Search Results for: investments

Businesses planning major investments into Generative AI to increase productivity

Businesses planning major investments into Generative AI to increase productivity

firms are planning major investments into generative AI technologies to drive increases in productivity, but are still being cautious about their impact.A new report from Cognizant and Oxford Economics New Work, New World: Quantifying Global Gen AI Momentum suggests that firms are planning major investments into generative AI technologies to drive increases in productivity, but are still being cautious about their impact. Additionally, 76 percent of businesses say they are looking to leverage the technology to create new revenue streams, while 58 percent are incorporating revenue increases into their business cases. More →

To hit net zero, sustainable tech investments need to increase tenfold

To hit net zero, sustainable tech investments need to increase tenfold

Net zero reportA large increase in investment in breakthrough technologies such as hydrogen-based fuels, bioenergy and carbon-capture storage solutions is needed to hit the global goal of net zero emissions by 2050. To scale these technologies and take them to market, at least a tenfold increase in investment is needed, according to the How to Finance Industry Net-Zero report. Released by the World Economic Forum and Oliver Wyman, the report outlines how to address the supply-and-demand-side gap and take these technologies to the next level. More →

Increased revenue, savings and productivity from tech investments accelerated by COVID-19

Increased revenue, savings and productivity from tech investments accelerated by COVID-19

InvestmentsNearly seven in 10 business leaders and decision-makers say that investments in digital technologies in 2020 have enabled their organisations to increase revenue, save money and improve productivity, according to a new survey released by Randstad US. More →

Watchdog raises concerns at councils` commercial property investments

Watchdog raises concerns at councils` commercial property investments

commercial property risksSome local authorities in England have invested significant public money in buying commercial property over the past three years with the aim of generating a financial return. Debt has increased for many of these authorities as a result, with a small group seeing significant increases in the amount they owe and the cost of repayment, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). More →

Majority of businesses fail to see a return on their technology investments

Majority of businesses fail to see a return on their technology investments

According to a new report from Accenture, the majority of businesses don’t see a return on their technology investments and just 14 percent of businesses manage to realise the full potential of their tech investments. Roughly $3.2 trillion was spent on new technology in the last five years. Businesses that were most successful with their investments were the ones investing in bold moves, rather than incremental shifts.

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Fresh concerns raised about council investments in commercial property market

Fresh concerns raised about council investments in commercial property market 0

As we reported last month, the level of investment in commercial property undertaken by UK local authorities is raising serious concerns within both central government and the real estate sector. Now, a fresh warning has been issued by the former business secretary Sir Vince Cable that councils face potential bankruptcy if the property bubble bursts. In recent years councils have faced an average 37 percent real term cut in government funding and so have taken to borrowing large sums at low interest rates from the Treasury’s Public Works Loan Board to reinvest in commercial property ventures. The move has already been identified as risky by the Government’sown Public Accounts Committee and Cable joins a chorus of voices in expressing doubts.

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Want sustainable buildings? Invest strategically in smart technology

Want sustainable buildings? Invest strategically in smart technology

Strategic investment, innovative technology, and collaboration are essential for achieving sustainable buildingsStrategic investment, innovative technology, and collaboration are essential for achieving sustainability and value goals in the real estate sector, according to a new report from Colliers. The  report Realising ESG Performance: The Value-Driven Transformation of Europe’s Built Environment [registration] claims to provide insights into how the real estate industry can embrace sustainable buildings and comply with regulatory demands while creating long-term value. More →

People think AI will help automate mundane tasks but worry about unintended consequences

People think AI will help automate mundane tasks but worry about unintended consequences

UK & Irish businesses and employees are eager to use AI to automate mundane processes, but reluctance to disturb mission critical systems hampers changeA  new poll from Ricoh Europe claims that people in both the UK and Ireland say they are are keen to use AI to automate workflows to improve productivity and job fulfilment, but the implementation of these systems is being hampered by their concerns about disrupting what are described as mission-critical operations. More →

Digital transformation efforts yet to translate into greater productivity at many firms

Digital transformation efforts yet to translate into greater productivity at many firms

British and Irish firms are increasing their investment in digital transformation, according to Docusign’s Digital Maturity Report 2024, but this hasn’t yet translated into improved productivity or digital maturityBritish and Irish firms are increasing their investment in digital transformation, according to Docusign’s Digital Maturity Report 2024, but this hasn’t yet translated into improved productivity or digital maturity. The poll of 600 decision makers in the UK and Ireland, now in its second year, reveals what it claims is a ‘stark productivity and efficiency paradox’ for employers, as well as a Catch-22 for workers. More →

Firms are betting big on the impact of AI on their business

Firms are betting big on the impact of AI on their business

 

Big AI bets are being made globally with nearly one in 10 businesses spending over $25m this year on AI initiativesA new report published by consulting firm Searce claims that organisations across the UK and US are making significant investments in artificial intelligence this year with nearly one in 10 decision-makers in both the UK (8 percent) and US (7 percent) planning to spend over $25 million. The 2024 State of AI report [registration] is based on a poll of 300 C-Suite and senior technology executives – including Chief AI Officers, Chief Data & Analytics Officers, Chief Transformation Officers, and Chief Digital Officers – at organisations with at least $500 million in revenue. The research examines some of the biggest trends, successes, and challenges facing businesses in their artificial intelligence decision-making, strategy, and execution. More →

Office market upheaval means uncertain times for landlords

Office market upheaval means uncertain times for landlords

The UK office market is facing a period of significant upheaval, according to a new survey commissioned by workspace provider infinitSpaceThe UK office market is facing a period of significant upheaval, according to a new survey commissioned by workspace provider infinitSpace. The research paints what it says is a concerning picture for landlords, with a sizeable portion battling financial strain and even potential closure. Over 14 percent of the 250 surveyed landlords fear their office buildings could shut down within the next five years due to affordability concerns. More →

Europe lacks skills in key technologies such as AI, quantum and space

Europe lacks skills in key technologies such as AI, quantum and space

Critical gaps have formed across the technology sector in Europe, with skills, investment and innovation being stunted in vital areas such as AI, quantum computing and space technologyCritical gaps have formed across Europe’s technology sector, with skills, investment and innovation being stunted in vital areas such as AI, quantum computing and space technology, according to a report from DIGITALEUROPE. The study titled ‘The EU’s Critical Gap: Rethinking Economic Security to Put Europe Back on the Map,’ claims that Europe is significantly lagging in key technologies. Among 8 technologies that were analysed, Europe was shown to be lagging behind in 7, only leading in advanced connectivity, with major investments and profits in this sector are being led primarily by the US. More →