Oleksandr Usyk, a Ukrainian boxer, has achieved significant success in the heavyweight division, becoming the undisputed heavyweight world champion. Despite his accomplishments, he remains an underdog due to biases favoring more marketable British heavyweights. Usyk's unique training methods and mental strength have set him apart, leading to victories over larger opponents like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. The article highlights the challenges Usyk faces in gaining recognition, partly due to language barriers and the cultural decline of boxing. As he prepares for a rematch with Fury, Usyk's story underscores the need for the sport to reconsider its emphasis on size over skill.

Will Storr's 'The Status Game' challenges traditional views on human behavior by emphasizing the importance of status over sex, power, and money. The book explores how the quest for status has shaped human history, from hunter-gatherer societies to the modern global economy, and its impact on happiness, health, and societal developments. Published by Harper Collins, the book offers a new perspective on human psychology and social dynamics.

Will Lloyd, a reporter for The Sunday Times, discusses Martin Amis's book 'The Second Plane,' which covers 9/11, terrorism, and the Blair-Bush coalition. Lloyd argues that Amis, known for his comic novels, struggled with the weight of expectation to explain seismic events in real time, leading to a work that parallels the errors of the Iraq War. The discussion highlights Amis's attempt to contextualize 9/11 and the subsequent political landscape, ultimately suggesting that he was out of his depth.

Will Lloyd discusses Martin Amis's 'The Second Plane', highlighting its exploration of 9/11, terrorism, and the Blair-Bush coalition. He critiques Amis's approach, comparing it to the Iraq War's errors. Graham Caveney examines 'Money: A Suicide Note', arguing it reflects the 60s more than the 80s. Leo Robson delves into 'Other People', noting Amis's literary influences and coping strategies. Alys Denby shares her insights on 'Success', and James Marriott praises 'The War Against Cliché' for its impact on his writing.

Oliver Dowden, the UK's deputy prime minister, emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence in enhancing the productivity of the civil service. He spoke about the potential of AI to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency in government operations. Dowden highlighted the government's plans to advance AI innovation, including the creation of the Incubator for AI unit, which aims to support AI use across the civil service and reduce the government workforce to pre-2016 levels. The UK ranks third in the Government AI Readiness Index, indicating its potential to leverage AI for public services.

Alys Denby, editor of Cap X, shares her personal journey of discovering Martin Amis through his book 'Success,' which she first read at university. The book contrasts the lives of Gregory Riding and Terence Service, exploring themes of male rivalry and societal transformation in Britain. Denby discusses how Amis's work offers insights into men's ideas of success and humor, noting that contemporary audiences might not receive the book as favorably as past critics did.

In 2023, public servants faced significant developments in artificial intelligence, digital identity, and the future of work. Governments worldwide tackled digital identity concerns, with the UK and US making legislative strides. Flexible and remote working policies continued to evolve, with notable actions in the US, Australia, and Canada. The Canadian public service strike led to successful pay negotiations and improved remote work conditions. The US government focused on employee wellness and compensation for wrongful terminations. Efforts to create a more equitable workforce included Australia's Department of Defence aiming to double women's participation in STEM fields.

The Government Accountability Office found that most major US federal agencies lack comprehensive and accurate data on their use of artificial intelligence. Upon reviewing inventories from 20 agencies, only five provided complete information, while the rest had data gaps and inaccuracies. The GAO emphasized the importance of accurate AI inventories for effective planning, execution, and management of AI projects and made 35 recommendations to 19 agencies to improve their AI use case inventories.

Australia's productivity commissioner Stephen King advises against overregulating artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to focus on how AI is used rather than the technology itself. Speaking at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia's AI Leadership Summit, King warns that excessive regulation could drive AI development overseas and hinder productivity gains in government services such as human services, education, health, disability, and aged care. He calls for a balanced approach, suggesting that existing regulations be clarified or modified to cover AI use, and urges the government to lead in the ethical application of AI technologies.

The Australian government has introduced a Digital ID Bill to the senate, aiming to establish a national digital identity system with a legislative framework and accreditation for private sector providers. The bill allocates AUS$145.5m in new funding, focusing on cybersecurity and fraud prevention. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher emphasized the importance of online safety and independent oversight, while Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus highlighted the need for privacy and transparency. The bill is under review by the Senate Economics Committee, with discussions on potential monetization by private providers. In parallel, Switzerland is advancing its own digital ID scheme, emphasizing state control and data protection.