UK law Software development that built on existing code qualified as R&D In Get Onbord Ltd (in Liquidation) v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 617 (TC) the First-tier Tribunal held that expenditure incurred by a company when it developed a new AI-based analytical process qualified for R&D tax relief. The project built on existing material, but its…
We are absolutely delighted to share the news that SCL President Professor Richard Susskind OBE KC (Hon) has been appointed Special Envoy for Justice and Artificial Intelligence by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC. In his new role, Prof Susskind will be responsible for supporting the 56 Commonwealth countries in achieving Sustainable…
A team from Hogan Lovells consider the regulatory regimes governing digital accessibility in the UK and EU. Summary: In the era of digital transformation, the need to ensure products and services are accessible to all, including those who experience some form of disability, is greater than ever. While there is not (yet) a global uniform…
A team from Bird & Bird precis the key points of the Automated Vehicles Act, which received Royal Assent just before Parliament was dissolved. The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 20 May 2024. Its swift motion through parliament in an election year has been a relief to many, having been first introduced…
UK law DMCC Bill completes parliamentary process and other “wash-up” news The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill has completed the parliamentary process ahead of the 2024 General Election and will receive Royal Assent on 24 May. At the time of writing, it looks as if the Media Bill may also complete the process as…
Once upon a time technologies like artificial intelligence and the metaverse were confined to the annals of science fiction. No longer, both innovations exist in the here and now, with vast potential to transform our world. These emergent technologies, however, are not without attributes of concern, one of which is energy consumption and the consequent…
Read More… from Emerging technologies and the climate: charting a pathway to pre-emptive oversight
The Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority are consulting on their proposed approach to operating the Digital Securities Sandbox. The Sandbox is an initiative aimed at helping to facilitate the adoption of innovative technology in digital assets in the UK. It follows the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, which provides HM Treasury…
Read More… from Bank of England and FCA consult on Digital Securities Sandbox
UK law Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill receives second reading The Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill has received its second reading in the House of Lords. Committee stage is yet to be scheduled. The Bil is a private member’s bill which would introduce a new body, the AI Authority, which would have various functions designed to help…
Sasha Henry and Archie Millar summarise the cyber threats recently identified by the World Economic Forum What is the current state, and where are we going? From opportunistic ransomware to complex crime-as-a-service, threat actors have adapted their methodologies to facilitate enterprise scale attacks by monetising major business disruption. With increasing Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)…
Read More… from Global Outlook: World Economic Forum’s warning on cyber challenges we all face
UK law ICO releases guidance on biometric data and recognition The ICO has issued guidance on biometric recognition, which highlights how the UK GDPR applies when biometric data is used in biometric recognition systems. The guidance also looks at the uses of biometric recognition and explains how these involve processing special category biometric data. It…