Insights

Digital violence against women and girls is pervasive, with reports indicating that up to 60% of women globally experience it. This includes image-based abuse, online harassment, and digital stalking, particularly prevalent in Asia and the Pacific. The misuse of technology exacerbates domestic violence, controlling survivors and limiting their social media presence. To combat this, stronger national policies are essential, integrating survivor-centered solutions and collaboration between governments and tech companies. Ongoing research and involvement of women in tech design are crucial for creating safer digital environments and fostering women's leadership.
ICT, Education
How Survivor-Centered Tech Solutions Can Reduce Digital Violence
Labor productivity growth driven by improvements in health and education has significantly contributed to income growth in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand over the past three decades, effectively offsetting negative impacts of population aging in Japan and Thailand. However, this growth is declining in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, with a noted negative correlation between human capital expansion and labor force participation rates. Consequently, while enhanced human capital may mitigate economic decline from aging, poorer countries may require alternative growth strategies to escape low/middle-income traps.
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore
Human Capital-Induced Labor Productivity Growth and First Demographic Dividends in Four Asian Countries
Restoring and protecting nature in Asia offers significant economic benefits, contributing to profits, jobs, and growth. Approximately 75% of the region's GDP relies on nature-based industries like agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Effective ecosystem management can save costs, prevent disease, and improve public health. A shift towards nature-positive development could unlock over $10 trillion and create 400 million jobs globally by 2030, with Asia capturing $4 trillion and 232 million jobs. Sustainable practices and investment in natural infrastructure provide cost-effective solutions while fostering long-term resilience and environmental protection. Immediate action is crucial to align economic systems with sustainability.
Financial services
Protecting Asia’s Natural Resources is Profitable
California's newly enacted AI child-protection bill aims to safeguard children from the potential dangers posed by artificial intelligence. Kevin Werbach, a Wharton professor, examines the bill's objectives, limitations, and its implications within a broader national context. The law reflects a growing trend toward increased regulation and emphasizes the responsibility of the industry in protecting vulnerable populations, particularly children.
How California’s New AI Law Seeks to Safeguard Children
The Genuinely Hard Problems scheme aims to engage emerging scientists with the world's biggest unanswered questions, guiding institutions in curriculum development. Logan McCarty from Harvard emphasizes that while the internet and AI provide easy access to information, the essence of scientific inquiry lies in asking the right questions. This requires a multidisciplinary approach and a willingness to embrace failure, focusing on impactful research rather than short-term successes. The initiative highlights the importance of addressing complex issues like climate change and energy scarcity, which often transcend conventional academic boundaries.
Education
For scientists, the right questions are often the hardest
Green logistics innovations in emerging markets provide valuable lessons for enhancing global trade while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The logistics sector is vital for the economy but also significantly contributes to emissions. The Green Logistics Innovation report outlines 15 key innovations spanning green fuel production, vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, and digital enhancements to drive transformation. Challenges such as fragmented policies, financial limitations, and lack of collaboration hinder widespread adoption. The report suggests creating integrated regulatory frameworks and mobilizing green finance to overcome these barriers, promoting a synchronized transition towards more sustainable logistics practices.
Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam | Financial services, ICT, Education
What green logistics innovation in emerging markets can teach us
Europe is investing €180 million in sovereign cloud infrastructure to enhance technological sovereignty and reduce reliance on concentrated global hyperscalers. This initiative, seen as a response to growing geopolitical risks and dependency, aims to ensure operational autonomy by controlling cloud services end-to-end. The European Commission's new Cloud Sovereignty Framework is set to establish clear metrics for digital sovereignty. As the global sovereign cloud market is expected to exceed $250 billion in three years, Europe is positioning itself as a leader in developing a strategic, innovative, and resilient digital ecosystem.
Belgium, Burkina Faso, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, China, United Arab Emirates | Financial services, ICT, Health, Education
Sovereignty 2.0: Why Europe’s €180 million cloud bet matters
AI is not replacing jobs but transforming the workplace by enhancing human capabilities. Successful organizations combine human and machine intelligence, using AI for routine tasks while humans focus on creativity and interpersonal skills. Transparency in AI adoption alleviates worker fears and fosters collaboration. Companies must invest in reskilling employees to adapt to an AI-driven economy, emphasizing the importance of emotional and conceptual skills. Responsible AI development can promote inclusivity, but must be managed to avoid amplifying inequalities. The future of work favors adaptability and lifelong learning, positioning AI as a tool for human potential rather than a threat.
Education
AI won’t replace you – but it will redefine what makes you valuable at work
Democracies worldwide are experiencing significant erosion, with over two dozen elected leaders undermining democratic institutions since the early 21st century. In "The Backsliders," Susan C. Stokes attributes this trend to rising income inequality linked to late twentieth-century globalization, driving disillusioned voters toward both right-wing nationalists and left-wing populists. Elected leaders gradually erode democracy while maintaining public support by fostering polarization and discrediting democratic institutions. The book discusses the roles of journalists, judges, NGOs, and engaged voters in resisting this backsliding and promoting democratic stability.
Latin America
The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies
The ocean economy faces critical environmental and economic choices that could lead to either an unsustainable "grey" economy or a regenerative "blue" economy. Current trajectories predict continued reliance on fossil fuels, overfishing, and polluting practices, exacerbating inequality and environmental collapse. Transitioning to a blue economy requires five key steps: reducing fossil fuels, increasing renewable energy, ensuring sustainable fishing and shipping, and minimizing pollution from agriculture and cities. Successful examples from countries like Denmark and initiatives for sustainable food production, mangrove restoration, and pollution reduction showcase the potential for positive change that benefits both ecosystems and communities.
