Birmingham's Crimson expands AI apprenticeship opportunities as West Midlands tech sector continues to grow

As artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies reshape the workplace, one Birmingham-based company is making sure the next generation of digital professionals has the opportunity to build the skills employers need.

Digital transformation consultancy Crimson has opened applications for the latest intake of its apprenticeship Academy, offering aspiring technology specialists the chance to launch careers in AI, automation and data engineering while working on real-world projects.

Since the Academy was launched in 2019, Crimson has supported 33 apprentices through structured training programmes that combine recognised qualifications with practical experience. Many of those apprentices have gone on to secure consulting, technical and client-facing roles within the business, demonstrating how apprenticeships can provide an effective alternative to the traditional university route.

The timing is significant. The West Midlands has become one of the UK's leading technology regions, boasting the fastest-growing and highest concentration of digital companies outside London. As organisations continue investing in artificial intelligence, automation and advanced data solutions, demand for skilled professionals is increasing rapidly.

Crimson's Academy has been designed to help meet that demand by giving apprentices the opportunity to work alongside experienced Microsoft specialists on AI-powered transformation projects for both public and private sector clients. Participants gain valuable hands-on experience while developing the technical and professional skills needed for long-term careers in one of Britain's fastest-growing industries.

Cat Halstead, Change and Transformation Director at Crimson, believes investing in local talent has never been more important. 

Cat told That's Business: "The technology sector is evolving rapidly, particularly with the growth of AI and data-driven services, and we need to ensure people have opportunities to develop the skills required for these careers.

"Through the Crimson Academy, we're helping people gain practical experience, earn recognised qualifications and build successful careers in technology while contributing to meaningful transformation projects."

The Academy is currently recruiting for two apprenticeship pathways: Data Engineer Apprentice – Digital Native and AI Automation Apprentice – Digital Native. Both programmes are aimed at people taking their first steps into the technology sector, regardless of whether they have chosen not to attend university or are looking for a more practical route into employment.

Former apprentice Loren Thomas, who joined the Academy in 2020 as a Software Testing Apprentice, credits the programme with transforming both personal confidence and career prospects.

"My apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally," Loren said. "It opened doors, broadened my experience and gave me the confidence to pursue a career I'm passionate about."

With applications now open, Crimson hopes to attract talented people from across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands who are eager to play a part in the region's thriving digital economy. As businesses continue embracing AI and automation, initiatives like the Crimson Academy are helping ensure the workforce develops alongside the technology itself.

AI Licences Alone Won't Transform Your Business, Says New Consultancy

For many businesses, investing in artificial intelligence has started with buying AI-powered software licences. But a new consultancy believes that's only the beginning, warning that companies risk missing out on significant financial savings if they stop there.

Boxtree Consulting has launched with a clear message for UK businesses: simply purchasing AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot is not the same as having an AI strategy. 

According to the Birmingham-based consultancy, the biggest opportunities lie in transforming everyday business processes rather than simply improving individual productivity.

Founded by operational transformation specialist Max Pardo-Roques,(PICTURED) Boxtree combines Lean principles, originally developed through Toyota's renowned production system, with modern AI technology to identify repetitive manual tasks that can be automated. 

These include activities such as invoice processing, data entry, scheduling, compliance checks and other administrative work that quietly consumes thousands of staff hours each year.

The company argues that many organisations have embraced AI on the surface, using it to draft emails or improve marketing content, while leaving their most time-consuming and expensive workflows untouched.

Pardo-Roques believes this is where businesses are overlooking substantial savings.

He told That's Business that many chief executives, finance directors and operations leaders believe they have implemented AI because staff have access to AI assistants. In reality, he argues, true transformation only begins when organisations redesign the processes where most operational costs occur.

Recent research suggests many UK businesses still have some way to go. Analysis of Office for National Statistics data found that fewer than three in ten UK businesses employing under 50 people were using AI in 2025, compared with 44 per cent of organisations employing more than 250 staff. Meanwhile, the Government's AI Champion for Advanced Manufacturing has warned that many firms remain stuck in a "pilot trap", experimenting with AI without deploying it at scale.

Boxtree's approach is deliberately practical. Every client engagement begins with a Lean diagnostic that maps business processes and identifies waste in financial terms. Projects only move forward if they are expected to generate savings that exceed implementation costs during the first year.

The consultancy is confident enough in its approach to guarantee every project will be cost-neutral within its first year, with an overall target of delivering a five-to-one return on investment.

Rather than replacing existing software, Boxtree focuses on embedding AI into the systems businesses already use, reducing disruption while improving efficiency.

Serving organisations across manufacturing, logistics, professional services and other operations-intensive sectors, Boxtree believes the next stage of the UK's AI journey will not be driven by software licences alone, but by businesses willing to rethink how work gets done.

https://boxtreeconsulting.co.uk

Axians UK launches Enterprise Architecture as a Service to simplify digital transformation

Axians UK has launched Enterprise Architecture as a Service, helping organisations align business strategy with technology while reducing technical debt, improving security and lowering costs.

Many organisations invest heavily in digital transformation, only to find that ambitious boardroom strategies fail to translate into practical technology solutions. 

Axians UK believes it has the answer with the launch of its new Enterprise Architecture as a Service (EAaaS), a flexible consultancy offering designed to align business objectives with technical delivery without the cost of employing a full-time Enterprise Architect.

The London-based technology services provider says many businesses experience what it describes as a "boardroom vision gap". Senior leaders define the commercial goals, while technical teams independently develop solutions that can become overly complex, inconsistent and difficult to maintain.

EAaaS aims to close that gap by providing an architectural framework that connects business strategy with technology implementation, ensuring digital investments support long-term growth rather than creating fragmented systems.

Ian Parker, Enterprise Architect at Axians UK, explained to That's Business that organisations without a dedicated architectural approach often end up with disconnected technology estates.

He compared the situation to building a street where every house has different foundations and construction methods, making future maintenance unnecessarily difficult. By introducing common standards and governance, he said businesses can ensure that infrastructure remains consistent, scalable and easier to manage, regardless of whether operations span London, New York or Singapore.

