Weekly Snapshot - November 25, 2024
Roberto dos Reis Alvarez
I simplify complexity and connect dots to create value | Chief Curiosity Officer
Welcome to the latest edition of the Weekly Snapshot! Get ready to dive into this week’s highlights and insights. Don’t forget to share with anyone who might find it interesting!
👉 It’s a brute game
↳ Why does it matter?
AI is becoming a brute force game. A recent survey in Nature shows that scientists are struggling to keep up with industry due to lack of infrastructure, computing power, energy, and funding. Yet, AI has immense potential. Software engineers have seen productivity double in just a few months using AI tools like co-pilots, reducing development time by 50%. However, the high costs associated with AI mean most of the world lacks the resources to compete. This raises a big question: Can AI be an equalizer, or will it amplify existing differences?
↳ My thoughts on it
It’s both. AI could unlock productivity gains that help those at the bottom of the pyramid, but that’s a tricky proposition. The survey focused on advanced economies; if their universities are behind industry, imagine the gap elsewhere. I see so much potential in AI—I can’t imagine life without it now. But how can we use it to improve the world? Strategically, countries have limited room to maneuver due to high resource demands—think Latam, Africa, Southeast Asia... Most lack the governance and strategic capabilities to make focused decisions. That’s worrisome. As always, tech is not the constraint.
↳ Read more here 👇
👉 Dangerous fields
↳ Why does it matter?
In short: because the risk of escalation. On November 21, Russia used a new type of mid-range balistic hypersonic MIRV missile to attack Ukraine. Just days before, the United States authorized Ukraine to use American missiles to reach targets inside Russia. Recent reports suggest Russia may (or is suggesting it can) deploy these new defense technologies to the Asia-Pacific region. Tensions are increasing, raising questions about how to de-escalate the situation and end the conflict.
↳ My thoughts on it
As Clausewitz once said, the war is a continuation of politics by other means. The conflict in Ukraine is not new, it has been developing for over a decade and had a burst in 2021 with the Russian invasion. Increasingly, each side pushes the other into more dangerous territory. What will be the outcome if this dynamic is continued? Some in the West believe (I don’t have intel and I am not qualified to make an assessment) that Russia will exhaust its technological, financial, political, and military resources, but that may not be a safe bet for all of us in this planet. It would be wiser if we could avoid a nuclear conflict. Watch closely the next moves, from all sides.
↳ Read more here 👇
👉 Reality imposes itself
↳ Why does it matter?
For the first time, the African Union (AU) participated as a full member at the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro last week. Africa is the fastest-growing continent, expected to exceed 4 billion people by the end of the century. It has immense potential—imagine the market—and significant challenges. Including Africa in global conversations is crucial. Ignoring it could lead to serious consequences—imagine the turmoil if hundreds of millions migrate to Europe in search of something very basic: opportunities. However, the AU's participation was barely noticed in mainstream media. Aren’t we missing something here? Whatever it is, at some point, reality imposes itself—the scale of Africa's challenges and opportunities can no longer be overlooked.
↳ My thoughts on it
While much of the Western media focused on President Xi Jinping's visit to Latin America, including the opening of a new port in Peru, the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 could signify a fundamental change. China's economic influence in Latin America is growing. However, by the end of the century, China's population is projected to halve compared to today’s level, while Africa's will be 5–6 times larger than that of China. Africa holds immense potential—with abundant natural resources and a young, dynamic population—and even Venture Capital, still limited and new, is growing there despite the ‘dry markets’ in most of the globe. A final question: with the African Union's addition, shouldn’t the Forum now be called the G21? Something to think about.
↳ Read more here 👇
👉 To keep an eye on this week
Thanksgiving and Black Friday: What will sales data in the US and globally tell?
The vote on Assisted Dying in the UK: Will the UK join others in continental Europe?
Governors in the US and climate: Any news following COP29 and the US election?