Information technology in the Nordics
Information technology (IT) news, trends, articles and research in the Nordic countries - Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. This section covers IT security, data backup and recovery, networking, data centre, cloud computing, mobile applications, virtualisation, big data, virtual machines and more.
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News
07 Jun 2024
European data chief prepares bid to get UK to join EU digital single market
Data initiative Gaia-X is trying to plug the UK into a planned digital European single market, as the EU seeks to extend the reach of vast and controversial data laws over global supply chains Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2024
Santander bank added 4,500 tech staff last year
Santander added thousands of IT staff to its global operation last year, as part of its digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2024
Swedish authorities urged to discontinue AI welfare system
Amnesty International is calling on Sweden’s social insurance agency to immediately discontinue its machine learning-based welfare system, following an investigation by Lighthouse Reports and Svenska Dagbladet that found it to be discriminatory Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2024
Fears tighter Finnish immigration laws could deter IT talent
A new wave of restrictive immigration laws threatens to significantly hamper efforts by Finnish firms to recruit international IT talent Continue Reading
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News
27 Nov 2024
Dutch politicians raise concerns over Big Tech reliance
Dutch political parties have warned about the Netherlands’ growing reliance on US tech giants Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2024
Russian threat actors poised to cripple power grid, UK warns
UK government escalates cyber rhetoric in a speech at a Nato event, saying Russian advanced persistent threats stand ready to conduct cyber attacks that could ‘turn off the lights for millions’ Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2024
EU promotes plan to usurp US Big Tech with digital market
European Union is at an important point in its plan to build a single market and strengthen its cloud computing sector Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2024
Denmark’s AI-powered welfare system fuels mass surveillance
Research reveals the automated tools used to flag individuals for benefit fraud violate individuals’ privacy and risk discriminating against marginalised groups Continue Reading
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News
14 Nov 2024
Virtual wards to digital feedback: the Nordic approach to post-pandemic healthcare
Post-pandemic healthcare is benefitting from Nordic tech foresight, with the country bringing digital change to the world’s health sector to allow for more remote care Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2024
AI core to Nordic net-zero economy
Artificial intelligence will be core to attempts by Nordic countries to become net-zero economies Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2024
Tata Consultancy Services to deliver Irish pension scheme
Indian IT services giant adds to its growing customer base in the pensions sector with Irish contract win Continue Reading
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E-Zine
22 Oct 2024
CW EMEA: Legally bionic
In Sweden, the legal profession has begun a discussion around the use of artificial intelligence in the sector, in response to the increasing use of AI tools at law firms. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2024
Danish government reboots cyber security council amid AI expansion
Denmark’s government relaunches digital security initiative to protect business sectors and society at large Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2024
Digitisation forum launched ahead of Norway’s digital strategy
Norway's government is preparing itself for the future by establishing an advisory hub to support its digital strategies Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2024
Rising IT talent costs shadow Sweden’s skills shortage and market reforms
Swedish businesses face challenges recruiting the right IT staff, as salary demands increase Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2024
UN body urges ‘globally inclusive and distributed’ AI governance
A United Nations body set up to investigate the international governance of AI says the nature of how the technology currently operates requires a global approach to regulation that prioritises equity and inclusion Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2024
Swedish law firms debate AI’s future impact on profession
Swedish law firms examine the use of artificial intelligence in their businesses as the sector sees a surge in take-up Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2024
Government backs Danish version of ChatGPT
Danish language version of ChatGPT to be developed in a project led by the country’s Chamber of Commerce Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Aug 2024
Computer simulations show Swedish fusion initiative could have global impact
The only nuclear fusion initiative in the Nordics, Novatron, believes it has a lot to offer on the global scale Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2024
Helsinki braced for elevated cyber attacks
The City of Helsinki is increasing its collaboration with cyber security and crime investigators following a major attack on its systems Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2024
How UK firms can get ready for the implementation of NIS2
Many British companies will need to adhere to NIS2’s cyber security risk management and reporting requirements if they want to continue operating in the EU market and avoid huge fines Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2024
Norway’s datacentre builders focus on energy efficiency