The service is also designed with today's biggest technology challenges in mind. Rather than treating cybersecurity as an afterthought, Axians has adopted a Secure by Design approach that builds protection into infrastructure from the outset. Sustainability considerations are also incorporated into the architecture, helping organisations create technology environments that are efficient as well as resilient.

Dan Barton, Head of Consultancy at Axians UK, said businesses are operating in an increasingly complex digital landscape where cloud computing, artificial intelligence and hybrid working continue to reshape technology requirements.

He said establishing the right architectural foundations from the beginning enables organisations to embrace innovation while maintaining strong security and governance.

Another major advantage of the service is its potential to reduce technical debt. By eliminating duplicated tools, simplifying infrastructure and creating standardised designs, businesses can reduce operational costs while improving efficiency and making future technology projects easier to deliver.

Instead of hiring an expensive full-time Enterprise Architect, organisations can access specialist expertise on demand, allowing them to benefit from strategic guidance that scales alongside their business.

As digital transformation continues to accelerate, services such as EAaaS could prove increasingly valuable for organisations looking to build secure, efficient and future-ready technology foundations while keeping costs under control.

www.axians.com

www.axians.co.uk

Apprenticeships and Internships Gain Ground as Employers Prioritise Skills Over Degrees

New research reveals employers are increasingly valuing skills, internships and apprenticeships over degrees, with AI and in-person training reshaping early careers recruitment.

The latest research into early careers recruitment suggests that employers are placing less emphasis on academic qualifications alone and giving greater weight to practical skills, adaptability and real-world experience. 

For young people entering the jobs market, that could mean apprenticeships and internships are becoming more valuable than ever before.

According to the newly published 2026 Best Practice Early Careers Guide from TST, organisations are increasingly creating multiple routes into employment rather than relying solely on traditional graduate recruitment.

The report found that companies with well-developed internship-to-graduate programmes retain significantly more employees over the long term.

 After three years, 73% of graduates who came through strong internship pipelines were still with their employer, compared with 62% at organisations without similar programmes. 

Internships also attracted around 20% more applications than graduate schemes and an impressive 80% more than apprenticeship vacancies, highlighting the growing appeal of gaining workplace experience before committing to a permanent role.

The findings are based on recruitment and retention data from 30 global organisations employing more than 2.75 million people. They paint a picture of employers becoming increasingly interested in what candidates can demonstrate rather than simply what qualifications they hold.

Dr Khairunnisa Mohamedali, (PICTURED) Managing Director and Chief Innovation Officer at TST, believes businesses are looking for people who can adapt quickly to changing workplaces. She told That's Business that it is her argument that skills, attitude and potential are now sitting alongside formal qualifications when employers make recruitment decisions.

Supporting this trend, research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers suggests that 70% of employers now use skills-based hiring for entry-level positions, while nearly half of middle-skill jobs have removed formal degree requirements altogether.

The report also highlights another interesting development: the return of face-to-face learning. Organisations with the strongest long-term retention rates delivered almost two-thirds of their induction programmes in person, compared with just over a quarter among lower-performing employers. 

Building personal relationships, company culture and workplace confidence during those early weeks appears to have a lasting impact on employee loyalty.

Artificial intelligence is also reshaping graduate development. As AI increasingly takes over routine tasks that once helped new recruits gain confidence and experience, employers are placing even greater value on qualities such as curiosity, resilience, communication and a willingness to learn. Rather than replacing early careers programmes, AI is changing what successful development looks like.

For businesses competing for tomorrow's workforce, the message is clear. Investing in apprenticeships, internships, meaningful in-person training and skills-based recruitment could prove to be one of the smartest talent strategies of the decade.

https://www.wearetst.com/insight/insight-article.html?slug=best-practice-early-careers-guide-2026

AI Is Now Influencing Buying Decisions More Than Ever, New Research Reveals

Artificial intelligence is no longer simply helping consumers and businesses research products and services, it's increasingly shaping the decisions they make.

New research from AI visibility consultancy LLM Listed suggests AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini are becoming trusted advisers throughout the buying journey, with an overwhelming 85% of buyers saying they have changed their mind because of an AI recommendation.

The findings come from the company's AI Buyer Journey Report 2026, based on responses from 770 buyers across the United States and the United Kingdom.

Perhaps even more striking is the level of trust respondents now place in AI-generated information. The study found that 97% trust information provided by AI platforms, while 94% said they would stop considering a company altogether if AI presented negative information about it.

For businesses, that represents a significant shift in how customers discover, evaluate and ultimately choose suppliers.

Business buyers appear to be embracing AI particularly quickly. According to the report, 91% of B2B buyers now use AI during the purchasing process, while 90% research potential vendors using AI before ever making direct contact.

Consumer behaviour is also changing rapidly. Around 84% of consumers now use AI somewhere during their buying journey, with 59% turning to AI as their very first stop when looking for product recommendations.

The research also suggests businesses may be underestimating AI's influence because many buyers never click directly through from AI platforms to company websites. Instead, they often search Google for a company name, type the website address directly into their browser or even ask AI tools for telephone numbers and contact details before making contact.

Among consumer users, Google AI Overviews (39%) and ChatGPT (35%) emerged as the two most popular AI platforms for product research. Business buyers showed more varied preferences, using Google AI Overviews (27%), ChatGPT (23%), Claude (15%) and Microsoft Copilot (11%) in significant numbers.

Ben Harper, Founder of LLM Listed, believes the findings demonstrate a major change in customer behaviour.

He said told That's Business: "The findings suggest that AI is no longer simply a research tool. It is increasingly becoming a decision-making tool."

He added that organisations can no longer afford to ignore how they appear across AI platforms, particularly when buyers are placing so much trust in the information they receive.

