United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2020
Ownership
Rest of World is a US-based nonprofit journalism organization covering the impact of technology outside the wealthy West. It was founded and launched in May 2020 by Sophie Schmidt, daughter of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who seeded it from a family trust. It operates as an independent nonprofit newsroom rather than a subsidiary of any corporation.
Funding
Funded primarily through philanthropic grants and the founder's family money rather than advertising. Schmidt reported investing roughly $6 million from a family trust at launch, with plans for far more; backers include the Schmidt Family Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Henry Luce Foundation and Luminate (part of the Omidyar Group).
Affiliation & stance
Rest of World has no party, state or church ties and maintains editorial independence as a nonprofit, despite its philanthropic funding from the Schmidt family and other foundations. Because it is privately and independently run with no party or government control, it is classified INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 16
69/100
Factual
71/100
Objective
22
Articles
22
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Recent coverage
Three things to watch amid Anthropic’s latest feud with the government
Anthropic, an AI company based in the United States, developed an advanced AI model called Mythos, which demonstrated exceptional capabilities in handling code. Concerned about potential cybersecurity risks, Anthropic shared limited access with cybersecurity experts before releasing a modified version called Fable to the public. However, the U.S. government quickly intervened, citing national security concerns and imposing export restrictions on Fable. Anthropic subsequently revoked access to both models. This incident has sparked discussions about the broader implications of AI regulation, with some arguing that the government's response was overly reactive rather than well-planned. Additionally, the event has raised questions about the reliability of American AI companies, prompting European leaders to consider accelerating their own AI development efforts. Meanwhile, open-source AI models from China have gained attention due to their affordability and accessibility, potentially influencing global AI strategies.
FTC gives Musk the OK to acquire SpaceX alumni startup Mesh
Elon Musk has received approval from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to acquire Mesh Optical Technologies, a startup founded by three former SpaceX engineers. Mesh develops optical communication hardware for high-speed data center operations. The FTC expedited its antitrust review of the deal, as noted in a filing and first reported by Bloomberg. Mesh emerged from stealth mode earlier this year after raising $50 million in a Series A funding round led by Thrive Capital. The startup's founders previously worked on optical links connecting SpaceX's Starlink satellites. Their goal now is to apply similar technology to terrestrial data centers, where light-based systems offer greater speed and energy efficiency compared to traditional electrical systems. SpaceX has recently signed agreements with companies like Anthropic, Google, and Reflection AI to provide computing resources at its data centers, creating a new revenue stream. Acquiring Mesh could enhance the efficiency of these data centers, both on Earth and potentially in space.
India is testing an alternative to Silicon Valley’s AI playbook
India is launching a hackathon aimed at developing affordable, multilingual AI devices that function offline and use open-source models, addressing challenges such as limited internet access, data privacy, and language barriers. The initiative involves partnerships between the Indian government-backed Bhashini platform, the French nonprofit Current AI, and the Mumbai-based Kalpa Impact consultancy. Participants include startups, researchers, students, and academic institutions, with selected teams receiving hardware kits, technical support, and mentorship. The project reflects a push toward treating AI as public infrastructure rather than proprietary technology. This effort contrasts with major Western AI firms like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic, which maintain closed systems and prioritize commercial interests. The hackathon seeks to address the imbalance in AI development, where high-income countries account for over 80% of AI models and investment despite comprising only 17% of the global population.
AOC calls to 'break up' big tech companies amid price hikes
Representative Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has called for breaking up major technology companies, arguing they seek 'totally unchecked power' and should be divided to prevent monopolistic control. She emphasized the need for consumer protections and criticized tech giants for acting like governments. Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged rising prices due to increased costs for memory and storage chips. Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders have advocated for legislation to pause new data center construction until national safeguards are established, including oversight of AI development and protection against job losses and energy cost increases. Their proposed 'Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act' aims to create time for risk assessment and democratic accountability. Similar efforts have gained traction at the state level, with Maine becoming the first state to pass a law restricting large-scale data center development.
China’s EV makers are taking over the European factories Ford and Nissan can’t fill
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are increasingly acquiring or operating idle European car factories to avoid high tariffs and gain a foothold in the EU market. Chery plans to begin producing EVs at a former Nissan plant in Barcelona, while Geely is reportedly taking over a section of Ford’s Valencia plant. BYD is also in discussions to operate half of Volkswagen’s Dresden plant. These moves allow Chinese firms to bypass EU import duties, which can reach up to 35.3%, and compete more effectively. European automakers like Volkswagen, Ford, and Nissan are reducing production due to declining demand for internal combustion engines and financial pressures from unprofitable electric models. Some European plants, such as Nissan’s Sunderland facility, are being repurposed to produce Chinese-branded vehicles under contract, offering a short-term solution for struggling automakers.
