London Mayor Blocks Palantir (www.theguardian.com)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has blocked a £50 million contract between the Met Police and controversial US tech company Palantir, citing a serious breach of procurement rules. The proposed deal aimed to utilize Palantir’s AI technology for automated intelligence analysis in criminal investigations and would have marked the company's largest contract in British policing. However, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) raised concerns that Scotland Yard engaged exclusively with Palantir, risking a lack of competitive bidding and value for money, as well as potential ethical implications of partnering with a company linked to controversial practices and founders. This decision reflects growing public and political concern around Palantir’s influence in UK public services, where it already holds over £600 million in contracts. Khan’s office announced intentions to foster a more transparent procurement process moving forward, emphasizing the need for public funds to align with the city’s values. The move is also seen as a setback for the UK government’s push to incorporate AI into policing, as efforts to enhance AI's role are underway, including plans for a national police AI center and significant funding to develop AI technology in law enforcement.