once and then selling it through a retailer, to an always-on, direct-to-consumer connection. And similarly with banking, people don’t want to bank from 9 to 5, six days a week. They want 24/7 access to their money and the ability to, again, grow their financial livelihood, move their money around seamlessly. So, some similarities are there in that shift to an intermediary model or a slower model to an always-on, direct-to-consumer connection. Part of your target audience or your target customer base at Block are Gen Z folks. Did you learn things at Activision about Gen Z that has been useful? Are there things that businesses misunderstand about younger generations still? What we’ve learned is that Gen Z, millennial customers, aren’t going to do things the way their parents did. Some of our stats show that 63% of Gen Z customers have moved away from traditional credit cards, and over 80% are skeptical of them. Which means they’re not using a credit card to manage expenses; they’re using a debit card, but then layering on on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Or again, using tools like buy now, pay later, or Cash App Borrow, the means in which they’re managing their consistent cash flows. So that’s an example of how things are changing, and you’ve got to get up to speed with how the next generation of customers expects to manage their money.

A Simple Guide for Engineers in AustraliaIf you're an engineer working in Australia or planning to start your engineering career here, you might have come across the National Engineering Register or NER. But what exactly is it, and why is it becoming so important for engineers across the country?In this article, we’ll break it down in plain language so you can understand what the NER Engineers Australia program is all about—and why joining the National Engineering Register could be a great move for your career.What Is the National Engineering Register?The National Engineering Register (NER) is an official list of qualified and experienced engineers who meet professional standards in Australia. It is managed by Engineers Australia, which is the peak professional body for engineers in the country.Being on the NER means:You’ve been assessed and recognised as a competent, responsible engineer.Your name is listed in a public register, making it easy for employers and clients to find and trust you.You commit to ongoing learning and ethical professional conduct.Think of it as your professional badge that proves you are serious about your work.Who Are NER Engineers Australia?NER Engineers Australia are professionals who have gone through a formal review process and have been accepted onto the National Engineering Register. These engineers:Have a recognised qualification in engineeringHave at least five years of relevant work experienceShow continued professional development (CPD)Follow a strict code of ethicsAre capable of taking full responsibility for their engineering workWhether you’re a civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, or software engineer, if you meet these criteria, you can become an NER-registered engineer.Why Should You Join the National Engineering Register?Here are the top reasons why joining the NER Engineers Australia program is worth your time and effort:1. Build Trust and CredibilityThe NER is managed by Engineers Australia, which is highly respected in both public and private sectors. If you’re listed on the National Engineering Register, it tells others that you:Meet national standards of engineering competenceHave up-to-date skillsFollow ethical and safety standardsAre a reliable professionalEmployers and clients are more likely to choose engineers they can trust—and NER status helps you stand out.2. Improve Your Career OpportunitiesMany companies in Australia prefer or even require engineers to be on the NER. In some cases, you can’t apply for government jobs, contracts, or senior roles unless you're NER-registered.Having NER Engineers Australia status can also:Help you get promotedIncrease your salary potentialMake you more competitive for tenders and projectsLet you work independently without supervision3. Open International DoorsThe National Engineering Register is recognised beyond Australia. If you're planning to work in countries like the UK, UAE, New Zealand, or parts of Asia, having NER credentials can help you meet their professional standards too.4.  Meet Legal RequirementsIn states like Queensland and Victoria, certain types of engineering work must be done by registered professionals. Being listed on the NER ensures you meet the legal standards and avoid penalties.5. Pathway to Chartered StatusIf you’re aiming to become a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng), joining the NER is often the first step. The NER process prepares you to meet the same competency standards required for chartership.What Do You Need to Apply?To become one of the NER Engineers Australia, you’ll need: An engineering degree (Australian or internationally recognised)At least five years of relevant work experience Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) A Competency Self-Assessment Two professional referees who can confirm your experience A signed ethics declarationYou can apply online through Engineers Australia. The process involves reviewing your documents and verifying your competencies.What If You Are from Overseas?If you studied or worked outside Australia, you can still apply. Many overseas-qualified engineers join the NER every year.However, you may first need to go through a Migration Skills Assessment to confirm your qualifications meet Australian standards.Once assessed, you can apply for the NER like any local engineer.Real-World ExampleLet’s say Rahul, a mechanical engineer from India, has been working in Australia for six years. He wants to apply for a senior position in a local council, but they require NER registration.Rahul submits his application to Engineers Australia with help from his previous supervisors as referees. After a successful review, he gets listed on the National Engineering Register.Now Rahul can confidently apply for senior roles and even start consulting work, knowing he’s recognised as a trusted professional.Quick Recap: Why Join NER Engineers Australia? BenefitWhat It Means for You✅ Trusted Professional StatusBuilds credibility and shows you meet Australian standards📈 Better Job OpportunitiesAccess more jobs, tenders, and promotions⚖️ Legal ComplianceRequired in some states for regulated engineering work🛤 Step Toward ChartershipEasier path to CPEng or RPEQ status🌎 Global RecognitionAccepted in many countries worldwideFinal ThoughtsThe National Engineering Register is more than just a list—it’s a way to prove your value, grow your career, and gain professional respect. Whether you're early in your career or already experienced, joining the NER Engineers Australia community can take your engineering journey to the next level.It’s simple: if you’re a skilled, qualified, and responsible engineer, the NER helps you show that to the world.Ready to Take the First Step?You can apply for the National Engineering Register on the Engineers Australia website. If you need help preparing your documents, consider speaking with a professional or mentor familiar with the process.Invest in your future. Join the NER Engineers Australia community today and get recognised for the great work you do.

Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. What does the future of architecture hold? How will tomorrow’s buildings look, feel, and interact with the existing human-made environment? Which innovations are primed to help us reduce the footprint of construction, improve liveability, and redefine our idea of and relationship to space? These are the questions Architizer’s Vision Awards look to answer (or, at least offer some suggestions in lieu of concrete answers). Dedicated to the planned and unbuilt, which may or may not ever be, nominations represent one of our most unique human traits — the ability to imagine possibilities and impossibilities, to dream big and think well into unchartered territory. Unbuilt architecture, whether it is planned for construction or destined to remain on “paper,” should be more present in a newscycle of press releases for recently constructed or newly opened buildings. Indeed, many of the ideas presented in such projects directly respond to emerging crises exacerbated by our continued reliance on 20th-century practice’s approaches and materiality. Meanwhile, the evolution of architectural visualization allows architects to develop their wildest ideas and to communicate their boldest visions with more clarity and urgency than ever before. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Many studios are looking to re-write the script with high tech innovations that simply would not have been possible in the recent past, or emphasize the urgent need to get back to traditional building styles that utilize natural resources and passive principles in a bid to bring down carbon emissions and other outputs with negative environmental impact. The Kyathos Mass Timber Basketball Arena proposal does both. It’s fitting that we should look at this concept in spring 2025. The Osaka Expo recently opened in Japan and features the largest free-standing wooden structure ever built. The Grand Ring encases the event site and a section of its coastal waters with a circumference of 61,035 square meters (656,975 square feet). To us, it reflects what is possible when modern engineering meets one of the world’s most sustainable materials. Likewise, realizing a size previously unthinkable with wood, Alexander Kitriniaris’ KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm‘s plans for this Greek sports stadium offer a new vision for the athletic facility typology.  Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Employing a composite timber load bearing system, the project — commissioned by Galatsi Municipality — comprises a main court, spectator stands, internal mezzanine and gallery running the perimeter, changing rooms for athletes and referees, toilets, offices, and auxiliary spaces. Its total surface area is 4,000 square meters (43, 055 square feet), all of which complement the location. Designed for the site of an older, smaller wooden gymnasium, which fails to meet modern standards and is scheduled for demolition, the aesthetics reflect the surrounding Mediterranean flora grove. The name Kyathos refers to a type of painted pottery cup popularized in ancient Greece. The design of this was based on the petals of a milkweed belonging to the Euphorbia genus of plants. The countryside in this region is home to around forty such species, making the entire building an ode to indigenous nature and culture that has been here for millennia. When realized, it will stand in sharp contrast to the stereotype of arenas and stadiums most fans across the world have grown accustomed to, which often seem to have landed in situ, from another district if not planet. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Above the main court level, the building’s structure is composed entirely of engineered wood, including glue-laminated timber, cross-laminated timber, and plywood. A timber support frame wraps the indoor gymnasium in a precise 45-by-30-meter (148-by-98 foot) rectangular grid. The roof is formed by ten identical isostatic frames. Symmetrical in design, these triple-arched assemblies combine beams and posts, reinforced where necessary by discreet metal connectors and stiffeners. Overhead, a lightweight polymer roof — waterproof, UV-resistant, recyclable, and printable — ensures durable protection while minimizing weight. In the renderings, an elegant lattice-like pattern, calls attention to these delicate considerations. At the heart of the design, the firm’s plans and visualizations emphasize, lies a bioclimatic structural shell (pictured below), conceived to provide constant shade while optimizing natural ventilation, daylighting, and passive cooling. Meanwhile, rainwater collected from the roof and shaped surfaces is reused for on-site irrigation, supporting the lush Mediterranean flora of the existing grove. Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece This year, Saudi Arabia has begun working towards the World Cup 2034. Set to be held in November that year due to the incompatibility of regional climate and international football — or football at any level — the environmental price tag for this edition of the planet’s biggest soccer tournament is likely to be huge. While recent years have seen major strides taken to improve the impact of competitive sports, with last year’s Paris Olympics achieving more than 50% carbon reduction compared with the previous two Games, there are clear differences in what’s needed to host matches in cities like Jeddah and Riyadh. Not to mention the ultra-futurist urban experiment, NEOM — a metropolis that doesn’t exist yet.   