Planetary Politics

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Sr. Director @CandaceRondeaux dives into the impacts of the U.S.-Israeli war with #Iran on the Gulf region's tech industry. Read at @WPReview here: worldpoliticsreview.com/third-gulf-war…

Sr. Director @CandaceRondeaux unpacks for @WPReview just how early governments and international organizations still are in the #AI global governance conversation, in light of a newly-approved U.N. scientific panel on AI. Read here: worldpoliticsreview.com/ai-un-panel-gl…

Watch highlights from our Digital Futures Symposium in Cape Town, where 80 leaders explored how emerging economies can move from extractive participation to genuine agency in global AI systems. #AI #TechNews #DigitalFuture newamerica.org/planetary-poli…

If the United States and China control the AI stack from chip design to cloud infrastructure and frontier models, and the European Union shapes digital market rules, what room exists for others to shape outcomes? Find the answer to that question here: newamerica.org/planetary-poli…

#Maduro’s prosecution is a test of American exceptionalism and how often the “rules-based order” depends on selective enforcement. How is the #USA blurring the line between law enforcement and military force? Sr. Director @CandaceRondeaux weighs in. Read: newamerica.org/the-thread/tru…

At #Davos26, Pax Silica aims to pull tech supply chains away from #China. But, Sr. Director @CandaceRondeaux argues for @WPReview, relocation alone won’t break Beijing’s grip on critical minerals and processing. How does Pax Silica fall short? Read here: worldpoliticsreview.com/pax-silica-tru…

AGOA has shaped #USA–#Africa economic ties for 25 years, but with mixed results and the U.S. now lagging #China as a trade partner. As Congress moves to renew it, what needs to change? Visiting Fellow @AudeDarnal weighs in for @WPReview. Read here: worldpoliticsreview.com/us-africa-trad…

Dickson Marfo Fosu, of @rail_knust, delivered a thoughtful explanation of what true AI sovereignty looks like. He pushed beyond the usual slogans and offered a clear framework for how countries can actually measure control over their digital systems. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

A huge thank-you to @gilbert_yiga_ for sharing an insightful talk on the challenges facing AI development in the Global South. His breakdown of how missing language data and limited compute hold back local solutions was eye-opening. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

Krupa Suchak of @DataSpires gave an incredible presentation on Africa’s overlooked computing power. Her message: Africa has more resources than people realize, we just need to connect them. Such an inspiring approach to building digital independence. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

Thank you to Gituku Ngene for a standout talk on how regional cooperation can turn African blocs into major players in the digital world. His case for countries teaming up on shared infrastructure was a thoughtful and practical vision for the future. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

Still thinking about @zainabchirwa's powerful talk on how Africa’s mineral wealth could and should translate into real influence in the AI era. Her call to extend custodianship into digital infrastructure was one of the most compelling arguments of the day. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

Central banks already have the tools to confront #climate risk — they’re just not using them. In the #COP30 context, Director @HeelaRasool explains why that gap is becoming a systemic threat. Read our latest look at the mounting consequences of inaction: newamerica.org/planetary-poli…

We can think of no better way to close out the #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025 then hearing from Dr. Prince Abudu, Head of Technology for Artificial Intelligence for @CassavaTech, who will chart paths forward for African digital sovereignty. @NewAmerica

Dr. Wesley Rosslyn-Smith, Director, Southern African Centre for Industry & Technology on how to level the playing field between advanced and emerging economies on AI development: South Africa needs to look at education rents rather than income rents to move up the critical minerals to AI value chain. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

Dr. Claude Kabemba, Executive Director of @The_SARWatch: As we export raw materials, we have no capacity to add value to supply chains. We don’t have sufficient leverage to negotiate. How do we convince the rest of the world that in order to access these critical minerals you have to return value? How do you negotiate with China? How do you negotiate with the United States? #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025

@thefuturesoc @CSIR Mervyn Christoffels of @CSIR: The question is not do we have talent. It is how do we harness that talent and the pathways for building that talent. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025 #AIInfrastructure #tech #DigitalTransformation

Caio Machado of @thefuturesoc and Mervyn Christoffels of @CSIR: We are entering this new era of science on the African continent but unfortunately if you don’t have the access and talent in AI and quantum you’re going to be left behind. #DigitalFuturesSymposium2025