THE POWER OF PEOPLE, PLACES & FIRMS
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen people talk about “the cloud”, it sounds weightless, something almost magical floating in the sky. Except that it isn’t. It lives on the ground, in data centres filled with servers that store, process and move staggering amounts of information every second. These data centres consume energy, occupy land, use metals and minerals from global supply chains – and they need vast amounts of water for cooling.
Reading Time: 4 minutesAcross the world, cities are quietly delegating the details of daily life to new artificial intelligence (AI) systems that make data driven recommendations about how resources and priorities are distributed. What begins as a promise of efficiency can also quietly define the invisible architecture of who controls public life. The work ahead calls for civic imagination and for ambitious leaders who can link algorithms to accountability.
Reading Time: 4 minutesAround the world, young entrepreneurs are showing that AI can be a technological and entrepreneurial revolution. By automating the mundane, amplifying creativity, and expanding access to knowledge, AI gives young founders the tools to build more resilient, innovative, and growth-ready businesses. With the right support today, AI can help unlock a future where every young entrepreneur has the tools and confidence to shape the economy of tomorrow.
Reading Time: 3 minutesPowerful forces are reshaping the world of work. Ageing populations, the transition to green energy, rapid digitalisation, and uneven connectivity are already redrawing the economic landscape. AI tools promise a way out – automating routine tasks, optimising schedules, even predicting maintenance needs before breakdowns. But for local leaders, a dilemma looms: will AI ease labour shortages or put people out of work – and their region?
Reading Time: 4 minutesParis is going beyond the basics to harness innovation and power not just startups but the future of entire cities.
Reading Time: 4 minutesItaly’s tourism sector is undergoing a quiet revolution. From AI-powered hospitality to immersive virtual experiences, small businesses are embracing digital tools to enhance authenticity, boost resilience, and connect more meaningfully with travellers.
Reading Time: 3 minutesJapan’s urban digital twin initiative, PLATEAU, creates dynamic 3D city models using data to enhance urban planning and governance. Launched in 2020, it supports over 250 municipalities, aiming for expansion to 500 by 2027.
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy 2030, AI is projected to contribute USD 19.9 trillion to the global economy. Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, is embracing AI through a master plan aimed at enhancing public services and fostering economic growth.