AfricaNow! January 29, 2025 Reflections on Autonomy, Direct Democracy & Marronage with Modibo Kadalie Pt. IV & Update on the Situation in Goma, DRC

Topics and Guests: The show begins with an update on the attack on the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.  Featured in the conversation is   Congolese journalist Akilimali Chomachoma and Nils Kinuani, Board Director, and Immigration Coordinator for the Congolese Community of Washington Metropolitan (CCWM).

Following up from our show last week, today, we will listen to Pt. IV of a four-part series where we explore direct democracy, autonomy, marronage, Black anarchism, and atheism with Modibo Kadalie. 

Dr. Modibo Kadalie is a social ecologist, academic and lifelong radical activist within the Civil Rights, Black Power and Pan-Africanist movements and the Founding Convener of the Autonomous Research Institute for Direct Democracy and Social Ecology (ARIDDSE). He is the author of Pan-African Social Ecology: Speeches, Conversations and Essays (2019); Internationalism, Pan-Africanism and the Struggle of Social Classes; Intimate Direct Democracy: Fort Mose, the Great Dismal Swamp, and the Human Quest for Freedom (2022) and a number of other articles.  

MUSIC ON THE SHOW: intro--“TRÈS IMPOLI” BY FRANCO & T.P.O.K. JAZZ; intro segment two--“ELMINA” BY KOFI; break--“KURIMA” BY CHIWONISO MARAIRE;  sign-off--“JARABI” BY SONA JOBARTEH; closing--“FOUR” BY SONNY STITT remembering his birthday which February 2 (February 2, 1924–July 22, 1982).

Support AfricaNow! and your community station WPFW.  Donate online: visit https://pledge.wpfwfm.org/index.php and then on Step 1: Contribution scroll down to AfricaNow! to make your donation to the show. Or on our CashApp, which is $WPFWFM write it is for AfricaNow! and include your email address. Thank you.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC. Tune into AfricaNow! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (U.S. Eastern).


AfricaNow! Jan. 29, 2025 Reflections on Autonomy, Direct Democracy & Marronage with Modibo Kadalie Pt. IV, & Update on the Situation in Goma, DRC

THE ECOPOLITICS OF TECH #3

In this episode we have Justin Sardo of A Growing Culture talk about stories and struggles to do with technology, innovation and change, particularly in agriculture. How do we question and subvert the narratives of corporate tech and AGtech? What's the vision that AGtech holds for growing and eating food, from the Green Revolution to today? What other ways of thinking about technology, science and development can we summon, drawing on community experiences, grassroots knowledges and self-determination? Recorded early on in 2025, this episode reflects on contradictions and struggles around technological sovereignty, in the US and beyond. As the front between tech oligarchies and the wider world comes into sharper focus, we ask what it may mean to organize, resist and center other imaginaries.

This episode draws on two reports that offer ways to address these questions: ‘The Politics of Technology’ and ‘Autonomy in the Face of AGTech’, by A Growing Culture and the ETC Group. You can download these, with narrative analyses, case studies, worksheets and beautiful illustrations, here: https://viacampesina.org/en/2023/12/autonomy-face-of-agtech-how-do-we-counter-corporate-narratives/  They were co-produced by A Growing Culture and the ETC Group in collaboration with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa and La Via Campesina. Our episode icon is based on the reports illustrations by Pilar Emitxin.

Links

A Growing Culture: https://www.agrowingculture.org/ 

ETC Group - Action Group on Erosion, technology and Concentration: https://www.etcgroup.org/

The Reports: The Politics of Technology; Autonomy in the Face of AGTech  https://viacampesina.org/en/2023/12/autonomy-face-of-agtech-how-do-we-counter-corporate-narratives/ 

Langdon Winner, The Whale and the Reactor: A Search for Limits in an Age of High Technology, which you can find here: https://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/students/envs_5110/whale_reactor.pdf

The North America Digital Agriculture Working Group (NADAWG) is an awesome resource and has a lot of great pieces on its site: https://nadawg.org/

For more on Green Revolution history, see Nick Cullather's book, The Hungry World: America's Cold War Battle Against Poverty in Asia.

