Welcome to our latest round-up of news from the technology and hosting world. Here’s what we’ve discovered this month.
Making Rain
US start-up, Rainmaker, has successfully used drones to test a large-scale cloud-seeding operation over Alaska. According to the company, the test produced around 19 million gallons of water.
Rainmaker’s drones use weather-monitoring software and AI to identify suitable clouds before releasing silver iodide into them. This encourages ice crystals to form, which can eventually fall as rain or snow.
Founded in 2023, Rainmaker has already completed cloud-seeding projects in Utah, Idaho and Oregon, as well as winning contracts with western US states and water companies. The technology is increasingly being considered as a way to help drought-hit areas, farms and water supplies, and possibly protect glaciers. However, as it only works when suitable weather conditions already exist, cloud seeding is not regarded as a solution to climate change.
UK Sovereign AI
UK technology leaders are urging the government to invest at least £20 billion over the next five years to improve the country’s ability to develop and run its own AI systems. In an open letter, bosses from firms including BT, HPE and Telefónica Tech say reliable access to computing power, data centres, networks and AI models is vital for national security and resilience.
The group wants the government to provide public funding, guaranteed contracts and joint investment in UK AI infrastructure. It also wants changes to planning rules, energy policy and government purchasing processes, together with more support for UK-developed AI models, secure access to public-sector data and independent testing of AI systems.
The signatories propose a ten-year Sovereign AI Strategy to coordinate infrastructure, regulation, research and investment. They also want critical systems to have suitable alternatives available rather than becoming dependent on one supplier or technology stack. This reflects growing concern that, without stronger home-grown capabilities, the UK could become increasingly reliant on overseas AI companies and infrastructure.
SMB Cyberattack Risk
The UK’s small businesses are more likely to suffer successful cyberattacks than their overseas counterparts, according to the latest Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report. Around 38% of UK firms were successfully attacked in the past year, compared with a global average of 29%.
Although UK businesses spend less on dealing with each attack than the global average, incidents still caused around 32 hours of disruption. Moreover, while UK firms are investing heavily in cybersecurity, including in specialist staff, new technology and employee training, only four in ten small businesses currently have cyber insurance.
The report also shows that the effects of successful attacks go well beyond the immediate cost of recovery. For instance, companies reported higher staffing costs, interrupted expansion plans, lost business and damage to customer confidence. The findings highlight the need for smaller firms to strengthen both their protection against attacks and their ability to recover from them.
Robot Cleaners
Tau Robotics, based in San Francisco, has started taking reservations for its humanoid robot cleaning service.
The robot, which can climb stairs and move across different floor surfaces, uses everyday cleaning tools to vacuum, mop, wipe surfaces and spray cleaning products. For more difficult jobs, such as loading dishwashers, making beds and cleaning bathrooms, it can receive help from a remote human operator, if needed.
Human demonstrations provide the training data that helps the robot learn how to carry out household jobs and gradually improve as it gains more experience in real homes. However, while it can perform its duties well, the robot is still slower than a human cleaner.
Rather than replace cleaners, Tau Robotics says its robots are designed to help address worker shortages. However, their ability to operate in ordinary homes shows that humanoid robots may increasingly move beyond hi-tech warehouses and factories and into everyday domestic services.
Tech Hiring Growth
Research from recruitment agency, Robert Half, shows that almost half of UK employers are planning to expand their technology teams before the end of the year.
More than half of employers are seeking cybersecurity expertise, while agentic AI, generative AI and cloud skills are also in demand. Besides permanent recruitment, a quarter of organisations are expanding their use of contractors and project-based technology workers.
AI is also changing the work carried out by existing technology teams. Around 45% of professionals are now expected to develop additional AI skills, while 38% spend more time reviewing and checking AI-generated work. At the same time, 53% say AI has reduced the amount of time they spend on routine tasks, enabling them to focus on more important work.
The demand for specialist tech workers is expected to stay high as businesses continue investing in AI, cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity. However, skills shortages remain an issue. The latest government figures show only limited growth in the cybersecurity workforce, while 57% of businesses say they have gaps in basic technical skills.
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