A selection of world thoughts – about AI – for global citizens.
What are the global perspectives on AI? Here, you will find a selection of articles from top newspapers, research publications, and leading magazines from around the world, exploring AI’s impact on language, culture, geopolitics, and economies. Our collection of local sources helps you understand the global landscape and navigate change through innovative ideas, keeping you informed about what’s relevant in this constantly evolving field.
Most Read Articles in 2024
AI + BUSINESS
Reskilling in the age of AI
The upcoming changes will affect not only data scientists but all areas of business. Learn how to lead the entire company through this process, introducing five new paradigms for leaders and those who want to reposition themselves.
Read the full article on the Harvard Business Review
AI + CULTURE
How Culture Shapes What People Want from AI
Stanford researchers found that cultural models of agency influence what people want from AI, shaping perceptions of the ideal AI based on cultural contexts. Explore how cultural frameworks affect our understanding and expectations of AI.
Read the full paper on HAI Stanford
AI + INNOVATION
The AI project pushing local languages to replace French in Mali’s schools
In 2023, as Mali replaced French with Bambara, AI played a key role in the post-colonial transition and Indigenous language empowerment. Explore how local schools and cultural centers are using innovation to shape the country’s future.
Read the full article on Rest of the World
LANGUAGE INSIGHT
Can You lose your Native Tongue?
Speaking multiple languages isn’t about coexistence—each competes for attention. Madeleine Schwartz explores the complexities of a bilingual mind, explaining how, in some cases, it’s possible to learn languages yet also lose them.
Read the full article on The New York Times
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
From Local to Global: A Graph RAG Approach to Query-Focused Summarization
Humans thrive in communities of related individuals, communities which interact in many ways to compose the complex human society. Researchers from Microsoft apply this peculiar perspective to banks of specialized knowledge and show how LLMs can build and benefit from intricate graphs of knowledge, weaving together relations between individual atomic concepts discovered in the data.
Discover the full lecture here
World News for Global Citizens
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Should a Country Speak a Single Language?
Languages are vanishing, often silently erased by power and progress. As globalization and political forces shape our world, some languages are pushed to the brink of extinction, while others dominate. Literary scholar Devy argues that true progress must empower people to preserve their languages, ensuring that India’s rich linguistic heritage is not lost. With the rise of Hindi in India, the nation’s linguistic diversity faces a critical threat.
Read the full article on New Yorker
How Much Does Our Language Shape Our Thinking?
The hegemony that English has gained worldwide has had an impact on our way of thinking. As the language continues its expansion, the obvious question arises: will humanity be homogenized as a result?
Read the full article on New Yorker
Cinquanta sfumature di nero
In the eyes of the world, the Sudanese, who inhabit a vast country with numerous tribes and ethnic groups, are all black. The state’s name, Sudan, is the plural form of the Arabic word ‘aswad’, meaning ‘black’.
However, Sudanese people rarely use this term to describe skin color. The only thing black here is the eggplant! In fact, the babaganoush – a cream made from eggplants – is known as ‘black salad’ in Sudan. When discussing skin color, however, fifty shades of black are employed.
Read the full article on Internazionale
How Culture Shapes What People Want from AI
When a team of Stanford researchers applied cultural psychology theory to study what people want from AI, they found clear associations between the cultural models of agency that are common in cultural contexts and the type of AI that is considered ideal. This paper investigates how the cultural framework changes the perception of people about AI.
Read the full paper on HAI Stanford
Digital Divinity: Ancient Traditions Meet Modern Technology
A Rest of World report explores how technology is reshaping religious practices worldwide, from 3D-printed Hindu temples to TikTok-dancing priests. The stories highlight the tension between tradition and modernity, showing how faith adapts as technology influences worship, community, and spiritual expression.
Explore the full project on Rest of World
Innovating with generative AI to better understand community needs
Sivar+, an invaluable tool for seamlessly accessing information shared by communities, is the new genAI model made by UNHCR in El Salvador. In fact, the organization made 122focus groups discussions with displaced communities in the country and obtained thousands of unstructured information. With the transcription of these discussions they’re able to train a new precise chatbot, which is able to give accurate responses about this territory need based on the answers of the communities.
Read the full article on Medium
Artists’ AI dilemma: can artificial intelligence make intelligent art? –
This article delves into the transformation of art by artificial intelligence, starting with the ‘Idioms’ exhibition by French artist Pierre Huyghese. It explores the evolving roles of the artist (increasingly peripheral), the visitor, and the work itself, which is no longer a final product but a dynamic process of progress.
Read the full article on The Guardian
We’re Entering Uncharted Territory for Math
In an interview with The Atlantic, renowned mathematician Terence Tao explained that AI won’t replace human mathematicians but will serve as a valuable collaborator. Tao sees AI assisting with preliminary problem-solving, allowing mathematicians to focus on more complex aspects and explore new mathematical frontiers.
Read the full interview on The Atlantic
‘Quantum Memory’ Proves Exponentially Powerful
Quantum memory, a breakthrough in quantum computing, promises to revolutionize the processing and modeling of complex quantum systems. Traditional approaches face limitations due to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, requiring iterative strategies and machine learning for system reconstruction. Quantum computers, using quantum memory instead of classical, could drastically reduce data storage needs, offering richer, more precise representations. Two groundbreaking studies—one from Harvard and the other from Google Quantum AI—show how quantum memory could significantly reduce resources required, bringing us closer to practical quantum applications in physics.
Read the full article on Quanta Magazine
Donald Trump Isn’t the Only Chaos Agent
In this editorial, the author argues that Donald Trump’s possible 2024 reelection, while politically significant, pales in comparison to the long-term impact of AI on humanity. Reflecting on how technology often eclipses politics, the piece explores concerns over AI regulation under new leadership and the growing influence of tech moguls like Elon Musk. The real question isn’t who leads, but how disruptive innovations like AI will reshape our future.
Read the full article on Wired
Big Tech Wants You Back in the Office
Tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google, once champions of remote work, are now pushing for employees to return to the office. This shift is sparking debate: Does in-person work truly boost productivity, or is it about reclaiming control over the workforce and leveraging expensive office spaces? While some companies, like Airbnb, still embrace flexibility, others are embracing the power of physical presence. As the trend grows, it raises key questions: What’s the future of work in tech, and who really holds the power?
Listen to the podcast on Wired
Collaborating with AI. How humans and machines can best work together
The concept of working with artificial intelligence (AI) is explored through a series of articles and sponsored content, all focused on how organizations can effectively integrate AI into their operations. This involves leveraging AI to improve budgeting, enhance skills, foster communication, and drive growth. Researchers emphasize that while AI excels at specific tasks like budgeting, it faces challenges in others, urging companies to strike a balance in harnessing AI’s potential.
Read the full article on Harvard Business Review
