Resources^ from the Rest of Us (14.11.25)
Opinions, investigations, reports & opportunities
Hey everyone! Resources^ from the Rest of US posts highlight some of the things I’m reading — including expert opinions from folks in my region, investigations and reports. I also include things that impact us and our communities. When I come across research or fellowship opportunities, I’ll tag those at the bottom.
Featured Resource:
Robin Mansell, Flavia Durach, Matthias Kettemann, Théophile Lenoir, Rob Procter, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Emily Tucker
Abstract: A critical assessment of why today’s information ecosystems are troubling for democracy, this book, based on research in the Global North and Global Majority World, examines changes in news media, artificial intelligence, and data governance. It focuses on measures to improve the quality of public discourse, protect media freedoms, and ensure the resilience of public institutions. The analysis highlights policies aimed at enhancing the accountability and resilience of information ecosystems in the face of the increasing weaponisation of information.
Of interest to academics, policymakers, business, and civil society, the book showcases worldwide efforts to tackle Big Tech data extractive and monetisation practices, address news media instability, and ensure artificial intelligence applications are compatible with democratic values. This book is essential reading for everyone seeking to reimagine what justice in a datafied world could be.
Investigations / Expert Op-Eds
Jake Laperruque | ICE’s reckless reliance on facial recognition puts us all in danger
Hong Sung-Ook, The Chosun Daily | AI Interviews Stem from Distrust in Humanity
Rajiv Kumar, The Diplomat | The Gyeongju Summit was a turning point for APEC
Andreas Harsono, Human Rights Watch | Indonesia’s President declares late dictator Soeharto a ‘National Hero’: Whitewashing history undermines efforts to bring justice for victims
Will Mortenson, New Atlanticist | Gen Z protests have spread to seven countries. What do they all have in common?
Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, Carnegie Endowment | The promises and pitfalls of the social media-fueled Gen-Z protests across Asia
Nur Hani Zainal, National University of Singapore | Chatbots could be first responder for mental health issues, but with limits
Dang Nguyen, Noema | A third path for AI beyond the US-China binary
Blogs / Substacks
News
Reuters | Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show
Quantum Zeitgeist | Philippine Expert Advocates Culturally-Responsive AI in Education
Union of Catholic Asian News | Korean Bishop: AI should benefit everyone, not just the few
The Nation | Thailand’s digital competitiveness declines: urgent reform needed to adapt to AI era
The Nation | WEF president warns of potential global economic bubbles in AI, public debt, and cryptocurrency
France24 | Concentration of corporate power a ‘huge’ concern: UN rights chief
The Sun Malaysia | UN rights chief warns of unregulated tech giants’ power
Bangkok Post | Thailand tightens mobile banking transfer limits
Jerusalem Post | Singapore to field Israeli Hermes 900 drones with 36 hour endurance
CNN | Two of China’s most popular gay dating apps have disappeared from app stores
Reports
Md Tasin Abir, Arpita Chowdhury, Ashfia Rahman | Monsoon Uprising in Bangladesh: how Facebook shaped collective identity
Australian Strategic Policy Institute | In whose tech we trust: Part 1- Mapping Indo-Pacific security approaches to foreign owned, controlled or influenced technology (pdf)
BBC | Tim Berners-Lee: The man who dreamed of the world wide web
International IDEA | Amazonian Climate Deliberation: Insights from three citizen assemblies on climate finance held ahead of COP30
Government / UN Announcements
OHCHR Special Procedures | Malaysia: UN experts call for Thanakorn Sinsanoi’s release
Podcasts/Webinars
Straight Talk Southeast Asia | EP114: AI Governance in Southeast Asia with Michael Bąk