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Michael Zelenko

@mvzelenko.bsky.social
1.2K followers 265 following 76 posts

Executive Editor, Rest of World

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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Damon Beres @damonberes.com · 14/01/2026
We are not letting this go If there is no red line around AI-generated sex abuse, then no line exists. by @cwarzel.bsky.social and @matteowong.bsky.social
theatlantic.com
Elon Musk Cannot Get Away With This
If there is no red line around AI-generated sex abuse, then no line exists.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
"India’s IT ministry issued a 72-hour ultimatum to X over its artificial intelligence chatbot generating “obscene” content." restofworld.org/2026/musk-gr...
restofworld.org
India gives Musk 72 hours as X floods with obscene images generated using Grok
France and Malaysia have also launched probes into the viral Grok bikini trend.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 18/12/2025
Sources detail how Tiger Global fueled the COVID-era unicorn bubble that burst ahead of the AI boom; the firm recently shared its $12.7B 2021 fund is now up 16% (Issie Lapowsky/Rest of World) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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issielapowsky.bsky.social @issielapowsky.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
The fast-money pandemic era created a glut of unicorns around the world — then brought many down just as quickly. For @restofworld.org, I wrote about the role that Tiger Global played in fueling this hype cycle and what it can teach us about the current AI boom. restofworld.org/2025/tiger-g...
restofworld.org
Big bets and broken unicorns: Tiger Global’s rise and reckoning
The fast-money pandemic era helped build billion-dollar startups around the world — then brought many down just as quickly. Will the AI boom be a repeat?
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
"Too much money fucked us, basically." FANTASTIC feature from @issielapowsky.bsky.social on how Tiger Global flooded the startup market with capital, and the wreckage it left behind. Great data viz from @hazelgandhi.bsky.social & stunning art from Nicolas Ortega restofworld.org/2025/tiger-g...
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Techmeme @techmeme.com · 16/12/2025
Analysis: of the 8,808 global data centers in October 2025, ~7,000 are in areas outside the optimal 18C to 27C temperature range; 600 are in areas above 27C (Rest of World) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
This morning @restofworld.org published a visual investigation mapping the hottest data centers around the world. We found that in 21 countries, ALL data centers are located in a climate that's simply too hot. Read more here: restofworld.org/2025/data-ce...
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Just Giulio @giuliowolfe.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
PSA: Next time a techbro says "we need to teach humanitarian NGOs to be like startups" I'll throw hands restofworld.org/2025/gaza-sk... Thank you to @restofworld.org for the amazing work they do
restofworld.org
The bombing of Gaza Sky Geeks
For over a decade, Gaza Sky Geeks built a tech future for the Gaza Strip. Then came war.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
This morning @restofworld.org published the incredibly heart-breaking story of Gaza Sky Geeks, the vibrant Gaza-based tech hub that was the darling of international press through the 2010s 🧵 restofworld.org/2025/gaza-sk...
restofworld.org
The bombing of Gaza Sky Geeks
For over a decade, Gaza Sky Geeks built a tech future for the Gaza Strip. Then came war.
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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 04/11/2025
For over a decade, Gaza Sky Geeks was a model for how tech could transform Gaza. Just days after October 7, its office was blown to pieces by an Israeli airstrike. Now, with a tentative ceasefire in place, it’s trying to rebuild. Read our new feature from @mohamhawish.bsky.social & Aseel Mousa:
restofworld.org
The bombing of Gaza Sky Geeks
For over a decade, Gaza Sky Geeks built a tech future for the Gaza Strip. Then came war.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Guan Yang @guan.dk · 04/11/2025
For over a decade, Gaza Sky Geeks built a tech future for the Gaza Strip. Then came war.
restofworld.org
The bombing of Gaza Sky Geeks
For over a decade, Gaza Sky Geeks built a tech future for the Gaza Strip. Then came war.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Viola Zhou @violazhou.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Very glad to see my story on AI and medicine printed in the Guardian this week! If you haven’t read it: restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
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Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
BREAKING from PP We found immigration agents have held more than 170 *citizens* The govt doesn't track citizens held. So we did. We tallied: Nearly 20 kids, two w/ cancer More than 20 citizens held for day or more, incommunicado www.propublica.org/article/immi... by @nicolefoy.bsky.social
propublica.org
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Laura Anne Gilman @lauraannegilman.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
www.nytimes.com/1939/02/04/a...