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday purchasing decisions, businesses may need to pay as much attention to how they are represented by AI systems as they do to their websites, search engine rankings and online reviews. In an increasingly AI-driven marketplace, visibility across these platforms could become just as important as visibility on traditional search engines.

https://llmlisted.com/

New Book Shows Businesses How to Navigate Technological Disruption

Discover how The Z-Curve by Alberto Torres helps business leaders understand AI, quantum computing and technological disruption to build long-term success.

New Book Explains How Businesses Can Stay Ahead of Technological Disruption

The pace of technological change is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, leaving many organisations struggling to keep up. 

From artificial intelligence and automation to quantum computing and genetic engineering, businesses are facing a rapidly evolving landscape that demands constant adaptation.

A new book, The Z-Curve: Navigating Your Business Through Technological Disruption, by business strategist Alberto Torres, aims to give leaders a practical framework for understanding how technological disruption unfolds and how organisations can position themselves for long-term success.

Today's businesses are operating in an environment where technological innovation is closely intertwined with global politics, competition for critical supply chains, and the race to control valuable data. As nations invest heavily in emerging technologies, companies are being forced to rethink how they compete, innovate and future-proof their operations.

The book introduces the concept of the "Z-Curve", a model designed to help organisations recognise the warning signs of disruption before it is too late. Rather than simply reacting to change, the framework encourages leaders to anticipate technological shifts and develop strategies that build resilience and sustainable growth.

History offers plenty of examples of companies that successfully embraced change, alongside those that failed to adapt. Technology giants including Apple, Amazon, Google and NVIDIA have transformed industries and achieved remarkable growth, while once-dominant household names such as Xerox, Nokia, AOL and Blockbuster have seen their influence fade as markets evolved.

According to Torres, the next wave of disruption is already underway. Advances in generative and agentic AI, quantum computing and biotechnology are expected to reshape industries even more dramatically over the coming decade.

Drawing on a series of real-world business case studies, The Z-Curve examines both successful transformations and costly failures, providing practical lessons for executives, managers and entrepreneurs seeking to navigate uncertainty with greater confidence.

Torres, a former senior executive and Partner at McKinsey & Company, is currently a member of Adobe's International Advisory Board and an Adjunct Professor at IE Business School. He believes technological disruption is no longer an occasional challenge but an ongoing reality for every organisation.

He said: "Technological disruption is no longer a distant threat; it is a constant reality for every organisation. Understanding how it works is the first step towards managing it successfully. The Z-Curve gives leaders a way to see disruption more clearly and act with confidence."

As technology continues to redefine the business world, books such as The Z-Curve provide valuable insights for leaders looking to remain competitive in an increasingly unpredictable future.

The Z-Curve: Navigating Your Business Through Technological Disruption is published by LID Publishing on 25 June 2026. Available in hardback (ISBN: 9781917391672), priced at £19.99.

For more about LID Publishing, please visit www.lidpublishing.com

You can buy the book at a discounted price here:- https://amzn.to/4xQOATn

AI is Helping Consumers Discover New Brands – But Trust Still Has to Be Earned

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way consumers discover new products and businesses, but fresh UK research suggests that while AI may be opening doors for lesser-known brands, it is far from replacing traditional research and customer trust.

A new survey of 2,564 UK consumers, commissioned by technology PR agency CloudNine PR, found that over half (52%) of people who use AI chat tools like ChatGPT say the technology helps them discover brands they would never have found otherwise.

With AI assistants increasingly becoming part of everyday shopping and research habits, businesses have a valuable opportunity to reach potential customers outside traditional search engines. Among those surveyed, 48% said they would consider buying from a previously unknown brand if it was recommended by an AI assistant.

However, the findings also show that consumers are still cautious. Just 4% said they would purchase from an unfamiliar brand immediately based solely on an AI recommendation.

Instead, most people continue to carry out their own research before making a buying decision. Nearly half (46%) said they would search for the company using Google or another search engine, while 43% would read independent online reviews. 

Around one-third would visit the company's own website, and more than a quarter would check whether the product was available on Amazon. Others said they would look for coverage in online publications or search social media to gauge public opinion.

The research highlights an important message for businesses: AI visibility alone is not enough.

Consumers also want greater transparency from AI platforms. Six in ten AI users said they would place more trust in recommendations if they could see information drawn from multiple independent sources, including news articles, reviews and influencer content.

CloudNine PR founder Uday Radia believes businesses should see AI as the beginning of the customer journey rather than the end.

He said AI is becoming an important product discovery channel that can introduce consumers to brands they may never have encountered before. However, he warned that businesses still need strong search visibility, positive reviews and credible media coverage if they want those discoveries to convert into sales.

The research also explored attitudes towards advertising within AI-generated responses. More than half of AI users said they would trust recommendations less if advertisements appeared alongside AI answers, while almost two-thirds said they would consider switching to another AI platform if advertising became commonplace.

As AI continues to reshape digital marketing, businesses that combine strong online reputations with high-quality content and genuine customer trust are likely to be best placed to benefit from this evolving landscape.

https://www.cloudninepr.com/chatgpt-ai-brand-discovery-trust/

European AI Lab Unveils VOLTAIC as Challenge to Frontier AI Economics

A European artificial intelligence research lab has unveiled a new AI inference engine that could dramatically change how businesses think about artificial intelligence, energy consumption and data sovereignty.

Today, Verkko Robotics introduced VOLTAIC, a spiking neural inference engine designed to learn continuously, retain knowledge over time and operate at a fraction of the cost and energy consumption associated with today's leading large language and multimodal AI models.

The announcement comes as organisations across Europe increasingly question the sustainability, costs and data privacy implications of relying on large AI systems hosted by major US technology companies.

Unlike conventional transformer-based models that require vast computational resources, VOLTAIC uses sparse neural networks, meaning most neurons remain inactive at any given moment. This significantly reduces power consumption while enabling the system to operate efficiently on private infrastructure.

According to Verkko Robotics, VOLTAIC has delivered impressive results during continual learning benchmarks. The system achieved a catastrophic forgetting rate of approximately 1.2% on Core50 testing and reached 77% accuracy on Split ImageNet-1K, outperforming previous benchmark records by 14 percentage points.

