Sandra Edmund

London Tech Week 2024 kicked off in electrifying fashion at its new Olympia venue. From Mayor Khan's rousing speech highlighting London's tech strengths to the inspiring fireside chat with billion-dollar startup founder Alex Kendall, the day was a whirlwind of innovation and infectious enthusiasm. Industry leaders like Microsoft and IBM chimed in on the potential of AI, while the launch of the Tech Nation Report solidified the UK's position as a global tech leader. With a diverse crowd buzzing with ideas and a shared passion for tech, day one of London Tech Week promised a future brimming with exciting possibilities.

Worried about your smart gadgets getting hacked? The UK steps up with new regulations requiring manufacturers to improve security features like stronger passwords and mandatory updates for internet-connected devices in your home.

Google I/O 2024 wrapped up, showcasing the company's unwavering commitment to Artificial Intelligence. While hardware enthusiasts might have been disappointed, the software and AI announcements were nothing short of groundbreaking. Project Astra, an AI assistant that understands code through cameras, promises to revolutionise coding. Gmail is getting a major upgrade with Gemini's AI summarising emails and crafting smarter replies. Android 15 hints at a future deeply integrated with AI, while advancements in image generation with Imagen 3 open doors for creative exploration. Overall, Google I/O painted a picture of a future heavily influenced by AI, from streamlining tasks to pushing the boundaries of creative expression.

Apple's WWDC 2024 keynote unveiled a future powered by artificial intelligence. The upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will all feature a new personal intelligence system called Apple Intelligence. This system boasts features like a smarter Siri, improved accessibility tools, and privacy-focused on-device processing. Expect further refinements in multitasking for iPad and health-focused AI in watchOS 11. With advancements in AR/VR promised for visionOS 2, Apple is making a strong push towards intelligent and personalised computing experiences.

The TNW Conference 2024 in Amsterdam was a vibrant celebration of technology and innovation, attracting a global audience of entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts. Key highlights included a grand opening by Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, emphasizing human-centric technological progress. Notable sessions featured AI expert Sophia Velastegui discussing multimodality in AI, and Glenn Fogel of Booking.com exploring tech's impact on the travel industry.

The University of Maine has unveiled a game-changer in the construction industry - a colossal 3D printer capable of building entire houses! This behemoth dwarfs its predecessor, boasting a print area four times larger and the ability to create objects nearly 100 feet long. With ambitions to utilise sustainable materials like recycled polymers and wood byproducts, this innovation could revolutionise how we build.

Apple is gearing up for a new product launch with their "Let Loose" event on May 7th. This event is expected to focus on iPads, with rumors pointing towards upgrades for the iPad Pro and Air models. New features like OLED screens and improved Apple Pencils are a possibility. The event likely serves as a precursor to Apple's WWDC in June, giving the spotlight to iPads before the software-focused developer conference.

Tech giant Microsoft has announced the opening of a new AI hub in London, further solidifying its commitment to artificial intelligence research and development in the UK.