10. Cyber attacks and hacking: As cyber technology expands, so too have cyber attacks and hacking into major business and governmental systems. Attacks on global banking have shown a notable surge in ransomware incidents and state-sponsored cyber espionage. In addition, there has been an increase in major global tech hacks as well as an escalation in State-sponsored cyber espionage activities. Microsoft reported that Russia, China, and Iran increasingly utilized criminal networks for cyber espionage and hacks.
9. Digital/technological privacy reforms: As the Digital Age continues to advance, so too have related regulations, restrictions, and reforms, particularly protecting privacy. Digital espionage became a global concern, with nation-states and cybercriminal organizations ramping up attacks on sensitive data and critical infrastructure worldwide. Countries like the United States, China, Russia, and Iran were implicated in cyber-espionage activities. Several countries also implemented measures to restrict the use of mobile phones during government meetings to enhance security and mitigate espionage risks. Some of the most notable countries implementing this are the Netherlands and France. Various countries also started enforcing age limits for the usage of phones and certain social media apps to protect the integrity and security of children. And several countries and states in the US banned the use of phones in the classroom demanding them to be left in lockers or at home. In the US this restriction sparked controversies due to the need to stay in contact with families in cases of emergencies including school shootings.
8. Internet governance and access: Along with privacy concerns, governments have also instituted regulations on internet use and access. The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) actively participated in the Internet Governance Forum, highlighting the need to advance human rights and inclusion in the digital era. The forum underscored the importance of enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
7. AI Innovations: Among the technological advances that are most notable is the advance of artificial intelligence (AI) that is used on a wide scale across sectors and regions. But with AI’s rapid rise, there has been a rising need for related controls, laws, and regulations. Different countries around the globe implemented legal measures to understand and control the use of artificial intelligence in the modern day, from EU’s transparency and accountability regulations to China’s information control management. More broadly, AI has raised concerns for its impact on the workforce. While some jobs seem to be at risk there has also been an increase in developmental jobs. In addition, AI has seen an increase of utility in fields such as healthcare, cars, education, finance, climate change, and creative services.
6. Freedom of the press/speech: Journalism around the world has been under constant attack. This year the UNESCO reported 68 journalists losing their lives because to their work around the globe. These attacks demonstrate a common trend regarding censorship and repression of speech. There were several investigations regarding the transparency of governments with their people and the repression of their rights of freedom of speech on social media. There were also a series of protests against governments fighting the censorship they face personally as people and journalists.
5. Global Climate Activism: A rise in climate protests included activists organizing strikes across over 50 countries, mobilizing millions to advocate for immediate and substantial climate policies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan, outlining actions to build a more climate-resilient nation.
4. Regional War & Conflict: Despite advances in other arenas, the Israel/Gaza conflicts have only escalated. The responses from various nations have been divided and often controversial. But one of the world’s major current conflicts resulting in the second largest refugee crisis in history, the Russia Ukraine conflict looks to be moving toward a cease fire. Initial peace talks and negotiations may result in important changes for the new year.
3. Olympics: Paris hosted the XXIII Olympiad on an epic scale. The Olympics remains not only an international sports pinnacle but also retains social, political, and historical value. While Paris captured many of those values in the 2024 Olympics, it also raised several controversies throughout the events, on religious, social, and politic contexts. But the Olympics continued to show the dominance of the US and China, both in sport and in the global context
2. Elections: Many elections were held around the world with global political leadership changes and controversies. The investigation of Venezuela’s election is an example. President Maduro won once again the elections in Venezuela and countries demanded to see the voting record for transparency. India’s leadership path and elections faced criticism from many because of hate speech allegations and fault in the voting counts questioning the power of the majority. Mexico elected their first Female president, marking a milestone in the country’s political environment. The US held a highly anticipated election year including the presidential elections watched by many around the world. While this year there was a potential for the first female U.S president, the election resulted in the return of Donald Trump.
1. Space Innovations: While the world has been filled with major news, the biggest news of the year may well be outside of this world. The year marked many space related innovations. Space X launched record-breaking activities and significant advancements in satellite internet services, and notable progress in spacecraft development. NASA's Parker Solar Probe completed its closest-ever approach to the Sun, flying just 3.8 million miles from the solar surface. China advanced its plans to establish a lunar base, focusing on the lunar south pole with the goal of completing the first phase by 2035. Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong completed a record-breaking 9-hour spacewalk, the longest in human history. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko set a new world record for the most time spent in space, surpassing 1,110 days.