One of the most significant claims surrounding the technology is its potential cost advantage. Internal testing suggests VOLTAIC could process queries at around one-fiftieth of the cost of comparable interactions with leading large language models, potentially offering substantial savings for organisations deploying AI at scale.

The technology was developed by Giancarlo Cobino, whose research focuses on neuroscience-inspired computing and enterprise AI applications.

Cobino explained that the architecture moves away from dense computational approaches in favour of adaptive, brain-inspired mechanisms that allow AI systems to learn continuously while retaining previously acquired knowledge.

This ability to avoid "catastrophic forgetting" addresses one of the long-standing challenges in artificial intelligence. Rather than requiring repeated retraining, VOLTAIC is designed to build upon existing knowledge in real time, allowing information to accumulate instead of being lost.

The launch also aligns with growing concerns around European technological independence. Earlier this month, European Commission outlined plans to strengthen technological sovereignty across the continent, highlighting the importance of reducing reliance on external technology providers for critical infrastructure and services.

Built on Verkko's proprietary Hierarchical Synaptic Consolidation architecture, VOLTAIC is being developed for both consumers and large organisations operating complex technology environments. Sectors such as finance, legal services and aerospace could particularly benefit from systems capable of retaining institutional knowledge while keeping sensitive data within their own infrastructure.

With a planned release scheduled for Q4 2026, VOLTAIC represents an intriguing alternative to the industry's ongoing race towards ever-larger AI models. If its early performance claims prove accurate, it could help reshape the economics of artificial intelligence while supporting Europe's ambitions for greater technological self-reliance.

https://verkkorobotics.com/

KYND Named Among World’s Top AI FinTech Companies for Second Year Running

Cyber risk analytics provider KYND has been named in the AIFinTech100 2026 list, highlighting the growing importance of AI-powered cyber intelligence in insurance.

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the financial services sector, but industry experts increasingly agree that success depends not just on powerful AI tools, but on the quality of the data that powers them.

That principle has helped cyber risk analytics specialist KYND secure a place in the prestigious AIFinTech100 list for the second consecutive year, reinforcing its growing reputation within the insurance sector.

Published annually by FinTech Global, the AIFinTech100 recognises the world's most innovative companies applying artificial intelligence across financial services. The 2026 edition was the most competitive yet, with more than 2,000 companies assessed by industry experts and analysts before the final 100 were selected.

For insurers, brokers and reinsurers, the recognition highlights the increasing importance of reliable cyber risk intelligence in an era where AI is transforming underwriting, portfolio management and risk assessment.

KYND provides insurers with a continuously updated view of an organisation's cyber risk exposure, helping decision-makers move beyond traditional point-in-time assessments and static risk scores. Its platform combines proprietary technology, cyber security expertise and ongoing exposure monitoring to provide insights into organisations ranging from global enterprises to small and medium-sized businesses.

According to KYND Co-founder Melanie Hayes, the award reflects the growing role of cyber intelligence within modern insurance operations.

She noted that while AI is helping insurers analyse risks more quickly and efficiently, the effectiveness of those systems ultimately depends on the quality and accuracy of the intelligence underpinning them. By delivering a real-world view of cyber exposure, KYND enables insurance professionals to make more informed decisions at both individual risk and portfolio levels.

The wider financial services industry is also evolving rapidly. Richard Sachar, CEO of FinTech Global, said the focus of AI adoption has shifted from experimentation to practical implementation. Financial institutions are increasingly looking for solutions that deliver measurable value across areas such as fraud prevention, customer experience, risk management, automation and insurance operations.

The recognition also comes at a time when AI itself is creating new challenges for insurers. From AI-assisted cyber attacks and faster vulnerability exploitation to emerging questions around AI liability, the risk landscape is becoming increasingly complex.

As insurers look to develop the next generation of cyber insurance products, companies such as KYND are helping the market gain greater visibility into emerging threats and opportunities. That intelligence could prove vital in supporting profitable and sustainable growth in the years ahead.

https://www.kynd.io/uk

AI Isn't Failing Businesses – Why UK Companies Need to Rethink AI ROI

AI Isn't Failing Businesses – Expectations Are.

Three-quarters of UK businesses now use AI, but only 31% report positive ROI. Discover why the issue may be expectations rather than the technology itself.

Artificial intelligence has rapidly become part of everyday business operations across the UK. From customer service chatbots to content creation tools, organisations of all sizes are embracing AI in the hope of boosting efficiency and profitability.

Yet new research suggests many businesses are struggling to see the returns they expected.

A survey of 500 senior decision-makers conducted by Studio Graphene found that over three-quarters of UK businesses are now using AI tools. 

However, only 31% reported seeing a positive return on investment, while fewer than half could clearly define what success from AI would actually look like.

At first glance, those figures might suggest AI is underperforming. But some industry experts believe the real problem lies elsewhere.

According to Angus Hay, CEO and Founder of Edinburgh-based AI agency Vereus, businesses may simply be measuring the wrong things.

Many organisations adopt AI with the expectation that it will directly increase sales, win new customers or generate additional revenue. While AI can certainly support these goals, Hay argues that its greatest value often comes from something far less glamorous: removing time-consuming administrative tasks from employees' workloads.

In many businesses, highly skilled professionals spend significant portions of their week on reporting, compliance, research, data gathering and other repetitive tasks. While necessary, these activities rarely generate revenue directly.

This is where AI can make a genuine difference.

Rather than replacing people, AI can automate many of these routine processes, freeing employees to focus on work that creates real value. More time can be spent serving customers, developing products, building relationships and driving growth.

Vereus has seen this approach deliver impressive results. One investment firm reportedly reduced a six-day intelligence-gathering process to less than two minutes. A rental business reclaimed nearly two weeks of manual reporting time during each reporting cycle, while a telecommunications company cut expansion costs by over £30,000 per month.

In each case, AI wasn't generating income directly. Instead, it was creating additional capacity for people to perform at their best.

