Contributor

Khadija Alam

Khadija Alam is a data journalist. She graduated from Columbia Journalism School, where she was a Toni Stabile Investigative Fellow. She has reported on money in politics for OpenSecrets and was previously an intern at Rest of World.

A digital illustration of Earth surrounded by multiple satellites, depicted with orange solar panels against a black starry background.

Innovation 30 June 2025

Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet

Space-based internet is remaking Earth’s orbit — and fueling a gold rush.

Innovation 8 April 2025

What we learned from tracking AI use in global elections

Citizens and politicians around the world last year used AI for misinformation, memes, and more.

EV Revolution 12 March 2025

How BYD undercuts Tesla around the world, by the numbers

BYD is more affordable than Tesla in at least 10 places outside the West.

A map of the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding regions with a large, blank name tag that says 'HELLO' in blue at the top, and 'my name is' in smaller text below, positioned near the center of the map.

Tech Giants 28 February 2025

Gulf of Mexico vs. Gulf of America: How digital maps display disputed names

Governments frequently disagree over the names of places. Here’s how mapping apps have dealt with various feuds.

A close-up of a smartphone held by a person with two fingers, displaying the social media app Xiaohongshu interface filled with images and text. The background is a vibrant red, adding motion blur effects to the scene.

China Outside China 24 January 2025

“TikTok refugees” drove a global Xiaohongshu boom

People far beyond the short-lived ban’s reach are downloading RedNote in droves.

An abstract illustration depicting two hands reaching towards a blue globe, surrounded by various geometric shapes and graphical elements, set against a gradient background.

Innovation 15 January 2025

Despite tensions, U.S.-China AI research collaborations are alive and well

Over the past 10 years, the U.S. and China have been the most frequent partners in AI research.

A Starlink satellite mounted on a wooden post in a dark, outdoor landscape, surrounded by trees, with a twilight sky in the background.

Tech Giants 10 January 2025

Starlink is now cheaper than leading internet provider in some African countries

In Ghana, Starlink is half the price of the local ISP.

A collage featuring SUVs, solar panels, a wind turbine, a solar panel module, an electric bike, and a washing machine on a gradient blue and pink background.

China Outside China 27 November 2024

Breaking down the world’s tariffs against China’s tech industry

President-elect Donald Trump pledges to escalate the trade war, but non-Western nations have targeted China with tariffs, too.

By Selina Cheng

A large crowd at a concert holds up their smartphones, with many screens lit, capturing the performance in a dimly lit venue.

Access & Connectivity 20 November 2024

New data shows the number of new mobile internet users is stalling

What happened to the “next billion” internet users? They’re already online.

The Rise of AI 6 November 2024

Malaysia’s new data centers create thousands of jobs — and worries about power and water shortages

Data centers for companies like Google, Amazon, and Nvidia are transforming Johor state, with locals bracing for higher real estate costs and resource shortages.