Reclaiming Cognitive Autonomy in the Age of AI

“As artificial intelligence becomes ever more embedded in our daily tasks, our ability to function independently silently deteriorates.” In this opinion, Cornelia C. Walther warns against agency decay — the erosion of human autonomy through overreliance on AI — and outlines the “A-Frame,” a framework of awareness, appreciation, acceptance and accountability to preserve judgment, creativity and responsibility. Walther argues that cultivating hybrid intelligence, through education, policy and individual practice, is essential to safeguard democratic resilience and human agency in an AI-driven world.

“The world has moved beyond the 20th-century frameworks of alliance and alignment. Today, India seeks convergence without dependence, cooperation without compliance.” In this commentary piece, first published by NDTV, S. Yash Kalash argues that US tariffs reveal a deeper tension: Washington wants India strong enough to counter China, but not as a fully independent pole. In a “quadripolar” world of the United States, China, Russia and India, New Delhi is asserting strategic autonomy and positioning itself as an indispensable alternative for the Global South.

With its expansion in January 2024, the BRICS+ bloc has been increasingly depicted as a rapidly growing counterweight to the G7 by politicians and academics alike. In this working paper researched during an internship at CIGI, the author considers the economic and political conditions that could influence the two groups’ growth.

Read Sean Yi Xuan Tan: “Economic Models and Growth Trajectories of BRICS+ and G7: A Comparison.”

Sep. 24 and Sep. 25 – 7:00 a.m. EDT (UTC–04:00): Opportunities in digital finance are emerging in India and China and on the African continent. The Future of Digital Finance Conference will delve into the topics of regulatory collaboration, global governance, financial inclusion and technical advancements in cross-border payments across these three regions. Hosted by CIGI and now an official side event of the Think20 South Africa 2025, this virtual event will convene policy makers, industry experts, academics and civil society stakeholders to exchange insights, identify synergies and propose actionable policy solutions.