Interdisciplinary approaches

Boon secures $20.5M to enhance AI tools for logistics

AI-powered logistics startup Boon has raised $20.5 million to revolutionise fleet and logistics operations. The funding, led by Marathon and Redpoint, includes $15.5 million from a Series A round and a previously undisclosed $5 million seed investment. The platform aims to streamline operations and improve efficiency by unifying data from diverse applications.

Boon targets inefficiencies in the logistics industry, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises managing over 60 million fleet vehicles globally. Current tools, often fragmented across 15 to 20 applications, create administrative burdens. Boon’s AI agent addresses these challenges by automating processes, optimising workflows, and providing actionable insights.

Founder Deepti Yenireddy drew on her experience at fleet operations giant Samsara to design Boon. She assembled a team of experts from Apple, DoorDash, Google, and other leading firms to develop the platform. Boon plans to use the funding to expand its offerings, covering areas like container loading and staffing optimisation.

Early results have been promising. With paying customers representing 35,000 drivers and 10,000 vehicles, Boon reached an annual revenue run rate of $1 million within nine months. The company is hiring to accelerate growth and broaden its impact on the logistics sector.

Netherlands expands investment law to include AI and biotech

The Dutch government announced plans to expand its investment screening law to include emerging technologies like biotech, AI, and nanotechnology. The move aims to protect national security amid growing global tensions, with threats such as cyberattacks and espionage becoming more prevalent. Economy Minister Dirk Beljaarts emphasised the importance of safeguarding Dutch businesses, innovations, and the economy.

In addition to biotech and AI, the updated law will cover sensor and navigation technology, advanced materials, and nuclear technologies used in medicine. The government expects these changes to take effect by the second half of 2025.

Introduced in 2023, the investment screening law allows the Dutch government to block foreign takeovers of critical infrastructure or technology that could threaten national security. This comes after the Netherlands imposed restrictions on semiconductor exports to China under US pressure.

Meta projects Instagram to dominate US ad income

Instagram is poised to account for more than half of Meta Platforms’ US advertising revenue by 2025, according to research firm Emarketer. This anticipated growth is largely attributed to the platform’s enhanced monetisation strategies, particularly its focus on short-form video content such as Reels, which competes directly with TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

The increasing engagement with Reels has attracted marketers seeking to capitalise on the popularity of short videos, leading to a significant rise in ad placements. In 2024, Instagram’s ad revenue was primarily derived from its Feed (53.7%) and Stories (24.6%). However, the combined revenue share from Explore, Reels, and potentially Threads is projected to grow to 9.6% in 2025.

Jasmine Enberg, principal analyst at Emarketer, notes that users now spend nearly two-thirds of their Instagram time watching videos, underscoring the platform’s shift towards video-centric content. Additionally, if a TikTok ban were to be enforced in the US, Reels could become a prominent alternative for advertisers, further boosting Instagram’s market share.

Norway to host the 2025 Internet Governance Forum

Norway has been selected by the UN to host the 2025 Internet Governance Forum (IGF), marking a significant milestone as the largest UN meeting ever held in the country. Scheduled for June 2025, the forum will gather thousands of participants from governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to address critical issues in global internet governance.

Karianne Tung, Norway’s Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance, emphasised the importance of the IGF, stating, ‘In an era where some countries seek to restrict online freedoms, it is more vital than ever for nations like Norway to engage in discussions and negotiations regarding the frameworks that govern the internet.’ Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide echoed this sentiment, highlighting Norway’s commitment to a free and open internet as fundamental to democracy and human rights.

The IGF 2025 will celebrate the forum’s 20th anniversary, offering a platform for international collaboration on themes such as digital inclusion, public policy, and online safety. Over five days, the event will feature hundreds of presentations, workshops, and meetings, with around 4,000 in-person and an equal number of virtual participants expected to contribute.

Norwegian stakeholders will have a unique opportunity to showcase local innovations and perspectives on the global stage. Selected over Russia as the host, Norway’s role underscores the international community’s trust in its ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue on the future of the internet.

As the digital landscape evolves, the 2025 IGF is poised to be pivotal in shaping a safe, inclusive, and democratic online space for all.

