AI is giving tech companies power that once belonged to governments
… Today’s tech behemoths may lack that measure of economic or military power, but their global cultural and political influence is arguably greater. …
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I went to the Maldives. Everyone wanted to talk about Temu
… So, the future of China’s technological influence may begin with a cheap plastic package arriving at your doorstep. …
What AI race? China and U.S. AI worlds are tightly connected
… The influence now flows both ways. …
What we’re reading: Rest of World’s summer book list
… It is a giddy mix of money, influence, surveillance, and nationalism that has confounded countries around the world as they grapple with the growing reach of Chinese tech companies. …
RedNote chases U.S. expansion after its “TikTok refugee” moment fades
… The events invited student creators to hear from RedNote influencers and encouraged them to post on the platform in exchange for plush toys. …
Awards & Recognition
…General Excellence in Literature, Science, and Politics Pictures of the Year International Award of Excellence, Documentary Daily Life: At home with Asia’s shopping influencers , Seth Dalton SABEW Best in Business Awards…
Rest of World’s 2023 reading guide
… Author interview Buy from Amazon Non-fiction South Asia Midnight’s Machines: A Political History of Technology in India By Arun Mohan Sukumar The book traces the long and often tortuous political history India has had with technology. …
The hidden cost of Myanmar’s rare earth mines
… As the U.S. seeks ways to reduce its dependence on China, it has made deals involving rare earths in geopolitical hot spots including Ukraine and contested regions of Pakistan, while working to extend its influence over rare earth-rich countries including Venezuela and Greenland. …
Deadly deepfakes: A survival guide for the age of algorithmic war
… Adams is an expert on AI governance and the political economy of emerging technologies. …
Destined for clicks: YouTube is driving an astrology boom in Pakistan
… Many astrologers in Pakistan also follow the practice’s Vedic branch, which is drawn from ancient Hindu scripture, inspiring disapproval from conservatives and nationalists alike about the perceived influence of rival India on Pakistani culture. Astrologers must operate within an increasingly rep… …