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Shared Sovereignty for Shared Data: A Middle East Vision for Europe’s Digital Future
Europe is trying to build a single market for data at the very moment when cities and ministries across the Middle East are scaling cloud infrastructure, national digital IDs, smart mobility, and AI‑enabled public services. From the Gulf to the Levant, large projects in health, energy, logistics, environment, and finance all depend on reliable data flows and trustworthy AI. What Europe decides now will travel through standards, procurement rules, and supply chains, shaping ho

afkar collective
Dec 24, 20254 min read


The Flotilla and the Fracture: An Ecosystemic Reading of Maritime Aggression
The interception of the Sumud Flotilla in international waters is more than a violation of maritime law; it is a rupture in our ethical order. From an ecosystemic view, this event is a node in a vast, oppressive network.

afkar collective
Oct 2, 20254 min read


Circular Waste Systems for Urban Resilience: The Dangers of Linear Waste Systems and how Circular Models Address Those Needs
In the face of escalating climate threats and environmental degradation, the way we manage waste has become a defining issue for urban resilience. A new report, Circular Waste Systems for Urban Resilience, produced by Leading Cities and the Afkar Collective, offers a compelling examination of how circular models can address the urgent shortcomings of our current linear systems. Authored by Domenic R. Brown, the report invites readers to rethink the very foundations of waste m

afkar collective
Oct 2, 20252 min read


Apathy as Abandonment: When Disconnection Becomes the Default
Apathy is not just a lack of feeling—it’s a mechanism of abandonment. In societies where your skin isn’t in the game, disengagement becomes the norm. But this distance is rarely innocent. It’s structured, rewarded, and often complicit in sustaining injustice. What would it mean to resist apathy—not just emotionally, but politically? To stay with the discomfort, even when you could look away?

afkar collective
Aug 22, 20252 min read


The Role of Hyperobjects in Today’s International Landscape
Hyperobjects like climate change and digital networks are vast, interconnected forces that shape our world.

afkar collective
Jul 27, 20253 min read


The Silent Saboteur: How Data Poisoning Exploits AI’s Legal Black Holes
Data poisoning poses huge AI risks with legal gaps. Urgent technical and policy actions are needed to secure AI systems globally.

afkar collective
Jul 10, 20253 min read


With Nature at the center of decision-making
With Nature at the center of decision-making, it is part of the series of white papers from the Manuel Ballbé Chair of Human Security and Global Law.

afkar collective
Jul 1, 20252 min read


The Unreal Reality: How Hypernormalization Silently Shapes Our Western World
Hypernormalization shapes our world through illusions and distraction, making us accept a fragile system. It relies on technocratic control, manufactured distractions, and the myth of no alternatives. To break free, we must name the phenomenon, embrace local action, and reclaim agency—showing that, despite the narrative of powerlessness, real change is possible through collective resistance.

afkar collective
Jun 24, 20253 min read


The Urgent Need for Global Environmental Data Federalization
Urgent call for global environmental data sharing to tackle ecological crises and harmonize conservation efforts worldwide.

afkar collective
Apr 30, 20252 min read


Beyond the Hashtag: How Labeling Social Issues Distracts Us from Real Change
Labels simplify complex issues, but true change demands we look deeper. Beyond hashtags lies the work of systemic reform.

afkar collective
Mar 25, 20252 min read


Why LLMs Fail in Critical Infrastructure – The Case for Physics-Driven AI
LLMs lack domain-specific grounding for critical infrastructure. Physics-driven AI integrates real-world principles.

afkar collective
Mar 17, 20253 min read


Embracing Uncertainty: An Ecosystemic Approach to Navigating Complex Times
Embrace uncertainty: Ecosystemic thinking offers a path to navigate complexity, fostering resilience in an unpredictable world.

afkar collective
Mar 12, 20252 min read


The Hidden Environmental Cost of U.S. Tariffs—And How to Fix It
Tariffs reshape industries, impacting climate change. From steel to solar, they can accelerate or undermine green progress.

afkar collective
Mar 4, 20254 min read


From Coal to Code: How Data Federalization Could Redraw the Map of European Governance
EU's history offers a blueprint for data federalization, transforming fragmented data into a shared resource for global challenges

afkar collective
Feb 28, 20253 min read


The Promise and Peril of Planetary-Scale Data Integration
Planetary data integration promises global insights but faces ethical hurdles. Balancing tech and diversity is key

afkar collective
Feb 19, 20254 min read


When artificial intelligence begins to reason
DeepSeek introduces deep reasoning in AI, challenging human cognitive supremacy with its innovative R1 model.

afkar collective
Feb 17, 20253 min read


The Militarization of AI: Navigating the New Frontier
Exploring the militarization of AI reveals ethical dilemmas, global governance challenges, and the urgent need for accountability.

afkar collective
Feb 13, 20256 min read


The Energy Race within AI Development
AI's energy demand sparks a shift to nuclear and renewables, challenging sustainability and tech goals.

afkar collective
Feb 11, 20252 min read


Echoes of Eternity: Understanding the Assumption of Permanence in Digital Interactions
Explore the impact of digital permanence and individual agency in the age of AI, drawing insights from philosophy.

afkar collective
Feb 3, 20254 min read


Mitigating Data Poisoning Threats in AI Systems: A Critical Imperative
AI data poisoning: A critical threat. Protect system integrity with robust detection and mitigation strategies.

afkar collective
Jan 28, 20252 min read
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