America’s immigrant tech workers are paying an uncertainty tax
Highly skilled immigrant tech workers in the U.S. are increasingly considering relocation due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding the H-1B visa program. A recent court ruling invalidated a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, which had been imposed by former President Donald Trump, but many workers view this as part of a broader pattern of regulatory instability. Immigration experts and industry insiders note that this uncertainty is deterring talent from staying in the U.S., with some opting to move to countries like Canada, the UK, and the UAE, which offer more predictable immigration policies. H-1B visa registrations for fiscal year 2027 dropped by 38.5% compared to the previous year, highlighting growing concerns. Some professionals, including an AI researcher who relocated to the UAE, cite the difficulty of securing work permits and the financial burden of compliance as key factors in their decision to leave. Meanwhile, U.S. tech companies are exploring alternative strategies to retain global talent amid these challenges.
I went to the Maldives. Everyone wanted to talk about Temu
An article discusses the growing popularity of the Chinese shopping app Temu in the Maldives, despite a 30% surcharge imposed by the Bank of Maldives on international e-commerce platforms, including Temu. Local entrepreneurs noted that consumers continued to use Temu because it remained cheaper than local stores, leading to challenges for the national postal service. The author contrasts this situation with India, where Chinese apps have been banned due to national security concerns. The piece highlights how Chinese consumer platforms are shaping global retail habits and raises questions about China's expanding technological influence beyond traditional sectors like AI and semiconductors.
What happened to China’s overseas EV factory boom?
The article discusses the shift in strategy by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, who have largely focused on exporting rather than establishing overseas factories despite earlier plans for global expansion. Between 2020 and 2024, major Chinese EV producers such as BYD and CATL prioritized domestic production over foreign direct investment (FDI), with completed FDI in EV and battery manufacturing remaining a small portion of their exports. While U.S. automakers like Ford and GM scaled back their EV ambitions, China continued to lead globally, though U.S. tariffs made Chinese EVs costly and limited their access. The article notes that EV prices have dropped worldwide due to Chinese competition, but U.S. prices remain significantly higher. Although some U.S. and EU tariffs have eased, pressure mounts on the U.S. to allow Chinese EVs into the market. Despite increased FDI announcements, Chinese firms have largely relied on exports, with many projects canceled due to regulatory hurdles and geopolitical tensions.
China and the West are taking opposite paths on EV battery recycling
This article discusses the differing approaches between China and Western nations regarding the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. As the first generation of EV batteries reaches the end of their useful life, both regions have adopted distinct strategies. China prioritizes shredding batteries to recover valuable metals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, while the U.S. and Europe focus on repurposing batteries for secondary use before disassembly. The decision hinges on the types of metals present in the batteries—nickel and cobalt being highly valuable and easier to extract, whereas lithium-ion phosphate batteries, common in China, contain fewer valuable metals, making recycling less profitable. The article highlights the strategic importance of controlling these materials for energy independence and cost efficiency in the EV industry.
The AI-powered World Cup runs on thousands of data workers
The 2022 FIFA World Cup relies heavily on advanced technologies such as sensor-equipped balls, real-time tracking systems, AI-assisted offside decisions, and AI assistants for all 48 participating teams. These innovations depend on a global network of data workers based in countries like India, Cambodia, and the Philippines, who annotate and process vast amounts of sports data. Football has used data analytics extensively for over two decades, with national teams and clubs employing data scientists, analysts, and specialized vendors to improve performance, training, and strategy. Data annotation work is often performed by former or current football players, providing them with extra income and deeper insight into the game. This labor is concentrated in lower-income regions, where workers convert raw footage into structured data for use by teams, broadcasters, and other stakeholders.
Chinese universities are cutting language majors to make way for AI
Chinese universities are reducing programs in foreign languages and translation due to the rising influence of AI translation tools and shifting economic demands. A survey found significant cuts in Japanese, German, and translation studies programs across 70 universities. This shift reflects efforts to align higher education with an AI-driven future. Similar trends are observed globally, though China's approach is more centralized, requiring government approval for program changes. New majors focusing on AI, embodied intelligence, and emerging technologies like the 'low-altitude economy' are being introduced to support strategic industries and modernize traditional sectors.
GoPro and Roomba were U.S. pioneers. Chinese rivals now dominate
The article discusses the decline of American tech companies like GoPro in the global market, noting that Chinese competitors such as DJI and Insta360 now dominate the action-camera industry. It highlights GoPro's drop in market share from 75% to 18% in three years and mentions financial challenges due to global supply chain issues. The piece also notes similar trends in other consumer tech sectors, including robot vacuums and electric vehicles.
Chile turned to China for an undersea cable. The U.S. said no
Chile considered a $500 million undersea cable project with China Mobile to connect Valparaíso and Hong Kong. The U.S. responded by revoking the visas of three Chilean officials involved in the project, citing concerns over national security and critical infrastructure. The decision impacted Chile's ability to engage internationally and affected the officials' reputations. The project aimed to diversify digital communication routes, reducing reliance on existing U.S.-linked undersea cables.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.