A Retreat from Accountability
Where now for the truth?
In addition to this newsletter, I recommend some other great ones. All free. Check them out here.
Friends,
Last week I sent you some recommended reports. Apart from my own report, the next highest clicked link was the best TV shows to watch. On closer inspection, I had pasted the link incorrectly. So here is the link for the next big thing or check out and share the full corrected list with your peers
On further review and suggestion, I have some more of the same. These reports and lists are worth going through and reviewing:
10 Big Predictions for 2025 - MG Siegler (Spyglass)
10 Breakthrough Technologies - MIT Technology Review
The Incredible, World-Altering ‘Black Swan’ Events That Could Upend Life in 2025 - Politico
What will happen in 2025 - Fred Wilson AVC
Seven Predictions for Tech in 2025 - Alex Kantrowitz
15 tech trends to watch closely in 2025 - CB Insights
2025 Predictions - Tomasz Tunguz
10 Big Themes for 2025 - Amy Webb / Future Today Institute
25 Predictions for 2025 - Rex Woodbury
2025 Predictions - Scott Galloway
You can also check out the previous 15 reports/resources I recommended last week.
But onto this week. I wanted to say a little about free speech and misinformation because it’s bugging me. A lot.
The announcement by Meta to dismantle its fact-checking programme and roll back restrictions on content moderation marks a watershed moment in the digital age. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, now joins Elon Musk’s X [f.k.a. Twitter] in championing “free speech absolutism,” shifting the burden of truth from platforms to users. The implications for free speech, truth, and democracy go far beyond Silicon Valley and are set to ripple across the globe. For individuals worldwide, this affects how we perceive and engage with online information. It forces a heightened sense of vigilance about what to trust. Personally, I’ll need to be way more circumspect in my acceptance of what I’m reading.
At first glance, these moves appear to be a victory for free expression, reclaiming the internet’s original promise of unfiltered dialogue. But scratch beneath the surface, and this shift signals something more troubling: a retreat from accountability. Social media platforms have become modern public squares, yet they are now abandoning their role as stewards of civil discourse. Instead, they are leaving the task of discerning fact from fiction to algorithms and “community-driven” systems.
The removal of fact-checking systems, which many have come to rely on, presents a pressing issue: how can people discern the truth? Without robust systems to counter misinformation, we are left to navigate an increasingly polluted information ecosystem. Algorithms that prioritise engagement over accuracy are likely to amplify the loudest and often most divisive voices. This is not hypothetical - We have already witnessed how unchecked disinformation campaigns, such as election interference in the US or vaccine-related conspiracy theories, have destabilised democracies and undermined public health.
The stakes are even higher in authoritarian regimes and fragile democracies. In nations where press freedoms are under siege, social media platforms often serve as the last refuge for dissenting voices. In countries like Myanmar, disinformation on social platforms has been linked to ethnic violence, while in authoritarian regimes like Russia and Iran, platforms are manipulated for propaganda. Yet, as companies like Meta cede responsibility for content moderation, these spaces risk becoming arenas for state-sponsored propaganda and targeted harassment. Without safeguards, the platforms themselves could become tools of oppression.
The divergence between the U.S. and Europe on content moderation underscores an emerging fault line. While American companies scale back restrictions, the European Union is doubling down on accountability with its Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes stricter regulations on harmful content. This raises the question: Will the internet fragment into regional spheres of influence, each governed by distinct legal frameworks, AI models, and cultural norms?
For users, this fragmentation will create an experience where the same post may be deemed acceptable in one jurisdiction but banned in another. This inconsistency risks deepening the information inequality between nations with robust protections against harmful content and those without.
But what does free speech really mean in 2025? The debate around free speech in the digital age is often framed in absolutist terms, but free speech has never been an unfettered right. Democracies place limits on hate speech, incitement, and defamation precisely because words have consequences. By withdrawing from content moderation, platforms are effectively redefining free speech to mean speech without responsibility.
The result is a absurd contradiction: the very freedoms these platforms claim to protect may ultimately be eroded by their unwillingness to intervene. When harmful content silences marginalised voices or sows mistrust in institutions, the marketplace of ideas ceases to function. In this sense, free speech without moderation risks becoming a weapon against itself. This presents a dangerous irony.
The way forward requires recalibration of responsibilities. Social media companies must act as custodians of digital public spaces, absorbing the political and financial costs of moderation, while governments must enact thoughtful regulations that protect free speech without stifling dissent. Governments, too, have a role to play, but they must tread carefully to avoid overreaching that could stifle legitimate dissent - which is the point of free speech.
At the same time, users need to become more discerning. Digital literacy must become as fundamental as traditional literacy, equipping individuals to critically evaluate the content they consume and share. But this is not a substitute for institutional action. The scale of the problem demands systemic solutions, one that now X and Meta are now abstaining from.
We stand at a fork in the road. The choices made by tech platforms today will shape the future of free speech and the make-up of our societies. Allowing the digital public square to become a battleground for the loudest and most harmful voices will erode trust, fracture communities, and weaken democracies. Free speech is not merely the right to speak - it is the creation of spaces where all voices can be heard. It allows me to write this newsletter, but it allows you to disagree with me. This vision is worth fighting for, and the fight begins with holding platforms to account.
