20132018

2013–2018 refers to a six-year period characterized by a continuation of the global economic recovery after the Great Recession, marked by low interest rates and uneven growth. The period saw rapid expansion of digital technology, with mobile internet access becoming nearly ubiquitous in many regions and cloud-based services underpinning new business models. Innovation in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation started to reshape labor markets, while concerns about cybersecurity and data privacy grew in tandem.

Geopolitically, the period featured major shifts. In 2014 Russia annexed Crimea, leading to sanctions and a redefined security landscape in Europe. The rise of ISIS influenced conflicts in the Middle East and global terrorism concerns. The 2015 migrant crisis tested European cohesion, while 2016 saw the United Kingdom vote to leave the European Union and the United States elect a new president, intensifying debates over globalization and sovereignty. The MeToo movement began in 2017, drawing attention to sexual harassment and gender equality.

On the technology and policy front, data protection and digital governance drew attention. The Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force in 2016, committing nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, though implementation varied. In 2016–2017, AI and data science expanded across industries. In 2018, the Cambridge Analytica scandal highlighted data misuse; the EU implemented GDPR. Economically, US–China trade tensions began to surface, signaling a shift toward protectionism.

Overall, 2013–2018 was a period of significant technological change, shifting geopolitical alignments, and intensifying debates over privacy, security, and governance. It set the stage for later developments in technology policy, international relations, and social movements, while leaving persistent challenges in economic inequality and regional stability.