Even during winter months, average temperatures across the desert state sit at a very hot 29°C. Humidity is high in coastal areas, while frost and snow are not uncommon overnight on higher ground. While it’s too early to tell the footprint of the vast mega-stadiums we’ve been promised for the competition, heating and cooling requirements are almost certainly going to be immense. We are, after all, experiencing a surge in global temperatures year-on-year and an increase in weather extremes of all kinds, and this will have significantly worsened in another ten years. More so, whether we’re powered with renewables or dinosaur fossils, high energy consumption of all types is not sustainable in the real sense.  Kyathos I Mass Timber Arena by KAAF I Kitriniaris Associates Architecture Firm, Βεΐκου, Galatsi, Greece Analyzing the legitimacy, authenticity and suitability of Saudi Arabia as a World Cup host nation is a conversation for another time. Perhaps another publication. But the fundamental point is we urgently need to rethink and reprioritize non-essential undertakings for the sake of the climate and our planet. When seen through this lens, the plans for Kyathos in Greece act as a symbol of progress and sets benchmarks for a future in which we acknowledge the need for our passions to be in balance with the Earth, rather imposing upon it. The fact this is achieved through an homage to a history in which we were more aligned to nature, and associated materials, but also utilizes modern engineering techniques and manufacturing methods of those materials, only accentuates the masterful vision behind this design.  Given the number of projects that will be designed between now and the stadium’s project 2028 construction date, and the ever-increasing concentration of carbon in our atmosphere, its urgent that we begin celebrating such plans now — while they’re still plans — rather than waiting for the design to become a physical building. After all, architecture starts before you put two bricks together (or, in this case, two pieces of timber). Learn More About Vision Awards Got a project that’s too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, June 6th marks the end of the Main Entry period — click here to submit your work. The post Hoop Dreams: Greece Tips Off a New Vision for Arena Architecture appeared first on Journal.

Senior Tax ManagerUnityBengaluru, India5 hours agoApplyThe opportunityCompany Overview:Unity Technologies is the creator of the world’s leading platform for creating and operating interactive, real-time 3D (RT3D) content. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, and filmmakers, use Unity to bring their ideas to life. Our platform provides tools that enable businesses worldwide to innovate, scale, and bring new experiences to their users.At Unity, we are passionate about fostering creativity, collaboration, and growth. Join us to help power the next generation of creators in their journey to build amazing experiences.The Role:We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Tax Manager to oversee the Unity tax team in India and support the global team in a variety of strategic areas, including India tax, global tax provision, transfer pricing, Global VAT, and US indirect tax. Reporting to the Global Head of Tax, you will play a critical role in ensuring compliance, managing risks, and driving strategic initiatives related to tax within the region and across the tax organization. This position requires a hands-on, detail-oriented professional with a deep understanding of corporate tax, transfer pricing, and indirect tax operations across multiple jurisdictions. As we grow, this role will be pivotal in shaping our tax strategy in a fast-moving environment and ensuring alignment with Unity’s global tax policies and business objectives.What you'll be doingTax Compliance and Reporting - lead and manage tax compliance for India, including corporate income tax, GST, TDS, etc.; support the existing APAC tax operations team in managing tax compliance across APAC jurisdictions; oversee tax provision and reporting processes for APAC and global indirect tax; partner with the Finance org and external advisors to resolve compliance and reporting matters; build and oversee a team to support key tax compliance process for EMEA VAT, US indirect tax, and global transfer pricingTax Advisory and Planning - support business expansion and new initiatives from a tax perspective, including M&A activities, new product launches, and restructuring projects; provide regional tax expertise on corporate structure optimization, effective tax rates, and incentives; advise on cross-border transactions, intercompany charges, and ensure compliance with regional transfer pricing regulationsRisk Management and Audit Defense - proactively manage tax risks in the region by maintaining thorough documentation and staying up to date with changing tax laws and regulations; represent the company during tax audits and work collaboratively with tax authorities as necessary; ensure compliance with BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) requirements, including economic substance initiatives and Pillar 2 global tax initiativesBusiness Partnering - collaborate closely with finance, legal, and business teams to monitor and support Unity's regional operations; act as a trusted partner by providing clear communication and practical advice on tax matters including contract reviews; develop strong relationships with external tax advisors, government agencies, and other stakeholdersTax Process Improvement - identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of tax workflows; support the deployment and integration of tax technology solutions for indirect and direct tax automation, partnering with IT when necessaryWhat