2025: AI, Sovereignty, and Survival

This year will not be defined by gradual change but by seismic shifts. Artificial intelligence (AI) and artificial general intelligence (AGI) are advancing at an extraordinary pace, bringing with them a potential to redefine how we live, work, and govern. But this isn’t just about innovation; it’s about control. Who sets the rules for these technologies?

Without strong oversight, we risk entering an era of techno-feudalism, where power consolidates into the hands of a few, and democratic values are eroded by unaccountable algorithms. The danger isn’t just hypothetical—it’s happening now, as technology outpaces regulation and public understanding.

At the same time, the world faces leaders who question the very foundations of sovereignty, borders, and international norms. When powerful figures openly bully smaller nations or disregard global agreements, they don’t just disrupt diplomacy—they unravel decades of stability. These actions weaken international cooperation, embolden autocrats, and destabilise regions already under strain. This isn't just about rhetoric; it’s a direct attack on the principles that have kept conflict at bay.

Meanwhile, the climate crisis accelerates in the background, affecting billions and amplifying existing inequalities. Technology could help us adapt and innovate, but it could also distract us, becoming a tool for inaction rather than transformation. A warming planet doesn’t wait for regulation, political will, or innovation—it simply reacts to what we do, or don’t do, today.

We are not powerless in the face of these challenges, but the window to act is narrowing. First, we must establish robust global frameworks for AI development—guidelines that prioritise human dignity over extreme corporate profit and geopolitical advantage. Second, we need to confront the root causes of populism by addressing inequality, rebuilding trust in institutions, and ensuring the rule of law applies equally to everyone, regardless of wealth or influence. Finally, we must double down on climate action, leveraging technology to decarbonise industries and rethink consumption, while making space for new, sustainable economic models.

This isn’t alarmism—it’s urgency.

The decisions we make in 2025 will ripple for generations. Will AI serve humanity, or will we become its servants? Will we bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots, or let it widen into a chasm? Will we rise to meet the climate challenge, or allow the planet to dictate terms we can’t live with?

These questions require courage, clarity, and cooperation. The future isn’t written yet, but it is being drafted now. Let’s make sure we’re the authors of it.

Christos Floros