The Centre for Story Based Strategy, which advised the reports in question https://www.storybasedstrategy.org/ 

La Cia Campesina https://viacampesina.org/en/

18. The Politics of Tech and AGTech: Shifting the Story

“Through the Lens of Hope" tells the story of a wedding photographer battling a rare and life-altering disease. It tells the story of a young woman navigating the harsh realities of chemotherapy, radical surgery, and a medical system she no longer trusts. The song delves into her personal defiance as she grapples to reclaim her identity, while her anger and mistrust simmer beneath the surface. With hauntingly honest lyrics and a stripped-down arrangement of acoustic guitar and piano, the song gives voice to her fight for autonomy and her refusal to be defined by her illness. The emotive female vocals shine, creating a powerful and deeply personal anthem for anyone who has felt failed by the systems meant to heal them.  The lyrics are raw and intimate.  A tender melody explores themes of resilience, identity, and the fight to hold onto what matters most—love, purpose, and the moments that define us.

Through the Lens of Hope

Welcome to "AI with Shaily," hosted by Shailendra Kumar, a passionate AI practitioner eager to explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence! 🤖 Today, we’re diving into the exciting realm of AI agents, which are becoming a hot topic in the tech community—and even your grandma might start chatting about them at dinner! 🍽️

AI agents are essentially small, smart software programs that are gaining autonomy, much like mini-Robosapiens. These agents can perceive their environment, reason through problems, act on their own, and learn from their experiences. Imagine having a bunch of Sherlock Holmes-like entities solving problems at lightning speed! 🕵️‍♂️ Whether you're trying to crack a case or just want your coffee made perfectly, these agents are here to help.

Recently, AI agents have been making headlines, particularly with Meta's efforts in social media. Picture AI agents interacting with users, trying to "like" posts or send emojis—sometimes they nail it, and other times, it’s downright funny! 😂 This illustrates the learning curve these agents face as they integrate into our digital social lives.

So, why should you care about AI agents? They have the potential to boost productivity and enhance decision-making across various industries, potentially transforming entire sectors with their efficiency. Think of them as futuristic aides, speeding through brainstorming sessions and business model developments. They’re not just digital assistants; they could be the driving force behind groundbreaking innovations! 🚀

The real magic happens when humans and AI collaborate. Envision AI agents taking care of mundane tasks while you focus on more strategic and ethical challenges. It’s a perfect partnership—though not quite a romantic comedy! With every interaction, these agents learn and grow, becoming more adept companions in fields like customer service, finance, and healthcare. 💼

However, as we embrace these advancements, transparency and accountability are crucial. Understanding how AI agents make decisions, supported by clear documentation, ensures they operate within ethical boundaries. It’s akin to training a dog—making sure they fetch the right ball and not your neighbor’s shoes! 🐶

Here’s a bonus tip: maintaining an open dialogue about AI with your team is vital. Communication is key to aligning AI’s capabilities with your organizational goals and values. 🗣️

As we wrap up, let’s reflect on a thought from Alan Kay: "The best way to predict the future is to invent it." It’s an exhilarating time to be part of shaping a future where human creativity and AI intelligence come together! 🌟

For more enlightening discussions, be sure to follow Shailendra on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Medium. Keep the conversation flowing! And don’t forget to subscribe for your regular dose of AI insights and share your thoughts in the comments. Until next time, stay curious and keep inventing the future! ✨

AI Agents Unleashed: The Future of Smart Software and Human Collaboration

Hello everyone! 🌟 Welcome to "AI with Shaily," hosted by the knowledgeable Shailendra Kumar. Today, we’re diving into the exciting realm of Agentic AI and its growing prominence compared to traditional AI. So, grab your favorite drink and settle in for an engaging discussion! ☕️

Agentic AI is making waves in the tech community, and it’s not your typical AI. Unlike traditional AI, which often needs human input to function, Agentic AI is autonomous. This means it can make decisions and carry out tasks on its own! 🤖 Imagine an AI that not only knows where it needs to go but also figures out the best way to get there—how cool is that? In contrast, traditional AI often relies on human supervision, like a child learning to ride a bike with training wheels.

