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AI 28 August 2026 Anthropic has announced a research preview of its Model Hardware Standard (MHS), a new specification designed to help AI agents interact with physical devices. If Model Context Protocol (MCP) gave AI a common way to discover and use software tools, MHS does something similar for hardware. It's early days, and access is currently limited while Anthropic works with partners on safety evaluations and best practices. But it opens up some fascinating possibilities. What is MHS?

Every organisation is collecting more data than ever – but without the right strategy and skills, that data remains an untapped asset. In this exclusive on-demand session, Leading with intelligence: Transforming talent in the age of AI-powered decision-making, our experts explore how organisations are shifting to AI-powered, data-driven strategies – and how upskilling your workforce is the key to unlocking the full potential of your data.

Under the updated approach, organisations bidding for government contracts will be assessed more heavily on how they contribute to local economic growth, tackle skills shortages and create opportunities for people entering the workforce. Social value weighting will increase from 10% to 20% for contracts worth £5 million or more, while contracts between £1 million and £5 million will carry a minimum 10% weighting.

QA Ltd and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recently came together to celebrate the success of their Data Analyst Level 4 apprenticeship programme. This programme was designed to develop highly skilled analytics engineers capable of transforming complex data into meaningful insights that improve public services. Following close collaboration to map apprenticeship standards with the MoJ's needs, the programme officially launched in 2024.

The growing demand for forward deployed engineers isn’t about the emergence of a new job title, but a signal that organisations are entering a new phase of AI adoption. Spend on AI hasn’t yet delivered the benefit that was promised. Forward deployed engineers (FDEs) might be part of the solution.

Why AI governance is critical for businesses in 2026? In 2026, AI governance has shifted from a reputational nicety to a measurable compliance obligation. The EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689) is the world’s first comprehensive AI law, and its obligations are landing in phases: rules for general-purpose AI models and governance applied from August 2025, with requirements for high-risk systems following (a provisional 2026 agreement is expected to defer some high-risk deadlines into late 2027).

AI automation specialists have emerged as one the most in-demand roles for the AI age. 72% of organisations are now using AI in at least one area of their operations, which makes individuals who create, deploy, and maintain automated solutions among the most sought-after specialists. This guide explains what AI automation specialists do, why demand is climbing, and how to build a career in the field. What is AI automation?

The BBC reports that 46% of London’s workforce, around 2.4 million people, are in roles where AI could automate part of their work. At the same time, employers are finding it harder to access the skills they need. ABusinessLDN survey found that only half of employers believe their existing workforce has the required skills, down from 63% a year earlier. Thisgap signals a fundamental change in how jobs are done, particularly as AI takes on more routine, administrative, and data-heavy tasks.

The initiative aims to boost critical skills, including AI capabilities, for more than half a million city workers, enabling them to keep up with the changing demands of their roles and future-proof their careers. It may be framed as a training initiative, but the Skills Compact’s significance runs deeper than that. It matters because it moves skills from an L&D concern to a strategic board-level priority.

AI 9 July 2026 Vibe coding is accelerating software creation, but is security governance keeping up? Richard Beck explores the emerging AI risk gap. Why AI-enabled software development is changing the economics of cyber security risk faster than organisations can adapt. The democratisation of software development is accelerating faster than most security teams realise.