Interestingly, separate research from KPMG suggests that 65% of UK businesses plan to continue investing in AI regardless of whether they can currently demonstrate a clear return on investment.

That may be because many business leaders instinctively recognise AI's potential, even if traditional ROI measurements fail to capture its true value.

Perhaps the most important question businesses should ask isn't "What will AI earn?" but rather "What could our people achieve if AI gave them more time to do what they do best?"

https://www.vereus.co.uk

Hidden AI agents could become the new gatekeepers of commerce, warns new Fintech 2040 paper

A new Fintech 2040 paper from Professor Roland Frank explores how AI agents are moving from passive assistants to autonomous actors capable of searching, selecting and purchasing products on behalf of consumers, fundamentally reshaping the future of ecommerce and payments.

The paper, Agentic Commerce: China’s Lead, Europe’s Choice, argues that the next battleground in digital commerce will no longer be consumer attention alone, but the hidden "trust and protocol layer" behind AI-driven transactions.

While companies once competed for clicks, rankings and conversions, the rise of agentic commerce shifts competitive advantage toward machine-readability, payment authority, trusted execution and interoperability between AI systems.

China already offers an early glimpse of this future. Ecosystems such as Alibaba's Qwen and ByteDance's Douyin show how AI agents can seamlessly combine commerce, payments, recommendation systems and digital services into highly integrated consumer environments.

Yet consumers are not ready to hand over the keys completely. A recent representative consumer survey conducted by Riverty and Adyen found that while many consumers are open to AI-assisted shopping, 93% want the ability to review or stop AI purchasing decisions at any time. 

Most respondents would only allow AI agents limited spending authority and expect full transparency around how decisions are made.

These findings reinforce one of the paper's central conclusions: the future of agentic commerce will be determined as much by trust as by technology.

For Europe, this creates a strategic choice. Rather than copying highly integrated platform models from China or the US, the paper argues that Europe could build a different model of agentic commerce, one based on interoperability, transparent permissions, trusted payments and consumer accountability.

The paper is part of Riverty's Fintech 2040 series exploring the long-term transformation of financial services, digital commerce and consumer behaviour.

Download the full paper here: https://www.riverty.com/en/business/company/fintech-2040/

Digital Oversight Becomes the New Standard for Motor Finance Compliance

The pressure on lenders across the UK motor finance sector is continuing to intensify as regulatory expectations rise, particularly around Consumer Duty, governance and intermediary oversight. 

For many firms, traditional compliance processes built around spreadsheets, emails and manual audits are no longer sustainable at scale.

That shift is now driving a major move towards technology-enabled oversight models, with firms increasingly looking for more agile, transparent and defensible ways to manage broker relationships.

One company helping lead that transition is Oodle Car Finance, which has overhauled its intermediary oversight framework using a digital oversight platform developed in partnership with Auxiga and jaam automation.

Six months after implementing the Auxiga Oversight Portal, Oodle says it has transformed what was previously a highly manual, resource-heavy process into a scalable and standardised governance framework capable of evolving alongside regulation.

Before adopting the platform, intermediary oversight relied heavily on account managers handling individual emails, spreadsheets, Word documents and on-site broker visits. While workable, the process became increasingly difficult to maintain efficiently as oversight demands grew more complex.

Gethin Down, Senior Intermediary Oversight Manager at Oodle Car Finance, told That's Business that the growing demands of Consumer Duty made it clear a more agile system was needed.

The Oversight Portal combines regulatory oversight expertise with automation and AI-enabled workflows, giving lenders a more structured approach to broker compliance management while improving audit visibility and operational consistency.

For Oodle, the rollout has already seen almost 70 brokers onboarded through the platform. The business has replaced fragmented processes with digital attestations, structured audit workflows and clearer board-level reporting visibility.

According to Lisa Attenborrow, Intermediary Onboarding Oversight Manager at Oodle Car Finance, the impact on administration time has been significant, removing much of the manual chasing and document checking previously required.

But beyond operational efficiency, the company believes the platform is changing the relationship between lenders and brokers themselves.

Rather than oversight being viewed as a disruptive or punitive process, the digital model is helping create a more collaborative environment built around transparency, accountability and shared governance standards.

That wider industry shift is something Auxiga believes will accelerate rapidly as lenders continue facing mounting compliance obligations alongside growing intermediary networks.

Paul Neal, Managing Director at Auxiga, said intermediary oversight is increasingly evolving into a strategic control framework rather than a standalone compliance exercise.

Future developments for the Oversight Portal are expected to include enhanced management information dashboards, expanded on-site audit functionality and deeper CRM integration capabilities.

For the wider motor finance sector, the direction of travel now appears increasingly clear: scalable, collaborative and technology-enabled governance is quickly becoming essential rather than optional.

https://vehicleassetsolutions.eu

Business Schools Go Hands-On as AI Reshapes Career Skills

As artificial intelligence continues to transform workplaces around the world, one leading European business school is taking an unexpected approach to future-proofing its students: teaching them practical trades alongside management theory.

emlyon business school has partnered with L’atelier des Chefs to offer students on its Master in Management programme the chance to earn a CAP vocational qualification at the same time as completing their business degree.

The initiative reflects a growing belief that while AI may automate many office-based tasks, practical, human-led skills remain far harder to replace.

Students can choose from a wide range of vocational disciplines including culinary arts, pastry-making, carpentry, electrical work and other skilled trades. The training is fully integrated into the academic programme, delivered online and contributes ECTS credits alongside traditional business studies.

Participants complete around 150 hours of theory and 200 hours of practical learning, allowing them to build genuine technical expertise while continuing their university education. Around 50 students are currently enrolled, while more than 100 emlyon students and alumni have already completed CAP qualifications through the partnership.

The move highlights a wider shift in attitudes among younger professionals, many of whom are increasingly interested in combining corporate knowledge with practical, entrepreneurial or creative skills.

Lionel Sitz, Director of the Master in Management programme at emlyon, said the partnership reflects changing student ambitions, with many looking to explore new industries, develop side projects or gain skills that open doors beyond traditional corporate careers.

