This article is republished with permission fromWonder Tools,a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps.Subscribe here.I dont know how to code. So I was delighted this week to discover a new AI service,Windsurf Cascade, that helped me make several little games and apps right after downloading the free software.How it works:I draft a prompt explaining to the AI what Im envisioning. It spits out code I can test, then I ask for revisions. I then publish and share an app.Why it matters:Windsurfis the first tool Ive seen that makes it easy for absolute beginners to code full games and applications without any prior experience. If youve ever been curious about coding but intimidated by the complexity, nows a great time to dive in with AI assistance.What you can do:If theres a game youd love to makeor a simple applicationyou might finally be able to do so without professional help. Read on for how it works, what you can do with it, and why Im so excited about this new service.Getting startedDownload thefree Windsurf code editor. Once installed, the software1lets you chat with an AI assistant in one window, while code shows up in another. The AI guides you through generating code to run new games or apps you make.How to begin:Chat with it just as you would with ChatGPT or Claude. Windsurf incorporates both top AI models to understand your requests and generate the necessary code.Your first prompt:Start by telling Windsurfs AI in a few sentences about the subjects, games or applications of interest to you, asking it for ideas for what you can make.Start simple.Consider beginning with the simplest of gameslike Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman. Youll get a quick feel for the interface.Level up a bit.Move on to a trivia or arcade-style game, or a little converter or calculator.Make something useful.After youve made a couple of quick apps, try customizing a mini application you can use for work or a hobby. Consider making a teaching or learning game. Or an information assistant that looks up policy information in your own documents or spreadsheets. Use it yourself or share it with a friend or colleague.What the founder saysVarun Mohan, the CEO and co-founder ofCodeium, which makes Windsurf, told me in a recent Zoom interview that he was surprised at the surge of interest from non-coders.We have a lot of non technical people at the company. Very quickly, once the product was released internally, all of them were spending the entire day building apps instead of doing their job, he said.He said Codeiums goal is to help developersand othersmore efficiently complete ambitious projects. Our goal is to actually reduce the time it takes to build apps by 95%.Pricing, platform and privacyPricing: Freefor the first two weeks. You can continue using the code editor indefinitely for free, but after that the AI assistance costs $10/month.Platform:Works onMac,WindowsandLinux. Not designed for mobile devices, though the apps and games you make will work on mobile browsers, and you can theoretically use Windsurf to make mobile apps.Privacy:Your games, apps and other software canrun locallyon your machine. The files are private until and unless you upload them to a public server.Ideas for what you can makeTrivia gamesAsk the AI to create aJeopardyorWho Wants to Be a Millionaire-style game with questions it designs or pulls from a public database like theOpen Trivia Database. Or post your own questions in a published Google spreadsheet or Airtable and share it with the AI.Action gamesIf you miss your old Atari or arcade games of yore, ask the AI to help you make your own version of Frogger, Pac-Man, or Donkey Kong.Learning gamesBrush up on your geography, periodic table, presidents, star formations, or whatever else youd like to study.Skill gamesStrengthen your typing with an app measuring your speed and accuracy. Or improve your listening skills by guessing the pitch of notes played or the name of a song. Customizing skill games allows you to choose your own look, feel, and functionality.Mini work applicationsMake a little cost or sales calculator tied to your specific services. Or a timeline estimator for planning projects with particular parameters. Or an analysis tool that references a particular spreadsheet or document.Watchsomeone make a check-sharing app and apersonalized email weather alert.Useful featuresThe AI excels at debugging code.Programming errors can cascade through an application, making it difficult for novices to identify and correct problems. When somethings not working right, I just tell the AI whats wrong. It figures out the problem and helps me fix it.You can learn as you go.The AI can answer questions as well as write or edit code for you. As I watch the AI generate code and iterate on app features, I can ask it to explain what its doing or how a bit of code works.You can create as many public or private projects as you wantThe software lives on your computer, so you can keep all your work private. In my case, Im aiming to make and share teaching applications, so the AI has been helping me to publish code to Github Pages. I can host games and apps for free for others to try, like the examples below.This article is republished with permission fromWonder Tools,a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps.Subscribe here.

