The technology agenda is shaped by more than companies: device and software developers, research teams, regulators and users themselves all have a say. Their decisions determine which new developments attract attention, which issues spark debate and which changes make their way into everyday life.
Behind the big announcements, however, are less visible developments: advances in AI, changes to digital services, data security and the spread of smart homes. For an overview of how these trends connect, see our article “Digital Technology Today: How the Modern Digital World Works.” Here, we focus on who shapes technology news and why these issues take center stage in public discussion.
| Participant | Topic | Specific example |
|---|---|---|
| Russia and BRICS countries | Energy cooperation | Hydroelectric power plants in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia |
| European Union | Technological independence | Initiative to reduce dependence on the US and China |
| UN and AI experts at the Security Council | International AI oversight | Call to develop global standards |
| Kazakhstan | Digital transformation | Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address on the age of artificial intelligence |
- September 29, 2026 Publication date of TV BRICS coverage of the sustainable development agenda beyond 2030
- June 3, 2026 Publication date of Euronews coverage of the EU technology initiative
- 2030 The point beyond which the sustainable development agenda is being discussed
- 3 countries Number of countries where the article names projects to design and modernize hydroelectric power plants: India, Indonesia and Ethiopia
Who shapes technology news?
The technology agenda is shaped not only by companies that develop products, but also by governments, international organizations and regulators. The participants include BRICS, Russia, the European Union, the UN and Kazakhstan. Their decisions affect different aspects of technological life: governments support infrastructure projects, regulators discuss rules, and users experience the consequences of technology adoption.
From international projects to rules for AI
In its September 29, 2026 article, TV BRICS looks at sustainable development beyond 2030 through the lens of practical cooperation among BRICS countries. Examples include the design and modernization of hydroelectric power plants in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia using Russian technology.
The European Union links its technology initiative to reducing dependence on the US and China and maintaining a leading role in innovation. The UN is discussing global standards for overseeing artificial intelligence, while Kazakhstan is pursuing digital transformation and updating banking rules to account for technology. Decisions about technology are therefore made at different levels—from international cooperation to the regulation of specific industries—and their results are felt in users’ everyday lives. For more on how digital systems connect with daily life, see our article “Digital Technology Today: How the Modern Digital World Works.”
How are Russia and BRICS countries putting technology to work?
Energy as a form of technological cooperation
Russia puts technological cooperation with BRICS countries into practice through hydropower and nuclear projects: hydroelectric power plants are being designed and modernized in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia, while Russian nuclear technologies are being used in China, India, Egypt and Iran. These are concrete areas of cooperation, not just discussions about the digital agenda.
The list of projects makes it possible to check where cooperation has already been announced and where plans are still being discussed. It names countries and types of projects, but provides no costs, timelines or output figures for the facilities.
- Hydropower: design and modernization of hydroelectric power plants in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia.
- Nuclear technology: active projects in China, India, Egypt and Iran; new projects are planned with Ethiopia and Indonesia.
This list shows the geographic scope of energy cooperation, but on its own it does not make it possible to assess the scale or results of each project. Two specific details are needed for a meaningful assessment: the country and project must be named; the available information does not provide financial or technical figures.
Why does the European Union want to reduce its technological dependence?
The EU wants to reduce its technological dependence on the US and China so that Europe can strengthen its position in innovation independently and retain influence over how it develops. Euronews reported on the Union’s major initiative on June 3, 2026; the material provided does not specify its budget or measurable results.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, linked geopolitics with technology: whoever sets the direction of innovation will influence the future. The EU’s stated goal is to ensure Europe plays a leading role in technological innovation rather than simply reacting to the decisions of others.
Technology as part of international competition
The EU initiative shows that the technology agenda is about more than new developments; it also raises the question of where the power to influence their direction is concentrated. The goal of reducing dependence on the US and China has been stated, but without a budget or evaluation criteria, it is not yet possible to judge how successfully Europe can achieve it.
Why is the UN discussing global AI oversight?