Headline from the New York Times, 1939: “Goebbels ends careers of five “Aryan“ actors who made witticisms about the Nazi regime.”
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Rina Chandran @rinachandran.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Assad is out. Startups are in. Syria’s tech industry was put on hold by 14 years of devastating civil war and crippling economic sanctions. Now it’s roaring back to life as tech founders try to rebuild the country. @emilywither.bsky.social for @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/syria-t...
restofworld.org
Syria’s quest to build its own Silicon Valley
Tech founders in Damascus are rebooting a war-torn country.
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Lora Kolodny @lorak.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
“India is the world’s third-largest producer of e-waste, having generated approximately 1.75 million metric tons in the fiscal year ending 2024, an increase of nearly 75% over the last five years.” restofworld.org/2025/india-e...
restofworld.org
The dirty truth behind the e-waste recycling industry
The informal recycling economy is turning global e-waste into profit — at a steep human and environmental cost.
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Louise Matsakis @lmatsakis.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
this is a really important project, and I can't think of anyone better than @damonberes.com to be leading it
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 07/09/2025
Interesting deep dive into DeepSeek providing medical advice to a kidney patient - @violazhou.bsky.social mother! restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat... Feat @melhoenig.bsky.social and @kidneyboy.bsky.social #NephSky #AI #LLM
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Data & Society @datasociety.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
“DeepSeek is so much better than doctors.” @violazhou.bsky.social is unsettled by the way her mother, a kidney transplant patient in eastern China, relies on an AI chatbot for health advice. But she also recognizes that the bigger problem is a systemic one. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
“DeepSeek is more humane,” my mother told me in May. “Doctors are more like machines.” restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
“Our forefathers did this. … No one else can do it,” he continued. “If someone tried, he will be beaten black and blue.” The dirty truth behind the e-waste recycling industry restofworld.org/2025/india-e...
restofworld.org
The dirty truth behind the e-waste recycling industry
The informal recycling economy is turning global e-waste into profit — at a steep human and environmental cost.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 03/09/2025
A reporter details how her mother, a kidney transplant patient who lives in China, bonded with DeepSeek's chatbot as her AI doctor, calling it "more humane" (Viola Zhou/Rest of World) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Danny Groner @dannygroner.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Good listen. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Viola Zhou @violazhou.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
Not long after DeepSeek R1 launched, I discovered that my mother had started using the chatbot as her virtual doctor. I worried about her reliance on AI. But over time, I realized Dr. DeepSeek was offering something no human in her life could. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Viola Zhou @violazhou.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
In this personal essay (my first for @restofworld.org), I explore patients’ relationship with AI, why chatbots can’t yet replace doctors, the caretaking burden on my one-child generation, and the tech industry that promises to ease our struggles. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Rina Chandran @rinachandran.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
When her mom, a kidney transplant patient in a small Chinese city, turned to DeepSeek for medical advice @violazhou.bsky.social asked doctors to review the chat logs. They said the AI bot was giving flawed advice. Read the firsthand account on @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Rest of World @restofworld.org · 02/09/2025
When her mom became smitten with Dr. DeepSeek, @violazhou.bsky.social asked human doctors to review the chat logs. They said the AI bot is giving alarmingly flawed advice. But maybe her mom is after something more than just medical help. Read our new feature: restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
This week's @restofworld.org feature from @violazhou.bsky.social is really special: It's about Viola's mom, who — like so many sick and lonely people in the modern world — turned to AI as she struggled with her health. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Arjun Basu @arjun.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
This is an indictment of a lot of things but I'm not sure what it's indicting the most. Probably doctors.
