The Critical Loop

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Technology changes everything. We ask what follows.

The picture was taken inside the cockpit of a small airplane. It is possible to see the sillhouette of two pilots, with the front window ahead and some of the controls.

FROM COCKPITS TO ALGORITHMS: THE AVERAGE HUMAN DOESN'T EXIST. SO WHY ARE WE BUILDING AI FOR ONE?

AI is the first technology that could fit itself to every single person. So why are we using it to rebuild the average? Ricardo Wagner examines the under-utilised power of technology and highlights the 3 things leaders should take back to the office on Monday.

Science and Environment

Photograph of a clear cut forest in Kerala, Russia in 1995

FROM PAPER TO PIXELS: THE HIDDEN ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

The digital revolution was supposed to make the economy cleaner and lighter. Instead, many environmental costs were displaced rather than eliminated. From forests and paper mills to data centres, Ronise Nepomuceno examines the hidden physical footprint of the digital economy.

Legislation-governance

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BE CONSCIOUS?

Can artificial intelligence be conscious? What does the public think about AI consciousness and regulation? Take part in The Critical Loop's international survey. Participation is free, voluntary and can be anonymous. Open until 31 December 2026, with findings published from 11 January 2027.

The illustration in warm colours illustrates the 4 horseman of the apocalypse, a dynosaur, a virus, a comet and thunder running away from AI

AI-POCALYPSE NOW: SHIPPED IN BETA VERSION AND WITH A SOUNDTRACK

From the printing press to AI, Ronise Nepomuceno takes us on a witty journey through the history of communication to argue that Artificial Intelligence is not just technology but another medium of communication in need of regulation.

A gamer enjoys playing resident evil from their laptop.

WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR VOICE ACTING WHEN AI CAN CLONE ANY HUMAN VOICE?

Marco Nepomuceno knows that a memorable dubbed performance is built from decisions that never appear in a transcript. Drawing on his work as the Brazilian voice of the Merchant in "Resident Evil: Requiem 4", he considers what voice synthesis can reproduce, and what it cannot understand.

A person types into a Claude interface

WHAT IS THE REAL REASON FOR WATERMARKING AI-GENERATED CONTENT

Dr Fabio de Oliveira asks what AI watermarking really proves. As invisible markers become part of AI regulation, he argues that detecting AI involvement is not the same as proving AI authorship.

Economy and Finance

Data Center under construction in Slough

HOW AI AFFECTS THE PRICE OF CAMERAS AND EVERYTHING ELSE

Dylan Garcia describes the connection between the rising cost of living and AI. In this poignant article, he questions the narratives around progress and benefits.

A bright yellow sunflower center. Its central seeds look like a crowd of people converging towards the center.

THE FUTURE IS FOR EVERYONE. IS IT REALLY?

Vania La Rocca contrasts Mark Zuckerberg’s manifesto with what is already happening far from Silicon Valley. In Uganda, a locally built AI tool based on an open Chinese model is serving farmers in their own languages more effectively and affordably than leading American systems.

Photograph of a clear cut forest in Kerala, Russia in 1995

FROM PAPER TO PIXELS: THE HIDDEN ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

The digital revolution was supposed to make the economy cleaner and lighter. Instead, many environmental costs were displaced rather than eliminated. From forests and paper mills to data centres, Ronise Nepomuceno examines the hidden physical footprint of the digital economy.

Culture

Images of events and locations depicting real people and and real settings

WILL AI SAVE OR DESTROY PHOTOGRAPHY?

From film to digital, photography has always evolved with technology. But generative AI presents a different challenge: images are created without ever witnessing the world. Dylan Garcia asks if photography will drown in a flood of synthetic sameness or if human input will be even more valuable.

Public-life

An airplane from Emirates standing still in an airport

HAS ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE REACHED GATWICK?

While a flight-processing failure left thousands of passengers stranded, AI claimed a 90-year-old maths breakthrough and was given a 10% chance of causing human extinction. Vânia La Rocca brings these events together to examine the gulf between frontier claims and everyday technology.

A street in Oxford is packed with a crowd of hundreds of people celebrating May Day.

AI MEETS UI: HOW HUMANITY CAN SUCCEED WITH TECHNOLOGY

As AI reshapes how we work, learn, decide and organise our lives, Nigel Nicholson asks whether technology will diminish what makes us human, or help us construct new environments in which our unique individuality can flourish.

Work

The Equestrian statue of Prince Albert is a bronze monument. It depicts the Queen Victoria's consort riding a horse in a military uniform and lifting his hat as in a greeting.

Horses Couldn’t Pick a New Reward. People Can.

What happens when AI becomes better and cheaper than us at doing our jobs? Are we destined to lose our livelihoods and our sense of purpose? Travis Gilly challenges the disturbing theory of “gradual disempowerment” and argues that our greatest defence may be something we’ve been taught to neglect.

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BE CONSCIOUS?

Can artificial intelligence be conscious? What does the public think about AI consciousness and regulation? Take part in The Critical Loop's international survey. Participation is free, voluntary and can be anonymous. Open until 31 December 2026, with findings published from 11 January 2027.

Two silhouetted heads face each other, linked by circuit lines and globes. A snowflake and sun symbolise differences in language and culture.

WILL AI REPLACE TRANSLATORS?

Claret Christensen traces the translation’s journey from an ancient bridge between cultures to an AI-assisted industry where experienced linguists face falling rates, insecure work and a troubling contradiction.

Images of events and locations depicting real people and and real settings

WILL AI SAVE OR DESTROY PHOTOGRAPHY?

From film to digital, photography has always evolved with technology. But generative AI presents a different challenge: images are created without ever witnessing the world. Dylan Garcia asks if photography will drown in a flood of synthetic sameness or if human input will be even more valuable.

Computer screens in a library room

DO YOU REALLY NEED THAT AI COURSE?

As AI learning options multiply, mid-career professionals are being sold knowledge, structure, credibility and career security as though they were the same thing. While some courses offer real value, others may offer little more.