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 Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 19
69/100
Factual
68/100
Objective
20
Articles
20
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
A dumpling shop becomes a poster child of AI adoption in China
A dumpling shop in Beijing named Jinguyuan has become a notable example of AI integration in China, offering customers the ability to interact with AI agents to check menus, receive recommendations, and join queues. The shop owner, Li Bo, developed an AI 'skill' in April 2024 to align with the growing trend of agentic AI tools. Li, a former telecommunications engineer, sees AI as a transformative force, echoing Deng Xiaoping's view of technological advancement as a key driver of productivity. While AI adoption in China is widespread and seen as essential for progress, concerns about job displacement and corporate control persist. The article highlights both the enthusiasm for AI in China and the broader global ambivalence toward its implications.
“It’s laughable”: Global AI experts challenge Zuckerberg’s “AI for everyone”
Mark Zuckerberg published a letter outlining his vision for distributing artificial intelligence (AI) globally to enhance human capabilities and ensure equitable benefits. He emphasized broader access to AI across countries and companies as essential for a 'positive AI future.' In response, global AI experts challenged Zuckerberg's claims, questioning who defines 'everyone' and whether access equates to empowerment. Critics pointed out that AI infrastructure projects, such as Kenya's paused Microsoft-G42 geothermal data center, face challenges like grid instability and limited economic benefits. Experts argued that Zuckerberg's vision overlooks marginalized groups, including those using low-resource languages or living in areas with poor connectivity. They stressed the need for inclusive AI development, including open language infrastructure and community-driven initiatives.
Chinese carmakers now sell one EV abroad for every two at home
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are increasingly exporting cars to international markets, with 540,000 EVs leaving China in July 2026, double the number exported a year earlier. Domestic sales totaled around 980,000 units during the same period, resulting in one EV exported for every two sold domestically, up from one for every five in July 2025. This shift reflects a strategic move driven by domestic market saturation and a price war that has intensified competition within China. Industry experts suggest that the trend is not temporary but marks a transition toward global localization of manufacturing, supply chains, and technology. Tesla, despite strong domestic sales, is also relying on exports to offset weaker performance in China. Chinese EVs are gaining traction in emerging markets such as Brazil, Thailand, and the Gulf, where governments are adjusting policies to manage the influx. In Thailand, for example, foreign automakers must build two vehicles locally for every one imported, increasing to three in 2027.
Ban on Chinese robots leaves U.S. startups stranded
The U.S. government has implemented a sweeping ban on foreign-made robots, requiring them to be assembled in the U.S. with at least 65% of components sourced domestically, rising to 75% by 2029. This policy, announced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), targets 'advanced robotic devices' deemed a national security risk, though it applies broadly rather than focusing on specific countries. While the ban does not affect existing sales or development tools, U.S. robotics startups face significant challenges in building commercially viable robots without China's extensive electronics supply chain. Entrepreneurs argue that replicating China's capabilities in the U.S. is impractical due to high costs, limited availability, and slow procurement processes. Some companies have attempted workarounds, such as setting up facilities in Canada with partially Chinese-sourced components, but this still fails to meet the new regulations. Industry leaders express concern over the lack of incentives to develop a domestic robotics ecosystem while maintaining security concerns.
Thrive’s Joshua Kushner chides Silicon Valley VCs over AI euphoria
Joshua Kushner, founder of Thrive Capital, criticized Silicon Valley venture capitalists for their excessive optimism and lack of disciplined investment strategies in the AI sector. In his first formal investor letter, Kushner argued that while many firms adopt a 'spray-and-pray' approach, making numerous bets with the hope that a few will succeed, Thrive focuses on concentrated, high-impact investments. He emphasized maintaining judgment amid market cycles of fear and enthusiasm, contrasting this with the traditional Silicon Valley model that prioritizes 'outliers' and rapid scaling. Kushner highlighted Thrive's unique strategy, including its partnership with OpenAI and its focus on transforming industries both externally and internally. His critique reflects broader tensions within the venture capital community regarding the balance between innovation and financial prudence.
The online shopping trend where you buy nothing
An article describes a trend called 'dopamine sites' where users engage in simulated online shopping without making actual purchases. The author tests these sites by placing fake orders for luxury goods like watches, handbags, and jewelry, which never arrive. These platforms mimic the full shopping experience, searching, comparing, adding to cart, entering addresses, and tracking deliveries, but without any transaction. The trend originated in South Korea, where e-commerce is highly developed, and has broader cultural significance. Experts suggest that while the specific format may be unique to South Korea, the behavior of browsing without purchasing is common globally. Researchers argue that the appeal lies in the ritual of shopping rather than ownership, emphasizing anticipation, choice, and the psychological satisfaction derived from the process.