Americans hoping for a promotion in 2025 should prepare to face stiffer competition.Economic instability took a bite out of payroll budgets in recent years, and as employers finally find themselves in a position to start dishing out raises and promotions again, theyre expected to have their fair share of worthy candidates to choose from.According to a recent survey of 2,000 employers by ZipRecruiter, most are anticipating stronger earnings this year, and intend to use some of those funds to increase compensation. Roughly 55% are planning modest pay increases of 1% to 4%, and about a quarter expect to bump up salaries by 5% or more. By comparison, nearly half of employers planned to reduce payroll budgets this time last year.While thats good news for employees, the significant swing in employer sentiment means many promotions have been deferred, and more employees are waiting in line for their next career advancement opportunity. At the same time, a weakened economy has resulted in less job-hopping in recent years, meaning there are fewer vacancies to fill.Weve seen overall quit rates drop, and theres not a lot of turnover within companies, so people are staying in their positions longer, meaning theres potentially fewer spots available, says Amy Garefis, ZipRecruiters chief people officer. So, its even more important to stand out from a group of people that may be tenured, all vying for the limited promotion positions available.Here are a few key steps that employees can take to help their odds of getting one of those coveted promotions in 2025:1. Dont be indispensableThose looking to move up the career ladder this year need to walk the fine line between effective and irreplaceable, says Garefis.If youre too indispensable doing one specific thing, youre never going to get the opportunity to do anything else, because people are scared to move you off of that, she says. Its about making yourself valuable but not indispensable.To be seriously considered for a new position your manager needs to be confident that the whole operation wont fall apart after you leave your current post. Thats why Garefis says its important to find opportunities to pass off some of those skills, like training a temporary replacement to take over during a vacation, or while youre busy with other internal projects.You need to be very good at your job, but you also need to be willing to teach others and not hoard that information, as if youre the only person on the planet [who] can do it, she says.2. Step up to the challengeAs you make it easier for your boss to envision someone else managing your responsibilities, its also important to help them see you excelling in a different role. Demonstrating that youre up to the task, according to Garefis, requires identifying and volunteering for opportunities beyond your usual job description.That means stepping up and taking on responsibilities that are at that next level, but also just thinking outside of your immediate box, she says.Garefis explains that some opportunities to go above and beyond come about naturally, and its important to volunteer for those when they do arise, but most will need to go out of their way to create them. She recommends identifying problems and presenting a plan to address them, or better yet, volunteering to take on some of the responsibilities that otherwise fall to your manager.Think about what you can do to support your manager and make their lives easier, Garefis suggests. By simplifying your managers life it gives you more responsibility and gets your manager firmly on your side as a supporter.3. Dont let your work speak for itselfThough most of us hope that strong work will be recognized for what it is, the squeaky wheel usually gets the grease. If youre hoping to get promoted in 2025 its important to communicate both your ambitions and your qualifications to those who will make the ultimate decision.Get very clear on your unique value; how do you set yourself apart from your competition? says Tabatha Jones, a career advancement and leadership coach, and author of Promotion Ready in 3 Months. [Consider] what are your skills, your experience, your accomplishments, and start getting really comfortable talking about those.Jones advises those seeking a promotion to go on something of a personal marketing campaign, ensuring that decision-makers are familiar with them and their work before a promotion is even on the table.4. Get out thereThose seeking a promotion are often focussed on impressing their direct superiors or hiring managers, but Jones suggests such decisions are rarely made without the input of others. Therefore, internal networking is vital.I have been in the rooms in my past career where I would hear names come up and see the faces go blank because nobody knew who that person was, she says. It may be the hiring managers final decision, but there are a lot of whispers in that persons ear.Though it may be a challenge for more introverted workers, Jones says its vital to make yourself known in the organization. She recommends requesting informational interviews with superiors, following up with fellow meeting participants that you dont work with regularly, and shaking hands at internal events as much as possible.Ive worked with a lot of clients who are frustrated because they didnt get a promotion, but when I asked what were you doing while you were preparing? How are you staying visible? Who knew you wanted this promotion? Its usually my boss, and thats it, she says. It is critical to get out, get into networking events, and get into conversations with other people.5. Understand your own motivationsBefore you dedicate the necessary time and energy to seeking a promotion this year, its important to take a step back to really consider what you want out of your career, and whether a promotion will help you get it.Getting promoted can be a great boost to the ego, but the rush will be short-lived if it takes you from a job you enjoy and excel at to one you arent well suited for.The number-one step is getting really clear on what you want, where you want to go, so that when [an opportunity] gets posted, you recognize it quickly, says Jones.Before vying for a promotion, you have to understand what you really want out of it, adds Garefis. Instead of making your New Years resolution get a promotion, I would really evaluate what youre actually looking for, and then decide if thats going to work in this company, if I maybe need to look elsewhere, or reset my expectations.

