
Octopus Energy will spin off Kraken tech platform Kraken at $8.65bn valuation. The demerger reflects growing investor appetite for utility software, with the platform set to become an independent company backed by global institutions. The move marks a new chapter in UK energy tech.

Nvidia finalised its $5 billion acquisition of Intel stock under a September agreement. The 214 million-share purchase marks a deepening alliance between two of the world’s most influential chipmakers. The transaction strengthens Intel’s financial footing while aligning the pair on future chip design and AI development.

Relocation requests are rising among Israel’s high-tech employees. A new report shows that more than half of multinational tech companies operating in Israel have seen an increase in staff seeking moves overseas, reflecting wider unease amid conflict and shifting confidence in the country’s innovation economy.

2026 will be the year of grown-up innovation. Cyrus Vantoch-Wood, Founder at Insurgent, forecasts a global shift from spectacle to substance — from performative sustainability to pragmatic regeneration — as companies rebuild purpose, value, and continuity in a world demanding competence over conjecture.

China’s ByteDance is preparing to spend $22.7 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026. The TikTok owner’s planned investment underscores Beijing’s determination to stay competitive in artificial intelligence amid US export controls and intensifying Western capital commitments.

John Carreyrou files a federal lawsuit against six AI developers. The complaint alleges the companies used copyrighted books, including his own work, without consent to train their chatbots — opening a new front in the industry’s deepening legal battle over training data.

Demand for IT professionals rises despite UK labour market concerns. Over half of UK businesses plan to expand their IT teams, highlighting digital skills’ importance as unemployment rises. Cybersecurity roles face critical shortages, stressing the need for skilled professionals.

Automation is racing ahead of security controls. As AI agents join corporate networks, experts warn that 2026 will test enterprise resilience. ExtraHop’s Jamie Moles says governance, visibility, and culture will define whether businesses stay ahead or get blindsided.

AI has become accessible to small businesses almost overnight. Yet as Kelly Salter, Commercial Director at names.co.uk (part of team.blue), explains, many still struggle with skills gaps, confidence, and trust. Bridging this divide requires practical guidance and mindset change — helping small businesses see AI as a partner, not a threat.

Google has committed an additional $1 billion to its UK data centre arm. The £775 million injection, filed with Companies House, strengthens its Waltham Cross operations — the company’s first wholly owned UK data centre. The investment underscores Google’s £5 billion UK growth pledge and ongoing expansion of AI infrastructure.