Five ways to make the ocean economy more sustainable and just
Conspiratorial narratives are increasingly shaping British politics, highlighted by recent allegations of infighting within Keir Starmer's government, particularly involving Wes Streeting. This reflects a growing paranoia stemming from a leadership vacuum and a lack of clear ideological direction. Historically, paranoia among leaders like David Lloyd George and Margaret Thatcher emerged from competitive pressures, but Starmer's version arises from systemic distrust in political institutions. Since Brexit, a pervasive paranoid culture has developed, normalizing conspiracy thinking and polarizing discourse, ultimately threatening effective governance and exacerbating political instability.
The growing paranoia of British politics
COP30 in Belém, Brazil, aims to be the 'implementation COP' focused on accelerating climate action through political will, policy, and universal standards on carbon emissions. A collaboration between the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol has led to the development of new tools for GHG emissions accounting and reporting, producing a credible framework for measuring emissions. This initiative seeks to unify diverse existing standards, supporting better reporting and strategic decisions, which are crucial for unlocking climate finance and enhancing accountability at COP30.
Financial services
Why standards are the quiet hero of implementation at COP30
Local communities perceive a disconnect between government discourse on the societal benefits of AI and their actual needs in urban environments. Research conducted by Careful Industries engaged participants in four UK locations and one site in Australia, highlighting the importance of aligning AI innovation with community interests. The report emphasizes opportunities for public participation in AI governance and provides recommendations to improve public trust and enhance outcomes.
ICT, Education
AI in the street: Lessons from everyday encounters with AI innovation
The ASEAN Summit in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur garnered significant international attention due to several key developments. US President Donald Trump attended, endorsing the Thai-Cambodian peace agreement, while US-China negotiations aimed at trade dispute resolution occurred on the sidelines. Timor-Leste's admission as the 11th member highlighted ASEAN's ongoing relevance. The summit focused on strengthening ASEAN Centrality, enhancing internal cooperation, and promoting regional integration. Notable outcomes included the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and advancements in the ASEAN Power Grid project, reinforcing ASEAN's strategic role amid US-China rivalry and enhancing partnerships, including diplomatic engagement with the EU.
Australia, Austria, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Tanzania, Tunisia, Viet Nam
The ASEAN Summit 2025 – More Than Just a Stage for Trump
NATO faces significant challenges due to potential Russian aggression towards the Baltic states. The strategic significance of these countries, along with their NATO membership, necessitates a robust collective defense posture. The analysis highlights various scenarios regarding military and diplomatic responses, underscoring the need for enhanced readiness and support for the Baltic states to deter Russian threats effectively.
Russian Federation
Scenarios] NATO and the Russian Threat: The Case of the Baltic States
Global action on lung health is critical, with over 545 million people affected by chronic respiratory diseases as of 2017, particularly in lower-income countries. Major drivers include air pollution and poor living conditions, leading to significant human and economic costs—COPD alone could impose $4.3 trillion globally by 2050. The WHO's recently adopted Lung Health Resolution calls for integrated national lung health plans, primary care integration, and tackling risk factors. Urgent steps include prioritizing primary care, combatting stigma, boosting awareness, and improving air quality to reduce preventable respiratory disease cases and enhance health system resilience.
Health
Global action on lung health has never been more important
Agentic AI is transforming how consumers shop, enabling AI assistants to make purchasing decisions on behalf of individuals. Brands must adopt online platforms capable of engaging with both humans and AI to remain competitive. This shift moves from omnichannel strategies to designing for “omnibuyer” interactions, where decisions are made by intelligent algorithms that understand consumer preferences. Trust in these AI agents is crucial; brands need to ensure their values and emotional nuances are accurately conveyed to maintain trust. Businesses must rethink experience design, focusing on delegation and embedding emotional intelligence for effective AI interaction.
In the age of agentic AI, brands need customer experiences for when the customer isn’t there
Global warming is projected to exceed 1.5°C by the early 2030s. While returning to this temperature by the end of the century may not eliminate all associated harms, it can mitigate risks compared to sustained warming above 1.5°C. Achieving this goal requires significant near-term emission reductions to limit warming below 2°C, followed by ongoing net-negative carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This necessitates a shift in international climate policy, particularly for the European Union, to view "net-zero" as a transitional step towards achieving these targets.
Overshoot: Returning to 1.5°C Requires Net-negative Emissions Targets
The European Data Union Strategy prioritizes three key areas: enhancing access to high-quality data for AI, simplifying data regulations for businesses, and protecting the EU's data sovereignty. To scale up data access, flagship initiatives include launching data labs to connect public and private sectors, creating common European data spaces with EU investment, and expanding high-value datasets under the Open Data Directive. These measures aim to strengthen innovation and position the EU competitively in the global data landscape.
European Data Union Strategy
AI is transforming strategic foresight, aiding experts in exploring plausible futures and developing strategies for organizations and governments. Insights from 167 foresight experts across 55 countries indicate that AI is valued for saving time and managing repetitive tasks. However, concerns arise regarding the quality and trustworthiness of AI-generated content, particularly its tendency for hallucinations and its limitations in inductive reasoning. The paper recommends leveraging AI's strengths while mitigating its weaknesses in the field of strategic foresight.
Education
AI in Strategic Foresight: Reshaping Anticipatory Governance

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