While much of the AI debate focuses on its economic potential, its expanding physical footprint tells a different story. The machines driving this revolution depend on a resource far older – and far more contested – than data or electricity. By Friederike Rohde and Paz Peña

An ageing agricultural workforce bodes ill for our ability to feed the world. To entice young people to work in food systems, policymakers should demonstrate the industry’s breadth, while providing them with the resources and skills to modernise farming and build sustainable, innovative agribusinesses. By Maximo Torero

The European Union faces a strategic choice in deciding how to deal with China’s green-tech dominance. Instead of implementing defensive industrial policy, it should try to find common cause with China on clean trade and investment, using its strengths in rulemaking and norm-setting to promote both sides’ economic interests. By Emmanuel Guerin and Bernice Lee

Booming growth in data centres is escalating electricity demand and risks undermining the region’s energy transition goals. By Muyi Yang, Xiwei Xu and David Lo