Colin Gavaghan
@digitalfutures.bsky.social
670 followers 420 following 140 posts
Professor at Bristol Digital Futures Institute/UoB Law School. Tech law geek. Genre fic nerd. Proud Scot-kiwi-Bristolian.
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Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
bileta.bsky.social
We are now accepting abstracts for our Annual Conference at @aberuni.bsky.social 15-17 Apr. 2026. Join us for critical talks on law, tech & education (and generally a good time!) The theme is: 'Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.' More info: www.bileta.org.uk/news/bileta-...
BILETA conference 2026 – call for papers – BILETA
www.bileta.org.uk
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
j2bryson.bsky.social
Also tiktok, so relevant both sides of the Atlantic.
clune.org
It’s because of the links coming out between the Tony Blair Institute (which is very embedded in our government due to New Labour ministers and advisors coming back) and Oracle

Article is free to read with a free account

www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Inside the Tony Blair Institute
Who really benefits from the former PM’s tech evangelism?
www.newstatesman.com
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
rbreich.bsky.social
The richest man on earth owns X.

The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.

The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.

See the problem here?
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
barackobama.bsky.social
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Let’s be clear about what happened to Jimmy Kimmel
Trump’s most brazen attack on free speech yet.
www.yahoo.com
digitalfutures.bsky.social
Spot on.
bestforbritain.org
"If you've had enough of politicians, if you don't trust Westminster, join us."

What a revolting, cynical statement for a man who was an MP of the party that ruled for 14 years until five minutes ago - and David Cameron's speech writer before that.

What contempt for voters. ~AA
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
sturdyalex.bsky.social
UPEND THE ESTABLISHMENT, by voting for a party composed entirely of rejects from the oldest party in the country that was in power for 14 years. 😂

Reform UK increasingly look like the Tories just ran off stage, then ran back on wearing a comedy glasses-nose-moustache disguise.
bestforbritain.org
BREAKING: Tory MP Danny Kruger just defected to Reform. Big surprise, not. ~AA
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
alteredstatetalks.bsky.social
Trump on 19 Russian drones shot into Poland: "could've been a mistake..."

Part 2 of our podcast for TRUMP & VANCE - W/ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast

w/
Gen Sir Tim Radford
Prof Ana Garcia
Richard Graham ex MP & diplomat
@digitalfutures.bsky.social

#nato
digitalfutures.bsky.social
There are two kinds of people. There are those who see this statue and see a teddy bear reaching out to comfort someone in despair. And there are those who see a nightmare toy come to life, about to push him off the ledge... 😈
digitalfutures.bsky.social
I told Tim afterwards that, of he ever gets tired of the defence gig, he'd make a wonderful audiobook narrator - that voice! But listening to this, I'm also struck by how much Richard sounds like the actor Anton Lesser!
digitalfutures.bsky.social
This was such a rewarding gig!
alteredstatetalks.bsky.social
Ep 1 of our epic #defence talk podcast, the whole talk by Gen Tim Radford Prof Ana Garcia & Richard Graham w host @digitalfutures.bsky.social

Do #Alaska & yesterday’s meet in the W House mean anything concrete for Uk defence in the era of #AmericaFirst?

www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast

#nato
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
defencebrief.bsky.social
I have a rape case. Offence in April 2022. Reported within days. Charged Oct 2023. Trial listed July 2024. Put back to Oct 2024. No court available so put back to today. At court today, there's no court available AGAIN. FOURTH trial date now June 2026 - more than four years after the incident!!
digitalfutures.bsky.social
A real treat to spend a weekend with good books by fine friends.
digitalfutures.bsky.social
They probably will split the left vote in some places, but they might also give Labour a reason to look over their left shoulder as well as their right. For some of us, that would be no bad thing.
digitalfutures.bsky.social
Well at least we can be confident the Powers That Be will listen and learn from this and not make the same mistake again. Right?

Right...?
digitalfutures.bsky.social
100%. Though they have helped make the case for getting rid of the actual humans who did make our work lives easier and better.
digitalfutures.bsky.social
Reading through a 6-page explainer doc on how to navigate 8 website pages listing about 80 different links, so that I can check my teaching timetable for the coming year. I sure am optimistic about the next wave of tech freeing us up to do the 'high value' work because it's going so well so far...
digitalfutures.bsky.social
14 years, I think you'll find! Some of them even pretty good ones. Srsly, it's a tremendous place and a great opportunity.
acgeddis.bsky.social
🚨🚨 Attention legal academic bsky ... Otago Law is seeking to appoint the "New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies". This was held by @digitalfutures.bsky.social for the best part of a decade, so you KNOW it's a quality opportunity!

otago.taleo.net/careersectio...
Screenshot of the advert for the New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies at Otago, with a picture of the University clock tower and pou whenua.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
alteredstatetalks.bsky.social
Brilliant talk last night about UK defence in the era of America First foreign policy

Thanks to Gen Sir Tim Radford, Prof Ana Juncos Garcia, Richard Graham & host @digitalfutures.bsky.social

Punches were not pulled

Spades were called spades

Blog & podcast to follow

#alteredstate #bristoltalks
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
drkatedevlin.bsky.social
Those of you in London today: This is TONIGHT! Drinks at 6:15pm, panel at 7pm, free to attend but please do sign up via the link below. Trump is taking a stand against ‘woke’ in the US — but what’s happening in the UK? And does technology help or hinder it?
digitalfutures.bsky.social
Fun times trying to persuade a law firm that I really don't, in 2025, need to print, sign and *post* all the docs. AI might eventually revolutionise the profession, but I'd be more convinced if they could get their heads around e-signatures and the fax machine ...
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
alteredstatetalks.bsky.social
What are the consequences of the US's involvement in Israel's war w/ Iran?

Iran are active in the war in Europe via their pact w/ Russia

So is Britain

A NATO general, a prof of EU politics & a former MP & diplomat talk this Tues 24th

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#bristoltalks #bristolevents
The US has changed the course of the conflict - how will Iran respond?
Whether the Middle East conflict escalates further will depend on Iran and its allies, writes the BBC's Jo Floto.
www.bbc.co.uk
digitalfutures.bsky.social
If they could chuck in a few more Saturdays too, that would be sweet.