restofworld.org
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 27/08/2025
Inside India's growing ~$1.5B e-waste recycling industry, about 95% of workers are employed informally, doing dangerous, toxic, and lawless work for meager pay (Yashraj Sharma/Rest of World) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
An internal Israeli intelligence database reveals 83% of those killed by the IDF in Gaza were civilians, contradicting public claims to the contrary. www.972mag.com/israeli-inte...
Data from an internal Israeli intelligence database indicates that at least 83 percent of Palestinians killed in Israel’s onslaught on Gaza were civilians, an investigation by +972 Magazine, Local Call, and the Guardian can reveal. 

Figures obtained from the classified database — which records the deaths of militants from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) — contradict by a huge margin the public statements of Israeli army and government officials throughout the war, which have generally claimed a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of civilian to militant casualties. Instead, the classified data backs up the findings of several studies suggesting Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has killed civilians at a rate with few parallels in modern warfare. 

The Israeli army confirmed the existence of the database, which is managed by the Military Intelligence Directorate (known by the Hebrew acronym “Aman”). Multiple intelligence sources familiar with the database said the army views it as the only authoritative tally of militant casualty figures. In the words of one of them: “There’s no other place to check.”
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Lauren Goode @laurengoode.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
A couple months ago I made an unusual request to my editors at @wired.com: I asked if I could go work at a tech company for a few days to learn how to vibe code. Then, for some reason, the $10 billion dollar startup Notion agreed to let me embed with them. 🧵
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Gayathri Vaidyanathan @gayathriv.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
The UAE plans to become the world’s testing ground for autonomous vehicles and upend the lives of 30,000 cabbies in the process. Amar Diwakar in @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/uae-rob...
restofworld.org
Dubai’s robotaxi dreams are coming for human drivers
The UAE plans to become the world’s testing ground for autonomous vehicles and upend the lives of 30,000 cabbies in the process.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Rina Chandran @rinachandran.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
Syrian tech workers who fled during the civil war are returning home and launching startups. They face poor internet, unreliable electricity, and a regulatory void, but believe tech can help rebuild their war-battered nation, @kayagenc.bsky.social @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/syrian-...
restofworld.org
They left Syria as refugees. They’re returning to build its tech industry
After the fall of the Assad regime, tech workers are coming back to help rebuild their nation.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Sean O’Kane @okane.fyi · 04/08/2025
WOW WHO COULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING????? techcrunch.com/2025/08/04/f...
techcrunch.com
Foxconn sells former GM factory to mystery buyer after failing to make EVs | TechCrunch
The company has spent more than three years claiming the factory would become an "important" EV hub. But it has barely produced anything there.
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Techmeme @techmeme.com · 30/07/2025
An inside look at ex-unicorn Builder.ai's demise, which oversold its AI platform's abilities and frustrated customers with delivery delays and buggy products (Varsha Bansal/Rest of World) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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Rest of World @restofworld.org · 29/07/2025
BuilderAI raised $445 million as it boasted that its AI chatbot, Natasha, would radically simplify the process of building apps and websites. When the company collapsed, one viral tweet claimed Natasha was really just 700 human engineers. In our new feature, we set out to find the truth.
restofworld.org
Inside the collapse of Builder.ai: Was it even an AI company?
The implosion of a white-hot startup has employees asking how it all went wrong.
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Angela Misri @karmicangel.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
"...some analysts are holding up Builder.ai as a potential case of 'AI washing,' in which companies falsely promote products or services as AI to attract attention and funding." restofworld.org/2025/builder...
restofworld.org
Inside the collapse of Builder.ai: Was it even an AI company?
The implosion of a white-hot startup has employees asking how it all went wrong.
