Gisele Pelicot, 72, made headlines around the world, becoming a icon in the battle against sexual violence. Her ex-husband, who drugged her and invited strangers to sexually assault her for over ten years, received the maximum sentence of 20 years from a French court on December 19. The other 50 defendants were also found guilty, with jail terms ranging from three to 15 years. Pelicot insisted the trial be open to public scrutiny. ‘I hope all victims of rape can say to themselves: ‘If Mrs. Pelicot could do it, so can we’,’ she declared. Following the verdict, her thoughts turned to the ‘unrecognized victims’ of sexual maltreatment.
Nvidia, the AI chip giant, stole the show amid the AI fervor of 2024, leaving the rest in its wake. Setting a precedent, Nvidia outdid Apple to become the highest valued listed company globally, thanks in part to the ongoing AI boom. With his distinctive black leather jacket, Nvidia’s CEO, a figure of much acclaim, founded the company 30 years ago. The company’s recent surge is largely down to its graphical processing units or cards – chips that offer much higher computing power than typical microprocessors.
These chips were first developed to enhance the graphic quality of video games, but it was discovered that they were an ideal fit for developing the large language models that underpin generative AI. The story of Nvidia’s growth in 2024 is a shining example of how old tech can find new applications. Underneath it all, however, is a more troubling reality: the rampant commercial exploitation of AI and the unsettling power it accords to corporations like Nvidia. This technological leap forward also raises questions, from ethical concerns to the unsettling prospect of AI outstripping human capabilities.
The widow of the late Russian opposition leader, Yulia Navalnaya, proclaimed ‘My political opponent is Vladimir Putin and I’m doing everything possible to topple his regime as soon as I can.’ A trained economist, Navalnaya has remained a public figure to carry on her husband’s mission post his death in an Arctic prison. From her base abroad, she consistently criticizes Putin’s government, proclaiming her ambition to run for the Russian presidency once Putin is out of the picture.
In a state that bemoans the lack of democracy and where political opponents face profound risks, Navalnaya’s protestations are as ineffective as they are brave. In July, Moscow added her to its list of ‘terrorists and extremists’, consolidating her position as an adversary. But considering Russia’s political climate and attitude towards Kremlin critics, Navalnaya’s chances at achieving official political power seem almost laughable.
At 17, Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal was hailed worldwide after his performances in the Euro 2024 championship made him a standout. Yamal, together with another young player, was credited with inspiring Spain to a record fourth men’s European Championship victory. After coming up through Barcelona FC’s youth team, Yamal, still with his braces, is now among the team’s most promising talents.
During Euro 2024, Yamal became the competition’s youngest ever goal-scorer at 16 and celebrated his 17th birthday on the eve of the final match, sparking admiration and surprise. ‘We have seen a genius,’ said Spain’s coach about his young star during the tournament. By the end of the championship, Yamal was named the young player of the tournament. Although his rise was certainly impressive, it remains to be seen how he will handle the weight of expectation moving forward.
British pop star Charli XCX took 2024 by storm with her breakthrough album ‘Brat’. A major political campaign seized upon the hype around the album’s release, trying to parlay it into something larger. The so-called ‘brat summer’ meme, ignited by the 32-year-old pop star’s album with its vivid lime-green cover and ethos of relaxed joy, became a trending topic when supporters started using a colored ‘brat’ filter on the candidate’s photos.
The campaign quickly adopted this trend, hoping to capitalize on Charli XCX’s endorsement, only for it to fizzle out as quickly as it had started. In November, a few days before the campaign lost at the polls, Collins dictionary named ‘brat’ the Word of the Year. Despite the efforts of the campaign to leverage pop culture and Charli XCX to its advantage, it turned out to be nothing more than a short-lived fad, which ended in ultimate defeat at the ballot box.
The year 2024 was full of interesting characters and stories. The struggles and triumphs of Gisele Pelicot put a spotlight on the prevalence of sexual violence and highlighted the importance of open trials to encourage other victims to speak out. At the same time, it underscored the grave societal issues prevalent in many corners of the world.
The tremendous success of Nvidia revealed the power of artificial intelligence but also raised concerns about the unchecked influence of corporations in dictating the future of technology. It illustrated the maturity of the AI space and pointed towards a future where AI could dominate every aspect of our lives.
Political defiance in Russia continued with Yulia Navalnaya attempting to carry forth her late husband’s legacy. However, her proclamation of battling Putin only entrenched her as a Kremlin critic, further proving the intimidating rule of Putin’s regime and the suppressing tactics employed to quell opposition.
Lamine Yamal’s rapid rise to stardom showcased the magic of football and the thrill of seeing young talent thrive. His performances on the field brought joy to millions, but also put a spotlight on the immense pressure young athletes endure on their path to fame.
Lastly, British pop star Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ phenomenon illuminated the intersection of politics and pop culture, though the fleeting success of the attempt suggested that such gimmicks have limited efficacy in bringing about political change. Altogether, 2024 proved to be a memorable year, with each story leaving a lasting mark.