The Intelligence from The Economist
A tax or attacks: how the Houthis fund themselves
Jan 22, 2025
Join Corbyn Duncan, Global correspondent at The Economist, as he delves into how Houthi rebels are exploiting shipping routes in Yemen, highlighting the implications for world trade. Ore Ogunbiyi, an Africa correspondent, shares insights from a Ghanaian rum distillery, revealing its role in revitalizing the local economy. Meanwhile, Alex Hearn discusses the escalating AI race between the U.S. and China, showcasing China's cost-effective innovations that are narrowing the technological gap. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of these global dynamics!
22:50
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Quick takeaways
- The Houthi militia's extortion tactics for safe passage in the Red Sea are significantly disrupting global trade and increasing shipping costs.
- China's rapid advancements in artificial intelligence pose a competitive threat to the United States, especially with the emergence of sophisticated large language models.
Deep dives
China's Rapid Advancement in AI
China is rapidly closing the gap with the United States in artificial intelligence, demonstrating significant advancements at a lower cost. Recent changes in regulations have allowed Chinese companies to develop large language models (LLMs) that rival those from leading American firms. For instance, Alibaba's Quen chatbot has evolved impressively, becoming one of the best chatbots worldwide within a year. This swift progress is causing concern in Western countries, as they scramble to maintain their technological edge amidst competitive pressure from Chinese innovations.
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