IGF 2024 closing ceremony: Shaping the future of internet governance

The 19th Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh concluded with a forward-looking ceremony that reflected on its achievements while setting ambitious goals for the future. The forum, a key platform for global discussions on internet governance, highlighted the importance of inclusivity, digital equality, and adapting to emerging technological challenges.

Li Junhua, UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasised the enduring relevance of the WSIS principles and the ethical considerations essential in navigating digital innovation. Vint Cerf, chair of the IGF leadership panel, proposed elevating the IGF to a permanent status within the UN structure to secure stable funding and expand its impact.

‘The IGF must evolve to deliver tangible results,’ Cerf remarked, suggesting a focus on measurable metrics and concrete outputs, including revisiting foundational documents and preparing for the next IGF in Oslo. Olaf Kolkman from the Internet Society reinforced the need for continuous self-assessment, urging the IGF to enhance its processes for greater stakeholder benefits.

Inclusivity was a dominant theme, with speakers advocating for broader representation in digital policymaking. Ghanaian physician Dr. Angela Sulemana underscored the transformative power of digital tools in healthcare, highlighting the value of diverse perspectives, especially from young professionals.

Dr. Latifa al-Abdul Karim, member of the Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council, called for legislative innovation to address digital challenges, emphasising collaboration, inclusivity, and safeguarding vulnerable groups, including children and the environment. Senior advisor in the Ministry of Communications of Cuba, Juan Fernandez, stressed the urgent need to bridge digital inequalities, particularly between developed and developing nations.

The forum also addressed pressing global issues, such as the digital divide and governance of emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. The session closed with a call for stronger global digital cooperation and a shared commitment to implementing the Global Digital Compact.

As participants look to the IGF 2025 in Oslo, the focus remains on turning discussions into actionable outcomes, ensuring the internet remains a safe, inclusive, and transformative tool for all.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum 2024 sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Shaping the future of the IGF: Reflections and aspirations

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 in Riyadh, the session ‘Looking Back, Moving Forward’ provided a platform to reflect on the forum’s 19-year history and envision its future role. Amid preparations for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Plus 20 review and the implementation of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), participants emphasised the IGF’s continued relevance as a multistakeholder platform for global internet governance.

A legacy of dialogue and collaboration

Speakers hailed the IGF’s unique role in fostering inclusive dialogue on digital policy. Timea Suto of the International Chamber of Commerce praised its vibrant ecosystem for addressing critical internet governance issues, while Valeria Betancourt from the Association for Progressive Communications highlighted its capacity to bring diverse stakeholders together for meaningful debates.

ICANN’s Göran Marby underscored the IGF’s centrality within the WSIS framework, describing it as a space for shaping narratives and informing policy through open discussion. Juan Fernandez from the Ministry of Communications of Cuba raised a critical point about representation, urging for more consistent and diverse attendance to ensure the forum remains truly inclusive. Other participants echoed this call and highlighted the importance of engaging voices from underrepresented regions and communities.

Evolving for greater impact

As the IGF approaches its 20th anniversary, there is broad consensus on the need to evolve its structure and mandate to enhance its effectiveness. Proposals included integrating the WSIS framework and GDC implementation into its work and making the IGF a permanent institution within the UN system.

‘Strengthening the IGF’s institutional foundation is crucial for its long-term impact,’ argued Vint Cerf, a founding father of the internet.

Speakers also stressed the importance of producing tangible outcomes. Valeria Betancourt and Göran Marby called for actionable recommendations and systematic progress tracking, while Lesotho’s ICT Minister, Nthati Moorosi, suggested special forums with private sector leaders to tackle connectivity challenges. These measures, they argued, would enhance the IGF’s relevance in addressing pressing digital issues.

Inclusivity and grassroots engagement

Enhancing inclusivity remained a recurring theme. Carol Roach, MAG Chair for IGF 2024, and Christine Arida, Board Member of the Strategic Advisory to the Executive President of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt, highlighted the need to amplify voices from the Global South and engage underserved communities.