To kick off the new year, here's a look at 12 exciting architecture projects expected to open in 2025, including a giant domed skyspace and an earth-covered sports complex.Render courtesy of Sou FujimotoExpo 2025 Osaka masterplan, Japan, by Sou FujimotoOne of the most highly anticipated openings of 2025 is the World Expo in Osaka, which is being masterplanned by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.Fujimoto has designed a 60,000-square-metre wooden ring to encircle the expo site and its mass of architect-designed pavilions, serving as a symbol of international unity.Among the pavilions inside will be the Blue Ocean Dome by Shigeru Ban and a fragmented wooden structure by Lina Ghotmeh.Find out more about Expo 2025 Osaka masterplan Render courtesy of Schmidt Hammer LassenThe Next Level, Denmark, by Schmidt Hammer Lassen ArchitectsIn Denmark, the long-awaited subterranean extension to ARoS Aarhus Art Museum by Schmidt Hammer Lassen will finally open.Its centrepiece will be The Dome (above), which is being developed with American artist James Turrell to be "the largest skyspace in the world within a museum context"."The Dome at ARoS, with its 40 metres in diameter, will form one of the most spectacular spaces ever built into an art museum," said the studio.Find out more about The Next Level Render courtesy of Foster + PartnersZayed National Museum, United Arab Emirates, by Foster + PartnersNearly 15 years after Foster + Partners revealed its design, Zayed National Museum will open in Abu Dhabi in 2025.The project forms part of Saadiyat Island a cultural district under development off the coast of the UAE capital with a cluster of landmark buildings by an illustrious roster of architects.Among them is the Guggenheim Museum by Frank Gehry, which is also rumoured to be opening in 2025.Find out more about Zayed National Museum Render courtesy of Kr ArchitectureThe Benin National Parliament, Benin, by Kr ArchitectureA late arrival in 2025 will be The Benin National Parliament by the studio of Dibdo Francis Kr, which also featured on our list of buildings to look forward to in 2024.The government building in Porto-Novo is modelled on palaver trees, a species that has been used by generations of communities in West Africa as meeting points for public gatherings.Kr said the project illustrates "the importance of indigenous forms of governance and what contemporary African architecture can be on a national scale".Find out more about The Benin National Parliament Render courtesy of MAD (also top)Quzhou Sports Campus, China, by MADMAD fans will be excited to hear that the studio has several projects opening in 2025, but its most unusual is Quzhou Sports Campus.It comprises a group of sports facilities with green roofs, which appear to emerge from the ground like volcanoes. According to the studio, it is "the largest earth-sheltered complex in the world".The first phase of the project, a stadium with a halo-like roofscape, opened in 2022.Find out more about Quzhou Sports Campus Render courtesy of BIG and Heatherwick StudioGoogle King's Cross, UK, by BIG and Heatherwick StudioIn London, the studios of architect Bjarke Ingels and designer Thomas Heatherwick will wrap up work on the new Google campus.Widely known as London's landscaper, the building will stretch 330 metres in length, making it longer than the Shard the UK's tallest building is tall.Find out more about Google King's Cross Render courtesy of OMANew Museum extension, USA, by OMAThis year will see the completion of OMA's extension to SANAA's sculptural New Museum in New York, doubling the size of the contemporary art gallery.OMA's intervention will have an angular silhouette that juxtaposes the irregularly stacked form of its neighbour, but the two structures will be unified by metal mesh detailing on their facades.Find out more about New Museum extension Render courtesy of Dorte MandrupWadden Sea World Heritage Center, Netherlands, by Dorte MandrupThe Wadden Sea World Heritage Center by Dorte Mandrup will open in April, welcoming visitors to learn about the intertidal zone, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.According to the studio, its design draws on "the endless cycle of the tide", with a gradual spiralling incline that provides panoramic views of the surrounding fishing village."It almost gives you the feeling of being one with the sea," said Dorte Mandrup.Find out more about Wadden Sea World Heritage Center Render courtesy of Zaha Hadid ArchitectsShenzhen Science and Technology Museum, China, by Zaha Hadid ArchitectsAnother late arrival on the list is Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects, which was originally due to open in 2023.Its pebble-shaped form will centre around a large atrium and is hoped to become a landmark for Shenzhen's new district called Guangming Science City."The museum will be a key destination to learn and explore the power