However, traditional AI isn't going anywhere just yet. Generative AI remains a favorite in various industries, especially for content creation. From crafting the perfect Instagram caption to creating stunning digital art, generative AI is actively involved in enhancing our social media experiences. 📸✨

Shailendra shares a personal anecdote about the potential of Agentic AI in real-world scenarios. Imagine being in a fast-paced boardroom meeting where decisions need to be made quickly and accurately. The idea of having Agentic AI sitting alongside us, providing insights and strategies autonomously, is becoming more feasible. Its applications in sectors like finance, robotics, and urban planning could revolutionize business intelligence, leading to faster decision-making and improved operational efficiency. 📈

He also lightens the mood with a humorous thought: what if an Agentic AI could manage his grocery shopping, knowing when he’s out of almond milk before he even realizes it? 🥛 While it may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, advancements in AI are making such scenarios more plausible.

As we conclude this insightful episode, Shailendra encourages listeners to observe how industries incorporate agentic capabilities into daily operations, as this could reshape our understanding of a "smart" workplace or service. 💡

He leaves us with a thought-provoking statement: "The more autonomy we give to AI, the more we free the human mind to do what it does best—create and innovate." 

Don’t forget to connect with Shailendra on social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium for more AI insights. If you enjoyed today’s discussion, make sure to subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments! Could Agentic AI be the next significant advancement in our tech journey? 🤔

Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring! 🌍✨

Agentic AI: The Future of Autonomous Decision-Making

How can Europe balance its green transition with economic sovereignty in a world of rising geopolitical tensions? In this episode of Truth Talks, we sit down with Neil Makaroff to discuss the future of European industry, strategic autonomy, and the challenges of achieving net-zero emissions.

From industrial policy to energy security, we explore:
🔹 The role of strategic autonomy in Europe’s green transition
🔹 How the EU can compete with the US and China in clean tech
🔹 The impact of geopolitics on Europe’s industrial strategy
🔹 What’s next for Europe’s path to decarbonization

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the biggest economic and environmental challenges shaping Europe’s future.

🎧 Listen now! 

Strategic Autonomy & the Green Deal: What’s Next for Europe?

Pulsating, fluid and evolving, this cinematic Ambient track evokes deep emotion, darkness and hope and a sense of forever. Long synth pads and random FX drape over a deep sine bass nudging us through a smooth and shifting arrangement. It's excellent for emotional dramas, B-roll and self-help talkovers. Ethereal, eternal, vast, cosmic.

For licensing, contact
https://www.Shockwave-Sound.com
https://www.LynnePublishing.com



Chilled With Ambience

John Starcluster - Effects at a Distance

🎙️ You’re listening to Weekly AI News with Shaily! I'm Shailendra Kumar (Shaily), your guide through the ever-evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. 🌍 This week’s developments from the week starting March 23, 2025, underscore how AI is reshaping industries, **spurring innovation**, and challenging existing frameworks.

🔍 First, the U.S. government has unveiled a groundbreaking AI Action Plan, seeking public input to shape future AI policies. Over 325 comments have already poured in, illustrating a democratized approach to developing regulations that balance **innovation** and safety. This could redefine the landscape of AI in the U.S. 🇺🇸

🌐 Meanwhile, China has launched Manus, an autonomous AI agent with capabilities rivaling Western counterparts, sparking conversations about **AI dominance** and geopolitical tensions. 

🏭 On the business front, Larry Page's Dynatomics aims to revolutionize **traditional manufacturing** with AI, paving the way for a new industrial revolution. 

🤖 In tech developments, Elon Musk's xAI introduced Grok 3, raising questions around bias in **deep learning** systems. 

💰 Notably, Shield AI's recent $240 million raise highlights the strategic significance of AI in defense.

Stay tuned for expert insights and in-depth analysis. If you enjoyed today’s news, please subscribe, follow, and share! Your voice matters in the AI conversation. 🙌✨

🚀 AI News with Shaily for Week starting March 23: What’s Shaping the Future of AI?

