TAI Weekly

TAI Weekly|Does AI give authoritarians an advantage?

By TAI (Role at TAI)
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TAI Weekly

What's New

The Global Corruption Busters report reveals that while the UK's International Corruption Unit does important work, particularly regarding UK companies’ actions abroad, it only scratches the surface of what’s needed. Among the recommendations, a call to ensure that aid-funded enforcement prioritises action against UK professional enablers that facilitate the laundering and hiding of corrupt money from developing countries. (We identified the same need in our scoping last year of opportunities to defend democracy from illicit finance and kelptocrats.)

As Yemen's civil war enters its tenth year, independent media in the country struggles to survive amidst mounting challenges. Khaled Ali reports on the dire state of press freedom and the efforts of journalists to keep the truth alive despite immense risks and limited resources.

Ayodeji Rotinwa sheds light on the growing frustration with Nigeria’s End Bad Governance protests. Despite widespread discontent with fiscal policies, the government in Abuja appears able to ignore the voices of the people. Rotinwa argues for a more responsive and accountable approach.

Joris Larik, Richard Ponzio, and Asena Johnson advocate for a Biennial UN-G20+ Summit to address global economic, social, and environmental governance challenges. The model aims to create a more coherent and effective approach to managing these critical issues.

The "Makes Total Sense" campaign, featuring YouTuber Max Klymenko highlights the need for increased development finance. British public responses reflect a strong understanding of the importance of overseas investment in development and climate action.

A new piece on Just Security argues that the United States needs a comprehensive strategy to address state capture. 

Global Witness’ Missing Voices report and campaign highlights the violence faced by land and environmental defenders and calls for greater recognition and protection of their efforts.

Aki Nishio of the World Bank lays out the International Development Association's (IDA) renewed attention to partnering with civil society organizations, and acknowledges the need for greater transparency and accountability of IDA financing. Read the take of our ED Michael Jarvis, who argues that true partnerships must go beyond consultation.

From Our Members

CHANDLER FOUNDATION: Tim Hanstad, former CEO and current Vice-Chair of the Chandler Foundation, argues in Stanford Social Innovation Review that strategic philanthropy should expand globally and prioritize investments in good governance. He emphasizes that improving governance is key to achieving sustainable social impact and long-term development outcomes.

MACARTHUR FOUNDATION: Save the date! On Tuesday, October 1, they will announce the 2024 MacArthur Fellows. Sign up for their newsletter to be one of the first to receive the news.

PACKARD FOUNDATION: is one of the key supporters of the Forests, People, Climate initiative that partners with funders and civil society organizations to end and reverse deforestation in tropical forests. Learn more about the Knasaimos, Tehit Mlaqya, and Nakin Onim Fayas Indigenous communities and their recent landmark victories. 

FORD FOUNDATION: President Darren Walker draws lessons from the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald, first social justice philanthropist. 

Essential Watching!

If you missed the 21st Anti-Corruption Conference (#IACC2024) in Lithuania last June, you can now catch up on all the session recordings here. This includes the workshop where TAI spoke on innovations to limit climate-related corruption. 

Tools and Trends for Funders

Chandrika Sahai worries that philanthropy has a blind spot that fuels inauthenticity and calls for radically new approaches focused on connection, compassion, and healing. The author advocates for strategies that restore human dignity and address the deeper needs of communities.

Demystifying philanthropy can help boost its effectiveness. TAI was glad to present at the VII International Colloquium on Traditional People and Communities in Montes Claros, Brazil, last week in a session covering challenges, financing options, and strategies for building trust through transparency and accountability.

Latanya Mapp, the new CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, emphasizes the importance of community and flexible funding in philanthropy. She also addresses where the sector has been lacking and how it needs to adapt to better meet current challenges.

Sampriti Ganguli highlights three crucial principles for funders and intermediaries from the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s Bridging the Gap. For more on this topic, see Philanthropy Dialogues on intermediaries in the Global South, supported by the Oak Foundation.

Essential Reading! 

Mark Robinson and Maja de Stibe explore the critical role of governance in ensuring a fair energy transition. Their new paper analyzes the challenges of corruption and governance risks in the renewable energy sector and provides recommendations for industry collaboration to address these issues, drawing on lessons from the extractive sector. 

TAI is pleased to partner with the Basel Institute on Governance to host a session to discuss implications during New York Climate Week.

Focused Topic of the Week

Autocrats, Power, and Information

The growing capabilities of surveillance technologies in authoritarian regimes, the contentious dynamics between tech companies and governments, the need for oversight of covert surveillance practices, and the protection of women in public debate all underscore the intricate and often troubling relationship between power and information in today’s global landscape.

Angela Huyue Zhang’s exploration of the extensive use of domestic surveillance in non-democratic regimes reveals how these technologies provide a competitive edge by enabling extensive monitoring and control. The reliance on artificial intelligence for surveillance not only strengthens authoritarian control but also raises profound ethical concerns regarding privacy and individual freedom.

The broader implications of this trend are vividly illustrated by the recent suspension of X in Brazil. This incident highlights the ongoing clash between tech giants and governments over the regulation of online content. As governments attempt to impose regulations, a significant power struggle unfolds, raising critical questions about user safety, freedom of speech, and the future of democracy in the digital age. The debate is emblematic of the larger conflict between maintaining state control and safeguarding democratic values in an increasingly digital world.

In parallel, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information in Georgia has published a report on covert surveillance, underscoring the urgent need for robust oversight mechanisms. Authors advocate for strong accountability measures to ensure that security and justice sectors adhere to democratic principles and human rights. 

Compounding these challenges is the issue of online violence, particularly against women in public debate. Colombian President Gustavo Petro is just the latest to contribute to this trend with comments targeting women journalists. Emmanuel Vargas Penagos’s analysis emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive protective measures to address online violence and support women who are increasingly targeted in their professional and public roles. The Constitutional Court of Colombia’s recent mandate to combat this violence reflects an urgent call for action to safeguard those advocating for transparency and justice.

Essential Watching!

The upcoming docuseries Illicit Economies of the Shadowverse: The Dark Forces Shaping the Global Underworld provides an in-depth look at illicit networks that pose significant threats to global markets, the rule of law, and democratic institutions. 

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