Tech News Summary:
- London Tech Week started with a keynote address from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and London Mayor Sadiq Khan with approximately 30,000 delegates expected to attend throughout the week.
- Rishi Sunak emphasized the importance of building on the UK’s existing strengths to make it the best country in the world to start, grow, and invest in tech businesses, which were discussed in a fireside chat with Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
- Over the past decade, London has become an international success story in terms of technology sector growth, attracting more technology investment than any other city globally according to data released by London & Partners ahead of the event.
London Tech Week, one of the biggest technology events in the UK, began on Monday with a keynote speech from Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who gave a boost to the country’s tech sector.
In his address, Sunak announced a series of measures aimed at supporting the sector, including a £375m scheme to boost UK startups and a new visa system to attract tech talent from overseas.
The Chancellor also highlighted the importance of tech in driving the post-pandemic recovery, saying: “Technology is the beating heart of our economy and it will be the key to our success in the years ahead.”
London Tech Week is set to showcase the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, fintech and cybersecurity, with speakers including top executives from companies such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon.
The event, which is in its eighth year, will be mostly held online due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, there will also be a number of in-person events taking place across the city – including a drone display in Trafalgar Square.
Overall, the week-long event is set to attract over 50,000 attendees from around the world and is a clear indication of the UK’s commitment to being a leader in the global tech industry.