‘Star Wars’ is the classic example of a symbiotic human-machine relationship. The ‘force’ guided the human actions which were supported by data driven inputs from the ‘droids’. Being guided by the ‘force’ is nothing but human ability to use our intuition and exercise judgement. Though a work of fiction, the classic, might have essential food[…]
Report co-authored with Dr Gordon Ramsay, Dr Sami Stouli and Stephen Adshead Plum undertook a study for the UK Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) that examined the current status of the local newspaper market and its relationship to democratic participation (measure by local election turnout). The study also included an extensive overview[…]
Digital sovereignty is an umbrella term that refers to the ability to exercise control over digital assets, such as data, content or digital infrastructure, or over the use of those assets. While this concept has arguably existed for decades, it has gained a new currency for a number of reasons, including concerns about state surveillance,[…]
Report co-authored with Stephen Adshead Online advertising is now the largest advertising medium by expenditure in the UK, exceeding TV and print. In 2019 it accounted for more than £13 billion expenditure in the UK and had a growth rate of 15% year on year. As the online advertising market has grown, concerns around consumer-[…]
Report co-authored with Stephen Adshead Plum conducted a research study for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to understand the number and characteristics of video-sharing platforms (VSPs) under UK jurisdiction and the extent to which these platforms are compliant with the terms of the new regulations under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD).[…]
The benefits of digital government in developing countries are experienced more at an individual level rather than at an aggregate level. This paper provides African examples of the benefits delivered through improved performance and of enhanced transparency. Developing countries can better reap the benefits of digital governments by implementing more inclusive and sustainable projects. This[…]
Digital platforms deliver digital services such as e-commerce, social media, and a wide variety of cloud-based services. Until very recently digital platforms were virtually unregulated, but now it is recognised that the rise of these platforms has also created problems. There is now a growing consensus that this should change – specifically how should digital[…]
Connected consumer devices – such as smart TVs, smart thermostats and connected appliances – are becoming increasingly common. Yet the cybersecurity measures on these devices are often lacking: many such devices contain serious vulnerabilities that leave them open to attack. This imposes costs not only on the owners of such devices, but upon third parties[…]
Adding connectivity to physical devices can significantly enhance their usefulness: for instance, it can allow remote operation or monitoring of the device, improve user convenience, or increase energy efficiency. As a result, the number of connected devices has grown extremely rapidly. This growth has been accompanied by increasing concerns about cybersecurity and privacy, and nowhere[…]
Report co-authored with Stephen Adshead The Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) commissioned Plum Consulting to provide an independent analysis of the structure of the online advertising sector; the movement of data, content and money through the online advertising value chain; and potential harms that can arise from online advertising. This work feeds[…]