Our Robot Future 🤖

June 9, 2023 - The choice between what matters and what's hot

Jun 09, 2023

Noa Schmid started with us on the editorial team. She’ll be helping out this summer, while attending the Bard Globalization and International Affairs Program (BGIA). Welcome Noa!

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

There’s much ado about the robots taking over the world and ending humanity. Looking at how much money goes into building them and into artificial intelligence, aka AI, there may be truth to that.

No, I do not believe the robots will kill us. Or, at least, they won’t in my lifetime. (I hope they won’t…) Yet, when I look at the numbers that have gone into AI, mainly through the private sector, as opposed to investments in critical infrastructure, education, climate change, or healthcare, I’m stunned.

According to the Stanford University’s Institute for Human Centered AI, corporate investment for AI shot up from $79.6 billion in 2018 to $276.1 billion in 2021. That was two years ago, and the number today is expected to be exponentially higher.

Compare that to what is being spent on infrastructure worldwide, which according to the McKinsey Global Institute, has gone down in 11 of the G20 countries. In the United States, infrastructure spending is .55 percent of its GDP – not even one percent. China, by comparison, spends 10 times what the US does on global infrastructure.

That matters.

It matters to the people in India, who are reeling from a horrific rail accident due to signal problems. It matters to the people in northeastern Canada and the United States who are currently enduring air pollution due to wildfires in Alberta. It matters to the people of Haiti, who have once again come across tragedy with recent flooding and an earthquake.

Technology is sexy and it is important. Technology is what has gotten us to where we are today — both for the better and worse. It cannot be, however, the only “shiny” thing that both the private and public sector are focused on. It is vital that we focus on the basics that all of us depend on — roads, transportation, air quality, clean water, just to name a few. That means financing improvements in infrastructure and passing legislation and adopting regulations focused on fighting climate change.

Currently, the US government, along with many others worldwide are engrossed in a debate about how best to deal with and regulate AI. It is a worthy conversation and one that will increasingly dominate the headlines. It will be a shame if it is the only conversation — a shame manifested in future train accidents, wildfires, and other natural disasters. If we don’t want a robot led future, then let’s put humanity first.

— Elmira

On our radar...

In order to understand gender persecution, we really have to understand the word “persecution” itself, especially in the eyes of international law. The International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor has a new policy on gender persecution, so it’s past time to talk about it, says Michelle Jarvis. (Just Security)

The world cannot give up on trade. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala makes the case for reimagining globalization, or “reglobalization,” rather than deglobalization. (Foreign Affairs)

New York City, and much of the northeast, has been engulfed in smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Carolyn Kormann shows us what it’s like in NYC, where air quality has reached hazardous levels. (New Yorker)

Our AI Future

AI is complex, but that shouldn’t stop policymakers from doing their jobs, says Marietje Schaake. It would be a mistake for them to let CEO write the regulation. (FT)

Alondra Nelson, a former Biden official who headed the Office of Science and Technology Policy, on how to regulate AI. (Foreign Policy)

US

The US lacks a long term goal in its relationship with China. Liza Tobin says the US should make a democratic China its goal for the future. (Foreign Policy)

Asia

India experienced one of its deadliest train crashes in two decades last week, killing almost 300 people. Astha Rajvanshi discusses the safety of the country’s railways following the crash. (Time)

Following India’s tragic train accident, all eyes are on Prime Minister Modi to ensure better safety precautions. Modi’s eyes, however, are on speedily modernizing the rail system in India, explains Hannah Ellis-Petersen. (The Guardian)

In the great power rivalry between the US and China, China wins in the Middle East. Young people in MENA favor the Middle Kingdom, says Merissa Khurma. Moreover, (and, perhaps, more disturbing) Chinese news broadcasts in the Arab region are gaining a better reputation than US broadcasts. (Wilson Center)

A tale of two ships in the Taiwan Strait… On June 3, a Chinese naval ship cut across the path of a US destroyer. That’s not good, says Meredith Oyen. She looks at the continued tension between the two powers. (The Conversation)

The Americas

Haiti continues to suffer. Gang violence persists. Last week the country sustained floods and an earthquake. This is a country that really needs more attention and assistance. Jordana Timerman, who runs the Latin America Daily Briefing Substack, has a good summary and a list of excellent links (not all by women though!) (Latin America Daily Briefing)

Also of note, and without a female expert we’re afraid: Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro visited Turkey, where he attended President Erdogan’s inauguration, and then headed to Saudi Arabia — just before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the kingdom. As two oil producing nations, that should raise eyebrows at the White House, which has struggled to find a coherent policy towards both Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. Maduro is signaling that he has friends, while Saudi, under Mohamad bin Salman’s rule is showing that he doesn't take cues from anyone on foreign policy.