Stay Curious - and don’t forget to be amazing,
Here are my recommendations for this week:
One of the best tools to provide excellent reading and articles for your week is Refind. It’s a great tool for keeping ahead with “brain food” relevant to you and providing serendipity for some excellent articles that you may have missed. You can dip in and sign up for weekly, daily or something in between -what’s guaranteed is that the algorithm sends you only the best articles in your chosen area. It’s also free. Highly recommended Sign up.
Now
The Future of Jobs Report: Must read. We are as far away from 2030 as we are from when the pandemic started in 2020. Yet the Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum paints a very different paint a very different world in 2030 from where we are today. Yes, the AI jobs are likely to be prominent. 170M new jobs by 2030, but 92M will be displaced. Is your job on the list, or do you need to reskill? Also: 200,000 Wall Street Jobs May Be Slashed By Artificial Intelligence
What We Know About HMPV, the Common Virus Spreading in China - While cases are climbing in China, the situation is very different from what it was when Covid-19 emerged five years ago, medical experts say. HMPV has circulated in humans for decades.
7 Strategies to Strengthen Your Relationships in 2025 - These tips can help you fortify your friendships and romantic partnerships in the year ahead.
Ozempic economics: How GLP-1s will disrupt the economy in 2025
Weight loss drugs are saving lives, shrinking waistlines and shaking up the economy - including killing the value of alcohol companies.
Research: Consumers Don’t Want AI to Seem Human - As AI becomes increasingly human-like in voice and appearance, new research suggests this approach may backfire, leading to inflated expectations, user frustration, and even discomfort. Instead of anthropomorphizing AI, emphasizing the human expertise behind its development, such as showcasing the role of educators, doctors, or data scientists, boosts consumer trust and acceptance. Highlighting human contributions not only improves perceived usefulness but also reframes AI as a tool crafted by and for humans, fostering collaboration and ethical practices. This strategy offers businesses a unique competitive edge while addressing consumer concerns about transparency and authenticity. Semi related: The pushback on influencers
Next
Sam Altman on ChatGPT’s First Two Years, Elon Musk and AI Under Trump
An interview with the OpenAI co-founder. - Sam Altman reflects on the meteoric rise of ChatGPT, the challenges of scaling a groundbreaking technology, and the internal conflicts that briefly ousted him as CEO in 2023. Altman recounts OpenAI’s origins, driven by a bold bet on artificial general intelligence (AGI), and how its once-heretical vision now dominates the AI landscape. He discusses the complexities of balancing corporate growth with research integrity, addressing safety concerns, and navigating political pressures, including his support for Trump’s presidency to foster U.S. leadership in AI infrastructure. Amid lawsuits, industry rivalries, and the pursuit of superintelligence, Altman remains focused on ensuring AI’s development benefits humanity while weathering the intense personal and professional pressures of leading one of the world’s most influential tech companies. Reflections from Sam Altman’s Blog
CRISPR Baby 2.0? Controversial Simulation Touts Benefits of Gene Editing Embryos - Scientists are grappling with the implications of a CRISPR-baby world. The controversial prospect of germline gene editing is back in the spotlight, with a new simulation suggesting it could slash disease risk by editing protective genetic variants into embryos. While CRISPR-based therapies are revolutionising treatment for inherited diseases like sickle cell anaemia, altering embryos remains fraught with ethical and societal concerns. Critics argue that such technology, which could potentially eliminate hereditary conditions, also risks crossing into “designer baby” territory and creating unintended generational consequences. With embryo editing still decades away, scientists are urging caution, highlighting the high stakes of permanently altering human DNA, even as some push the boundaries of what’s scientifically and ethically possible.
AI means the end of internet search as we’ve known it. Despite fewer clicks, copyright fights, and sometimes iffy answers, AI could unlock new ways to summon all the world’s knowledge. The era of internet search is undergoing a seismic shift, as conversational AI transforms how we seek information. Generative AI models, like Google’s AI Overviews and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are replacing keyword searches and lists of links with natural language answers synthesised from vast online data. This promises a more intuitive and personalised experience, enabling queries as complex as trip planning or identifying wildlife. However, it raises serious challenges, from copyright disputes with publishers to the risk of misinformation, as AI models can fabricate answers or misunderstand context. While heralding a future of more interactive and dynamic search, this evolution leaves traditional web traffic - and the trustworthiness of online information on uncertain ground.
Nvidia’s $3,000 ‘Personal AI Supercomputer’ Will Let You Ditch the Data Center
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also announced new AI tools for creating autonomous agents during a keynote address at CES. See Video above. also: Not just chips
CES: All the news
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Rahim, thanks as always for your excellent selection and insights. Re: news and accountability, my humble opinion is that mainstream information outlets have long lost much of their credibility and cannot be representative of objective and impartial reporting. They are clearly at the mercy of the narratives that those who own them prescribe them to follow.
It is only good for society and individuals alike to learn how to discern, critically analyze and evaluate what and who is be trusted, rather than to relinquish such abilities to a third party institution which do not clearly have our individual interests at heart.