of science and technology and understand their impact on our life and future," the studio said.Find out more about Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum Render courtesy of White ArkitekterKvarter 7 in Wood City, Sweden, by White ArkitekterThe only housing project to make this list is Kvarter 7, designed by White Arkitekter to place children's needs at the forefront and be built almost entirely from timber.It forms the first part of the upcoming Wood City in Stockholm the world's largest mass-timber development that White Arkitekter is creating with Henning Larsen to have the feel of a forest.Find out more about Wood City Render courtesy of Jean NouvelFondation Cartier, France, by Jean NouvelFor Jean Nouvel, 2025 will see the unveiling of the new home for the Fondation Cartier, which his studio is creating in the heart of Paris for the contemporary art museum's 40th anniversary.It will occupy the Htel du Louvre, a Haussmannian-era luxury hotel in the Palais-Royal district, and provide 6,500 square meters of flexible exhibition space.Render courtesy of SnhettaQueensland Performing Arts Centre, Australia, by SnhettaBuildings due to open in Australia this year include this performing arts centre in Brisbane by Snhetta, which will be used for ballet, opera, theatre and musicals.This centre will be distinguished by its undulating glass shell, which pays homage to the Brisbane River and celebrates its place in the indigenous land known as Meanjin, originally inhabited by the Turrbal people.The post Twelve architecture projects to look out for in 2025 appeared first on Dezeen.

Designer Tom Dixon has been awarded a CBE, while architect Peter Clegg and graphic designer Neville Brody have been awarded OBEsin King Charles III's New Year Honourslist.Also recognised by King Charles were architect Timothy John Beech Williamson and landscape architect Richard Wilson, who both received OBEs.Industrial designer Dixon hasbecome aCommander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) the highest Order of the British Empire honour in the King's biannual honours programme.Dixon, who was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001, is known for his furniture, lighting and accessories created under his eponymous homeware brand.Read: Patty Hopkins and Michael Anastassiades recognised in King's New Year Honours listHe founding his brand in 2002, having previously worked as worked as creative director of furniture companies Habitat and Artek. In 2022 the brand celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exhibition of its designs at Milan design week.In a Dezeen podcast he described the Tom Dixon brand ethos as "expressive minimalism".Peter Clegg (above) and Tom Dixon (top) have been recognised in the New Year Honours listAlso honoured was Clegg, co-founder of UK architecture practice Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, who received an OBE.Clegg founded the studio, which is known for its sustainable-led designs, in 1978. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize in 2008, alongside Alison Brooks Architects and Maccreanor Lavington, for the Accordia housing development in Cambridge.Recent projects by the studio include the transformation of a historic mill in Shropshire, the Brighton Dome cultural complex and the Aga Khan Academy Dhaka boarding schoolinBangladesh.Neville Brody was awarded an OBEBrody, who was a Dezeen Awards 2024 judge, was also awarded an OBE. Brody is a leading graphic and typography designer who first rose to prominence in the 1980s as art director for cult magazine The Face.He later moved into commercial work and has designed Coca-Cola's first ever own-brand typeface, bespoke typefaces for a Channel 4 rebrand and the typeface for an England football kit.Read: Tom Dixon retrospective exhibition opens at Themes & Variations in LondonAlso recognised on the honours list was Williamson, who was made a Member of the Orders of the British Empire (MBE).Williamson is best known for his role as member of the School Design and Building Unit at the Department for Education.The King's New Year Honours are awarded each year in December. Together with the Birthday Honoursgiven out on the King's official birthday in June, they make up part of the British honours system.Last year architect Patty Hopkins and lighting designerMichael Anastassiades were awarded OBEs in the New Year Honours list.The post Tom Dixon, Peter Clegg and Neville Brody recognised in new year's honours appeared first on Dezeen.

"We believe all [AI] models should respect creators rights."

RIP social media it was nice while it lasted.

Oppressive, unstimulating urban architecture isnt just about eyesores; theres evidence that it can cause actual harm to its residents. To fix this in 2025, we must start building for joy.

The small step back to Earths satellite will provide a giant leap for exploring our solar system.

