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The monumental film of “The Odyssey” which portrays the legendary homeward journey of King Odysseus of Ithaca after the Trojan war, has hit the silver screen in the Gulf, the region and across the world.
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This year’s Forbes business magazine “Global 2000” list tells us a lot about the interrelationship between big business and geopolitics in today’s world. Now in its 24th year, this annual report, published in late June and updated in mid-July, ranks the world’s largest public companies based on sales, profits, assets and market value. Banking, tech and energy dominate the top 10 (6 financial institutions, 3 tech firms and 1 energy company). Together the 2000 corporations on this list account for $56tn in annual revenues (total sales), roughly 45% of the total global economy. Their combined market capitalisation (total value) stands at $121.9tn and they make trillions in yearly profits. The annual revenues and market capitalisation of some of these corporations dwarf the GDPs of many countries. Amazon revenues exceeded the GDPs of Switzerland and Poland; Apple generated bigger revenues than the GDPs of Malaysia and Singapore. The chipmaker NVIDIA has a market valuation larger than the GDPs of Japan, India and the UK; the market valuation of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), is bigger than the combined GDPs of 38 African nations. Admittedly, comparing GDP and revenues or market capitalisation is not an exact measure of economic power. It also raises some anomalies. The Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk, the maker of the weight-loss drug Ozempic, has a market capitalization greater than the GDP of its home country. Nevertheless, the “Global 2000” list does effectively show the staggering concentration of wealth that drives the power of global multinationals. It is also a testament to how much these multinationals feed into geoeconomic and geopolitical power. American and Chinese companies account for 933 of the 2000 companies on the list (593 for the US and 340 for China). They also account for 9 of the top 10 companies (6 American and 3 Chinese). The Saudi energy giant, ARAMCO, completes the top 10. The rise of multinationals can be traced back to three interrelated processes. The first is the unprecedented rise in economic interdependence in the decades after the Second World War. In Southeast Asia, for example, this was the result of the spread of ethnic Chinese business networks and the growth and expansion of, primarily, Japanese multinational corporations in the 1950s and 1960s. Today Japan has the third most corporations on the Forbes list. The second is globalisation, which includes rising economic interdependence alongside deeper cross-border political, social and cultural ties. The third is the transformation of technology from a product you sell into a tool used to scale and dominate. Software, for example, can be distributed globally in seconds at nearly zero add-on cost. Digital platforms get stronger as they expand internationally, often crushing local competitors in the process (think Uber or Airbnb). Tech-giants and other major multinational corporations have combined these advantages and their vast financial resources to gain influence all over the world. They do so by offering recipient countries coveted foreign direct investment that brings jobs, taxes and prestige. They also promote their interests through political lobbying and “jurisdiction shopping”, whereby they benefit from local concerns that they will take their business and investments elsewhere unless they get priveleged terms. In one of the most famous cases, Ireland fought a European Union order to collect over $14bn in back taxes from Apple out of fear that if it took the money tech-giants would abandon the country. But the actual influence of these corporations goes far beyond these very visible activities. They play a role in almost all our day-to-day activities. Every time we use a bank, a hospital or engage with a government ministry we are dependent on the smooth running of Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), and Google Cloud. A whole host of other corporations beyond tech shape consumer behaviour, employment trends and urban and rural landscapes in both positive and negative ways. This influence provides CEOs a global platform to promote their own political, cultural and ideological views. This was evident in the very public feud between former UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Elon Musk. On several occasions before he left office this month, Starmer accused Musk of interfering in British politics and of spreading lies and misinformation. Recent geopolitical events – the Ukraine war, the Trump tariffs, the Iran-US conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – highlight something else: in an interconnected global system localised shocks never remain local. The same factors that make multinationals such important global players – economic interdependence, globalisation and technology – make them more vulnerable than ever to instability, insecurity and disorder. Apple products are designed in California, but they are manufactured by more than 150 suppliers all over the world. Social unrest in any of these locations can have a very detrimental impact. So can a cyber-attack on critical infrastructure in an important supplier country. The fact that geopolitics, commerce and technology are so bound together makes it increasingly difficult for corporations to treat the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing or logistics as apolitical endeavours. In one recent case, 80% of CEOs polled after the introduction of tariffs by the White House last year said that the result would be widespread disruptions and the need for alternative supply chains. As one seasoned observer of corporate life recently summed up: “For CEOs, never before has there been so much emphasis on having to be close to what’s happening politically.....I think that CEOs in the past...assumed that the world would want what they could offer.” The most recent World Economic Forum Global Risks Report ranks geoeconomic competition alongside armed conflicts between states as the main sources of future instability. This raises another challenge for multinational corporations who risk getting caught in the crossfire of great power competition. It also underscores another, no less important, point: despite the size and influence of multinational corporations, we still live in a world dominated by the decisions of powerful sovereign nation states. Not even the mega-corporations on this year’s Forbes “Global 2000” list are immune from this reality. The writer is Professor of International Politics and Director of the Small States and Energy Studies Programs at Georgetown Univeristy in Qatar@RoryDavidMiller
