Why Latitudinal exists.
Latitudinal is an independent publication focused on artificial intelligence, emerging technology and state power across borders. It is built around a simple premise: developments become more useful when they are tracked consistently, sourced carefully and revisited over time.
Tracking strategic technology across borders and over time.
Latitudinal examines artificial intelligence, emerging technology and state power through two connected tracks: an Observatory for evidence and ongoing developments, and a Journal for research, analysis and commentary.
Observatory and Journal
One documents developments as they emerge. The other develops research and analysis from the evidence.
Ongoing tracking and evidence
Dated records, persistent trackers, source quality, confidence assessments and corrections. The Observatory records what changed, when it changed and how strongly the evidence supports it.
Explore the Observatory →Research, analysis and commentary
Longer work examines the implications of documented developments. Research, analysis and commentary are identified clearly and supported by sources.
Explore the Journal →Open to the world.
Our coverage is guided by research questions and the significance of developments, not by a fixed list of countries or regions.
Latitudinal welcomes research and commentary on technology, institutions and state power in any country. We aim to understand and explain developments rather than promote a favourable or unfavourable view of any nation. Critical findings are not excluded, but conclusions must follow the evidence, acknowledge uncertainty and distinguish documented facts from interpretation. Our purpose is research and informed commentary, not national advocacy or unsupported opinion.
Across borders
The name reflects a comparative view across states, regions and technological systems rather than a publication defined by a single country.
Over time
The Observatory is longitudinal in method: persistent trackers preserve developments, updates and corrections so patterns can emerge over months and years.