Tim El-Sheikh opens the year 2025 with reflections on the state of the world, his own habits, and the challenges ahead. After a much-needed holiday break, he notes that while many entrepreneurs and business leaders are expressing cautious optimism, to the extent that, to him, it feels eerily similar to the mood before the 2008 financial crash.
The uncertainty surrounding the economy and technology markets makes it difficult to feel confident, especially when so much remains unknown. Once full of utopian aspirations, conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) have turned into debates about regulation, ethical responsibility, and the fallout of political decisions.
Tim feels that the rapid pace of politically-driven change is materialising even faster than he predicted, and he can’t shake the sense that we’re headed into a stormy period.
He reflects on Meta’s recent announcement to remove moderation policies, which he believes is a step backwards, especially given the platform’s troubled history with harmful content. Cases of teen depression, self-harm, and suicides have been linked to social media platforms like Meta’s, and without safeguards, the situation could worsen.
Tim also draws a parallel between Meta’s shift and the broader trend of deregulation in the U.S., arguing that these decisions prioritise profit and ideology over the well-being of users, especially vulnerable ones. The idea that CEO who run social media platforms can be “free speech absolutists” ignores the global nature of these networks and their far-reaching consequences.
Amid this pessimism, Tim sees a glimmer of hope in Europe, which he believes has an opportunity to lead in responsible AI development. However, he tempers this optimism with realism, noting Europe’s history of mishandling its potential. Brexit, for example, crippled London’s position as a global AI hub, and without deeper collaboration between the UK and the EU, it’s hard to imagine a return to that status.
Still, Europe’s focus on regulation and responsibility stands in contrast to the U.S.’s increasingly deregulated tech landscape, and this difference could define the future of innovation.
Tim also reflects on the evolution of the internet itself. He fondly recalls the early days when it was a space for information sharing and genuine connection, lamenting how social media has transformed it into a space dominated by a few major platforms.
While social media has its benefits, the lack of effective moderation, especially on Meta’s platforms, threatens to turn these spaces into chaotic, harmful environments. The global nature of these platforms makes their impact even more troubling, as they often ignore the diverse needs and concerns of their international user base.
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