Listen to Rest of World's best stories about the way technology is reshaping the globe. Narrated by our staff of writers and editors.
Nearly four billion inter...
Big AI companies like Google, Meta, OpenAI and Amazon, have come out hard against comprehensive regulatory efforts in the West — but are receiving a warm welcome from leaders in many other countries. This episode from Rest of World uses behind-the-scenes reporting from local journalists in India, South Africa, and Brazil, to give an in-depth look at the global struggle over how to regulate AI.
Written by Katie McQue, LaÃs Martins, Ananya Bhattacharya, and Carien du Plessis. Narrated by Jane ODonoghue.
Original story: https://restofworld.org/2025/global-ai-regulation-big-tech/
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29:21
How WhatsApp ate the world
WhatsApp is already the world’s most widely used messaging app. Meta wants it to be a lot more.
WhatsApp is the world’s most widely used messaging app, with 2 billion daily users, who send 100 billion messages every day in 60 languages across 180 countries. This feature takes an in-depth look at how it grew so big and Meta's plan for what comes next.
Written by Issie Lapowsky. Narrated by Jane Seidel.
Original story: https://restofworld.org/2024/how-whatsapp-for-business-changed-the-world/
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25:41
WhatsApp vigilantes in India are converting Christians by force
In this episode, Rest of World explores how far-right Hindu nationalists use WhatsApp to target Christian families when they’re most vulnerable — by preventing them from burying their dead.
Written by Parth MN. Additional reporting by Durga M Sengupta. Narrated by Mithila Phadke.
Original story: https://restofworld.org/2024/whatsapp-intimidation-forced-conversion-targets-christians-india/
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27:42
Destined for clicks: YouTube is driving an astrology boom in Pakistan
Amid economic, political, and environmental uncertainty, Pakistanis are increasingly seeking guidance from digital astrologers for a sense of reassurance. In this narrated feature, Rest of World profiles celebrity astrologers who are revitalizing the practice in one of the world’s most populous Muslim nations, using their growing platforms to advocate for astrology’s place in Islam.
Written by M. Z. Adnan. Narrated by Mithila Phadke.
Original story: https://restofworld.org/2024/youtube-astrology-stars-pakistan/
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Can a church exist exclusively on the internet?
Amid a life of upheaval and poverty, Jeffter Wekesa tried and failed to found three churches in Kenya. Then he started preaching on TikTok, and his fortunes changed.
In this episode, Rest of World takes you inside the emerging virtual-preaching economy in internet-obsessed Kenya. Livestream churches — backed by viewer donations — are increasingly popular. Is this the future of religion, or just a post-Covid fad?
Written by Vincent Owino. Narrated by Jane Seidel.
Original story: https://restofworld.org/2024/kenya-virtual-churches-preachers/
Listen to Rest of World's best stories about the way technology is reshaping the globe. Narrated by our staff of writers and editors.
Nearly four billion internet users live outside the West. We're telling their stories, with in-depth, on-the-ground reporting on topics like Big Tech’s global influence, e-commerce, cryptocurrency, the struggles of the gig economy, and the rise of EVs.
South Africa