we're looking forBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Taxation, Finance, or a related field; CPA, Chartered Accountant (CA), or an advanced degree in taxation is strongly preferred.10+ years of relevant tax experience, including in-house corporate tax in a multinational environment and/or Big 4 advisory firms with domestic Indian tax compliance expertise and exposure to APAC tax jurisdictions and 3+ years managing a team in-house and/or at Big 4 advisory firms.Strong expertise in regional corporate tax, transfer pricing, and indirect tax laws (familiarity with countries like China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, India, Taiwan, and others in APAC - knowledge of EMEA VAT and US indirect tax is a plus)Robust knowledge of international tax principles, including OECD guidelines, BEPS, and US GAAP, including ASC 740 tax reporting.Proven experience managing tax audits and disputes across multiple jurisdictions.You might also haveExceptional analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills, with a strong attention to detail.Advanced communication and stakeholder management abilities; able to distill complex tax topics for non-tax professionals.Knowledge or experience in working within the gaming, technology, or software-as-a-service (SaaS) industries.Familiarity with APAC regional tax incentives and grants for technology-driven businesses.Experience with tax technology tools (e.g, Alteryx, Onesource, Power Automate) is a plus.Additional informationRelocation support is not available for this position.Work visa/immigration sponsorship is not available for this positionLife at UnityUnity [NYSE: U] is the leading platform to create and grow games and interactive experiences. Creators, ranging from game developers to artists, architects, automotive designers, infrastructure experts, filmmakers, and more, use Unity to bring their imaginations to life across multiple platforms, from mobile, PC, and console, to spatial computing.As of the third quarter of 2024, more than 70% of the top 1,000 mobile games were made with Unity, and in 2024, Made with Unity applications had an average of 3.7 billion downloads per month. For more information, please visit Unity.Unity is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative environment with the best employees. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. If there are preparations or accommodations we can make to help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please fill out this form to let us know.This position requires the incumbent to have a sufficient knowledge of English to have professional verbal and written exchanges in this language since the performance of the duties related to this position requires frequent and regular communication with colleagues and partners located worldwide and whose common language is English.Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. Unity does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. Unity will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with Unity.Your privacy is important to us. Please take a moment to review our Prospect and Applicant Privacy Policies. Should you have any concerns about your privacy, please contact us at DPO@unity.com.#SEN #LI-AM1 Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply

Flyalone - Adobe News Labour puts Humphrey AI to work for council admin A tool built on the government’s Humphrey AI toolset is being piloted by 25 councils to take notes during meetings Published: 23 May 2025 15:45 The UK government has announced that its artificial intelligence (AI) suite, Humphrey, is being trialled by a number of local councils. Its AI tool, Minute, takes notes in meetings, and was recently used in one chaired by prime minister Keir Starmer. Part of Humphrey, the package of AI tools built to help civil servants deliver for ministers and the public more effectively, uses generative AI to turn meetings into notes, and provides tools for correcting summaries. The government found that early tests using Minute showed that officials saved an hour of admin per one-hour meeting. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said Minute can help speed up actions after planning meetings, allowing officers to focus on the task at hand, rather than paperwork, and make informed decisions to get homes built. It’s currently being trailed by 25 local councils. Among the ways it’s being used is to help streamline burdensome admin tasks in the planning process as part of the government’s plans to build 1.5 million homes by 2030. Lords minister for housing and local government Sharon Taylor said: “Local councils are on the frontline of housing delivery, and we’re backing them with cutting-edge AI technology like Minute so officers can spend less time buried in admin and more time helping to get Britain building. “This is alongside our landmark reforms to deliver 1.5 million homes, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will get working people and families into secure homes and boost economic growth right across the country,” she said. Read more stories about public sector AI Humphrey AI tool powers Scottish Parliament consultation: AI-powered Consult tool has helped the Scottish Parliament to organise feedback from a public consultation into themes. Major obstacles facing Labour’s AI opportunity action plan: Skills, data held in legacy tech and a lack of leadership are among the areas discussed during a recent Public Accounts Committee session. Minute can also be used to take notes in meetings between social care workers and their supervisors, allowing workers to focus on offering more support instead of being bogged down by bureaucracy.   