Dan McQuillan
@danmcquillan.bsky.social
Pinned
Resisting AI
Resisting AI - An Anti-fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence; Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, yet it causes damage to society in ways that can’t be fixed. Calling for the restructuri...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
I wrote 'Resisting AI' (subtitled 'An Anti-fascist approach to Artificial Intelligence') to help preempt the kind of convergence of far right politics and the tech sector that we are waking up to today. The struggle against fascistic solutionism continues. bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/resisting-ai
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
My speaker notes & slides from today's panel on 'Resisting GenAI & Big Tech in Higher Education', co-organised with the Climate Justice Universities Union (CJUU). The full recording, slides and resources will be available soon via the CJUU site.
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
My speaker notes & slides from today's panel on 'Resisting GenAI & Big Tech in Higher Education', co-organised with the Climate Justice Universities Union (CJUU). The full recording, slides and resources will be available soon via the CJUU site.
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
My speaker notes & slides from today's panel on 'Resisting GenAI & Big Tech in Higher Education', co-organised with the Climate Justice Universities Union (CJUU). The full recording, slides and resources will be available soon via the CJUU site.
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
My speaker notes & slides from today's panel on 'Resisting GenAI & Big Tech in Higher Education', co-organised with the Climate Justice Universities Union (CJUU). The full recording, slides and resources will be available soon via the CJUU site.
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
Weird experience to go from being an isolated voice talking about the need to resist AI, to immersion in a vast movement of critical AI commentary, back to feeling isolated because most people's idea of challenging AI doesn't tend towards destituent power.
November 25, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Weird experience to go from being an isolated voice talking about the need to resist AI, to immersion in a vast movement of critical AI commentary, back to feeling isolated because most people's idea of challenging AI doesn't tend towards destituent power.
4pm today UK time
Resisting GenAI and Big Tech in Higher Education - Tuesday 25th Nov, free registration, great panel, big focus on climate justice. Register here: lmula.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
4pm today UK time
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
💥 New publication out on the alignment of AI & authoritarianism 💥
We argue that AI is not simply extending, but actively modulating, key dynamics of authoritarianism, and present a flexible analytical framework to account for these changes.
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
We argue that AI is not simply extending, but actively modulating, key dynamics of authoritarianism, and present a flexible analytical framework to account for these changes.
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 24, 2025 at 9:39 AM
💥 New publication out on the alignment of AI & authoritarianism 💥
We argue that AI is not simply extending, but actively modulating, key dynamics of authoritarianism, and present a flexible analytical framework to account for these changes.
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
We argue that AI is not simply extending, but actively modulating, key dynamics of authoritarianism, and present a flexible analytical framework to account for these changes.
rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
What does a leaderboard of AI metrics really represent?
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
November 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
What does a leaderboard of AI metrics really represent?
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
Feeling queasy now I've learned that Google is not only now offering Gemini ambassador certificates to teachers but also awarding students and *children* to be corporate AI mascots. Coercive normalization of commercialized digital education. blog.google/outreach-ini...
November 22, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Feeling queasy now I've learned that Google is not only now offering Gemini ambassador certificates to teachers but also awarding students and *children* to be corporate AI mascots. Coercive normalization of commercialized digital education. blog.google/outreach-ini...
What does a leaderboard of AI metrics really represent?
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
November 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
What does a leaderboard of AI metrics really represent?
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
-degradation of the information environment
-continued ramping of climate consequences
-a history of eugenics
-stripping critical capacities from young people just as they most need it to combat the return of the far right
The calls to action from the parents:
1. Ban AI tools into the classroom, protect students and teachers from de-skilling
2. Resist not only direct financial relationships or contracts with AI providers, but any training they might offer.
neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d... ✊
1. Ban AI tools into the classroom, protect students and teachers from de-skilling
2. Resist not only direct financial relationships or contracts with AI providers, but any training they might offer.
neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d... ✊
Digital future or risk to critical thinking skills? 5 takeaways as Malden crafts AI strategy for its schools - Neighborhood View
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neighborhoodview.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The calls to action from the parents:
1. Ban AI tools into the classroom, protect students and teachers from de-skilling
2. Resist not only direct financial relationships or contracts with AI providers, but any training they might offer.
neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d... ✊
1. Ban AI tools into the classroom, protect students and teachers from de-skilling
2. Resist not only direct financial relationships or contracts with AI providers, but any training they might offer.
neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d... ✊
Resisting GenAI and Big Tech in Higher Education - Tuesday 25th Nov, free registration, great panel, big focus on climate justice. Register here: lmula.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Resisting GenAI and Big Tech in Higher Education - Tuesday 25th Nov, free registration, great panel, big focus on climate justice. Register here: lmula.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
So jarring to witness the AI industry's daily crowing about new models and improved metrics ("SOTA benchmarks across the board!", "1M-token context window") knowing that they'll still be crap in real life settings (and that most of the metrics still trace back to eugenics).
November 21, 2025 at 7:19 AM
So jarring to witness the AI industry's daily crowing about new models and improved metrics ("SOTA benchmarks across the board!", "1M-token context window") knowing that they'll still be crap in real life settings (and that most of the metrics still trace back to eugenics).