Datacentre developers in Norway are shifting their focus to energy efficiency, with expected increases in taxation for those who fall short Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2024
Finnish tech sector opposes government’s immigration reforms
The tech sector in Finland fears talent shortage as government introduces stricter immigration policy Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2024
Nordic banks pursue AI in battle with digital competitors
Traditional Nordic banks are raising their investments in artificial intelligence to help them retain market share in increasingly populated sector Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2024
Diana project provides Nato tech dividend to Finland
Finnish tech sector to receive a boost following the country’s decision to join Nato Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2024
Q&A: Adalbjorn Thorolfsson on IT project management in Iceland
With a small, but very sophisticated population, Iceland has unique ways of keeping up with the rest of the world in the IT sector. Adalbjorn Thorolfsson, president of the Icelandic Project Management Association, describes some lessons for the rest of the world Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2024
Nordic innovators look to revive the zombie subscriber population
Zombie subscriptions where customers buy a service and forget about it are harming the subscription economy, but software is being developed to support the subscription economy Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2024
European data chief prepares bid to get UK to join EU digital single market
Data initiative Gaia-X is trying to plug the UK into a planned digital European single market, as the EU seeks to extend the reach of vast and controversial data laws over global supply chains Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2024
Maria 01 rolls out ambitious pan-Europe startup plan
Ten-year plan will see pan-Nordic tech startup ecosystem based in Finnish capital Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2024
Norway bolsters digital transformation drive
Norway’s government backs digital transformation with major capital investment this year Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2024
Austrian AI: from academia to commercial success and beyond
Austria has established itself as a European frontrunner when it comes to artificial intelligence exploration and, importantly, deployment Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2024
Crime agency criticises Meta as European police chiefs call for curbs on end-to-end encryption
Law enforcement agencies step up demands for ‘lawful access’ to encrypted communications Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2024
Swedish company first to use STMicroelectronics chips
Powerful new processors help power next-generation industrial human machine interfaces, starting in the Nordics Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2024
Europol offers law enforcement agencies data on Europe’s most threatening crime networks
Europol has collected and analysed data from over 40 countries to identify 800 most threatening criminal networks operating in Europe in what it describes as a unique dataset for law enforcemnt Continue Reading
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News
02 Apr 2024
Finnish industrial groups launch AI and robotics ventures
Industrial companies across a broad range of sectors in Finland are applying artificial intelligence to their operation Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2024
Vinnova launches National Digital Advancement project
Swedish state innovation initiative invests in a network of regional research and development centres Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2024
Dutch organisations start building a federated European cloud
The ‘European cloud services in an open federated ecosystem’ (ECOFED) project is co-funded by the Dutch government and will run from 2024 to 2027 Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2024
Mobile’s next generation: The 6G-based hyper-connected future of living and work
We continue our look at the work in the field of 6G communications in the Finnish city of Oulu, most notably at its university, and see what products and services the new network will support Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2024
Mobile’s next generation: 6G development finds its north star
The 6G industry and technology ecosystem is truly global. Yet if a single country could be singled out as a leader, then it could be argued that this would be Finland, in particular thanks to the city of Oulu Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2024
Dutch Supreme Court approves use of EncroChat evidence
Defence lawyers plan appeal to European Court of Human Rights after Supreme Court upholds a conviction based on intercepted messages from the EncroChat encrypted phone network Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2024
The rising prominence of hybrid cloud in the Nordics
Many Nordic organisations have opted for hybrid cloud environments, subscribing to the newest services without giving up what they already have. Best practices are beginning to emerge for managing the heterogenous environment Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2024
Europe carves out niche in quantum computing
As the US, China and Europe accelerate investment in quantum computing, Europe is beginning to develop its own unique position in the fledgling global ecosystem Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2024
Executive alleged to be behind EncroChat encrypted phone network arrested
A businessman allegedly behind EncroChat, an encrypted phone network that was used by organised crime groups, has been extradited from the Dominican Republic to France Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2024
Chat control: Tech companies warn ministers over EU encryption plans
Tech companies have written to EU ministers to urge them to back the European Parliament, rather than the European Commission, over proposed regulations to police child abuse Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2024
