May 23, 2024
May 23, 2024
People less likely to evaluate peers negatively if facing evaluation themselves
New research from ESMT Berlin finds that individuals strategically select the colleagues they evaluate, and the evaluation they give, based on how they want to be perceived. Linus Dahlander, professor of strategy and Lufthansa Group Chair of Innovation at ESMT Berlin, alongside colleagues from Purdue University and INSEAD, investigated the impact of how people evaluate peers based on the behaviours of Wikipedia members, for which peer evaluations are transparent. More →
May 22, 2024
The Furniture Makers’ Company announces Design Guild Mark 2024 holders
Innovation of materials, creativity and sustainability are at the forefront of British design as 16 outstanding submissions, from three categories, are awarded the coveted Design Guild Mark in 2024, with three receiving the additional accolade the Jonathan Hindle Prize. The Design Guild Mark is a non-profit award programme that was established in 2008 by The Furniture Makers’ Company to raise the profile of British industrial design and to recognise excellence in this discipline. Over time the Mark has grown from just Furniture to include categories for Interior Design Elements, and Lighting. More →
May 22, 2024
People work through pain because they can’t afford the time off
A huge number of people are working through pain, with a quarter reported to be taking painkillers due to a work-related injury, a new poll suggests. The survey of 2000 British workers carried out by National Accident Helpline claims that a third of people are regularly working through pain as they cannot afford time off. More →
May 20, 2024
Major US firms scammed by massive North Korean remote work laptop farm
A massive remote work scam may have fooled hundreds of US companies into hiring North Koreans. US prosecutors have accused North Korean nationals of infiltrating over 300 US companies, including Fortune 500 giants using a so-called laptop farm. The elaborate scheme, facilitated by an American accomplice, allegedly saw millions of dollars funnelled back to the sanctioned nation. More →
May 19, 2024
International report calls for collaboration on AI, highlighting both benefits and risks
A landmark report claims to shed light on the double-edged sword of advanced artificial intelligence. Backed by over 30 nations, the International Scientific Report on the Safety of Advanced AI paints a picture of a technology brimming with potential benefits, but also fraught with potential risks if safety isn’t prioritized. This first iteration of the report, launched at the AI Safety Summit, fulfils a key commitment set forth during the historic Bletchley Park discussions and the subsequent Bletchley Declaration. More →
May 19, 2024
Remote work boom creates risk of professional isolation, study finds
While the pandemic ushered in a wave of remote work with benefits for both employers and employees, a new study warns of a hidden risk: professional isolation. Researchers from Colorado State University found that remote employees experiencing isolation reported feeling less engaged and more depleted at work, potentially leading to burnout. The study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology, surveyed 445 participants across two points in time. It measured professional isolation, schedule flexibility, and the level of support supervisors provided for work-life balance.
May 17, 2024
Third of businesses investing in GenAI, but employees increasingly concerned about redundancy
Over a third of UK employers are bullish about AI investment despite serious workforce uncertainty. New research shows that 35.3 percent of employers are actively investing in GenAI while 40.4 percent plan to increase their use of the technology, to support the workplace, according to a new poll from SD Worx. The findings suggest there is a surprisingly buoyant business outlook for AI adoption at a time when the UK government begins to craft new legislation to regulate AI. The move on regulation comes as the competition watchdog expresses increased concerns about the industry. However, despite businesses betting big on AI investment, similar enthusiasm isn’t shared by employees, with 30 percent of UK workers fearing their roles will be made redundant as a result of GenAi. More →
May 17, 2024
Government announces new digital hub for Manchester
Manchester is poised to become a major player in the digital government landscape following a significant land deal announced this week. The Government Property Agency (GPA) has exchanged contracts with Manchester City Council (MCC) to acquire five acres of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, paving the way for the construction of the Manchester Digital Campus. More →
May 17, 2024
Inclusivity, sustainability and user-centric design dominate BCO South West Regional Awards
What are claimed to be the South West of England’s and South Wales’s most outstanding workplaces have been announced, with British Council for Offices Awards going to six office buildings across the region. Held at The Coal Exchange Hotel, the BCO’s annual South of England and South Wales Awards Dinner celebrated the high-calibre of the region’s offices in terms of design, fit-out operation and sustainability. More →
May 17, 2024
Daylight Award ceremony announces two new laureates
On the UNESCO International Day of Light, The Daylight Award announces the 2024 laureates: Spanish architect and professor, Alberto Campo Baeza for his architecture, and German professor of chronobiology Till Roenneberg, for his research. The two categories of The Daylight Award – scientific research and architectural design – recognise a duality with the aim of directing knowledge, based on research at the highest level, to the benefit of architectural thinking and practice. Research has created a scientific grounding for the use of daylight in architecture. – states the jury. More →
May 17, 2024
UK economy could get a £550 billion boost from AI by 2035, Microsoft claims
A new report commissioned by Microsoft suggests that the UK economy could see a significant boost of £550 billion by 2035 if the country embraces artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology. The report, titled Unlocking the UK’s AI Potential, claims to highlight several ways the technology can benefit the UK economy. These include increased productivity, improved public services, and the creation of new jobs. More →