MacworldApple always tries to strike a balance between privacy and security. With the Home app, the company decided that someone has to be invited to be a member of the household within the app to have access to accessories controls. Each person invited to a Home defined in the Home app has access to all the accessories within the home.But what if you need to give someone limited access? Apple added a new option to the Home app in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia that should address many use cases but still leaves room for more improvements.In these September 2024 operating system updates, Apple redefines household members as Residents in Home Settings for a given defined home. That allows them to add a new category of guests. Guests cant access most accessories, but you can choose to let them control HomeKit-enabled automatic doors (like a garage door), door locks, and alarm systems, including defining periods when theyre allowed to.To add a guest, follow these steps:In the Home app, tap or click the plus sign in the upper-right corner and choose Add People.Tap or click Guest.Start typing someones name or email address. Available addressesones associated with an iCloud accountwill light up in orange; the others will be in dark gray.Tap or click one or more iCloud-enabled accounts.Tap or click Next.Choose a schedule other than Anytime by tapping or clicking Edit and then using the options to narrow down access periods.Choose which automatic doors, locks, and alarm systems they have access to.Tap or click Invite and an invitation is sent.The guest must accept the invitation to gain access. You can revoke access through Home Settings (tap or click the More [] icon).Start by choosing Guest (left); choose accessories and set a schedule (middle); they then appear as Guest (or Invitation Pending until they accept) alongside Resident (for people in your household).FoundryThis guest access doesnt let them use the Home app to turn on and off lights, power outlets on and off, control a thermostat, or use other accessories. Make sure if youre using this guest feature to let a house sitter, contractor, or cleaner into your home that they have other ways to control lights and devices they need access to. Most HomeKit outlets have manual buttons that can be pressed, for instance.You can also set up an automation that you enable only when youre away, and someone is coming to the house so that, for instance, unlocking the front door also turns on lights, kicks up the heat or AC, and activates other useful accessories. You can disable that automation manually at other times.You can change guest parameters or delete the entry at any time.Ask Mac 911Weve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns:read our super FAQto see if your question is covered. If not, were always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we dont reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

MIT Technology Reviews Whats Next series looks across industries, trends, and technologies to give you a first look at the future. You can read the rest of them here.It looks as though 2025 will be a solid year for electric vehiclesat least outside the United States, where sales will depend on the incoming administrations policy choices.Globally, these cleaner cars and trucks will continue to eat into the market share of gas-guzzlers as costs decline, consumer options expand, and charging stations proliferate.Despite all the hubbub about an EV slowdown last year, worldwide sales of battery EVs and plug-in hybrids likely hit a record high of nearly 17 million vehicles in 2024 and are expected to rise about 20% this year, according to the market research firm BloombergNEF.In addition, numerous automakers are preparing to deliver a variety of cheaper models to auto showrooms around the world. In turn, both the oil demand and the greenhouse-gas emissions stemming from vehicles on the roads are likely to peak over the next few years.To be sure, the growth rate of EV sales has cooled, as consumers in many regions continue to wait for more affordable options and more convenient charging solutions.It also hasnt helped that a handful of nations, like China, Germany, and New Zealand, have eased back the subsidies that were accelerating the rollout of low-emissions vehicles. And it certainly wont do the sector any favors if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his campaign pledges to eliminate government support for EVs and erect trade barriers that would raise the cost of producing or purchasing them.Industry experts and climate scientists argue that the opposite should be happening right now. A critical piece of any realistic strategy to keep climate change in check is to fully supplant internal-combustion vehicles by around 2050. Without stricter mandates or more generous support for EVs, the world will not be on track to meet that goal, BloombergNEF finds and others confirm.We have to push the car companiesand we also have to help them with incentives, R&D, and infrastructure, says Gil Tal, director of the EV Research Center at the University of California, Davis.But ultimately, the fate of EV sales will depend on the particular dynamics within specific regions. Heres a closer look at whats likely to steer the sector in the worlds three largest markets: the US, the EU, and China.United StatesThe US EV market will be a mess of contradictions.On the one hand, companies are spending tens of billions of dollars to build or expand battery, EV, and charger manufacturing plants across America. Within the next few years, Honda intends to begin running assembly lines retooled to produce EVs in Ohio, Toyota plans to begin producing electric SUVs at its flagship plant in Kentucky, and GM expectsto begin cranking out its revived Bolts in Kansas, among dozens of other facilities in planning or under construction.All that promises to drive down the cost of cleaner vehicles, boost