The global struggle over how to regulate AI

Big AI companies have come out hard against comprehensive regulatory efforts in the West — but are receiving a warm welcome from leaders in many other countries.

By Katie McQue, Laís Martins, Ananya Bhattacharya and Carien du Plessis

Aerial view of a city at night, with a mix of well-lit and dark areas, showcasing dense housing, streetlights, and distant city lights against a backdrop of mountains under a cloudy sky. — Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/Getty Images

EV Revolution

EV sales in Ecuador are surging despite crippling power cuts

While EV users have been left in the dark during a prolonged energy crisis, many still prefer dealing with the hassle to the high cost of gas.

By Carolina Loza León and Daniela Dib

China Outside China

U.S. TikTokers flock to RedNote, baffling and bonding with Chinese users

Americans are joining the Chinese social media app en masse to protest an imminent TikTok ban.

By Kinling Lo and Viola Zhou

Global

Support Our Global Journalism

Nearly four billion Internet users live outside the West, building and using tech products & platforms that most Americans have never heard of.

By Rest of World Staff

A humanoid robot in a pink shirt is seated in front of a group of elderly individuals, who are facing the robot. A screen is visible behind the robot, displaying a blue background.

Innovation

Singapore is turning to AI to care for its rapidly aging population

The country has a dire shortage of nurses, so to fill the manpower gap, it’s using AI for preventive care.

By Reeta Raman

Global

The evolution of the U.S. TikTok ban

The push to ban TikTok in the U.S. has escalated from security fears to a battle over tech dominance and digital sovereignty.

By Rest of World Staff

An abstract illustration depicting two hands reaching towards a blue globe, surrounded by various geometric shapes and graphical elements, set against a gradient background. — Ruwangi Amarasinghe for Rest of World

Innovation

Despite tensions, U.S.-China AI research collaborations are alive and well

Over the past 10 years, the U.S. and China have been the most frequent partners in AI research.

By Khadija Alam

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Features

How WhatsApp ate the world

WhatsApp is already the world’s most widely used messaging app. Meta wants it to be a lot more.

By Issie Lapowsky

Digital Divinity

Ancient traditions meet modern technology

From 3D-printed temples to TikTok-dancing priests.

By Rest of World Staff

Features

WhatsApp vigilantes in India are converting Christians by force

How far-right Hindu nationalists use WhatsApp to target Christian families when they’re most vulnerable — by preventing them from burying their dead.

By Parth MN

The global struggle over how to regulate AI

EV sales in Ecuador are surging despite crippling power cuts

Everything you need to know about Xiaohongshu

Despite tensions, U.S.-China AI research collaborations are alive and well

U.S. TikTokers flock to Xiaohongshu, baffling and bonding with Chinese users

Singapore is turning to AI to care for its rapidly aging population

Global fact-checkers were disappointed, not surprised, Meta ended its program

Starlink is now cheaper than leading internet provider in some African countries

Foxconn stops sending Chinese workers to India iPhone factories

The little ride-hailing app that could catch up to Uber and Bolt in Kenya

YouTube Shopping wants to unseat TikTok Shop in Southeast Asia

Kenya’s bus fleets want to go electric, but manufacturers can’t meet demand

The global struggle over how to regulate AI

EV sales in Ecuador are surging despite crippling power cuts

U.S. TikTokers flock to RedNote, baffling and bonding with Chinese users

Support Our Global Journalism

Singapore is turning to AI to care for its rapidly aging population

The evolution of the U.S. TikTok ban

Despite tensions, U.S.-China AI research collaborations are alive and well

Get The Global, our (free) newsletter

Aches, pains, and no health insurance for aging gig workers

Criminals are targeting older Uber drivers

Amid economic collapse, older Venezuelans turn to gig work

Uber’s big plan for India: buses

India banned a Chinese app four years ago. Government agencies are still using it

Amazon and Walmart couldn’t kill India’s mom-and-pop stores. But rapid delivery might

How WhatsApp ate the world

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India has lofty goals for EV adoption. Its subsidies aren’t really helping

The truth behind VinFast’s stunning stock market debut

Battery errors, software glitches: some VinFast EV customers are having a rough time

Despite international hires, TikTok is Chinese at its core

U.S. TikTokers flock to Xiaohongshu, baffling and bonding with Chinese users

Drop-shipping is a lifeline for unemployed graduates in South Africa

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