China and Russia signed a 25-year energy cooperation deal today, strengthening ties amid rising tensions with the West. The agreement includes expanded oil pipeline networks and joint LNG projects in the Arctic. Western officials say this deepens the geopolitical divide in global energy markets.

Why it matters: This could accelerate a “dual energy system” — with the West reducing dependency on Russian energy while Asia strengthens it.

The G7 summit opened with urgent talks on cybersecurity, climate security, and conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. A draft statement calls for collective defense against AI-enabled cyberattacks, marking the first time the G7 has prioritized AI as a global security issue.

Why it matters: The inclusion of AI threats alongside military conflicts signals how technology is now central to global geopolitics.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has announced the inclusion of Ethiopia and Angola, bringing membership to 46 countries. This expansion could boost intra-African trade by billions and position Africa as a stronger collective player in global markets.

Why it matters: If fully realized, AfCFTA could create the world’s largest free trade area by population.

For the first time, Tesla has surpassed Toyota in global revenue, reporting $345 billion for FY2024. Analysts credit the surge to its dominance in EV sales and the expansion of its AI-powered autonomous fleet services.

Why it matters: This cements Tesla not just as a car company, but as a mobility and AI-driven platform leader.

Payments giant Stripe has confidentially filed for its long-awaited IPO, expected to be one of the largest in tech history, with a valuation rumored at $120 billion. The company aims to expand beyond payments into AI-powered financial services.

Why it matters: A successful listing could revive global IPO markets, which have been sluggish for the past two years.

Several startups, including Perplexity AI and Neeva, are racing to build AI-first search engines to challenge Google. Investors have poured billions into this space, betting that conversational search will replace traditional query-based search.

Why it matters: If successful, this could disrupt one of the most profitable markets in tech history.

From shifting global alliances to disruptive startups, the theme is clear: power — whether geopolitical or economic — is increasingly tied to innovation and control of technology.

—

📩 Enjoying Linked Outlook?
Stay updated with tech, media, and innovation that shape your world—3x a week.
🔗 [Subscribe here]

📬 Share this newsletter
Like today’s insights? Share with your creator friends or tech-loving peers.