Business News Round Up (12/12/19)
Reskilling the UK in the face of AI growth
According to IBM’s Institute for Business Value has revealed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technology will have across the world’s 12 largest economies, highlighting the need to reskilling and retraining. A recent study from the OECD looked into automation in the workplace, revealing that the UK has a higher percentage of workers (13.7%) than the OECD average of 10.9% who will require moderate training of up to a year to transition from an occupation at a high risk of being automated out to one with a low or medium risk.
https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Reskilling-the-UK-in-the-face-of-AI-growth
New Centre for Advanced Measurement Research and Health Translation opened
The University of Strathclyde has announced the opening of a new centre of excellence that will support innovation in the medicine, food and drink, and high-value manufacturing sector in Glasgow. The Centre is a joint initiative between the University of Strathclyde and LGC, the UK’s world leading company for chemical and bio-measurement, and will provide a platform for collaborative research and innovation in digital health and wellbeing, by improving reliability, safety, productivity and economic growth in areas ranging from clinical diagnostics to innovative new food products.
North West small businesses exceed UK average on digital capability
The North West is exceeding the national average on digital capabilities in small businesses, according to a study by Lloyds Bank. The North West has improved significantly since the study was first conducted in 2014, going from an index score of 42 to 61, ahead of the UK average of 60. The region has also seen the number of SMEs who are “offline” dropping from 13% to just 1%.
Innis & Gunn ready to reveal brewery location as fund hits £2m
Innis &Gunn has raised £2 million to build what it claims will be the largest brewery in Edinburgh for more than 150 years. The new brewery, the location of which is due to be announced shortly, will bring all production and packaging in-house, simplifying the current outsourced model and reducing costs, while also reducing the company’s carbon footprint.