Hull call centre operator ResQ plans to create 400 jobs by the end of the year following contract wins in energy, telecoms and automotive sectors

Call centre operator ResQ has announced plans to create around 400 jobs by year-end following several new contract wins. The £38m turnover business has landed fresh work across the energy, telecoms and automotive sectors.

The 2,000-strong organisation now plans to expand its workforce at its Hull and Seaham, County Durham locations. The new positions are anticipated to encompass customer service administrators, team leaders and operational support roles.

ResQ states it will offer training and career development opportunities for new employees as the company continues its expansion. This recent growth follows the enlargement of the Seaham facility last year with over 100 new starters.

Gill Marchbank, CEO at ResQ, said: “This latest round of growth speaks to the reputation we have built at ResQ for delivering expert customer service within organisations where teams are under intense pressure to respond quickly and effectively.

“It’s a real vote of confidence in our people and the quality of service we deliver for our partners. In many of the sectors we support, customers are contacting organisations at stressful or critical moments, so combining human empathy with real-time insight through iQ , our AI platform, allows our teams to respond in the right way and helps our clients make better decisions in real time.”

ResQ’s call handlers assist clients’ customers in urgent scenarios such as loss of heating or vehicle breakdowns, where the firm states that reassurance, speed and accurate information are paramount. The new contract wins are expected to drive further investment in jobs, training and careers across the North East and Humber regions.

The company has made substantial investment in developing its own software in-house, and now combines human call handlers with the technology. The iQ system supports teams in “high-stakes” situations where understanding customer needs and urgency is essential, reports Hull Live.

ResQ says the technology enables its teams and clients to identify risks earlier and make better-informed decisions. The firm claims to be one of the largest call centre operations in the country, operating several major contact-centre hubs across the UK, serving prominent brands across sectors including telecoms, utilities, retail and financial services.

A Los Angeles jury has found Meta Platforms’ Instagram and Google’s YouTube responsible for harming a young user’s mental health, marking a historic decision that could reshape how social media companies are held accountable.

The case involved a 20-year-old woman identified only as Kaley, who said she became addicted to the platforms at a young age due to features like infinite scrolling and autoplay.

Jurors ruled that these design elements contributed to her struggles, awarding a total of $6 million in damages.

Meta was ordered to pay $4.2 million, while Google was held liable for $1.8 million, NY Post reported.

Kaley testified that her use of the apps began early, starting with YouTube at age six and Instagram at nine.

Over time, her usage increased sharply. By age 10, she had uploaded more than 200 videos, and by 15, she had created multiple Instagram accounts.

She told the court, “I wanted to be on it all the time. If I wasn’t on it, I felt like I was going to miss out on something.”

Jury Rules Social Media Apps Exploit Kids

Her testimony described long hours spent online, including days where she used Instagram for up to 16 hours.

She said the constant notifications and likes gave her a “rush,” which kept her coming back. Over time, this led to anxiety, depression, and body image issues, along with thoughts of self-harm.

Lawyers for Kaley argued that the platforms were designed to keep young users hooked.

They described the apps as “digital candy for the brain,” claiming the companies knowingly built features that exploit children’s vulnerabilities. One attorney said the verdict shows that “accountability has arrived” for the tech industry.

The ruling is seen as groundbreaking because it focuses on product design rather than user content.

According to Yahoo, this approach allowed the case to bypass Section 230, a law that typically protects tech companies from liability over what users post.

Legal experts say this could open the door to thousands of similar lawsuits already pending in courts.

Both companies denied wrongdoing and said they plan to challenge the decision. In a statement, Meta said, “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options.”

Google added, “We disagree with the verdict and plan to appeal,” arguing that YouTube is a responsibly built platform.

Originally published on vcpost.com

Lightning is one of nature’s most sudden and powerful forces, capable of causing extensive damage to property and infrastructure and posing serious risks to human safety.

Traditional methods of predicting lightning events have often relied on general weather forecasts or historical data, which may not provide precise insights into localized strike patterns. With the increasing complexity of modern environments, understanding where and when lightning might strike has become more crucial than ever for planners, engineers, and safety professionals. Advances in technology are now enabling more sophisticated approaches to anticipating these dangerous events.

Lightning risk assessment is one method that combines meteorological data, terrain analysis, and historical strike patterns to evaluate the likelihood of lightning in a given area. By integrating AI into this process, experts can analyze vast datasets to identify potential high-risk zones and predict strikes with greater accuracy. This approach supports informed decision-making, helping communities and infrastructure prepare for one of nature’s most unpredictable hazards.