consumer options, create tens of thousands of jobs, and help US auto manufacturers catch up with overseas rivals that are speeding ahead in EV design, production, and innovation.But its not clear that will necessarily translate into lower consumer prices, and thus greater demand, because Trump has pledged to unravel the key policies currently propelling the sector.His plans are reported to include rolling back the consumer tax credits of up to $7,500 included in President Joe Bidens signature climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act. He has also threatened to impose stiff tariffs on goods imported from Mexico, China, Canada, and other nations where many vehicles or parts are manufactured.Tal says those policy shifts could more than wipe out any cost reductions brought about as companies scale up production of EV components and vehicles domestically. Tighter trade restrictions could also make it that much harder for foreign companies producing cheaper models to break into the US market.That matters because the single biggest holdup for American consumers is the lofty expense of EVs. The most affordable models still start at around $30,000 in the US, and many electric cars, trucks, and SUVs top $40,000.Theres nothing available in the more affordable options, says Bhuvan Atluri, associate director of research at the MIT Mobility Initiative. And models that were promised are nowhere to be seen. (MIT owns MIT Technology Review.)Indeed, Elon Musk still has yet to deliver on his 18-year-old master plan to produce a mass-market-priced Tesla EV, most recently calling a $25,000 model pointless.As noted, there is a revamped Chevy Bolt on the way for US consumers, as well as a $25,000 Jeep. But the actual price tags wont be clear until these vehicles hit dealerships and the Trump administration translates its campaign rhetoric into policies.European UnionThe EV story across the Europe Union is likely to be considerably more upbeat in the year to come. Thats because carbon dioxide emissions standards for passenger vehicles are set to tighten, requiring automakers in member countries to reduce climate pollution acrosstheir fleet by 15% from 2021 levels. Under the EUs climate plan, these targets become stricter every five years, with the goal of eliminating emissions from cars and trucks by 2035.Automakers intend to introduce a number of affordable EV models in the coming months, timed deliberately to help the companies meet the new mandates, says Felipe Rodrguez, Europe deputy managing director at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Those lower-priced models include Volkwagens ID.2all hatchback ($26,000) and the Fiat Panda EV ($28,500), among others.On average, manufacturers will need to boost the share of battery-electric vehicles from 16% of total sales in 2023 to around 28% in order to meet the goal, according to the ICCT. Some European car companies are raising their prices for combustion vehicles and cutting the price tag on existing EVs to help hit the targets. And predictably, some are also arguing for the European Commission to loosen the rules.Sales trends in any given country will still depend on local conditions and policy decisions. One big question is whether a new set of tax incentives or additional policy changes will help Germany, Europes largest auto market, revive the growth of its EV sector. Sales tanked there last year, after the nation cut off subsidies at the end of 2023.EVs now make up about 25% of new sales across the EU. The ICCT estimates that theyll surpass combustion vehicles EU-wide around 2030, when the emissions rules are set to significantly tighten again.ChinaAfter decades of strategic investments and targeted policies, China is now the dominant manufacturer of EVs as well as the worlds largest market. Thats not likely to change for the foreseeable future, no matter what trade barriers the US or other countries impose.In October, the European Commission enacted sharply higher tariffs on China-built EVs, arguing that the country has provided unfair market advantages to its domestic companies. That followed the Biden administrations decision last May to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese vehicles, citing unfair trade practices and intellectual-property theft.Chinese officials, for their part, argue that their domestic companies have earned market advantages by producing affordable, high-quality electric vehicles. More than 60% of Chinese EVs are already cheaper than their combustion-engine counterparts, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates.The realityand what makes this a difficult challengeis that there is some truth in both perspectives, writes Scott Kennedy, trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.These trade barriers have created significant risks for Chinas EV makers, particularly coupled with the countrys sluggish economy, its glut of automotive production capacity, and the fact that most companies in the sector arent profitable. China also cut back subsidies for EVs at the end of 2022, replacing them with a policy that requires manufacturers to achieve fuel economy targets.But the country has been intentionally diversifying its export markets for years and is well positioned to continue increasing its sales of electric cars and buses in countries across Southeast Asia, Latin America and Europe, says Hui He, China regional director at the ICCT. There are also some indications that China and the EU could soon reach a compromise in their trade dispute.Domestically, China is now looking to rural markets to boost growth for the industry. Officials have created purchase subsidies for residents in the countryside and called for the construction of more charging facilities.By most estimates, China will continue to see solid growth in EV sales, putting nearly 50 million battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the countrys roads by the end of this year.