shutterstock. mapman/Shutterstock Anthony Grayling, Northeastern University London and Brian Ball, Northeastern University London New scientific understanding and engineering techniques have always impressed and frightened. No doubt they will continue to. OpenAI recently announced that it anticipates “superintelligence” – AI surpassing human abilities – this decade. It is accordingly building a new team, and
The convergence of economics and politics forms a profound and intricate domain where financial theory and political dynamics intertwine, crafting a complex tapestry that influences global markets, national economies, and individual livelihoods. The delicate equilibrium between economic models and political actions necessitates a nuanced comprehension of how these two forces interact, often in
From her offices in Cape Town, South Africa, Zandile Ntuli is on a mission to foster stronger links between innovators and investors across Europe and Africa. Three years ago, the former corporate executive pivoted careers to focus on start-ups. Today, she draws on her corporate skills to enable small businesses from both continents
In the intricate web of global economics, forecasting and fiscal policy stand as twin pillars that shape the strategies of nations, guiding their economic paths through the labyrinth of market forces, geopolitical tensions, and unforeseen crises. The art and science of economic forecasting, combined with the nuanced craft of fiscal policy, are critical
Alseno Kagiso Mosai, University of Pretoria and Hlanganani Tutu, University of the Witwatersrand Highly toxic metals are leaking out of nine abandoned mines in Krugersdorp, 32km west of Johannesburg, South Africa. The metals include uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury. This acid mine drainage – when water mixes with heavy metals in mines
In 2014, Professor Kai Zacharowski, Director of the Clinic for Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy at the Goethe University Hospital of Frankfurt, Germany, was treating a particularly complicated case of an Ebola patient in acute respiratory distress. As the man’s condition worsened, Zacharowski reached for a new experimental drug – a molecule
Title: Great Britain? Author: Torsten Bell Pages: 304 In “Great Britain?”, Torsten Bell, the Labour MP for Swansea West and former Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, presents a compelling and incisive exploration of the challenges facing contemporary Britain. With his dual vantage point as a seasoned politician and a policy expert, Bell
Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham According to a recent opinion poll taken by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, almost one-third of Ukrainians are now prepared to make territorial concessions to Russia if this brings the Russian war of aggression to a swift end and preserves their country’s independence. But more than half
Luke Moffett, Queen’s University Belfast Ten years ago, on August 3, fighters from Islamic State (IS) left their bases in Syria and Iraq to attack the Sinjar region of north-western Iraq. Sinjar was home to the Yazidi people, a religious group native to the region. IS saw religious groups like the Yazidi as
In the vast tapestry of human belief systems, few regions of the world offer as rich and diverse a panorama as Asia. From the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the continent is a melting pot of spiritual traditions and religious practices, each with its own unique