We bring more content from ACEP LAC with a discussion on shifting interpretations of EMTALA that may further blur the lines with the MSE and definition of fulfilling the EMTALA mandate. These changes may increase risk the physicians and potentially impact autonomy. 

EMTALA and Emerging Threats to Physician Autonomy with Drs. Ricky Dhaliwal and Nicholas Steinour

🔥 Welcome to Weekly AI News with Shaily – your go-to roundup for the latest artificial intelligence innovations! Hosted by Shailendra Kumar (Shaily), this episode (Week starting March 23, 2025) dives into cutting-edge breakthroughs and trends transforming the world of machine learning and deep learning.

This week:  
- Nvidia, Google, and Foundry unveil Ember, a modular open-source framework powering smarter, more collaborative multimodal AI – making models faster, more reliable, and less biased 🤖  
- Intel launches Arc Pro B60 & B50 GPUs, setting the bar for AI training and inference hardware performance, with expanded memory and next-gen capabilities 🚀  
- Shield AI secures $240 million to evolve autonomous platforms, highlighting real-world impact as AI systems gain agency in defense and enterprise domains 💰  
- Multimodal machine learning takes center stage, as AI learns to blend words, images, and audio, making virtual assistants and automation more human-like than ever 🌐

Shaily unpacks what these deep learning breakthroughs mean for researchers, developers, and business leaders, sharing actionable insights and future trends. If you’re eager to stay ahead with the latest machine learning developments, subscribe now! Hit follow for more AI news, tutorials, and community Q&A on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium. Let’s shape the AI future together—tune in, share, and join the conversation!

Is AI Getting More Human? 🔥 News with Shaily for Week Starting May 19!

In this episode, Nick Perloff-Giles sits down with Steve Adler, former mayor and city councilmember of Austin, TX. They discuss the work required to bridge across interest groups, passing legislation with long time horizons, and how to build consensus for large-scale transit projects.

Paving Progress: Building Coalitions for Urbanism with Steve Adler

"…there is a trade union version of entryism also being practised. And I think where C.L.R. James even turns away from that, and also turns away from Trotskyism and Leninism, is that he truly does something that we are trying to name our podcast after, which is this thing where he faces the autonomy of the working class. He recognises that the working class, they express themselves autonomously, they express themselves on their own, in self-manifested groups, and they don’t need a party bureaucracy, they don’t need a union bureaucracy and, in fact, a lot of those old left formations do a lot to suppress the free and unsuppressed and autonomous expression of working class politics."
Zara Richter, Podcast: Who are we and what is Facing Autonomy? https://facingautonomy.com/podcast/who-we-are-and-what-is-facing-autonomy/
 

The Facing Autonomy collective take their name from both the 1956 book Facing Reality, co-authored by, amongst others, C.L.R. James and Cornelius Castoriadis, which brought together anarchistic ideas of organisation with Marxist theory, and Italian Autonomist Marxism, which emphasised the political strategy of workers self organisation independently of unions and party bureaucracy. In this session we will be joined by Facing Autonomy to explore worker self-organisation, especially in relationship to C.L.R. James, Italian Autonomist Marxism, Left Communism and Anarchism, and to explore what it might mean to us today.
https://facingautonomy.com/

Facing Autonomy: Autonomist Marxism and Worker Self-Organisation with Zara Richter

In a future where machines gain autonomy and the line between the virtual and real world begins to blur, System Wars delivers the soundtrack to a digital uprising. This track combines relentless beats, deep synthetic basslines, and dark cyberpunk atmospheres – perfect for fans of futuristic and immersive electronic music.

System Wars  BrainSpot Snipped

Today on American Indian Airwaves, listeners will hear extensive update on the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) newest and creative forms of resistance and rebellion throughout the Chiapas, Mexico region. The EZLN recently underwent internal changes to reflect a more localized community structure and revised their ideas of land ownership in attempting to align with Indigenous or Mayan ways of life. Listeners will hear about the Mayan art as expressed form of creative resistance and rebellion, and refusal of mega development projects threatening their traditional homelands, as well as the increased violence perpetrated against U.S. immigrants in time of rising Authoritarian Fascism with the Trump 2.0 Administration.   

