FTI Consulting News Bytes – 28 February 2025

FTI Consulting News Bytes

In this week’s TMT news, leading creatives have called on the UK government to prevent AI companies from “stealing” copyright material from Britain’s creative industries. Next, in efforts to tackle online misogyny, UK regulator, Ofcom, is set to unveil a plan helping tech giants take practical steps to improve online conditions for women. Elsewhere, at Apple’s investor meeting, shareholders voted down an anti-DEI proposal. Another tech giant, Meta, is reportedly considering launching Reels as a standalone app to rival TikTok. Lastly, the UK patent system is under scrutiny as critics argue that it is holding back emerging technologies like quantum computing and AI.  

Before getting into this week’s stories…we’re hosting a breakfast briefing at our London offices on Thursday 6th March with Parmy Olson, Bloomberg Technology Columnist, to discuss her new book ‘Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race That Will Change the World’.

You can find further details of the event and details on how to register via the link here. We hope you can join us! 

This week’s news

Creatives call on UK government to “Make it fAIr” 

On Tuesday, UK national newspaper front pages were dominated by artists’ pleas to ministers to help prevent AI companies “stealing” copyright from Britain’s creative industries. In a letter to The Times, leading creatives including Barbara Broccoli, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Dua Lipa opposed plans to change copyright laws to make it easier for AI companies to operate in the UK. The letter warned that the proposals “represent a wholesale  giveaway of rights and income from the UK creative sectors to big tech”. Ministers have insisted that the changes are needed to foster the UK tech industry and drive economic growth. 

UK to name and shame social media groups in online misogyny crackdown

In a bid to crackdown on the rise of online misogyny, regulator Ofcom is expected to share a plan outlining “sensible” and “practical” steps for tech firms to adopt to improve online conditions for women. The Financial Times reports that this plan will target both illegal and non-illegal practices, such as social media pile-ons and content leading to the normalisation of sexual violence. Ofcom will have no powers to formally regulate social media giants into complying with guidance on non-illegal practices, but has stated that its plan instead aims to “shine a light” on whether or not firms are following the guidance, and how, “so that [people] can make informed choices about where they want to spend their time online”.  

Apple shareholders reject anti-DEI proposal

Tech Crunch reports that Apple shareholders rejected an anti-DEI proposal at its investor meeting Tuesday. The proposal, brought by the conservative group National Center for Public Policy Research (NPPR), asked Apple to end its DEI activities. Apple’s recommendation for shareholders to reject the proposal marked a contrast with the actions of other tech companies who have been  trimming or eliminating their DEI programmes since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, following Trump’s criticism of corporate DEI programmes as discriminatory and suggestion the US Department of Justice could investigate whether such efforts violate the law. Reuters notes that at the meeting, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, commented that the Company’s “strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate.” Nevertheless, Cook added that Apple may need to make changes to comply as the “legal landscape around these issues evolves”.  

Instagram may launch separate Reels app to take on TikTok

With the dust yet to settle on TikTok’s future in the US, the BBC reports that Meta is looking to capitalise on the uncertainty by launching Instagram Reels as a separate, stand-alone app. Currently a feature within the Instagram app, there are rumours that Reels could become its own independent entity to rival TikTok and provide its superstars with an alternative platform in the event the application does cease to exist in the US. The reports come following Meta’s previous attempts to compete with TikTok with the launch of short-form video app, Lasso in 2018 which was later (and quietly) shut down.  

Is the UK patent system holding back emerging tech? 

IP law firm Mathy’s & Squire has claimed that Britain’s ‘outdated’ patent system is holding back emerging tech. According to UKTN, the law firm argued that the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) must reform how it treats patents for emerging technologies like quantum and AI to prevent unfair rejections as its current approach risks driving developers of Quantum Computing to patent their inventions in Europe or further afield. Patent Lawyer Magazine notes that currently, the UKIPO treats quantum computational algorithms the same way as other software, despite quantum computing software allowing the processing of data in a radically different way from conventional software. Dr Edd Cavanna, Partner at Mathys & Squire commented: “Changing the assessment framework may be a challenge, but it’s an important step if the UK is going to improve its attractiveness as a location for the quantum computing sector.” 

Top Tweets of the Week

• Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology: Technology is advancing at breakneck speed and will not slow down any time soon. This means we cannot let anyone be left behind.  Making tech a force for good is central to our Plan for Change – transforming lives, opening up opportunities and boosting economic growth. 
• UKTN: Seed funding round timelines rise to fresh highs as investors delay parting with cash. 🔎 https://t.co/tiUYJuNW7T  
• Vala Afshar, Chief Technology Evangelist at Salesforce: 21% of CEOs identify AI as the top disruptive technology, driven by a fear of missing out. Yet 49% of leaders involved in AI struggle to estimate and demonstrate its value. —Gartner 

Number of the week

80% Nvidia’s year-on-year revenue increase amid strong AI demand.