Helsinki: The trailblazing smart city
Helsinki has transitioned from modelling the best of smart city innovation to becoming a fully-fledged smart city Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2024
Santander bank added 4,500 tech staff last year
Santander added thousands of IT staff to its global operation last year, as part of its digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
08 Jan 2024
Inside the Met Police’s investigation into EncroChat crime gangs
The Met’s senior investigating officer responsible for investigating criminals using the EncroChat encrypted phone network tells the inside story of the UK’s biggest organised crime bust in a BBC podcast series released this week Continue Reading
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News
03 Jan 2024
Artificial intelligence to the front in Sweden’s National Technology Strategy
Sweden focuses in on artificial intelligence in its latest far-reaching national IT strategy Continue Reading
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News
19 Dec 2023
Top 10 Nordic stories of 2023
Known for its advances in digital technology, the Nordic region continues to pioneer the startup sector while making serious waves in Quantum computing and artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
11 Dec 2023
Nordic governments join forces to protect data transfers
Nordic countries deepen their cooperation over cyber security amid heightened threat from neighbouring Russia Continue Reading
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News
08 Dec 2023
Fancy Bear targets Nato entities via critical Outlook flaw
A vulnerability patched in March has likely been exploited by the Russian state actor Fancy Bear, for over two years, according to the latest intelligence Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2023
Finnish IT industry talent fears amid government restrictions
Finnish businesses concerned over the immigration plans of the country’s right-wing government Continue Reading
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E-Zine
07 Dec 2023
CW EMEA: Prepare for cyber war
When the war between Hamas and Israel began in October, cyber security professionals and major government and private organisations braced for an inevitable accompanying online war. In this issue of CW EMEA, we outline cyber war, patterns of threat activity, and find out what security teams can do to protect their organisations. We also look at Finland’s advances in quantum computing, how Belgian researchers have developed technology to help datacentres process data faster, and the secrets of KPN’s successful business transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2023
Atos selected for UEFA Euro 2024 IT contract
IT services company Atos will deliver on-site and remote IT services for next year’s international football event in Germany Continue Reading
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Opinion
24 Nov 2023
DORA raises the stakes for cloud use in financial services
The EU's DORA regulations will raise the stakes for cloud in financial services but resilience is more than just a tech issue, says NetApp's Steve Rackham Continue Reading
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News
20 Nov 2023
Defence lawyers seek appeal of tribunal ruling on police EncroChat cryptophone hack
Defence lawyers are seeking leave to appeal against a tribunal ruling that found the National Crime Agency had lawfully obtained warrants to access messages from 9,000 cryptophones used in the UK Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Nov 2023
Luxembourg-based cloud provider aims to transform the AI landscape in Europe
Gcore runs cloud services worldwide, which gives it a front-row seat for observing global computing trends, and now the company expects to lead one of the major trends in Europe Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Nov 2023
Heineken lets the data flow
In this month’s CW EMEA ezine, we find out about Heineken’s mission to make the most out of the data it holds through an enterprise-wide data ecosystem. We also look at how the UK has turned its back on the German government-funded Gaia-X data platform, why cyber experts are urging the EU to rethink vulnerability disclosure plans, and how the IT industry is responding to the software developer skills shortfall. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2023
EU digital ID reforms should be ‘actively resisted’, say experts
Over 300 cyber security experts have called for the EU to rethink its proposals for eIDAS digital identity reforms, saying some of the provisions risk damaging user privacy and security Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2023
Finland shows off its new 20-qubit quantum computer
Anybody who scoffs at Finland’s lofty ambitions in the field of quantum computing should remember that not only is the country home to one of Europe's most successful companies (Nokia), but it also houses Europe’s most powerful supercomputer (LUMI). Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 Oct 2023
CW EMEA: Prepare for AI explosion
In this month’s CW EMEA, we look at generative artificial intelligence, which Accenture claims is the next big thing in enterprise IT. The IT services giant says GenAI will transform 40% of all working hours – and it is putting its money where its mouth is with plans to invest $3bn in AI and create 40,000 AI-focused roles. Part of the huge investment has already been assigned to the creation of an AI and generative AI lab in Brussels focused on the public sector in Europe. We also look at a Deutsche Telekom-led consortium’s demo of multi-supplier non-real-time RAN optimisation, how last month’s Ryder Cup tested out technology to improve how fans digitally consume the event, and find out how Zurich Insurance has cut the time it takes to complete development of ServiceNow applications. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2023
UK emphasises EU split by kicking digital trade scheme into long grass
