On 22 September 2026, Computer Weekly turns 60. To mark the milestone, we asked some of our friends – experts, parliamentarians, IT leaders and suppliers – for their perspectives on how tech has changed their lives over six decades. What’s changed the most for you since then?
When the first issue of Computer Weekly was published in 1966, technology was beginning to define a new frontier of human achievement and exploration.
At the time, computing was not part of everyday life. Far from it – it sat in government programmes, research labs and large institutions used to solve problems at national scale and to support extraordinary feats of engineering and science.
The clearest example of that came in July 1969, when more than 650 million people watched Neil Armstrong step onto the Moon. The Apollo programme was a defining moment of human coordination and ambition, and an extraordinary milestone for the human race.
What’s perhaps even more extraordinary, it was powered by computing systems far less capable than the devices we now carry in our pockets.
Over the decades that followed, computing steadily moved beyond these specialised environments.
It first became embedded in enterprise systems and financial markets, then expanded through corporate infrastructure, and later accelerated through the rise of the internet. Each stage brought technology closer to everyday life, reshaping how it was used and who it was for.
From institutional breakthroughs to personal technology
The next major shift came with the rise of the smartphone.
The launch of the iPhone in 2007 changed the centre of gravity. Computing moved from specialist environments into people’s hands. Mobile connectivity, digital platforms and the app economy began to reshape how people communicate, access services and consume information.
Technology quickly became embedded in daily routines, and for millions of people the device in their pocket became the primary interface between them and the rest of the world.
The global financial crisis that followed accelerated and compounded this shift. As established industries contracted, a new generation of founders and entrepreneurs emerged to build differently and disrupt the status quo. Digital-first business models gained traction and early-stage investment began to scale into a global ecosystem.
“The Moon landing marked one frontier – a moment when human ambition, engineering and coordination pushed beyond what was thought possible. It defined a generation’s sense of what technology could achieve. AI represents a new boundary – not of physical space, but of capability, productivity and decision-making”
Russ Shaw
In the UK, policy support helped enable this transition. Initiatives such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme and entrepreneur visa frameworks created conditions for startups to form, attract capital and grow.
By the early 2010s, London was beginning to emerge as a technology hub, supported by a critical mix of finance, academia, creative industries and engineering talent.
In 2012, it was clear the UK technology scene was growing quickly but remained fragmented. Founders, investors and policymakers were often operating in parallel rather than in coordination.
That led to the creation of Tech London Advocates, now part of Global Tech Advocates, which today spans more than 45 hubs worldwide. The principle has remained consistent – ecosystems grow faster when people are connected across sectors and geographies.
From ecosystems to global AI leadership
As the global ecosystem matured, London’s global position became clearer.
London developed a distinctive advantage through proximity and a blend of key ingredients. Finance, research, venture capital, enterprise customers and creative talent operate within a compact geography. That concentration has supported the growth of globally significant companies across fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep tech.
Recognition of the UK’s position strengthened further in 2017 when Startup Genome’s global rankings placed London among the leading technology hubs worldwide.
Today, the UK holds a leading position in Europe’s technology landscape and continues to attract significant global investment in AI and frontier technologies. Major international companies have established engineering and research centres in London, reinforcing its role as a global node in the technology economy.
Artificial intelligence is now being deployed across almost every sector of the economy, from financial services and healthcare to logistics and creative industries. The focus has moved from experimentation to implementation, and with that creating a new challenge – ensuring that adoption translates into value across businesses, public services and society.
Skills, inclusion and a more human future for technology
As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, the focus will increasingly turn to capability and confidence in using these tools.
Businesses, educators and government institutions will all play a role in supporting skills development and ensuring people are equipped to adapt.
Inclusion also needs to be embedded into how technology is built and deployed.
Diverse teams lead to stronger products and broader perspectives. As technology systems become more powerful and more influential, representative input across design, data and leadership becomes increasingly important.
Looking back over the past 60 years, technology has moved from being an external force to something fully integrated into daily life.
The Moon landing marked one frontier – a moment when human ambition, engineering and coordination pushed beyond what was thought possible. It defined a generation’s sense of what technology could achieve.
Today, we are at a different kind of frontier. Artificial intelligence represents a new boundary – not of physical space, but of capability, productivity and decision-making.
The challenge is to approach this frontier with the same ambition, but with greater intent and clarity about how it is deployed.
The opportunity is to use AI to expand human potential, strengthen economies and improve everyday life, while ensuring we retain control over how it is shaped and applied.
If the Moon landing showed what was possible when humanity reached outward, AI will define how we shape what comes next. The task now is to take hold of this new frontier and ensure it is directed in ways that serve people and the planet.
Russ Shaw is the founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates.
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