The UN is discussing global AI oversight because decisions about the technology’s development are made by a small group of people in a few countries, while societies around the world feel the consequences. In September 2026, UN News reported on a call by AI experts at the Security Council to develop common oversight standards.
Rules and social consequences
Bengio’s position highlights the question of representation: who determines AI’s future, and whose interests are taken into account when decisions are made? Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address draws attention to another aspect: the technology’s influence on people’s worldviews and behavior, especially among young people.
Together, these articles show why international rules are being discussed: oversight concerns both the distribution of influence and AI’s social consequences. The comparison focuses on two specific issues:
- Decision-making: according to Bengio, decision-making is concentrated in the hands of a small group in a few countries, even though the consequences affect everyone.
- Social impact: Tokayev’s address says that AI is already changing people’s worldviews and behavior, especially among young people.
When does the technology agenda offer no ready-made answers?
Distinguish a goal from a result
The technology agenda offers no ready-made answers when statements set out goals and priorities but do not confirm that results have been achieved. For example, Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a digital country through digital transformation is a stated goal, not proof that the transformation is complete.
It is also important to read coverage of specific initiatives with an eye to what it leaves out: listing plans and participants does not, by itself, make it possible to assess the scale or impact.
- European initiative: the article describes the direction—reducing dependence on the US and China and seeking to give Europe a leading role in technological innovation—but does not provide a budget, implementation timeline or assessment of results.
- Energy projects involving Russia and its partners: hydroelectric power plants in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia are named, along with Russian nuclear technologies in China, India, Egypt and Iran. Plans involving Ethiopia and Indonesia are mentioned, but no costs, capacity figures or construction timelines are given.
- Artificial intelligence oversight: the call for global standards identifies a coordination problem, but the material provided does not name any specific standards that have been adopted.
Political statements about leadership, digital transformation or AI’s influence should therefore be treated as signals of priorities. Assessing whether promises have been fulfilled requires verifiable details—for example, a project’s budget and timeline or the text of an adopted standard. None are provided here.
How can readers verify technology news?
Check technology news against primary sources, comparing dates and wording and distinguishing specific claims from the outlet’s interpretation. For example, a TV BRICS article dated September 29, 2026, discusses Russian hydroelectric power plant projects in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia; a Euronews article dated June 3, 2026, covers the EU’s technology initiative and its goal of reducing dependence on the US and China. The country, date and project described are verifiable details; the claim of leadership requires separate confirmation.
Check the wording and status of claims
Verify Kazakhstan’s position against Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s address on the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This helps distinguish the statement itself from a paraphrase or editorial conclusion. In coverage of international AI oversight, check exactly what UN News reports: a call to develop global standards does not mean those standards have already been adopted.
A quick check:
- Source and date: TV BRICS — September 29, 2026; Euronews — June 3, 2026.
- Kazakhstan: compare the account with Tokayev’s address on the website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
- AI oversight: distinguish a call for global standards from a rule that is already in force.
- Fact and assessment: the names of countries and initiatives can be checked against primary sources; claims about leadership, influence and readiness require independent confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as technology news?
Which countries are mentioned in Russia–BRICS projects?
Why does the EU want to reduce its dependence on the US and China?
What are the limitations of the news covered here?
Key takeaways
- TV BRICS dates its coverage of the sustainable development agenda beyond 2030 to September 29, 2026.
- Hydroelectric power plants are being designed and modernized in India, Indonesia and Ethiopia.
- On June 3, 2026, Euronews reported on an EU initiative to reduce dependence on the US and China.
- UN and Kazakhstan coverage links AI development to the need for oversight and its impact on people.
Sources
- TV BRICS, 29.09.26 — “BRICS and Russia Set the Sustainable Development Agenda Beyond 2030”
- Euronews — “EU Launches Major Technology Initiative to Reduce Dependence on the US and China”
- UN News — “AI Experts at Security Council: World Must Develop Global Standards to Oversee This Technology”
- akorda.kz — “Address by Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the People of Kazakhstan: ‘Kazakhstan in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and Their Solutions Through Digital …’”
- rapsinews.ru — “Both Practice and Doctrine Play a Huge Role in …”