"Dr Dan McQuillan said the dangers of relying on education to counter the malign use of AI were obvious in the problems being encountered by the education sector [due to AI]" www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
AI likely to be used to organise and undermine next general election, committee hears
Expert characterises artificial intelligence as the ‘asbestos of social relationships’
www.irishtimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:42 PM
"Dr Dan McQuillan said the dangers of relying on education to counter the malign use of AI were obvious in the problems being encountered by the education sector [due to AI]" www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
TFW your publisher sends you an email encouraging you to opt-in to licensing your work to AI developers, and when the book in question is titled 'Resisting AI: An Anti-fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence'🤦♂️
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
TFW your publisher sends you an email encouraging you to opt-in to licensing your work to AI developers, and when the book in question is titled 'Resisting AI: An Anti-fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence'🤦♂️
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
This is one of my favs...
November 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This is one of my favs...
My talk for yesterday's AI Policy Lab event: 'From AI Policy To Decomputing' www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDOU...
From AI Policy To Decomputing
YouTube video by Resisting AI
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
My talk for yesterday's AI Policy Lab event: 'From AI Policy To Decomputing' www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDOU...
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
🧵What’s the biggest lie the surveillance industry tells? That they only sell to legal clients. That there are red lines. But what do these companies say when they think nobody is watching? We went undercover to find out
October 15, 2025 at 8:23 AM
🧵What’s the biggest lie the surveillance industry tells? That they only sell to legal clients. That there are red lines. But what do these companies say when they think nobody is watching? We went undercover to find out
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
Really, all I want is to become Theo Jansen and build wiggling wind robots on a beach for the rest of my life
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhA...
Strandbeest evolution 2025
YouTube video by theo jansen
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Really, all I want is to become Theo Jansen and build wiggling wind robots on a beach for the rest of my life
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhA...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhA...
The only solution to AI harms offered by the Irish Electoral Commission and Coimisiún na Meán (media regulator) yesterday was 'education' to which my response was "It's education that's under attack from AI right now!" www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachta... (2:15:15 ff)
Oireachtas committees video archive
Topic: Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy Part 1
www.oireachtas.ie
November 19, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The only solution to AI harms offered by the Irish Electoral Commission and Coimisiún na Meán (media regulator) yesterday was 'education' to which my response was "It's education that's under attack from AI right now!" www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachta... (2:15:15 ff)
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
My opening remarks danmcquillan.org/irish_parlia... were described by committee members as 'blunt' and 'sceptical about AI, to say the least'
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
My opening remarks danmcquillan.org/irish_parlia... were described by committee members as 'blunt' and 'sceptical about AI, to say the least'
My opening remarks danmcquillan.org/irish_parlia... were described by committee members as 'blunt' and 'sceptical about AI, to say the least'
November 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
My opening remarks danmcquillan.org/irish_parlia... were described by committee members as 'blunt' and 'sceptical about AI, to say the least'
Reposted by Dan McQuillan
In a short piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social, @abeba.bsky.social and I write #AIHype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course.
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
AI Hype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course | TechPolicy.Press
Kris Shrishak and Abeba Birhane say policymakers should stop peddling in unscientific discourse about "AGI" and "superintelligence."
www.techpolicy.press
November 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In a short piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social, @abeba.bsky.social and I write #AIHype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course.
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
Stop peddling in unscientific discourse about “AGI” and “superintelligence.” Serve citizens. Don't cater to the whims of tech CEOs.
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
Off tomorrow to give evidence at the Irish Parliament's joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence www.oireachtas.ie/en/committee... for a hearing on the topic of 'AI, Truth and Democracy'. I won't be saying 'Céad Míle Fáilte, AI!'
Committee on Artificial Intelligence
34th Dáil, 27th Seanad
www.oireachtas.ie
November 17, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Off tomorrow to give evidence at the Irish Parliament's joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence www.oireachtas.ie/en/committee... for a hearing on the topic of 'AI, Truth and Democracy'. I won't be saying 'Céad Míle Fáilte, AI!'
The next seminar from the Goldsmiths' Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought looks really interesting: Arun Saldanha on 'Sexuation and the ontology of race: notes towards a Darwin after Fanon' cpct.uk/2025/11/14/a...
Arun Saldanha (U Minnesota; CPCT Visiting Professor): Sexuation and the ontology of race: notes towards a Darwin after Fanon (21 November 2025 @5pm; hybrid)
The Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought (CPCT), Goldsmiths, cordially invites you to Arun Saldanha (U Minnesota; CPCT Visiting Professor) Sexuation and the ontology of race: notes towar…
cpct.uk
November 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The next seminar from the Goldsmiths' Centre for Philosophy and Critical Thought looks really interesting: Arun Saldanha on 'Sexuation and the ontology of race: notes towards a Darwin after Fanon' cpct.uk/2025/11/14/a...
Erm, I think we do already know, and the answer is 'no' (it won't transform the economy, unless you consider more austerity a transformation) and 'no' (it won't be profitable except by increasing precaritisation).
"Federal policy has jumped the gun: We don’t yet know if AI will transform the economy or even be profitable. Yet Washington is insulating the industry from all sorts of risk. If a bubble does pop, we’ll all be left holding the bag." [Gift Link] www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
November 13, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Erm, I think we do already know, and the answer is 'no' (it won't transform the economy, unless you consider more austerity a transformation) and 'no' (it won't be profitable except by increasing precaritisation).