The Minute trial ties in with a broader government initiative to help local councils use technology to improve essential services they are responsible for delivering to local residents. To fulfil one of the actions in the 50-point AI Opportunities Plan of Action, which was published in January, the government has also introduced an AI Knowledge Hub for sharing examples of how local councils are using technology so others can learn from them – such as an AI assistant that speeds up the reporting of fly-tipping and graffiti in central London. In 2024, a Local Government Association (LGA) survey found that the majority of councils who took part in the poll (85%) were using or exploring how they would use AI. The areas where most respondents had realised benefits from using AI were staff productivity (35%), service efficiencies (32%) and cost savings (22%). However, the LGA reported that the five biggest barriers to deploying AI identified by respondents were a lack of funding (64%), a lack of staff capabilities (53%), a lack of staff capacity (50%), a lack of sufficient governance and a lack of clear use cases (41% each). The government’s own State of digital government review, published earlier this year, reported that each of the 320 local authorities in England negotiate technology contracts with big tech companies independently – when many are buying exactly the same tools – making this spending much less effective. The trials with AI-based tools built on Humphrey and the AI Knowledge Hub represent an attempt by the government to reduce the barriers to deploying AI across the public sector. AI and digital government minister Feryal Clark said: “From parking permits and planning permission, local councils handle some of the services that impact our daily lives most. For too long, they have been left to fend for themselves when keeping up with rapid innovations in AI and digital technology – when we know it has huge potential to help solve many of the challenges they face. Clark said the government was going to work with local councils to help them buy and build the technology they need to deliver Labour’s Plan for Change and support their local communities more effectively.  In The Current Issue: UK critical systems at risk from ‘digital divide’ created by AI threats UK at risk of Russian cyber and physical attacks as Ukraine seeks peace deal Standard Chartered grounds AI ambitions in data governance Download Current Issue SAP Sapphire 2025: Developers take centre stage as AI integration deepens – CW Developer Network Microsoft entices developers to build more Windows AI apps – Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog View All Blogs

Tryfonov - stock.adobe.com Opinion Microsoft's ICC email block reignites European data sovereignty concerns Why Microsoft's rhetoric on protecting European users from US government actions does not quite ring true By Owen Sayers, Secon Solutions Published: 23 May 2025 During his recent visit to Brussels, Microsoft chief Brad Smith committed his company to defending European interests from ‘geopolitical volatility’, including the impact of potential US administration interventions. Suggesting that Microsoft is ‘critically dependent on sustaining the trust of customers, countries, and government across Europe’, anyone leaving his session with EU leaders should have reasonably felt buoyed up by his words; but might also have sensibly awaited evidence of the commitments being applied in practice before relying upon them. If so, the news that the International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor and his staff have had their Microsoft email and services cancelled in direct response to US government sanctions might come as an unwelcome reality check. According to media reports, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan had his Microsoft email and other services suspended after the US applied sanctions in February to all ICC staff in response to their investigations into key Israeli politicians. The circumstances of the situation that gave rise to those sanctions are outside the scope of this article, and largely irrelevant to the problems these service suspensions indicate, however. Regardless of the ‘why’, what the service suspensions demonstrate is that Microsoft has the means (and when it comes down to it also possess the will) to do the US government’s bidding and disrupt services to any party deemed to be unacceptable. This is almost exactly contrary to the assurances Brad Smith so very recently gave. The disconnection of prosecutor Khan is a mouse-click heard around the world, and will undoubtedly give anyone using or currently considering the adoption of Microsoft cloud technologies pause for thought. By disconnecting the ICC staff in this way, Microsoft has done themselves some serious damage, and how much may take some time yet to become clear. Immediately after the disconnection became public, the Dutch government and public bodies are reported to have accelerated their examination of non-Microsoft and EU-located alternative services. Meanwhile, several suppliers have indicated an uptick in requests for backup of key data to protect against possible Microsoft disconnections. Press coverage in Germany suggests these concerns are rippling out to them also, whilst the Nordics and France have long made clear that they see a future that is distinctly less Azure in colour. The likelihood or otherwise of further disconnections is unclear, and for most users it should be considered very unlikely that Microsoft will start switching off services for no good reason. With 25% of Microsoft’s global revenues coming