In Latin America, surveillance technology is on the rise. Natalie Southwick explains the dangers of the lack of oversight and regulations of these technologies. (Americas Quarterly)

Africa

The unfolding conflict between Sudan’s army and the country’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have forced many Sudanese out of their homes. Reem Abbas tells her story of flight — and the personal cost of war. (Africa is a Country)

Sudan’s civil war is accompanied by a propaganda battle raging online, Maram Mahdi explains. A rapid increase of disinformation and fake news is flooding Sudan’s digital sphere with RSF General Hermeti and SAF General Burhan trying to rally support for their sides. (Middle East Eye)

Somalia is experiencing a humanitarian crisis that needs international intervention. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef fills us in on the details of the crisis, including the ways its impacting children. (Al Jazeera)

Germany is reassessing its policy in the Sahel. After 10 years, the country is pulling its forces out of the UN Mission to Mali. As Berlin policymakers consider how to deal with increasing extremism, Melissa Li argues why negotiating with jihadists is necessary to stabilize the country and the Sahel region as a whole. (Global Public Policy Institute)

Angolan authorities violently dispersed a peaceful street protest by women vendors in Luanda. The women were protesting the governor’s decision to reorganize informal street markets in part of the capital, says Iracelma Adriano. (HRW)

Check out this cool and interactive map to stay informed about upcoming elections on the African continent. (African Arguments)

Europe

Catastrophic destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine will lead to mass evacuation, hydroelectricity loss, and biodiversity loss. Isabel van Brugen with more on this and what President Zelenskyy had to say about it. (Newsweek)

The Nova Kakhovka dam explosion may end up being Europe’s most catastrophic environmental event in decades. Anna Romandash explains why. (Inkstick Media)

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for snap elections following disappointing regional election results in May. Helen Morgan on whether or not this move will backfire, with elections taking place on July 23 now instead of in December. (WPR)

Can Spain effectively lead the EU? Ana Palacio has the details on the future of the Council of the EU, which Spain is set to lead starting next month. (Project Syndicate)

How are Europeans navigating the various conflicts around the world? Jana Puglierin and Pawel Zerka break down European views on the US, China, and Russia. (ECFR)

Olivia Lazard urges the EU to work more closely with the countries they are extracting natural resources from to support regeneration and adapt better to a climate-disrupted world. (Carnegie Europe)

Middle East

Following the outcome of the Turkish elections, Suzy Hansen demonstrates how President Erdoğan built the corrupt state that secured his reelection and how a country that once welcomed refugees has turned its back on the neediest. (New Yorker)

Lebanese women are breaking the barriers of the fishing industry, says Rodayna Raydan. Fishing, a traditionally male dominated industry, has become an opportunity for Lebanese women to earn an income to support their families through inflation. (Al-Monitor)

Iran and Afghanistan are both trying to find alternatives to boost their international positions — and the Khaf-Herat Railway might be at least part of the answer. Sophia Nina Burna-Asefi explains how. (The Diplomat)

After decades of hostility over Egypt’s peace with Israel, Egypt and Iran are finally on a path to rapprochement. Emily Milliken and Giorgio Cafiero outline the history, national interests, and Oman’s role as mediator. (Responsible Statecraft)

Science and Climate Change

The weather everywhere has been pretty crazy, with major heatwaves in Pakistan, wildfire smoke clouding the US, and incoming heat in the Middle East. Cathrin Schaer wonders if nations in the Middle East and North Africa are prepared (spoiler alert: they’re not). (DW)

What’s up with Gladys, the killer whale that has been bumping sailboats along the Spanish coast? Scientists are eager to find out why the whale behaved the way she did in past years. Esther Sánchez with more. (Scientific American)

Project Cheetah sounds like a fun, cat-centric situation, but this project is actually an attempt at preserving the “South African cheetah” by relocating them to India – backed, of course, by PM Modi. However, they may be rushing into this whole thing, says Gayathri Vaidyanathan. (Nature)

In case you haven’t noticed, it is HOT outside, and this might be the new normal. Nations are trying to adapt, through renewable energy, but that probably won’t be enough to hold off the loads of climate migration that we should be expecting in the coming years, says Kavitha Yarlagadda. (South China Morning Post)

The UN’s Plastic Treaty Negotiations just concluded in Paris, yet country leaders remain divided on key terms to be included in the new plastic treaty. Helen Huang explains that with 99% of plastic production relying on fossil fuels, big importers like Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE put their profits first. (HRW)

Technology

FAKE NEWS catches your eye, huh? It was an easy two word catch phrase for an attempt to describe a whole slew of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Claire Wardle breaks down what all of these important terms really mean. (Slate)

Links We Loved....

Ghanaian politician, author and feminist icon Ama Ata Aidoo died last week at the age of 81. Check out her books, which are phenomenal – highly recommend “The Girl who Can and Other Stories”
Another loss this week, Astrud Gilberto, most famous for singing The Girl From Ipanema. Watch this live recording with her. (We love her hair)
Shasha Movies has expanded its archives to include some amazing films
Learn about Thailand’s Pride celebrations here!
Most of these are obvious, but we wanted to make sure that you had ideas for how to celebrate Pride. Be an advocate. Participate in a Pride event. LGBTQ rights are under attack - let’s stop it.
Looking for a summer reading list? Check out these new books 📚

Job Opportunities

There are a lot of interesting positions on this Oxford HR website.

The US State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy is hiring.

Editorial Team

Elmira Bayrasli - Editor-in-Chief

Editors:

Samantha Felman
Anouk Jouffret
Pin-Shan Lai
Catherine Lovizio
Noa Schmid
Emily Smith