Understanding the Challenge of Lightning Prediction

Forecasting lightning is recognized as one of meteorology’s greatest challenges. The variables at play include temperature changes, shifts in humidity, fluctuating wind patterns, and the constant evolution of cloud structures. Each of these factors can influence the likelihood and behavior of electrical storms. Traditional forecasting tools often struggle to incorporate this complexity in real time, leading to missed warnings or false alarms. This ongoing uncertainty has driven the search for more advanced solutions, particularly in regions with frequent thunderstorms.

AI’s Role in Enhancing Lightning Forecasts

AI is revolutionizing predictive meteorology by rapidly and accurately processing immense datasets. Machine learning algorithms are trained on both historical and current weather data, uncovering correlations that are often invisible to human analysts. These algorithms continuously learn and adapt, fine-tuning their predictive accuracy with every new data point. By aggregating information from satellite feeds, ground-based lightning detection networks, and atmospheric sensors, AI-driven systems generate dynamic, location-specific forecasts that far exceed the reliability of legacy models.

Notable AI-Driven Lightning Prediction Systems

Many groundbreaking lightning prediction systems are now operational, each leveraging AI in unique ways to improve public safety and disaster prevention:

• NOAA’s LightningCast: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s LightningCast platform uses AI to analyze satellite imagery, providing lightning forecasts up to one hour in advance. This is especially beneficial for outdoor events and aviation, helping to reduce lightning-related incidents.
• Bar-Ilan University’s AI Model: Researchers at Bar-Ilan University in Israel have developed an AI model that predicts lightning-induced wildfires with over 90% accuracy. Drawing on seven years of satellite data and accounting for factors such as vegetation and weather, this innovation supports regions at risk of lightning and wildfires.

Benefits of AI in Lightning Prediction

• Improved Accuracy: AI can manage and interpret complex, high-volume datasets, enabling meteorologists to make more precise, dependable lightning forecasts. This reduces the likelihood of both missed warnings and unnecessary panic.
• Timely Warnings: Advanced prediction enables earlier alerts, giving people and organizations more time to implement protective measures. This is critical for safeguarding those in exposed areas such as parks, sports arenas, and construction sites.
• Resource Optimization: With more accurate forecasts, emergency services can plan and deploy interventions more efficiently. This optimizes personnel deployment and reduces the costs associated with over-preparation or inefficient responses.

Challenges and Considerations

Implementing AI in meteorology presents several key challenges and considerations. The effectiveness of AI systems depends heavily on the quality, consistency, and comprehensiveness of input data, as gaps or biases can compromise reliability and lead to inaccurate predictions. Model interpretability is another concern, as many AI models operate in an opaque manner, making it difficult for users and decision-makers to understand how conclusions are reached. Enhancing transparency is essential for building trust and encouraging adoption among meteorological agencies and the public. Additionally, integrating AI-driven predictions into existing forecasting infrastructures requires compatible technology and adjustments to operational protocols, ensuring that both broad-scale forecasts and hyper-local alerts are delivered effectively.

Future Directions

The future of AI in lightning prediction is full of potential. Researchers are actively seeking ways to refine algorithms, enrich real-time data collection, and further blend AI-driven insights with current meteorological models. Encouraging collaborations among atmospheric scientists, computer engineers, and public policy experts will be vital in driving these advancements forward.

Expanded interdisciplinary efforts and real-world testing are expected to set new safety standards. In addition, ongoing projects by global leaders like the World Meteorological Organization highlight the universal relevance of AI-powered lightning forecasting, setting the stage for more robust disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide. For more details, NOAA explores the role of AI in modern weather forecasting. As these technologies evolve, communities can anticipate increasingly proactive and precise measures to mitigate lightning-related risks.

Conclusion

AI is rapidly enhancing our ability to predict and manage lightning strikes, delivering critical improvements in accuracy, warning times, and response strategies. Despite present challenges such as data integrity and system transparency, the field is moving swiftly toward comprehensive solutions that help build safer, more resilient communities. As technological innovations in lightning risk assessment become more widely adopted, society stands to gain from fewer casualties, protected property, and a more informed response to one of nature’s most formidable dangers.

This article was written by

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Elon Musk offered to personally fund salaries for Transportation Security Administration workers caught in the partial government shutdown, but the White House rejected the proposal as long security lines disrupted air travel across the United States this week.

The billionaire entrepreneur, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and xAI, made the offer amid growing frustration over unpaid essential federal workers and extended TSA wait times at major airports. The White House turned down the gesture, according to CBS News reports citing administration sources.

Musk’s proposal came as travelers faced multi-hour delays at hubs including Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airports, with some checkpoints reporting waits of three to four hours due to high staff call-out rates linked to the funding impasse.