from European customers, it is unlikely to act rashly to damage that market, and can generally be counted on to be sensible and not commit commercial suicide – so most customers should not be worried. Nonetheless much of the damage to the confidence of public sector bodies might well have already been done. Governments like to be in control of their own destiny and that extends to digital services and data. When a key supplier they have relied upon for many years shows themselves to be subject to the whims and foibles of a foreign government – friendly or otherwise – most public sector buyers intuitively know it’s time to find an alternative provider “just-in-case”. Having a plan B option is just common sense. The big problem for Microsoft is that in the IT sector “just-in-case” or plan B options, often become strategic plan A directions of travel. And a trickle of departures can quite soon become a flood. Governments are herd animals – when one turns they all tend to follow. I’m not by any measure suggesting we are going to see an overnight exodus. Even if that was technically feasible (which it isn’t in most cases), these organisations are a bit concerned, not panicked. However, these previously affirmed Microsoft user groups are now openly talking about the need for alternatives to the Redmond cloud provider, and that should have Microsoft worried. Concerns that US hyperscalers might be subjected to pressure from US authorities to disclose information have existed for some time but have been broadly assuaged by repeated promises and commitments from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft that they would resist such requests and protect their customers. When it has come to the acid test, however, many clearly feel that Microsoft has failed, and that instead of protecting the ICC as a key pillar of the global legal community, instead acted as an instrument of US policy. To restore his own email access, prosecutor Khan reportedly turned to Proton Mail, the Swiss end-to-end encrypted mail service beloved of whistleblowers and other digital refugees. Proton Mail operate under its own constraints and obligations to disclose information to the Swiss government on demand, but this is limited to IP address info, rather than email payloads, which it is generally accepted they cannot access. In doing so it’s likely that Mr Khan has had to forgo some user functionality and ease of use – but he may feel that’s a small price to pay to protect his office and role from US government influence. That might be a choice others have to make in the months and years to come, since regardless of their choice of cloud provider, the lesson here is that we cannot always trust them to rigorously and strongly protect our data or our services, despite what they may say, or how often they do so. In this case, Microsoft’s actions sadly speak a lot louder than Mr Smith’s words. Read more about Microsoft Microsoft’s hold on government IT is under scrutiny, following a disclosure to a Scottish policing body that saw the software giant advise that it cannot guarantee data sovereignty in its cloud-based Microsoft 365 suite Documents show Microsoft’s lawyers admitted to Scottish policing bodies that the company cannot guarantee sensitive law enforcement data will remain in the UK, despite long-standing public claims to the contrary In The Current Issue: UK critical systems at risk from ‘digital divide’ created by AI threats UK at risk of Russian cyber and physical attacks as Ukraine seeks peace deal Standard Chartered grounds AI ambitions in data governance Download Current Issue SAP Sapphire 2025: Developers take centre stage as AI integration deepens – CW Developer Network Microsoft entices developers to build more Windows AI apps – Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog View All Blogs

pathdoc - stock.adobe.com News DSIT makes £5.5m of funding available to new projects The government is focusing on easing the regulatory burden that can often hamper the introduction of innovative technologies in the public sector By Cliff Saran, Managing Editor Published: 22 May 2025 15:45 The government has announced £5.5m of funding to support projects that will be streamlined by the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to cut bureaucracy.  The RIO, headed by David Willetts, was set up by the government to cut red tape, remove barriers to innovation and accelerate the time it takes to bring emerging technologies to market. Willetts, who took on the role of chair of the RIO in March, hopes to shape regulatory approaches that empower new technologies, supporting Labour’s pledge to bring the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public quickly and safely while kickstarting economic growth. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said it would offer funding between £50,000 and £1m on regulator-led and local authority-led projects, which run from six to 12 months. The projects must start from 1 October 2025 and end by 30 September 2026. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2025, and DSIT is expected to start awarding funding from 1 October 2025. This is the fourth round of funding. In the last round, funding helped Milton Keynes trial local authority drone deliveries for urgent medical supplies and environmental monitoring. The trial included exploring low-risk test flights and sensors to track the drones’ path to safely test and approve these services.  “Thanks to the RPF [Regulators’ Pioneer Fund], we’ve been able to start building the groundwork for using drones to make services more efficient,” said Shanika Mahendran, cabinet member for planning and placemaking and Milton Keynes City Council. “It’s given us a chance to explore what safety checks and rules we need to follow so we can move from just testing drones to using them in the long-term.” Read more about DSIT initiatives DSIT aims to bolster expertise with year-long secondments: To drive forward its Plan for Change, the Labour government is looking to hire 25 experts for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Fellowship programme. Interview – Feryal Clark, AI and digital government minister, DSIT: Computer Weekly talks to the parliamentary under-secretary about digital identity, the importance of trust and utilising the power of artificial intelligence. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA’s) exploration of the use of synthetic data in clinical trials was another project in the third funding round. The project used computer-generated data to replace some of the participants who would normally receive a placebo. The MHRA said this approach can make trials quicker, cheaper and more inclusive, while still ensuring safety and effectiveness. Puja Myles, director of the clinical practice research datalink at the MHRA, said: “The RPF grant has given us a better understanding of the scenarios when synthetic data could be used to boost sample sizes of clinical trials. “This project is part of the MHRA’s work to promote innovation and embrace emerging technologies in clinical trials, to help get new treatments to patients faster.” The fourth round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is open to regulators and local authorities across the UK, and will include projects in key growth areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, engineering biology, space, and connected and autonomous vehicles. “Smarter, more agile regulation is key to businesses bringing ideas to market faster, while giving the public confidence in new technologies,” said science minister Patrick Vallance.  “These projects show how regulators can work with industry to unlock breakthroughs – from autonomous drones improving emergency services, to AI that cuts the cost and time spent on clinical trials. “By backing this kind of innovation, we’re helping to make the UK the best place in the world to launch, test and scale new ideas, and drive the economic growth we need to improve lives and deliver our Plan for Change,” he said. In The Current Issue: UK critical systems at risk from ‘digital divide’ created by AI threats UK at risk of Russian cyber and physical attacks as Ukraine seeks peace deal Standard Chartered grounds AI ambitions in data governance Download Current Issue Microsoft entices developers to build more Windows AI apps – Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog Red Hat launches llm-d community & project – Open Source Insider View All Blogs

The US is currently prioritising a stablecoin-focused bill as part of its broader effort to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for the crypto industry. Known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, the proposed legislation seeks to introduce clear guidelines for the issuance and management of stablecoins—cryptocurrencies that are pegged to the value of reserve assets such as fiat currencies or gold. Recently, Senator Elizabeth Warren emphasised the need for stablecoin regulations to prevent private companies from creating their own versions of the US dollar.Earlier this week, the bill was approved by the House Financial Services Committee, advancing it to the House of Senate for the final approval. The crypto industry lauded the development, calling it a milestone moment for the sector's recognition.Paul Atkins, the chief of SEC's Crypto Task Force, has shown a strong support to the GENUIS Bill. Atkins, in an interview with CNBC said, “We have every expectation now that it's going to pass."As momentum builds around the GENIUS Act, let's take a closer look at what this proposed legislation could mean for the future of the stablecoin sector.GENIUS Bill: Key DetailsThe GENIUS bill was first introduced to the US lawmakers in February this year. Tim Scott, the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, is among the four sponsors of the proposed laws.Outlining the ambitions of this legislations, its sponsors said that the rules would establish clear protocols to guide the issuance of stablecoins in the US. Institutions like Meta that may seek licences to issue stablecoins will have to comply with these mandates.The rules will define reserve requirements for existing and potential stablecoin issuers, while also setting up regimes on the supervision, examination, and enforcement of stablecoin-producing businesses.Large-scale stablecoin issuers offering tokens worth $10 billion or banking firms are proposed to be under a strict oversight by the Federal Reserve (for banks). Meanwhile, large-scale non-bank entities will be monitored by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency under, if the bill gets approved into an Act by the Senate.The states may individually get the right to regulate smaller stablecoin issuers internally.According to Senator Bill Hagerty, "The previous administration's hostility toward crypto and refusal to provide clear regulatory guidelines have severely stifled stablecoin innovation." He believes that this legislation can preserves a strong state pathway to stablecoin issuance.The US House Financial Services Committee passed the stablecoin bill in April.Stablecoin HypeThe US is among many nations that are now viewing stablecoin as a blockchain-based solution to quick, secure, and cheap cross-border transfers.Scott, the US Senate Banking Committee chief, sees stablecoins as a major advancement in the financial sector.