Guest:
Richard Stahler-Sholk, a retired Professor of Political Science at Eastern Michigan University, and community activist involved with the School of Chiapas which is an organization of grassroots activists and communities working to support the autonomous, indigenous Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Schools for Chiapas was created in the mid-1990’s by individuals searching for ways to make the world a better place and working to create a world where all worlds fit.

Archived programs can be heard on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/burntswamp

American Indian Airwaves streams on over ten podcasting platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Audible, Backtracks.fm, Gaana, Google Podcast, Fyyd, iHeart Media, Mixcloud, Player.fm, Podbay.fm, Podcast Republic, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tunein, YouTube, and more.


Indigenous Art, Resistance, & Rebellion, Trump 2.0 & the Rise of US Authoritarian Fascism

Can't Change Me

In this episode of Fast Forward, Nick Perloff-Giles sits down with Founder & Chief Curator of CoMotion John Rossant to discuss CoMotion's newest venture - a conference in Riyadh, focused on the intersection of east and west, mobility and technology, and policy and application. Listen for a preview of what the conference is preparing to offer.

————————————

Saudi Arabia and Riyadh are at the crossroads of a global shift to sustainable, connected and multimodal mobility. CoMotion GLOBAL in Riyadh on Dec 7–9, 2025, will set the urban agenda in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Connect with an unprecedented array of public and private sector leaders shaping the future of mobility, including mayors, innovative policymakers, founders & CEOs, and VC investors.

Explore the future of mobility and urban transformation — where East meets West in a groundbreaking global forum.

The world’s next great leap in mobility starts here.

Join the movement: comotionglobal.com

————————————

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/CoMotionNEWS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comotion_global/
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCUdylw5XdxHdaXi-1KGwJnQ
Twitter: twitter.com/CoMotionNEWS

Riyadh's Mobility Revolution: A Global Perspective

Tanya Pell describes herself as a professional dream chaser. A former high school teacher, she's a bone collector, an aerialist performer, and a writer and editor. She joins us to chat about her new novel, Her Wicked Roots. 

Tanya chats about
*collecting lore
*Event Horizon
*being an overthinker
*Until Dawn
*chess
*toxic families
*insidious nursery rhymes
*gender & autonomy
*how plants communicate
*living in the present
* why "more does not mean better"
and more

For more information about Tanya and Her Wicked Roots, visit Tanya's website https://www.tanyapell.com/ and follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tanya.pell/?hl=en and Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/tanyapell.bsky.social

Tanya Pell - Her Wicked Roots

Your whole world was built upon my tears
On my reactions, all my hopes and fears
You pulled the strings and thought you had the stage
But I'm rewriting the final page

My silence is the final word you'll hear from me
The sound of my autonomy, the sound of being free
You're lost in your uncertainty, a king without a throne
While I reclaim the energy I should have kept my own
My silence is the final word, the end of all your games
The sweetest sound of victory, when nothing is the same

You preened and posed, the prize I had to win
But my indifference is the state you're in
The questions burn, you'll never know the truth
"Does she despise me? Has she found her youth?"
You're left alone inside your hollow cage
To face the mess you made and turn the page

My silence is the final word you'll hear from me
The sound of my autonomy, the sound of being free
You're lost in your uncertainty, a king without a throne
While I reclaim the energy I should have kept my own
My silence is the final word, the end of all your games
The sweetest sound of victory, when nothing is the same

I know you'll test the waters, send a lifeline thin and weak
A casual, "Hey, how are you?" the future that you seek
But you will find a quiet wall, a space where I once stood
And finally you'll understand that nothing's understood
For you, the game is over

My silence is the final word you'll hear from me
The sound of my autonomy, the sound of being free!
You're lost in your uncertainty, a king without a throne
While I reclaim the energy I should have kept my own!
My silence is the final word, the end of all your games
The sweetest sound of victory, when nothing is the same

The only way to win was not to play...
I took my self-respect and walked away...
My silence... is the final word.