The development highlights Musk’s continued high-profile role in public discourse following his earlier involvement in government efficiency efforts. It also underscores tensions between private-sector offers and federal operations during the shutdown.

Ambitious Chip Manufacturing Plans Unveiled

In a major business announcement, Musk revealed plans for a massive joint chip fabrication facility — dubbed Terafab — to be built in Austin, Texas, and operated by Tesla and SpaceX.

The project aims to produce advanced semiconductors for electric vehicles, humanoid robots, AI data centers and space applications. Musk described an initial “advanced technology fab” equipped to manufacture and test various chip types, with a second facility focused on high-power chips optimized for space environments.

Analysts estimate the effort could cost $20 billion to $25 billion and represent a significant push toward domestic semiconductor production, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The initiative ties into broader ambitions for Tesla’s Optimus robots, autonomous driving technology and xAI’s computing needs.

SpaceX and xAI have already deepened ties, with xAI operating as a subsidiary of SpaceX in some reports. The Terafab plan aligns with Musk’s vision of vertically integrating hardware for his ecosystem of companies, potentially accelerating development of AI infrastructure both on Earth and in orbit.

Local Concerns Over Mississippi Power Plant

Musk’s expanding industrial footprint drew criticism from residents near a power plant associated with his AI initiatives in Mississippi.

Locals complained that the facility has generated excessive noise and disrupted quality of life, with some describing constant humming and operational impacts on the surrounding community. Musk had previously expressed enthusiasm for the project on X, calling it essential for powering future AI innovation.

The episode illustrates challenges that often accompany large-scale tech and energy projects, even as Musk pushes aggressive timelines for AI and energy infrastructure.

Legal Developments and Ongoing Cases

Musk faced mixed legal outcomes in recent weeks. A California jury found him liable for misleading investors with statements made ahead of his 2022 acquisition of Twitter, now known as X. Jurors determined that certain tweets and comments contributed to false or misleading information affecting shareholders who sold stock.

Separately, Musk asked a Delaware judge to recuse herself from shareholder lawsuits against him and Tesla, alleging bias after she amplified a LinkedIn post critical of him following the California verdict.

These cases stem from long-running disputes tied to Musk’s communications on X and his business decisions. Musk has often dismissed excessive scrutiny of his social media activity, telling one jury that “people read too much” into his posts.

Progress Across Musk’s Companies

Musk’s empire continues to pursue bold 2026 targets. Neuralink, his brain-computer interface company, aims to begin high-volume production of implants and transition to nearly fully automated surgical procedures this year. The company has reported promising early results from human trials, including improved control for patients with neurological conditions.

Tesla is shifting focus toward robotics and autonomous vehicles. Production of legacy Model S and Model X vehicles is winding down, with factory space being repurposed for Optimus humanoid robot manufacturing. Musk has reiterated goals for widespread robotaxi deployment in the U.S. by the end of 2026.

SpaceX remains central to Musk’s long-term vision. Reports suggest the company could file for an initial public offering as early as this week, potentially valuing the rocket and satellite giant at enormous sums. Starship development continues, with upgraded versions planned for 2026 launches, including propellant transfer tests that could support lunar or deeper space missions.

Musk has also signaled a pivot in some space priorities, emphasizing faster development cycles for a self-sustaining presence on the moon before more distant Mars goals.

Musk’s Active Presence on X

The entrepreneur remains highly active on his social media platform X, frequently posting about politics, technology and cultural topics. Recent activity included commentary on societal issues and sharing content that sparked widespread engagement.

His posts often drive market reactions and public debate, reinforcing his influence far beyond his corporate roles.

Broader Implications

Musk’s activities in late March 2026 reflect the intersection of private innovation, public policy and legal scrutiny that has defined his career. His offer regarding TSA pay, while declined, spotlighted the human impact of the government shutdown on essential workers and travelers.

The Terafab project, if realized, could bolster U.S. competitiveness in semiconductors at a time of global supply chain concerns. However, local pushback over projects like the Mississippi power plant highlights the need for community engagement as Musk’s companies scale rapidly.

Critics and supporters alike note Musk’s pattern of ambitious timelines that sometimes shift, as seen with past Mars predictions now supplemented by nearer-term moon city concepts.

Investors continue to watch Tesla and related ventures closely, with stock movements often tied to Musk’s announcements. The potential SpaceX IPO could provide new liquidity while raising questions about governance in his interconnected businesses.

For the public, Musk embodies both the promise of transformative technology — from brain implants to reusable rockets — and the controversies that accompany a high-visibility billionaire who engages directly on social and political matters.