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Qatar University’s SafeSignals project deserves recognition because it represents something far more meaningful than a routine technology showcase. As published by Gulf Times yesterday, the device uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, wearable sensors and environmental monitoring to help detect stress and challenging behaviours in children with autism, giving caregivers earlier warning and a better chance to respond in time. That is an important shift. In autism care, the difference between reacting late and intervening early can shape the entire experience of a child, a family and a classroom. SafeSignals appears to be built around that very idea: that distress should be understood before it escalates, and that support should begin with awareness rather than disruption. In that sense, the project is not simply about data. It is about dignity, timing and care. What makes this development especially notable is the way it redefines the role of technology. Artificial intelligence can sound remote or mechanical when discussed in abstract terms, but here it is being used for a deeply human purpose. The aim is not to replace parents, teachers or therapists. It is to strengthen their ability to notice signs they might otherwise miss, particularly when a child’s struggle is expressed through changes in the body rather than obvious outward behaviour. That approach is both practical and compassionate. Many children on the autism spectrum experience sensory overload in ways that are difficult to read in real time. A sudden outburst or meltdown is often the final stage of a buildup that began much earlier. If wearable and environmental sensors can help identify those warning signs, then intervention can become calmer, more targeted and less distressing for everyone involved. That is where the real promise of SafeSignals lies. The project also reflects a wider shift in Qatar’s autism landscape. The country has been placing greater emphasis on support, innovation and long-term planning for people with autism, and this device fits neatly into that direction. It shows that research at Qatar University is not confined to theory or publication. It is being linked to practical needs in healthcare and education, where solutions are most urgently needed. There is also value in the project’s wider ambition. The team has already secured patent protection and is now looking at commercialisation opportunities, which suggests confidence that the system can move beyond the research stage and into real-world use. That is where many promising ideas struggle. A strong prototype is only the beginning. The harder task is building a pathway for adoption, training and affordability so the technology can actually reach families and institutions. That challenge should not be underestimated. Assistive technology has a habit of drawing praise while remaining inaccessible to the people it is meant to help. For SafeSignals to achieve its full value, it will need careful scaling, reliable support and collaboration with healthcare providers, technology firms and investors. It will also need to stay grounded in the needs of children and caregivers rather than the logic of the market alone. Still, the larger message is encouraging. SafeSignals shows that Qatar’s research community is thinking seriously about how innovation can improve lives in visible and lasting ways. It also shows a welcome maturity in the way autism is being approached: not as a narrow medical issue, but as a space where science, empathy and practical support must work together. That is why this development matters. It is not just another example of AI in healthcare. It is a reminder that the best technology is the kind that listens carefully, responds early and helps people care better. In a field where small moments can make a big difference, that may be exactly the kind of progress that counts most.
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Facing a choice between upsetting businesses and a public opinion backlash, the Polish and Hungarian ruling centrists are opting for curbs on foreign labour — something economists warn may hurt the two countries' growth prospects.
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Separate US negotiating tracks for Canada and Mexico are testing a trilateral free trade zone that has defined North America's economy for 32 years, with the US potentially forcing concessions on Canada that Mexico agrees
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I come from India, where cricket has always been more than just a sport—it's a passion. I grew up with the game, playing it extensively during my school and college days in New Delhi. I
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New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a tax cut to ease cost-of-living pressures as he was set to convene his first cabinet meeting on Tuesday. After a day earlier replacing Keir Starmer in Downing
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The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance was held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20. President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote address. Heads of state, heads of government, official representatives, business leaders, scholars and researchers from more than 100 countries and international organisations attended this event. President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony that all countries should uphold the people-centred and progressive concept, make AI an important driving force for promoting common prosperity and safeguarding common security, and jointly build a just and equitable system for global AI governance. During the conference, the signing ceremony of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) was held. As the world’s first intergovernmental international organisation for AI, WAICO aims to support Global South countries in accelerating their AI development and enhancing their comprehensive capabilities in innovation, application and governance. Meanwhile, the National Development and Reform Commission of China released the Action Plan for the Cooperative Development of Artificial Intelligence. This Plan puts forward eight key actions, including high-quality data supply, inclusive intelligent computing power, open-source ecosystem sharing, in-depth empowerment of artificial intelligence, joint cultivation of digital-intelligent talents, co-construction of rules and standards, collaboration on security governance, and the promotion of beneficial AI. These practical measures are designed to strengthen international cooperation in AI, bridge the digital divide, and advance the empowerment of AI for sustainable development. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the inception of AI. AI has emerged as a pivotal driving force behind the new wave of global scientific and technological revolution as well as industrial transformation. China has maintained its position as the world’s largest manufacturing economy for the past 16 years, and become home to the globe’s most comprehensive industrial ecosystem. This has offered AI technologies an exceptionally large volume, broad spectrum and high frequency of application scenarios, a distinct competitive advantage that underpins China’s AI development. China is now at the forefront of steering global AI governance and advancement. In recent years, China has taken concrete actions to work with all parties to promote the formation of a global AI governance system with broad consensus, so that AI can become an international public good that benefits all of humanity. This is mainly manifested in the following: First, we uphold openness and sharing, ensure AI for good. In October 2023, China took the lead in releasing the Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative, which establishes the governance orientation of AI for good, safe and controllable, inclusive and equitable. Under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, this initiative aims to build consensus on cooperation for the global development of AI. China has proposed and implemented the AI Capacity Building for All Initiative and the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative, put forward the Global Action Plan on AI Governance, and advocated for the establishment of WAICO. China has become an active advocate and practitioner in global AI governance, with firm commitment to ensuring that the benefits of intelligent technological development are shared more widely and equitably by people of all countries. A latest and most vivid example of China’s AI initiatives and its international cooperation achievements is that the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference & the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance has reached the highest professional level and industry influence, with over 3,000 exhibits on display and more than 300 products making their global debut. Second, we deepen innovation co-operation and unlock the dividends of intelligence. Technology thrives on openness and flow. The development of AI must not lead to self-imposed technological monopolies, but should always anchor itself to the fundamental goal of enhancing human well-being. China’s AI models are creating opportunities for countries around the world. Until now, the cumulative downloads of China’s open-source large models have exceeded 10bn times, continuously opening up new and larger spaces for global AI innovation and cooperation. At the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 held in Geneva early this month, China fully demonstrated its Chinese wisdom in promoting the benevolent and inclusive development of AI through its cutting-edge technological products, inclusive governance solutions and open cooperation initiatives. Today, China holds 60% of the world’s AI patents, and is working with all parties to elevate the development of AI to a higher level with an all-dimensional opening-up and co-operation. Third, we promote inclusive development and bridge the digital intelligence divide. China’s AI innovations are taking firm root across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and beyond, making farms smarter, factories sharper, and daily life more seamless. This has helped empower Global South nations to build stronger, self-reliant tech capabilities. In these countries, plant protection drones leveraging China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System are widely deployed in field operations to improve harvest efficiency significantly such as farmland mapping, rice sowing and pesticide application. The State Grid Guangming Power Large Model empowers intelligent operation & maintenance of local power grids. It has resolved inspection challenges in complex operating environments. Huawei has rolled out smart railway systems for local lines, cutting safety incident rates and driving greater efficiency in inspection and maintenance workflows. Co-operation in AI between China and the Arab countries enjoys great potentials and broad horizons. We shall seize this historic opportunity, reinforce development strategy alignment, boost AI scientific innovation and scenario-based application, let AI empower all lines of business, extend smart terminals to every household, and share the dividends of AI advancement.
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Data centres account for about 1.5%, or 415 Terawatt-Hours (TWh), of the world’s total annual electricity consumption, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This has grown by 12% over the last five years and is on course to more than double towards 945 TWh by 2030, primarily due to the substantial growth of energy-intensive computing driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. Consequently, over the past year, social concerns around AI have also grown, with data centres serving as a highly visible flashpoint for concerns around energy prices and the environment. Governments worldwide are pushing to attract AI computing infrastructure, but must grapple with data centres’ demands on resources and mounting local opposition. Opposition to data centres from the US to India tends to focus on three major themes: land, power and water. Data centres can occupy vast swathes of land, with Meta’s Prometheus site (the company’s first gigawatt-scale AI supercluster) in Ohio measuring “a significant part of the footprint of Manhattan”. In countries with weaker property protections, some have complained of being shouldered aside in favour of tech construction, including Indian farmers in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Data centres filled with top-of-the-line chips can draw the energy of a city. At 630 megawatts, according to industry tracker Epoch AI, Prometheus is equivalent to around half a million American family homes. Bloomberg News found in a September 2025 analysis that electricity could be as much as 267% more expensive in areas of the US with high concentrations of data centres. And companies’ off-grid generators — such as SpaceXAI’s gas turbines at its Colossus facility in Memphis — have drawn complaints of their own. As the chips get hot while they work, data centres need cooling, mostly using water. While the absolute amount of water used is small — around 0.3% of total supply in the US, according to electronics magazine IEEE Spectrum — many are built in areas already facing high water stress. American campaign group Humans First called for a “national day of protest” against “the unaccountable buildout of data centres” on July 18. Beyond America, campaigners across Europe have challenged data centre projects on grounds from environmental concerns to claims governments have granted undue favours, such as a legal action in Spain’s Aragon region against a massive data centre buildout by Amazon. And in densely-populated Japan, a shortage of space has projects being planned in or near residential neighbourhoods. That has prompted legal action from some residents, such as against a proposed new data centre in Tokyo commuter town Inzai, which already hosts 10 facilities. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to pass laws requiring data centres to feed in to the power grid more than they draw and minimise water usage. To solve the energy challenges, the tech sector is adopting new approaches. It accounted for around 40% of all corporate power purchase agreements for renewables signed in 2025, and is also now a major source of momentum for the nuclear and advanced geothermal industries. For sure, data centres are a vital infrastructure supporting the ever-growing use of cloud storage, social media, AI, and streaming services. But they’re also an increasingly hot topic of the clean transition. Looking forward, policymakers can also have tools on hand to manage affordability issues, including those that encourage the smart integration of data centres into grids and incentivise data centres to operate more flexibly, according to the IEA.