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Rina Chandran @rinachandran.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
While all eyes were on BYD overtaking Tesla, smaller Chinese EV makers quietly rolled into the global top 10. Chinese automakers now control 70% of global EV production, reports Ananya Bhattacharya for @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/chinese...
restofworld.org
BYD distracted the world while Chinese EV peers staged a coup
Even as BYD grabs headlines, a pack of Chinese automakers is quietly conquering overseas markets with aggressive pricing and localization.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
The EV revolution has sparked a dangerous boom in illegal lithium mining in countries like Zimbabwe. @restofworld.org's latest feature is about a deadly example of one such case restofworld.org/2025/zimbabw...
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Rina Chandran @rinachandran.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
The EV boom has brought Chinese investment in Zimbabwe lithium mines. But locals feel left out, and some have turned to stealing, risking death from falls and cave-ins, as well as violent encounters with guards. Read in @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/zimbabwe-lithium-mining-boom
restofworld.org
Dangerous mines: A death at the bottom of the EV supply chain
In Zimbabwe, the EV rush has brought a surge of Chinese investment into lithium mines. But many locals feel left out — and some have turned to stealing.
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Liberation Technology @liberationtech.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet restofworld.org/2025...
restofworld.org
Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet
Space-based internet is remaking Earth’s orbit — and fueling a gold rush.
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Reposted by Michael Zelenko
Anup Kaphle @anup.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Despite the billions in investment, and the thousands of satellites zipping around, it is still hard to really picture the satellite internet industry. @khadijaalam.bsky.social gathered data to help visualize this rapidly growing business for @restofworld.org. restofworld.org/2025/satelli...
restofworld.org
Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet
Space-based internet is remaking Earth’s orbit — and fueling a gold rush.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Space-based internet is remaking Earth’s orbit — and fueling a gold rush. Come gawk at our new, immersive, visual feature restofworld.org/2025/satelli...
restofworld.org
Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet
Space-based internet is remaking Earth’s orbit — and fueling a gold rush.
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Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
AI is being used to justify firing workers at major tech companies, leaving those that remain to pick up the pieces. AI code is being shoveled into crucial Google products, replacing trainers at TikTok, and worse. This, in tech workers' own words, is how AI is killing jobs in Silicon Valley.
bloodinthemachine.com
AI Killed My Job: Tech workers
Tech workers at TikTok, Google, and across the industry share stories about how AI is changing, ruining, or replacing their jobs.
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Reyhan Harmanci @harmancipants.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
I had wondered why I was reading about Palestinean-Israeli deaths last week, seemingly disproportionately
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Anup Kaphle @anup.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Scarred by long hours, low pay, and a hostile work culture, many chip workers for Samsung are leaving for competitors, including American companies. Michelle Kim's reporting from Seoul for @restofworld.org restofworld.org/2025/samsung...
restofworld.org
Samsung is desperate to compete on chips. Workers say it comes at a cost.
Scarred by long hours, low pay, and a hostile work culture, many chip workers are leaving for competitors, including American companies.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Awesome to see @violazhou.bsky.social's @restofworld.org Gotion feature turned into a @planetmoney.bsky.social episode! Read the story: restofworld.org/2025/gotion-... And then listen to the segment! www.npr.org/2025/06/06/1...
restofworld.org
How a Chinese battery factory sparked a political meltdown in a small Michigan town
The ambitious executives at Gotion wanted to join America’s EV gold rush. Then came geopolitics.
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Michael Zelenko @mvzelenko.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Incredible headline/photo combo
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Luke O'Neil @lukeoneil47.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Israeli tanks and drones open fire on Palestinians gathered at aid distribution sites run by a US-backed group in Gaza, killing more than 30 people in Rafah alone. www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblo...
aljazeera.com
Updates: Israeli forces kill dozens at US-backed aid sites in Gaza
Killings come as Hamas seeks changes to a ceasefire deal proposed by the US, but Trump’s envoy has dismissed the call.
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