Leveraging national and regional IGFs (NRIs) was identified as a key strategy for grassroots engagement. ‘The IGF’s strength lies in its ability to facilitate conversations that reach the margins,’ noted Valeria Betancourt.

Balancing innovation with privacy and accessibility

Emerging technologies, particularly AI, featured prominently in discussions. Participants stressed the IGF’s role in addressing the governance challenges posed by rapid innovation while safeguarding privacy and inclusivity.

‘Multistakeholder processes must move beyond handshakes to deeper collaboration,’ remarked one speaker, capturing the need for cohesive efforts in navigating the evolving digital landscape.

Looking ahead

The session concluded with a collective vision for the IGF’s future. As it approaches its 20th year, the forum is tasked with balancing its role as a space for open dialogue with the need for concrete outcomes.

Strengthened partnerships, a clearer institutional framework, and an inclusive approach will be essential in ensuring the IGF remains a cornerstone of global internet governance. The journey forward will be defined by its ability to adapt and address the complex challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Democratising AI: the promise and pitfalls of open-source LLMs

At the Internet Governance Forum 2024 in Riyadh, the session Democratising Access to AI with Open-Source LLMs explored a transformative vision: a world where open-source large language models (LLMs) democratise AI, making it accessible, equitable, and responsive to local needs. However, this vision remains a double-edged sword, revealing immense promise and critical challenges.

Panelists, including global experts from India, Brazil, Africa, and the Dominican Republic, championed open-source AI to prevent monopolisation by large tech companies. Melissa Muñoz Suro, Director of Innovation in the Dominican Republic, showcased Taina, an AI project designed to reflect the nation’s culture and language. ‘Open-source means breaking the domino effect of big tech reliance,’ she noted, emphasising that smaller economies could customise AI to serve their unique priorities and populations.

Yet, as Muñoz Suro underscored, resource constraints are a significant obstacle. Training open-source models require computational power, infrastructure, and expertise, which are luxuries many Global South nations lack. A Global South AI expert, Abraham Fifi Selby echoed this, calling for ‘public-private partnerships and investment in localised data infrastructure’ to bridge the gap. He highlighted the significance of African linguistic representation, emphasising that AI trained in local dialects is essential to addressing regional challenges.

The debate also brought ethical and governance concerns into sharp focus. Bianca Kremer, a researcher and activist from Brazil, argued that regulation is indispensable to combat monopolies and ensure AI fairness. She cited Brazil’s experience with algorithmic bias, pointing to an incident where generative AI stereotypically portrayed a Brazilian woman from a favela (urban slum) as holding a gun. ‘Open-source offers the power to fix these biases,’ Kremer explained but insisted that burdensome regulation must accompany technological optimism.

Despite its potential, open-source AI risks misuse and dwindling incentives for large-scale investments. Daniele Turra from ISA Digital Consulting proposed redistributing computational resources—suggesting mechanisms like a ‘computing tax’ or infrastructure sharing by cloud giants to ensure equitable access. The session’s audience also pushed for practical solutions, including open datasets and global collaboration to make AI development truly inclusive.

While challenges persist, trust, collaboration, and local capacity-building remain critical to open-source AI’s success. As Muñoz Suro stated, ‘Technology should make life simpler, happier, and inclusive, and open-source AI if done right, is the key to unlocking this vision.’

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Tackling internet fragmentation: A global challenge at IGF 2024

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 in Riyadh, the main session ‘Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation’ delved into implementing Article 29C of the Global Digital Compact (GDC), which seeks to prevent internet fragmentation. A diverse panel comprising government officials, technical experts, and civil society representatives highlighted the multifaceted nature of this issue and proposed actionable strategies to address it.

The scope of internet fragmentation

Panellists underscored that internet fragmentation manifests on technical, governance, and user experience levels. While the global network of over 70,000 systems remains technically unified, fragmentation is evident in user experiences. Anriette Esterhuysen from the Association for Progressive Communications pointed out, ‘How you view the internet as fragmented or not depends on whose internet you think it is.’ She stressed that billions face access and content restrictions, fragmenting their digital experience.

Gbenga Sesan of Paradigm Initiative echoed this concern, noting that fragmentation undermines the goal of universal connectivity by 2030. The tension between a seamless technical infrastructure and fractured user realities loomed large in the discussion.

