Avantika Chilkoti, an International correspondent for The Economist, provides a gripping analysis of the dire situation for women in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power. She discusses the ongoing protests for girls' education amidst severe oppression and economic hardships. The conversation also highlights the international community's challenge in providing aid without empowering the Taliban. Additionally, trends in augmented and virtual reality emerge as cutting-edge topics, showcasing the tech world's search for new frontiers. It’s a blend of courage, struggle, and technological innovation.
When the Taliban resumed power, there were hopes that women might not be as excluded, repressed and abused as they were previously. Those hopes have faded. As smartphone sales plateau, tech giants are furiously searching for new platforms to conquer. Augmented and virtual reality are the new battlefields. And the rise of giga-everything: how the scale of science drives linguistic innovation. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer