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Rest of World

@restofworld.org

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We’re a nonprofit publication covering global technology outside the West. For the latest updates subscribe to our newsletter here: https://restofworld.org/newsletters/global/

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 2h

“It’s almost impossible to transition away from fossil fuels without nickel from Indonesia,” one research analyst said. Fueling that transition are migrant workers from China, laboring in deadly conditions.

Read @wufeiyu.bsky.social’s new feature, produced Grist and republished by Rest of World:

The Chinese migrant workers powering the deadly EV nickel boom

30,000 Chinese workers travel thousands of miles to remote islands in Eastern Indonesia to process nickel — and put their lives at risk on the frontier of the green energy transition.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 2h

The Chinese migrant workers powering the deadly EV nickel boom

30,000 Chinese workers travel thousands of miles to remote islands in Eastern Indonesia to process nickel — and put their lives at risk on the frontier of the green energy transition.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 1d

NEW: Justice systems around the world are struggling to address damage from deepfakes, which are increasingly used for financial scams, in political messaging, and to spread non-consensual sexual imagery

Courts don’t know what to do about AI crimes

AI-generated images and videos are stumping prosecutors in Latin America, even as courts embrace AI to tackle case backlogs.

restofworld.org

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Reposted by Rest of World

Yi-Ling Liu @yilingliu95.bsky.social · 1d

I wrote for @restofworld.org about China's chatbot therapists — why young people are turning to AI for mental health care & the risks of AI sycophancy

restofworld.org/2025/young-p...

Young people in China are embracing AI therapy

Cheap, accessible, and friendly AI tools can augment scarce professional help, but there are risks to overreliance on the technology.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 2d

Young people in China are falling under the influence of Sigmund Droid

Young people in China are embracing AI therapy

Cheap, accessible, and friendly AI tools can augment scarce professional help, but there are risks to overreliance on the technology.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 3d

Why I left Silicon Valley: Chinese tech workers talk about returning home
https://restofworld.org/2025/chinese-tech-workers-leave-silicon-valley/?utm_campaign=row-social&utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1759601461

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 3d

Weekend #longreads: After the fall of Assad, Syria’s tech industry is trying to reboot a war-torn country
https://restofworld.org/2025/syria-tech-industry?utm_campaign=row-social&utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1759594321

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 4d

New from @kinlinglo.bsky.social: A look at how the ghost town that once symbolized China’s property bust became an ideal place to train self-driving vehicles.

China’s most infamous ghost town is now training ground for driverless trucks

The empty boulevards that once symbolized the mainland’s property bust now serve as testing grounds for hundreds of autonomous vehicles.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 6d

Livestream shopping is blowing up, with hosts turning things like pots, pans, and chili sauce into viral content. But these content creators must overcome trolls, grueling hours, and now AI rivals.

Livestream shopping stars face off against trolls, hagglers, and AI rivals

Livestream sellers have built booming careers. Now, bots are threatening to steal their spotlight and their customers.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 6d

We’re thrilled to welcome Gordon Saft as our next Publisher.

“Silicon Valley’s role in the world is changing, so Rest of World is evolving too,” Founder Sophie Schmidt says.
https://restofworld.org/inside/new-publisher-gordon-saft-sophie-schmidt-executive-chair/

Rest of World Welcomes Gordon Saft as Next Publisher

It’s a big day at Rest of World, as we share the news that Gordon Saft will become our next Publisher. Gordon brings a wealth of experience across media, technology and innovation.

restofworld.org

Rest of World @restofworld.org · 6d

AI is helping judges to quickly close cases, and lawyers to quickly open more
https://restofworld.org/2025/brazil-ai-courts-lawsuits/

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 6d

Gordon Saft is Rest of World’s new Publisher!

Founder Sophie Schmidt says, “Silicon Valley’s role in the world is changing, so Rest of World is evolving too. I’m excited to bring Gordon on for this new era.”
https://restofworld.org/inside/new-publisher-gordon-saft-sophie-schmidt-executive-chair/

Rest of World Welcomes Gordon Saft as Next Publisher

It’s a big day at Rest of World, as we share the news that Gordon Saft will become our next Publisher. Gordon brings a wealth of experience across media, technology and innovation.

restofworld.org

Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

Looking for an English tutor for her 12-year-old son in Jiangsu province, one mom picked a $1,170 robot dog. Powered by DeepSeek, it practices English, chats about the news, and, through it camera, helps her monitor the home when she is away.

Read @violazhou.bsky.social on AI for kids in China:

AI is reshaping childhood in China

Government support and tech companies’ drive for profit fuel a rush to integrate AI tools, from robot tutors to chatbots, in education and caretaking.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

👉 Read the full announcement: restofworld.org/inside/new-p...

Rest of World Welcomes Gordon Saft as Next Publisher

It’s a big day at Rest of World, as we share the news that Gordon Saft will become our next Publisher. Gordon brings a wealth of experience across media, technology and innovation.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

We look forward to welcoming Gordon on October 20th, as our founder-publisher, Sophie Schmidt, transitions to executive chair. Here’s to Rest of World’s new chapter!

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

“I'm thrilled to be joining Rest of World, which I've long admired,” Gordon said. “Rest of World's team has built an exceptional track record of telling these stories with the skill and expertise they deserve. I'm excited to lead the organization into its next innovative phase.”

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

Gordon is an accomplished journalism executive, having led teams at Atavist, Google News and Meta’s Reality Lab. He will bring his operational expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to lead Rest of World’s global team as we pursue greater impact, innovation and sustainability.

Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

“We’re living through a global inflection point, and technology is the tip of the spear. Especially now, it’s critical we hear directly from voices outside the West,” she added. “I’m excited to bring Gordon on as we imagine the publication for this new era.”

Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

We’re thrilled to welcome seasoned media & tech leader Gordon Saft as Rest of World’s next Publisher.

“Silicon Valley’s role in the world is changing,” said founder Sophie Schmidt, “so Rest of World is evolving too.”

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 7d

For the first time in a long time, Syrian entrepreneurs are hopeful

These leading Syrian apps are helping rebuild the country after Assad

Meet the Syrian tech optimists who believe a new wave of innovation can help the country bounce back from civil war and sanctions.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 8d

South Korea focused on premium performance. China focused on cost — and won the EV battery wars

China charges ahead as South Korea’s battery giants lose their spark

South Korea’s top battery makers are losing ground as Chinese firms dominate with cheaper technology, factory scale, and state backing.

restofworld.org

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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 8d

“In other universities, AI is a specialization. We’re turning it upside down: AI is basically the foundation of everything.”

Welcome to the world’s first AI-only university
https://restofworld.org/2025/uae-ai-university/

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Reposted by Rest of World

Teymour Bourial @teymour.me · 8d

Honored to be featured in yet another @restofworld.org article.

This one discusses the growing dominance of Chinese battery makers, at the expense of Korean firms, and how this shift came about.

You can read it here: restofworld.org/2025/china-e...