Operationalising the GDC commitment

Alisa Heaver from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate highlighted the critical role of Article 29C as a blueprint for preventing fragmentation. She called for a measurable framework to track progress by the GDC’s 2027 review, emphasising that research on the economic impacts of fragmentation must be prioritised. ‘We need to start measuring internet fragmentation now more than ever,’ Heaver urged.

Strategies for collaboration and progress

Multistakeholder cooperation emerged as a cornerstone for addressing fragmentation. Wim Degezelle, a consultant with the IGF Secretariat, presented the Policy Network on Internet Fragmentation (PNIF) framework, while Amitabh Singhal of ICANN highlighted the IGF’s unique position in bridging technical and policy divides. Singhal also pointed to the potential renewal of the IGF’s mandate as pivotal in continuing these essential discussions.

The session emphasised inclusivity in technical standard-setting processes, with Sesan advocating for civil society’s role and audience members calling for stronger private sector engagement. Sheetal Kumar, co-facilitator of the session, stressed the importance of leveraging national and regional IGFs to foster localised dialogues on fragmentation.

Next steps and future outlook

The panel identified key actions, including developing measurable frameworks, conducting economic research, and utilising national and regional IGFs to sustain discussions. The upcoming IGF in 2025 was flagged as a milestone for assessing progress. Despite the issue’s complexity, the panellists were united in their commitment to fostering a more inclusive and seamless internet.

As Esterhuysen aptly summarised, addressing internet fragmentation requires a concerted effort to view the digital landscape through diverse lenses. This session reaffirmed that preventing fragmentation is not just a technical challenge but a deeply human one, demanding collaboration, research, and sustained dialogue.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Basis lands $34 million to revolutionise accounting

Basis, an AI startup, has secured $34 million in a Series A funding round to develop its AI-powered accounting automation product. The round, led by Khosla Ventures, attracted a diverse group of investors, including NFDG (the AI-focused fund managed by former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and ex-Apple executive Daniel Gross), OpenAI board members Larry Summers and Adam D’Angelo, and Google’s chief scientist Jeff Dean.

The New York-based company is part of a growing group of AI startups creating autonomous agents—systems capable of performing tasks independently. Basis’ product, designed specifically for accounting firms, can handle various workflows such as entering transactions, verifying data accuracy, and integrating with popular ledger systems like QuickBooks and Xero. The product has already shown promising results, with large firms like Wiss reporting a 30% reduction in time spent on manual accounting tasks. Basis functions similarly to a junior accountant, allowing staff to focus on reviewing the AI’s work rather than completing tasks themselves.

Basis also aims to address the critical shortage of accountants in the US, exacerbated by retiring baby boomers and a decline in younger generations entering the profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the accounting sector employs over 3 million people, but the number of candidates sitting for the CPA exam has fallen by 33% between 2016 and 2021. The shortage has led many firms to outsource work to countries like India. Moreover, with AI’s potential to automate tasks traditionally performed by accountants, the sector is expected to experience significant disruption. A 2023 OpenAI paper suggested that automation powered by large language models could eventually impact all accountant and auditor roles.

Partnership aims to advance AI in electric vehicles

Synopsys and SiMa.ai, two Silicon Valley-based companies, have announced a partnership to accelerate the development of energy-efficient AI chips designed for automotive applications. Synopsys, a leader in chip-design software, will collaborate with SiMa.ai, a startup known for its low-power hardware and software tailored for diverse AI functions.

The collaboration aims to meet the increasing demand for advanced AI technologies in electric vehicles, where efficient energy use is critical. SiMa.ai’s technology supports a range of applications, from driver-assistance systems that improve safety to voice assistants enabling hands-free commands. These tools often require different types of hardware, and the partnership allows automakers to simulate and select the best combinations for their needs.

The companies see this as a step towards integrating features like voice assistants into cars within the next three years. SiMa.ai’s CEO, Krishna Rangasayee, highlighted the importance of adapting data centre-level AI performance into power-efficient solutions for vehicles, ensuring both high performance and minimal energy consumption.