“Stablecoins enable faster, cheaper, and competitive transactions in our digital world and facilitate seamless cross-border payments,” he said. "From enhancing transaction efficiency to driving demand for US Treasuries, the potential benefits of strong stablecoin innovation are immense."US President Donald Trump himself is part of issuing the USD1 stablecoin, indicating support to the sector's potential.While the stablecoin bill is still making its way through the legislative process in the US, Hong Kong passed its own stablecoin bill on May 21 that is slated to come into effect within this year.Traditional fintech giants like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are also exploring service offerings related to stablecoins.Among blockchain majors, Polygon plans to concentrate on its stablecoin plans this year, owing to "rising institutional demands".A recent report by Standard Chartered estimated that the size of the stablecoin market could surge by about 10-fold to $2 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,71,29,830 crore) within the next three years. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Cryptocurrency, Stablecoin, Genuis Act, US Radhika Parashar Radhika Parashar is a senior correspondent for Gadgets 360. She has been reporting on tech and telecom for the last three years now and will be focussing on writing about all things crypto. Besides this, she is a major sitcom nerd and often replies in Chandler Bing and Michael Scott references. For tips or queries you could reach out to her at RadhikaP@ndtv.com. More Related Stories

Getty Images News Lloyds and Nationwide to use UK finance sector LLM Industry-specific large language models could improve customer services, strengthen security and support regulatory compliance By Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA Published: 22 May 2025 15:15 Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide Building Society are set to roll out a generative AI (GenAI) tool that has been specifically designed for the UK finance sector. The tool, known as FinLLM, was developed in the UK by Aveni alongside the two financial services companies, with both also investing money in the firm. The large language model (LLM) is an attempt to offer GenAI designed for use in highly regulated UK finance companies. LLMs are a type of artificial intelligence algorithm that uses deep learning techniques and massively large data sets to understand, summarise, generate and predict new content. Banks are in the early stage of its application across customer services, operations, and compliance and security. Following the completion of its core capabilities, FinLLM is set to move from research into real-world deployment. Both Lloyds Bank and Nationwide are now set to use the system, which is aligned with FCA guidance and the European Union (EU) AI Act. The tool will eventually be available to the wider industry. An LLM for the financial services sector could, for example, provide customers with explanations of complex financial matters, as well as support banks’ decisions in relation to regulatory compliance and staff making complicated calculations. Into the real world Nationwide’s chief data officer, Sri Kanisapakkam, said the company worked with Aveni on the development. “We’re excited by the performance of FinLLM and the potential benefits it will bring both Nationwide and our customers, as we continually look to deliver better service and experience through the responsible adoption of new technologies,” he added. Ranil Boteju, group chief data and analytics officer at Lloyds Banking Group, said Aveni’s FinLLM “will be a game changer for UK financial services”. The bank first invested in Aveni in 2024, and co-created and tested FinLLM on real-life AI use cases. Lexi Birch, head of Aveni Labs, said the company brought together the expertise of its natural language processing researchers and financial industry professionals “to shape a roadmap for delivering reliable generative AI to a highly regulated sector – where accuracy and trust are non-negotiable”. Read more about Large Language Models When developing LLMs, banks are paying close attention to potential risks associated with data privacy, security, regulatory compliance and potential bias in AI-based decision-making. In terms of use cases, Chris Skinner, fintech industry expert and CEO at The Finanser, said industry-specific LLMs could help with the security of both banks and their customers. “AI bots will work out what you can trust, e.g. verifying whether the connections you make are real or fake, which in finance is critical,” he said. “With romance and deepfake scams, the more protections that AI can deliver to recognise the issues the better. “Looking longer-term, your agentic AI bot will be the biggest security for any trade or transaction, as it will be your digital twin with its own identity and the protections therein,” said Skinner. “It’s not there yet, but FinLLM is a good start.” Separately, Lloyds Bank announced last month that it will build, deploy and scale AI systems using Google Cloud’s Vertex AI to build a machine learning and GenAI development platform, which more than 300 of its data scientists will use. In The Current Issue: UK critical systems at risk from ‘digital divide’ created by AI threats UK at risk of Russian cyber and physical attacks as Ukraine seeks peace deal Standard Chartered grounds AI ambitions in data governance Download Current Issue Microsoft entices developers to build more Windows AI apps – Cliff Saran's Enterprise blog Red Hat launches llm-d community & project – Open Source Insider View All Blogs