The figures behind the programme are also revealing. While culinary arts, baking and pastry account for around a quarter of L’atelier des Chefs’ training pathways, the majority focus on sectors such as construction, mechanics, beauty, wellness, health and social care — industries where practical expertise remains in high demand.

For business schools, the partnership signals a broader rethink about what employability looks like in an AI-driven economy.

Isabelle Huault, Executive President and Dean of emlyon business school, described the initiative as part of the institution’s “learning by doing” philosophy, combining managerial education with technical know-how and human-centred professions.

Meanwhile, François Bergerault, co-founder of L’atelier des Chefs and an emlyon graduate, summed up the thinking behind the programme with a memorable line: “The intelligence of the hand is not artificial.”

Former students say the qualifications have already created real-world career advantages. One graduate who completed a culinary qualification during studies at emlyon said it impressed recruiters during interviews and later proved valuable while working as HR Director for a restaurant group, helping bridge the gap between leadership and operational understanding.

As AI continues to reshape white-collar industries, initiatives like this suggest the future of business education may be less about choosing between academic and practical learning — and more about mastering both.

Cirrus named NiCE UK&I AI Partner of the Year

Cirrus has been named as UK&I AI Partner of the Year by NiCE, the global leader in AI-powered platforms, at its 2026 NiCE EMEA Partner Summit in Marrakech, Morocco.

Cirrus, the UK-based contact centre transformation specialist, was recognised for excellence in helping organisations adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and automation within customer service functions, with the judging panel noting its strong performance throughout 2025.

The team secured more CX AI deals for NiCE AI products in the UK and Ireland than any other partner across the year, including the largest CX AI deal in the region, and a high-profile contract with the UK’s largest local authority.

Jason Roos, CEO of Cirrus, told That's Business: “This is a big moment for us, and worthy recognition for our team who’ve worked tirelessly to grow our business. Our blossoming partnership with NiCE has strengthened what we can deliver for customers at a time when many organisations are looking for a trusted pair of hands to help them deploy CX AI with confidence.”

“We take pride in doing things differently and this award reflects the momentum we’ve built as a distinctive offer in the market. It speaks to the success we’ve had with customers, and the strength of our joint story with NiCE. We were up against some really established competition for this award and are really chuffed to have come out on top.”

Darren Rushworth, President, NiCE International, added: “Cirrus has demonstrated exceptional leadership and execution in bringing AI-powered customer experience solutions to market. Their ability to drive meaningful outcomes for customers, combined with a strong commitment to innovation, makes them a truly deserving recipient of the NiCE UK&I AI Partner of the Year award. We are proud to partner with a team that consistently delivers impact and helps organisations unlock the full potential of CX AI.”

Cirrus’ CXone journey with NiCE began in November 2024, and they were named as NiCE Game Changer Partner of the Year for 2025.

They were later awarded Platinum Partner status by NiCE in February 2026 in recognition of their performance within the NiCE 360 SUCCEED Program for 2025.

The Platinum tier represents the highest level of partnership within the NiCE ecosystem and is awarded to organisations that demonstrate sustained delivery quality, customer success, and commitment to long-term value.

UK employers can now get five AI qualifications for their staff through a single apprenticeship at no cost

A growing number of UK employers are discovering they can upskill their entire workforce in AI and automation without spending a penny, thanks to a Level 4 apprenticeship that bundles up to five industry qualifications into a single programme, all fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.

TESS Group, an Ofsted Good training provider working with employers including the Financial Times, EDF Energy, Transport for London, DPD, and NHS England, has built its AI & Automation Practitioner programme around a simple idea: AI skills shouldn't be limited to IT departments, and employers shouldn't have to pay extra for professional certifications.

The 15 to 18 month programme is designed for employees at every level, from front-line staff to senior leaders. There's no coding required. Learners work with tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Power Automate to build practical AI and automation skills they can apply to their day job from month one. 

It's equally suited to a team leader looking to make better use of AI across their department as it is to someone in an operational or support role. For organisations that run on Google Workspace rather than Microsoft, the programme can be tailored to Google's AI tools instead.

What makes it unusual is what's included. Where most training providers deliver only the apprenticeship standard, TESS Group embeds up to five additional qualifications at no extra cost: Microsoft AI Business Professional (AB-730), NCFE Level 3 certificates in Cyber Security and Data, NCFE AI Prompt Engineering, and BCS certification. Employers don't pay for any of it. 

The full programme is funded at £18,000 through the Apprenticeship Levy for levy-paying employers, with 95% government funding available for smaller businesses.

"Most employers have no idea they can get this many qualifications wrapped into one apprenticeship," Rod Doyle, Director and Founder of TESS Group told That's Business.

"They're already paying the levy. This is money they've already spent sitting in a pot that expires after 24 months if they don't use it. 

"We're helping them turn that into real capability across their teams, not just in IT, but in HR, finance, operations, marketing, every department. And it works just as well for leaders as it does for the people they manage."

The business case is straightforward. Learners typically reclaim over 10 hours a week by automating repetitive workflows, and because they're applying what they learn directly to their role throughout the programme, the return on investment starts immediately rather than after graduation.

All sessions are delivered live online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with new cohorts starting every month. Employers can enrol a single learner or run a private cohort tailored to their sector and challenges. For organisations wanting dedicated AI leadership development, TESS Group also offers specialist pathways for people leaders, operations managers, and coaching professionals, each with CMI management qualifications built in.

TESS Group currently delivers to over 100 employers across England and has trained over 10,000 learners, with a 59% distinction rate against a national average of around 20%. The provider holds a 97% employer satisfaction rate and a 4.9 out of 5 rating from over 680 verified reviews on Google and Trustpilot.

Employers interested in using their Apprenticeship Levy for AI training can book a free 15-minute discovery call at www.thetessgroup.com or contact info@thetessgroup.com.

Suffer from Subscription Overload? One Platform, 59 Tools: London Startup Coda One Wants to End It

In the modern workplace, productivity tools have quietly become a monthly drain. 