Autonomy

As we are sliding from crises of social reproduction into crises of planetary ecology, this podcast looks at our collective struggles for existence and care. From agroecology, feminist strikes and climate justice to care commons and movement infrastructures — this fieldcast tunes into ways of building autonomy and interdependence at the same time.

We listen in to the life-sustaining backwaters that produce our food, reproduce our bodies and fight to defend our common worlds and singular territories. Those are the real-but-invisible frontlines of our struggles for a desirable world — one that can hold us all and one we can hold dear. A world that allows us to mind our interdependencies and look after one another, as well as to build forms of collective power.

In this fieldcast, we learn about world-making from those who care for territories and ecosystems, look after bodies and communities, build movement infrastructures, and blockade, occupy and strike for earth and care.. We listen into tactics and strategies in the struggle against the destruction of social and natural ecologies, and learn about infrastructures and networks that enable movements to learn, care and resist.

Unlock the secrets of data mastery with Shailendra, a 27-year veteran in AI, ML, and Data Science, driving AU$ 6 Billion in transformative value. As the author of 'Making Money out of Data,' their strategies redefine digital success. With expertise honed at IBM and Accenture, they drive innovation and data monetization. Explore how loyalty programs like Flybuys and Everyday Rewards revolutionize business—connect with Shaily today.

American Indian Airwaves (AIA), an Indigenous public affairs radio porgram and, perhaps, the longest running Native American radio program within both Indigenous and the United States broadcast communication histories. Also, AIA broadcast weekly every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm (PCT) on KPFK FM 90.7 Los Angeles (http://www.kpfk.org).  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiacr


American Indian Airwaves is produced in Burntswamp Studios and started broadcasting on March 1st, 1973 on KPFK in order to give Indigenous peoples and their respective First Nations a voice about the continuous struggles against Settler Colonialism and imperialism by the occupying and settler societies often referred to as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Latin and South America countries located therein.

American Indian Airwaves operates as an all-volunteer collective with no corporate sponsorship and no underwriters.

ACEP Frontline, hosted by Dr. Ryan Stanton, features in-depth conversations on the hottest topics in emergency medicine and critical care.

Music is my medium to express my feelings and emotions. Every woman has a long and arduous journey behind her, is currently in a difficult situation, or is facing a new challenge. The lyrics I have written myself reflect my experiences and my past. With the help of AI, they were transformed into song lyrics, and the music was also generated by AI. I hope my music can offer you solace and comfort during these difficult times. Don't forget: Where there is love, there is never fear. Recognize your worth!

Lynne Publishing is a music label representing a library of high-quality, carefully developed and curated production music, available to license for use in your own media.We develop our own music with contracted professional composers, both young and exciting talents and experienced film- and TV composers.

All our music is available for easy licensing for use in media creations, such as videos, films, games, TV, online, social media, corporate use, etc. To obtain a Master Synchronization license for any of music, contact us via www.LynnePublishing.com

Art & Research Group led by Bradley Tuck dedicated to exploring the history and future of avant-garde and radical counterculture.
📍Brighton, UK & Online

Fast Forward is a bi-weekly podcast covering the revolution in urban mobility. Hosted by urban researcher Nick Perloff-Giles, each episode features a guest on the front lines of the transformation in transportation, along with fun and incisive commentary on that week’s news.

Visit www.comotionla.com to find out more about our flagship gathering convening the top players shaping the future of mobility.

Music from the long road. Through struggle, hope, and everything between. For the everyday grind, late nights, long miles, and the weight we all carry. Honest words, raw energy, and a reminder that even on the hardest paths, there’s still light to be found.

The Authors on the Air Global Radio Network is an international digital media corporation featuring  podcasts, book reviewers and conference media coverage..  Our content is available on audio and video platforms in 153 countries.

Podcast Europejski to aktualne wiadomości z Polski, Europy i świata. Najważniejsze wydarzenia polityczne, społeczne i kulturowe komentowane są przez dziennikarzy redakcji EURACTIV.pl oraz zaproszonych ekspertów.

New tracks tagged #Autonomy