Former Gaia-X CEO talks exclusively to Computer Weekly about UK inertia on cross-border data tech Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2023
CIO interview: Petra Tesch, Vizrt
Straight-talking when it comes to getting her messages across to the wider company, Vizrt CIO Petra Tesch revels in transformation and communication Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
European enterprises to spend more on generative IT to close gap on US
European organisations are upping their spending on generative AI innovation, but face challenges recruiting the right people to support this Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
European fintech investment plummets, but more sustainable future lies ahead
Investment in European fintechs has seen a dramatic drop, but a more sustainable sector will result from investment discipline Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2023
Finnish government to bolster spending on cyber-AI defences
Finland’s government will increase spending on cyber security amid heightened threats from artificial intelligence-based attacks Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Sep 2023
Interview: Ashish Gupta, head of EMEA, HCLTech
It’s not just enterprises that changed their operating models during and after Covid, but also the suppliers that took them on the journey, HCLTech Europe’s head explains Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2023
Ryder Cup testbed to feature tech firsts in Rome
This year’s Ryder Cup will test out technology to improve how fans digitally consume the event while reducing the workload on IT teams Continue Reading
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News
18 Aug 2023
Europe’s fastest supercomputer trains large language models in Finland
Much of the innovation in natural language processing comes from large enterprises in the US, resulting in proprietary technology with a bias towards English. One consortium in Finland decided to change the game Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2023
Accenture’s Brussels AI lab to focus on European public sector and health
Accenture will use its Brussels AI lab to test AI and generative AI's application in the European public sector Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Aug 2023
CW EMEA: Aalto University – where ideas take off
In this issue of CW EMEA, we look at the startup scene in Finland. Helsinki’s status as a prominent tech breeding ground is well established, with an alumnus contingent that includes Rovio, Supercell, ICEYE and the world-renowned Slush event. Every startup needs a starting place, however, and for many Finnish innovators, their stories began at Aalto University. We also look at how the Gulf region is seeing some of the heaviest investments in the latest technology as countries diversify their economies to reduce reliance on oil. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Jul 2023
NATO countries must coordinate their cyber forces to combat the Russian threat
The top item on the agenda at the Vilnius NATO Summit this month was the revamping the alliance’s defences. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2023
NATO membership to drive Nordic cyber security sector growth
The Nordic cyber security sector will see increasing demand as Finland and Sweden joint NATO Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2023
Traditional IT outsourcing rockets as Europe’s businesses cut costs
Overall spending on IT services is up in European countries despite continued reduction in investments in cloud-based contracts Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 Jul 2023
CW EMEA: Can we trust AI?
Artificial intelligence and the opportunities and dangers it introduces into society has been a hotly debated subject in tech circles for many years, but today with the increased use of platforms such as ChatGPT, these debates include a wider section of the public. The fact that schoolchildren are even asking ChatGPT for help with their homework brings home the importance of these debates and the responses to them by national policy-makers. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
EU formally grants data adequacy to US
The European Commission has formally granted the US data adequacy, allowing companies and organisations to freely transfer personal data across the Atlantic via the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. But privacy activist Max Schrems has already committed to legally challenging the decision Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
Finland’s VTT partners Nokia on data market
Finish state’s involvement in Nokia project will add weight and capital to work on creating a market for data Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
Norwegian data privacy experts sound alarm over generative AI
Hundreds of millions of people embrace generative artificial intelligence, blissfully ignorant of what it’s doing to data privacy. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2023
EU judgment sinks Meta’s argument for targeted ads
The EU Court of Justice has issued a significant judgment against Meta, ruling that national anti-trust bodies can investigate GDPR breaches, disrupting the platform’s entire basis for carrying out targeted advertising Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2023
The Finnish Food Authority uses AI to accelerate research
Researchers have reduced the time taken to get critical insights into potential public health crises and address issues in real-time, through artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2023
Software spending grows fastest as finance firms spend $652bn on tech in 2023
Banks and investment firms are increasing their spending on IT despite gloomy economic outlook, but priorities have changed Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jun 2023
Aalto University: The startup’s starting place
Helsinki's Aalto University is at the heart of one of the world's most productive tech startup hotbeds Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jun 2023