Writing assistants, PDF editors, image tools, developer utilities, each with its own login, subscription, and learning curve.

A new London startup believes it has a simpler answer.

Coda One has launched a free online platform that bundles 59 AI and productivity tools into a single website, removing the need for accounts, logins, or payments for most features. 

The aim is straightforward: reduce the growing stack of digital subscriptions that many knowledge workers now juggle.

Founder Miles Wong says the idea came from a common frustration.

“Nobody wants five logins for five tools,” he explains. “One place, everything works. That’s what One means," he told That's Business.

The platform combines AI writing tools, PDF utilities, image processing, and developer functions into one browser-based workspace. While premium plans start at $9.99 per month, the majority of tools are available completely free.

One of the headline features is an AI text humaniser, designed to rewrite AI-generated content so it reads more naturally and avoids detection software. Users can choose from nine writing modes, tailoring text for contexts ranging from academic work to blog articles.

Alongside it sits a built-in AI detector, which scans text for machine-generated patterns and provides a score, also free and unlimited.

Coda One’s latest addition is an AI Resume Optimiser, aimed at jobseekers navigating automated hiring systems. Users can paste text, upload a PDF CV, or begin with one of 20 industry-specific templates covering sectors likes software engineering, marketing, finance, and healthcare.

The system strengthens weak bullet points, suggests action-led language, and quantifies achievements where possible. It also includes an ATS scoring system, grading CVs from 0 to 100 against applicant-tracking criteria and highlighting missing keywords, features that typically cost around $25 per month on specialist platforms.

Beyond writing tools, Coda One includes a full PDF and image toolkit. Users can merge or split PDFs, compress documents, convert files, remove image backgrounds, upscale pictures, and extract text via OCR. Crucially, all of this runs locally in the browser, meaning files never leave the user’s device.

For freelancers, students, and businesses concerned about privacy, that architecture removes the cloud-storage risks often associated with online tools.

The platform is already available in seven languages, including Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, Indonesian, and Traditional Chinese, a deliberate move to reach markets where English-only software leaves gaps.

A Chrome extension also brings several writing tools directly into the browser. Highlight text anywhere online and users can instantly rewrite, translate, check grammar, detect AI content, or count words without opening another tab.

Based in London, Wong says the company is already seeing adoption in over 40 countries — suggesting that the appetite for fewer subscriptions and simpler workflows is very real.

If Coda One’s model proves sustainable, the days of paying separately for every productivity tool may soon start to look outdated.

https://www.codaone.ai

New Book Argues that in the Age of AI, Leaders Must Become Orchestrators, Not Controllers

LID Publishing has announced the publication of: Lead with AI. Stay Human. How Modern Leaders Orchestrate Enterprise Value, by AI transformation strategist Peter Whealy. The book publishes on 26 March 2026 (UK) and 28 April 2026 (US).

Artificial intelligence is reshaping organizations at unprecedented speed. While AI systems evolve daily, leadership models remain anchored in outdated assumptions about expertise, authority, and control.

In the AI era, knowing more is no longer enough.

In Lead with AI. Stay Human, Whealy argues that the leaders who will thrive are not those with the most answers, but those who can orchestrate judgment, trust, learning, and technology across increasingly complex systems.

“AI doesn’t replace leadership, it exposes it,” Whealy told That's Business. “The question is no longer who has the best expertise, but who can align human and machine intelligence to create value under pressure.”

Drawing on decades of experience advising global organizations on transformation, Whealy introduces four essential Conductor Capabilities for modern leadership:

Judgment Under Ambiguity. Knowing when to pause and when to accelerate, maintaining coherence even when certainty disappears.

Trust Stewardship. Scaling transparency, psychological safety, and accountability beyond the leader’s direct reach.

Adaptive Learning. Designing systems where learning velocity exceeds change velocity.

Enterprise Orchestration. Aligning direction, decisions, and values across boundaries so context travels with insight.

Peter Whealy

At the heart of the book is the SPAR framework a practical developmental rhythm for building these capabilities at scale:

Strengthen your leadership identity

Partner with AI as a strategic sparring partner

Amplify team capability through systemic trust and learning

Reshape organizations for adaptive flow

Rather than treating AI as a tool, Whealy reframes it as a leadership inflection point — one that demands increased judgement and greater humanity.

Miriam Kugel, Microsoft, AI Transformation Advisory, writes: “Peter Whealy provides a clear, practical blueprint for building a ‘frontier firm’ mindset — one that unlocks human potential, empowers teams, and enables organizations to evolve so people thrive alongside AI as they navigate continuous transformation with confidence.”

Lead with AI. Stay Human. is written for all leaders currently navigating enterprise-scale AI adoption, who don’t want to sacrifice long-term performance, trust, or human potential.

Peter Whealy is the founder of Elevate Potential, a consultancy focused on AI-era leadership transformation. A former Partner at EY and other global consulting firms, he advises organizations worldwide on orchestrating greater enterprise value.

Google ‘Moonshot’ Veteran Launches €50M Fund to bridge Europe’s deep tech scale gap

Europe’s deep tech sector has just received a major vote of confidence. Mahir Sahin, a former senior executive at Google and lead advisor at Alphabet’s Moonshot X Factory, has launched a €50 million investment fund through his London-based venture firm, Cloudberry Ventures. Mahir 

The goal is to support scientists, engineers and founders developing the breakthroughs needed to power the next decade of global technology.

Sahin, who spent over 15 years at Google helping scale Android from one million users to more than four billion globally, believes the current trajectory of artificial intelligence presents a major challenge.

“The current AI trajectory is unsustainable. We cannot build an exponential digital future on top of a linear physical supply chain.”

Instead of focusing on traditional software investments, Cloudberry Ventures is targeting deeper layers of the technology economy where long-term competitive advantage is created through hardware innovation, materials science and specialised software.

Europe’s deep tech opportunity

Despite Europe producing 43% of the world’s Nobel laureates, the region captures only 11% of global funding and just 2% of Big Tech market capitalisation.