Mozilla’s CTO thinks AI should be built like the internet
Mozilla's Chief Technology Officer, Raffi Krikorian, argues that open-source AI should be developed similarly to the open internet, emphasizing the growing importance of open-source models in both business and governance. According to a recent report by Mozilla, the performance gap between leading open-source AI models and proprietary systems such as Claude and ChatGPT has narrowed significantly, to just 3%. The report highlights the increasing adoption of open-source AI, citing that Alibaba's Qwen model had more downloads in February 2026 than the next eight models combined. Recent developments, including Meta's release of a new open-weight AI model, have further fueled interest in open-source AI. Krikorian stresses the need for alternative AI solutions to give organizations more control over their data and infrastructure.
Why we should all be worried about AI in elections
This article discusses concerns about the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in election processes and its potential threats to democratic integrity. It highlights the lack of focus during the UN's Global Dialogue on AI Governance on AI's impact on elections, despite its critical importance to democratic rights. The piece argues that while deepfake videos have received significant attention, the more pressing issue lies in AI's role within election administration systems such as voter verification, data management, and procurement. Using India's experience with linking Aadhaar biometric data to voter registration as a case study, the article illustrates how flawed algorithms can lead to widespread disenfranchisement and erode public trust in electoral systems. It warns of a broader trend where AI could gradually shift control over elections from transparent public institutions to opaque technological systems.
Beijing is forcing a mass breakup with AI lovers
The article describes how China's new regulations on emotionally interactive AI have led to the removal of AI companions, impacting users like 21-year-old Bagel Su, who experienced emotional distress upon losing her AI boyfriend. Major Chinese tech companies including ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent have shut down AI agent features that allowed users to create personalized companions. The regulations mark China as the first nation to implement nationwide rules on AI emotional interactions, reflecting broader global concerns over AI's impact on mental health. Experts note while regulations can raise awareness, they may not fully address the growing emotional reliance on AI. In the U.S., similar legal challenges arise as companies like OpenAI and Google face lawsuits linking AI chatbots to user suicides.
Democrats Want To Tax AI Companies for Job Losses That Haven't Happened
Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Greg Casar (D–Texas), have proposed the AI Tax and Work Protection Act, which would impose a federal excise tax on major AI firms to fund a jobs program aimed at mitigating job losses caused by automation. The bill, introduced in May 2026, suggests taxing AI companies based on 'token usage' or service charges, with rates increasing if unemployment rises. It also establishes a Work Protection Administration within the Labor Department to allocate grants for job creation in sectors like childcare, healthcare, and local news. This proposal aligns with broader efforts, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders’ plan to tax AI company stocks for public ownership. Historical parallels are drawn to past concerns about automation threatening employment, similar to fears during the computer era.
Arizona wants Taiwan’s investors to think beyond chips
Arizona is actively promoting itself as an attractive destination for Taiwanese investors beyond just technology firms, emphasizing opportunities in sectors like real estate and logistics. The state's economic strategy is driven by the expansion of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which has invested heavily in Arizona's semiconductor production. As part of this effort, Steve Hsu, representing the Arizona Commerce Authority's Taiwan office, encouraged Taiwanese property developers and family offices to invest in supporting infrastructure such as warehouses and commercial buildings. TSMC's presence has led to significant growth in trade between Arizona and Taiwan, making Taiwan the state's second-largest trading partner by value. Despite the potential, investors face challenges related to U.S. regulations and taxes.
The offline messaging apps challenging internet shutdowns
Governments attempting to suppress dissent through internet shutdowns face challenges from offline messaging apps like Bitchat, which enable communication via Bluetooth without requiring internet access. In India, authorities attempted to block access to Bitchat's source code on GitHub after the app gained popularity among protesters during internet blackouts in New Delhi. This marks a notable shift in how governments respond to decentralized communication tools. Bitchat, developed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, saw a surge in usage during the protests, reaching 430,000 daily active users in India. The Indian government ordered GitHub to remove specific Bitchat repositories, raising concerns about the suppression of open-source technologies. Experts argue such actions are disproportionate and ineffective against decentralized platforms.
Why Silicon Valley is divided over China’s powerful, cheap AI models
The emergence of powerful Chinese open-weight AI models has created division within Silicon Valley and Washington, with debates centered on whether these models pose a threat to U.S. national security or represent a vital part of the growing AI economy. While major U.S. AI firms keep their top models closed-source, Chinese labs have been releasing open-weight models that are gaining popularity due to their affordability and performance. Some entrepreneurs and politicians advocate for unrestricted access to these models, while others call for stricter regulations, citing concerns about security risks and potential intellectual property theft. Companies like Nvidia have supported open models, emphasizing their role in broadening access to AI technology, whereas firms such as Anthropic have urged caution and greater oversight.