The UK economy grew faster than expected in July, thanks in part to businesses using artificial intelligence (AI).
The economy grew by 0.4%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, while economists had forecast no growth.
The expansion was driven by strong performance in the services sector, and especially computer programming.
Experts said July growth figures showed the UK economy had proven resilient in the face of shocks such as the Iran war, but said they expected growth to slow in the coming months as high energy prices hit households.
The July figure follows a 0.3% rise in June and zero growth in May.
According to ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown, there is evidence that businesses related to artificial intelligence and related technologies helped boost the sector not only in July, but also in May and June.
She also said some businesses said warm weather and the World Cup had impacted activity in July, although she said the effects “vary across industries, benefiting some businesses and causing problems for others.”
The ONS said that in the three months to July, which gives a better picture, the economy grew by 0.4% compared with the previous three months.
Chancellor John Healey said the economy was “showing welcome resilience despite significant global uncertainty”.
“Our growth, although still fragile, was the fastest in the G7 in the first half of the year,” he added.
“But conflict in the Middle East has consequences here at home – from the cost of the family’s weekly shop to the cost of government borrowing.”
Healey will present his first budget in October. He told BBC News this week he wants people to have confidence in the economy, despite acknowledging the problem of “historically high” borrowing costs.
Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said July data showed the economy’s “resilience in the first half of the year continued into the second half.”
However, he added that higher energy prices and borrowing costs would soon begin to curb economic growth, especially if the growth seen this week continues.
The Bank of England will meet next week to make its final decision on interest rates. Economists expect rates to remain unchanged, but some predict increases before the end of the year.