As developments unfold across his companies and legal fronts, Musk’s next moves will likely continue shaping conversations in technology, transportation and beyond.

Danielle Marie Siwek is a strategic human resources leader known for her steady rise through complex, fast-moving organisations.

Based in Mound, Minnesota, she has built a career defined by adaptability, people-focused leadership, and a clear understanding of how businesses grow.

She began her career at Village Automotive Group, where she moved quickly from HR intern to generalist. Early on, she gained hands-on experience supporting employees and leadership teams across multiple locations. This foundation shaped her practical approach to HR and business operations.

In 2019, Danielle joined Open Systems International (OSI), where her career accelerated. Following OSI’s acquisition by Emerson, she took on increasing responsibility, progressing from HR generalist to supervisor and later manager. During this period, she worked through organisational change, helping teams navigate integration and shifting business structures.

Her role evolved again when she moved into a Human Resources Business Partner position at AspenTech. There, she focused on aligning people strategy with business goals. When the company was re-acquired by Emerson in 2025, she was promoted to Principal HRBP.

In 2026, Danielle stepped into her current role as Strategic Planner within Emerson’s Measurement Solutions group. In this position, she operates at a higher level, helping guide workforce planning and long-term organisational strategy.

Alongside her career, Danielle remains active in community partnerships and personal development. Her work with organisations such as the Red Cross and Soles 4 Souls reflects her focus on impact beyond the workplace. She is also completing a 300-hour yoga teacher training, reinforcing her interest in balance and long-term wellbeing.

Interview: Danielle Marie Siwek on Building a Career in Modern HR

Danielle Marie Siwek: From HR Foundations to Strategic Leadership

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. What first drew you to a career in human resources?

I didn’t set out with a fixed plan at first. In college, I studied business management with a focus on HR, but what really shaped my direction was hands-on experience. During my senior year, I interned at Village Automotive Group. That’s where I saw how HR impacts people every day. It’s not just policy. It’s problem-solving, communication, and helping teams work better together.

Q: You stayed with Village Automotive Group after your internship. What did you learn in those early roles?

A lot of practical skills. I started as an intern and moved into a generalist role fairly quickly. I worked across locations in Wayzata and Maplewood, so I had exposure to different teams and challenges. It taught me how to be flexible and how to support both employees and leadership at the same time.

Q: In 2019, you moved to Open Systems International. What prompted that transition?

I was ready for a new environment and more complexity. OSI was in a growth phase, and that meant more opportunity to take on responsibility. Not long after I joined, Emerson acquired the company. That changed everything.

Q: How did that acquisition shape your career?

It accelerated it. During that period, I moved from generalist to supervisor and then manager. We were dealing with integration, new systems, and evolving structures. It forced me to think beyond day-to-day HR and focus on how decisions affect the whole organisation.

Q: You later moved into a Human Resources Business Partner role at AspenTech. How was that different?

It was more strategic. As an HRBP, you’re not just responding to issues. You’re working with leadership to plan ahead. You look at workforce needs, team structure, and long-term goals. It’s about alignment between people and business strategy.

Q: Then came another transition back to Emerson in 2025. What changed at that point?

When Emerson re-acquired the business, I stepped into a Principal HRBP role. That meant more ownership and a broader scope. I was working closely with senior leaders and helping guide decisions that affected entire business units.

Q: You are now a Strategic Planner within Emerson’s Measurement Solutions group. What does that role involve?

It’s a step further into strategy. I focus on workforce planning and organisational design. Instead of reacting to change, I help plan for it. It’s about making sure the business has the right people, in the right roles, at the right time.

Q: Looking back, how did your early experiences prepare you for this level of responsibility?

Starting in a hands-on role made a big difference. I understand the day-to-day challenges employees face. That perspective stays with you when you move into more strategic positions. It keeps your decisions grounded.

Q: Outside of work, you’ve stayed involved in community partnerships. Why is that important to you?

It keeps things balanced. I’ve worked with organisations like the Red Cross, Soles 4 Souls, and Bridging. Those experiences remind you that impact goes beyond business results. It’s about contributing in a meaningful way.

Q: You’re also completing a 300-hour yoga teacher training. How does that fit into your career?

It helps with focus and resilience. HR can be demanding, especially during times of change. Yoga has taught me how to manage stress and stay present. That carries over into how I lead and make decisions.

Q: Finally, what has been the biggest lesson from your career so far?

Stay adaptable. Every major step in my career came from being open to change. Whether it was an acquisition or a new role, growth came from leaning into uncertainty rather than avoiding it.

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