Image by Taylor Beach, from Unsplash
Cyberattack Halts Jaguar Land Rover, Threatens Thousands Of Jobs
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
For nearly three weeks, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has been paralyzed by a cyberattack that has halted production across its UK factories.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- JLR losing about £50 million ($67 million) per week.
- Thousands of supply chain jobs are at risk.
- Hackers group Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters claimed responsibility.
The automaker, owned by India’s Tata Motors, usually produces around 1,000 vehicles a day, but the shutdown is now costing the company an estimated £50 million ($67 million) per week, as first reported by WIRED .
On Friday, the UK government admitted the hack is having a “significant impact” on JLR and the “wider automotive supply chain”.
“It seems unprecedented in the UK to have that level of disruption because of a cyberattack or ransomware attack,” said Jamie MacColl, a cyber and tech researcher at RUSI, as reported by WIRED. The potential job losses represent “a different order of magnitude” compared to past incidents, he added.
The attack has been claimed by a Telegram group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, a loose network linked to previous high-profile hacks. JLR confirmed that “some data” was affected but has not revealed details, says WIRED.
The company extended its production “pause” until September 24, saying it needs time for a “controlled restart” of operations. “We are very sorry for the continued disruption,” JLR said, as reported by WIRED.
A sunroof manufacturer has already cut jobs, while French automotive firm OPmobility is reconfiguring its production. WIRED reports that experts warn the highly interconnected supply chain makes recovery difficult.
The “just-in-time” production system of the industry has caused major negative effects on suppliers who operate at all levels of the chain.
The sunroof manufacturer has already applied job cuts while OPmobility in France reconfigures production. Experts warn that being the supply chain highly connected, recovery may be very difficult.
“This cyberattack is not some mere flicker on a screen, it is fast becoming a cyber-shockwave ripping through our industrial heartlands,” warned MP Liam Byrne, as reported by WIRED.
The UK auto industry faces permanent damage according to officials who now explore furlough schemes as a potential solution to the crisis.
Image by National Cancer, from Unsplash
UK Government Funds £6m AI Platform For NHS Screening Trials
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
The NHS is planning to run extensive trials of AI diagnostic tools, in order to enable millions of UK patients to get their diagnoses and treatments more quickly.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- The government invested nearly £6 million to fund the platform’s development.
- Platform expected to save £2-3 million per multi-site AI trial.
- The first trial will involve 700,000 women in breast cancer screening.
The project revolves around a new digital platform, known as AIR-SP, which is being developed by NHS England with almost £6 million in government funding.
The cloud-based system allows NHS trusts across England to run various AI tools through a single, secure environment. The system aims to eliminate duplicate efforts and high expenses that result from trusts operating separate IT systems for each organization.
Studies can cost up to £3.5 million, but the new platform is expected to save £2-3 million per multi-site trial.
“The AI revolution is here, and we are arming staff with the latest ground-breaking technology, so patients get faster and smarter care,” said Health Secretary Wes Streeting, as reported by the governmental press release .
“This government is reinstating the UK’s position as a technology superpower – driving vital investment and economic growth as we build an NHS fit for the 21st century,” Streeting added.
The platform, expected to be ready for research use in 2027, will first support a historic breast cancer trial involving nearly 700,000 women. “This innovative cloud platform will help vastly accelerate research into the use of AI to enhance vital NHS screening programmes,” said Dr Kevin Dunbar of NHS England.
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health, added: “This unified AI Research Screening Platform will help us to understand how AI can safely and effectively improve patient care.”
However, recent experience suggests implementing AI across the NHS is far from simple. For example, the AI chest diagnostics program – which received £21 million in funding – faced major delays in 2023 as of procurement issues, IT system incompatibilities, and employee safety concerns.
University College London researchers reported that medical staff worried about their duties when AI systems missed diagnoses. Contracts were signed months later than expected, and networks struggled with governance protocols and data quality.
Researchers concluded that “implementing AI involved complex social and technical processes, requiring significant resources,” warning that AI alone would not resolve systemic pressures in the NHS.
Experts say breast screening already prevents around 1,300 deaths each year in the UK. Simon Vincent of Breast Cancer Now said: “The sooner it’s diagnosed the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.”