Sahin argues this gap has created an opportunity for overseas investors, with US venture firms often acquiring European deep tech companies at discounted valuations before relocating intellectual property abroad.

However, there are signs of momentum building. The $2 billion Series C funding round for UK-headquartered Nscale, the largest of its kind in Europe, highlights the growing scale of the continent’s deep tech ambitions.

Where Cloudberry is investing

Cloudberry Ventures is targeting Seed to Series A startups, typically investing €1–€2 million per company across three areas:

Industrial Infrastructure – advanced materials, energy innovation and autonomous manufacturing.

Financial Infrastructure – blockchain-enabled cross-border finance and digital asset systems.

Compute Infrastructure – next-generation computing technologies including quantum systems, photonics and Edge AI.

One early investment is Xavveo, a Berlin-based startup developing photonics radar technology designed to give robotics systems full 360-degree environmental awareness.

Backed by global expertise

Cloudberry’s team draws on experience from organisations including Google, Samsung, Airbus and HSBC, offering founders both technical mentorship and international scaling support.

Before launching the new fund, Sahin tested the model through Cloudberry Pioneer Investments, achieving an 86% gross IRR and a 2.4x return on invested capital in just 16 months.

If the strategy succeeds, Cloudberry Ventures could help ensure that Europe’s next generation of breakthrough technologies are not only invented on the continent, but scaled there too.

https://cloudberry.ventures

Atel Q Software Launch & Amazon #1 Bestselling Book

London-Based Voice AI Specialist Launches Software Platform and #1 Amazon Bestselling Book in the Same Week.

Atel Q releases its Voice AI engine for UK SMEs as The New Voice of Business hits number one on Amazon.

Bisola Fasanya, a Voice AI Implementation Specialist based in London, has this week announced a dual milestone: the commercial launch of Atel Q's Voice AI engine software and the publication of her book The New Voice of Business, which reached the number one position in the AI category on Amazon within days of release.

Atel Q is a UK-based SaaS platform that gives small and medium-sized businesses access to Voice AI technology like phone and voice-based AI agents that handle inbound calls, qualify leads, book appointments, and respond to customer enquiries around the clock. The platform is available in two tiers: a self-managed subscription and a fully managed implementation service for businesses that want expert deployment and ongoing configuration.

"Most businesses are asking the wrong question about AI," Bisola told That's Business. "They ask 'are we ready?' and end up comparing platforms for months without ever deploying anything. The right question is: which specific problem do I already have, and do I have the process in place to let AI solve it? That shift in thinking is what Atel Q is built around."

The New Voice of Business is a practical guide to Voice AI adoption for business owners, written for founders and directors who want to understand the technology without the jargon. The book covers seven Voice AI use cases, a readiness assessment framework, and honest guidance on implementation risks and ROI modelling. It is available now on Amazon.com.

The software launch follows Bisola's work implementing Voice AI solutions for businesses across multiple industries.

Bisola is a registered advisor with Enterprise Nation and a member of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She is delivering a public Voice AI workshop on 23 April 2026, open to business owners at all stages of AI familiarity.

Atel Q is a London-based Voice AI organisation offering software, implementation consulting, and business education for small and medium-sized businesses. Atel Q helps businesses deploy Voice AI correctly against real operational problems. Its SaaS platform is available as a self-managed subscription or a fully managed implementation service Find out more at www.atelq.com

The New Voice of Business

Published March 2026. Currently #1 in the AI category on Amazon UK. Available to purchase here:- https://amzn.to/4lXN50g

AI Needs Power. PoweringAI Thinks It’s Found It

There’s a quiet truth behind all the AI hype: none of it works without serious power and serious infrastructure. 

And right now, Europe doesn’t have enough of either.

Enter PoweringAI, a new pan-European venture with a simple but ambitious idea: stop waiting for perfect sites, and start transforming the ones we already have.

Launched as a spin-off from advisory firm Xynteo (and backed by Leon Capital), PoweringAI isn’t playing the usual data centre game. 

Instead of battling over scarce land and grid connections, it’s going after overlooked industrial and port sites,  the kind of places that already have the one thing AI desperately needs: power.

And it’s not starting small. The company launches with a hefty 350 MW pipeline (with ambitions pushing closer to 500 MW), positioning itself as a serious contender in Europe’s race to build AI-ready infrastructure.

From Rust to Revenue

PoweringAI’s model is as pragmatic as it is clever: take legacy industrial land, plug it into modern energy systems, and turn it into high-performance compute hubs.

Think less “greenfield dream” and more “industrial reinvention.”

It’s a strategy that ticks multiple boxes:

Brings dormant sites back into productive use

Supports local job creation in post-industrial areas

Speeds up delivery by bypassing land and power bottlenecks

Aligns neatly with Europe’s sustainability and circular economy goals

In short: it’s infrastructure with a second life, and a business case.

Why This Matters Now

AI isn’t slowing down. If anything, demand for compute is accelerating faster than most infrastructure pipelines can keep up.

The real constraint? Not chips. Not software. Not even talent.

Power.

PoweringAI is betting that the winners in the next phase of the AI boom won’t just be the companies building smarter models, but the ones solving the unglamorous, foundational problem of where all that compute actually lives.

A Different Kind of Developer

Backed by Xynteo’s industrial network and over a year of groundwork in site origination and development, PoweringAI is positioning itself at the intersection of three forces:

Energy transition

Industrial regeneration

Digital infrastructure

That’s a crowded Venn diagram, but also where the biggest opportunities tend to sit.

The Bottom Line

While others are still wrestling with planning delays and grid constraints, PoweringAI is effectively saying: the infrastructure we need is already here, we just need to rethink it.

If it delivers, this won’t just be another data centre developer. It could be a blueprint for how Europe powers its AI future, faster, smarter, and with a bit of industrial common sense thrown in.

And in a sector obsessed with the future, that’s a refreshingly grounded place to start.

https://wearepowering.ai