Boris Johnson & Arianna Huffington spar as UK encourages US investment in tech sector
The UK wants more US involvement in its tech industry, which is why it held a Tech Breakfast in New York, which included a discussion between London Mayor Boris Johnson and Huffington Post founder, Arianna Huffington.
The invite-only event was held at Emirates Bank in midtown east and drew hundreds of tech professionals – including those from London promoting their work.
The breakfast also included a brief appearance of Huffington and Johnson, who some have speculated is touring the US in preparation for a bid to become British Prime Minister.
The pair barely mentioned the UK’s tech industry very much, but Johnson mentioned that “there are half a million people working in (London’s) tech sector-the biggest change since the industrial revolution!”
Huffington and Johnson also joked about their respective books and their Cambridge-Oxford rivalry.
Huffington said she thought, “Sometimes, digital lives take over our human lives.”
Johnson however, disagreed, reminding her that “Even Promethius himself” – the Greek mythological character credited with introducing man to fire – faced criticism.
Regardless of whether digital is too invasive or not, the pair agreed that US investors should look into the UK tech scene.
After the discussion, the pair departed, leaving the gathered audience to mingle among themselves.