How a recent initiative of OpenAI seeks to strengthen democracies
State of Play: OpenAI announced its "OpenAI for Countries" initiative, aimed at partnering with nations to build AI infrastructure rooted in democratic values. Unveiled as part of the broader Stargate project, launched with Oracle and SoftBank earlier this year, this initiative is designed to secure sovereign data centers across the globe. These facilities will power localized versions of ChatGPT, with a specific focus on enhancing healthcare, education, and public services. The project aims to offer countries local sovereignty over data and the ability to partner with OpenAI on a fund to help seed a "national AI ecosystem" by backing local startups.
Why it Matters: OpenAI’s global expansion represents a strategic move to entrench democratic principles in AI deployment, offering nations an alternative to authoritarian models. The initiative is also intended to align with the Trump Administration's objective of securing U.S. dominance in the global race for AI leadership against China.
LinkedIn's strategic ascent in the creator economy
State of Play: LinkedIn is swiftly emerging as a powerhouse in the creator economy, driven by a surge in B2B influencer marketing and increased ad spending from brands. LinkedIn's influence spans three main types of creators: mainstream celebrities, cross-platform influencers, and LinkedIn-native business personalities.
Why it Matters: Executives and industry leaders view LinkedIn as a prime platform for sharing insights, engaging in key business discussions, and showcasing expertise directly to a professional audience. The platform’s growing B2B influencer ecosystem allows corporates to collaborate more efficiently with trusted voices, amplifying their messages and strengthening connections with industry stakeholders. The shift from passive posting to paid influence means thought leadership is now measurable, monetizable, and central to brand strategy.
Scammers use deepfake of ex-Fidelity manager Anthony Bolton
State of Play: Former Fidelity fund manager Anthony Bolton has been impersonated in a deepfake video circulating on Instagram, where scammers use his likeness to promote a WhatsApp group for stock tips. The video claims Bolton shares daily investment advice and promises high returns, despite him retiring from Fidelity in 2014. Fidelity International has confirmed the video is fake and has no connection to the firm.
Why it Matters: The incident highlights the growing threat of AI-driven scams in the financial sector. With deepfakes becoming more realistic, investors are increasingly at risk of being misled by fraudulent schemes that mimic trusted figures. Financial institutions are now facing new challenges in combating these sophisticated cyber threats.
US-China trade deal could unlock TikTok's U.S. future
State of Play: The U.S. and China have agreed to reduce tariffs, easing trade tensions and potentially reviving stalled negotiations for TikTok’s sale to a U.S. entity. With a deadline set for June under President Trump's executive order, TikTok must comply with the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, requiring foreign ownership to be under 20% and algorithm control relinquished. Oracle remains the leading candidate for the acquisition.
Why it Matters: This development could finally bring clarity for TikTok’s 150 million U.S. users who have faced uncertainty since the sell-off bill was approved. A successful deal would not only stabilize TikTok’s presence in America but also set the stage for future tech negotiations between the U.S. and China.
Wikimedia Foundation faces increasing pressure in the U.S.
State of Play: The Wikimedia Foundation, behind Wikipedia, is under attack from conservative groups and figures like Elon Musk and prosecutor Ed Martin. They have criticized Wikipedia's credibility, accusing it of political bias and questioning its nonprofit status. Martin has threatened to revoke the Foundation’s tax-exempt status, which would impact its funding. Musk has also called for a donation boycott.
Why it Matters: These attacks on Wikipedia, a widely trusted platform, highlight the growing challenges facing independent institutions in a politically charged environment. The potential loss of nonprofit status would affect its financial stability, which relies heavily on donations. This situation reflects broader concerns about the future of free knowledge platforms.
Substack sees surge in subscribers after prominent authors join
State of Play: Substack added over 1 million new subscribers since Donald Trump's election win, pushing its total to 5 million by March. The platform's growth has been driven by high-profile content creators like Jim Acosta and the expansion of political voices, including the US Department of State under Marco Rubio. Substack’s focus on direct-to-audience journalism has also attracted journalists leaving traditional media outlets.
Why it Matters: Substack's rapid growth reflects a broader shift towards creator-led journalism, bypassing traditional media channels. With more than 50,000 publishers earning revenue and multimedia offerings expanding, Substack is positioning itself as a key player in independent media. Despite several acquisition offers, including one from Elon Musk, Substack remains committed to staying independent.
