This report examines the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability transitions, detailing opportunities and risks across environment, energy, labour, finance, and democracy. It proposes a three-layered governance framework and a phased roadmap for global scientific alignment, interim safety measures, and a binding international framework convention to ensure societal well-being.

This research investigates the demand for explainable AI in high-stakes credit settings. It finds that decision-makers strategically avoid explanations that reveal racial or gender bias to preserve moral wiggle room. Additionally, behavioural biases cause individuals to undervalue explanations even when they complement private information and improve decision accuracy.

This research examines how technological standardisation commoditises labour by making workers interchangeable. It develops a model showing that while this process increases productivity, it simultaneously reduces worker bargaining power and wages. This framework explains the declining large-firm wage premium and the divergence between productivity and pay in services.

This report examines the hidden human costs of content moderation and data labelling in Colombia, Kenya, and the Philippines. It details systemic physical, psychological, and economic harms caused by lead firm power, informal employment, and intense target pressure, while identifying significant barriers to corporate accountability and worker rights.

This IPPR paper examines how social media platforms have shifted from user-led spaces to algorithm-driven, influencer-dominated environments through 'sticky gatekeeping'. A UK survey found only 18 per cent of feed posts were personal content. The report recommends regulatory reform, algorithmic transparency, and development of a public social media platform.

This Chatham House paper examines four trends — rising defence and dual-use investment, the growth of 'patriotic tech', the push for sovereign AI, and concerns over an AI valuation bubble — that could multipolarise the global AI race, and offers recommendations for private sector preparedness.

The 2025 RDR Index Big Tech Edition ranks 14 major technology companies on governance, freedom of expression, and privacy. Microsoft leads overall with 50%, followed by Alphabet at 49% and Meta at 47%. Scores are also assessed across eight thematic lenses, including algorithmic transparency, security, and targeted advertising.

Ranking Digital Rights' 2026 Telco Giants Edition scores 12 major telecom companies on governance, freedom of expression, and privacy. Telefónica leads overall with 57%, while Ooredoo ranks lowest at 14%. Historical data from 2017 to 2026 shows varied progress, with scores dipping in 2020 due to new indicators.

This report assesses tech firms' responses to regulatory demands for improved online child safety. Despite new duties, children remain exposed to harmful content via personalised feeds. While some platforms committed to enhanced age assurance and grooming protections, further action is required to enforce minimum age policies effectively.

This report examines the impact of digital innovation on financial health. It outlines opportunities in payments, credit, savings, and insurance, whilst highlighting emerging risks such as fraud, overindebtedness, and ill-suited investments. The authors propose policy responses to enhance regulatory frameworks and promote responsible digitalisation in financial services.

This report proposes a rigorous framework for third-party auditing of frontier AI systems to verify safety and security claims. Addressing the opacity of current self-assessments, it advocates for structured AI Assurance Levels, deep access to non-public information, and continuous monitoring to enable confident deployment and standardisation across the industry.

This report outlines a framework for European governments to steer artificial intelligence towards public value rather than just accelerating sector growth. It recommends implementing AI directionism by targeting high-impact uses, preparing priority sectors for adoption, curbing big tech monopolies, and ensuring the economic benefits are broadly shared.

ILO research finds AI-driven workplace surveillance and reduced employee autonomy may heighten psychosocial risks, including stress, privacy concerns and work intensification. The paper highlights gaps in occupational safety frameworks and calls for integrated regulation covering labour rights, data protection and mental wellbeing.

Briefing paper outlining AI investment opportunities alongside systemic risks including bias, privacy, workforce disruption and environmental impacts. It highlights governance frameworks, due diligence tools and investor engagement strategies to support responsible AI investment practices and long-term portfolio resilience.

The report evaluates eight generative AI search tools and finds widespread problems in accurately citing news sources. Many systems fabricate or misattribute links, ignore publisher restrictions and provide confident but incorrect answers, raising concerns about information reliability, publisher traffic loss and the transparency of AI-generated search results.

Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) is a media analysis and journalism review publication produced by Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Founded in 1961, CJR examines news industry trends, press freedom, and media ethics, providing reporting, commentary, and criticism to help journalists and media professionals understand developments shaping global journalism.