Interview: Michael Kagan, chief technology officer, Nvidia
The chip maker's CTO explains how the compute demands of AI are pushing semiconductor technology beyond the principles of Moore's Law Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2023
Visa takeover means economic turmoil won’t slow Tink’s progress
Tink is one of the pioneers of the open banking sector, and under Visa’s light-touch ownership is continuing to think like a startup Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2023
Sweden’s Ikano Bank outsources core banking to TCS
Ikano Bank moves to cloud banking platform from Indian IT services giant Tata Consultancy Services Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Jun 2023
CW EMEA: IT budgets buck economic trends
Despite the gloomy economic outlook across the world, IT leaders in the EMEA region appear confident that they will have more to spend on IT this year, with 44 expecting IT budgets to increase, according to TechTarget/Computer Weekly’s IT Priorities survey for 2023. Also in this issue, we look at how health authorities in the United Arab Emirates are increasing their emphasis on new, smart technologies to modernise healthcare services, we find out how global tech pioneers Finland and Estonia are increasingly sharing their expertise, and we look at what the Dutch government is doing to address unconscious stereotypes and bias that are still preventing girls in the Netherlands to study engineering or IT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
05 Jun 2023
Sweden is developing its own big language model
Artificial Intelligence Sweden is leading an initiative to build a large language model not only for Swedish, but for all the major languages in the Nordic region: Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faroese Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2023
DE-CIX switches on Internet Exchange in Finland
Comms tech provider celebrates 10 years of partnership with Internet Exchange operator and home to leading carrier and datacentre neutral interconnection ecosystem Continue Reading
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News
30 May 2023
Europe’s central bank reveals drop in Euro Zone card fraud
Euro Zone card fraud drops with card-not-present scams down following the introduction of Strong Customer Authentication rules Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2023
CTO interview: Europe benefits from energy gains in AMD chips
AMD’s chief technology officer explains how the latest chip technology can help European organisations solve the energy puzzle facing IT departments Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2023
Investigatory Powers Tribunal finds NCA EncroChat hacking warrants were lawful
Investigatory Powers Tribunal refers questions over whether messages obtained from the EncroChat encrypted phone network are legally admissible back to the criminal court Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 May 2023
CW EMEA: The future of work
In this month’s CW EMEA, we look at the future of work in Europe after the pandemic forced a change in entrenched human behaviour. For years, people talked about flexible working being the way forward, but scepticism within the management of large companies held it back. This all changed when Covid-19 began to spread out of control and governments and businesses quickly told people to work from home where possible. We also look at the increasing problem of IT failures in Dutch hospitals and how they are affecting patient care, highlighting the need to improve IT security in hospitals. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 May 2023
Icelandic researcher advocates for an overhaul of artificial intelligence
While technologies such as ChatGPT provide a glimpse of what may lay ahead, they are still a long way from real intelligence Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2023
Finland and Estonia deepen cross-border digital partnerships
Finland and Estonia, two global tech pioneers, are increasingly sharing their expertise Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Apr 2023
From Nokia to Merge Mansion: Helsinki’s tech expertise is sparking a new era for global gaming
Helsinki has a reputation as the go-to place for game development, and now the city’s tech community is taking gaming into new areas Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2023
IT Priorities 2023: Budget optimism among EMEA IT leaders
IT leaders across the EMEA region are optimistic that their budgets will increase over the coming year Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2023
Global finance firms take part in NATO cyber attack simulation
Global financial services organisations take part in NATO annual event which simulates cyber attacks on critical infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2023
Reduced spending on cloud services weighs European IT services market down
Reduced spending on cloud services in the EMEA region meant a year-on-year drop in total IT and BPO services spend Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2023
Sweden and Finland make advances in quantum computing
Separate Swedish and Finnish quantum computing projects make promising advances in the technology of the future Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2023
Nordic app-based bank offloads its peer-to-peer lending business
Danish fintech Lunar has sold its peer-to-peer lending business to Sweden’s SaveLend Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2023
Cops bust Genesis cyber crime marketplace
Multinational Operation Cookie Monster takes down Genesis Market, a crucial source of compromised data used by criminals for fraud and other cyber attacks Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2023
BNP Paribas moves to Swedish datacentre in high-performance computing strategy
BNP Paribas is moving data-intensive workloads to a Swedish datacentre to increase capacity while reducing its carbon footprint Continue Reading