Daragh Ó Briain
@daraghobrien.bsky.social
Flumping along in the world of data since Long Ago. Posts as @castlebridge-chief here & on Mastodon at https://mastodon.ie/@CastlebridgeChief CEO @ Castlebridge.ie.
Doctoral candidate at UL looking at #DataGovernance. Author of several books on data stuff.
Doctoral candidate at UL looking at #DataGovernance. Author of several books on data stuff.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
"Meta, Facebook’s parent company, plans to add the feature to its smart glasses, which it makes with the owner of Ray-Ban and Oakley, as soon as this year, according to four people involved with the plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about confidential discussions."
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:12 PM
"Meta, Facebook’s parent company, plans to add the feature to its smart glasses, which it makes with the owner of Ray-Ban and Oakley, as soon as this year, according to four people involved with the plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about confidential discussions."
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
The European Data Protection Supervisor EDPS issues new guidance and binding rules to protect DPO independence across EU institutions
www.edps.europa.eu/press-public...
www.edps.europa.eu/press-public...
EDPS strengthens DPO role: new guidance and binding rules to protect DPO independence across EU institutions
Under EU law, all EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies (EUIs) are required to appoint a data protection officer (DPO). To strengthen the effectiveness and independence of this function, the E...
www.edps.europa.eu
February 13, 2026 at 9:34 AM
The European Data Protection Supervisor EDPS issues new guidance and binding rules to protect DPO independence across EU institutions
www.edps.europa.eu/press-public...
www.edps.europa.eu/press-public...
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Ill be clear about why I am so angry and critical about it: Im seeing a good portion of my students who have imbibed the notion that they dont have to read, think or write for themselves because ChatGPT/CoPilot will do their thinking for them, and its terrifying. It should scare all of us.
February 12, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Ill be clear about why I am so angry and critical about it: Im seeing a good portion of my students who have imbibed the notion that they dont have to read, think or write for themselves because ChatGPT/CoPilot will do their thinking for them, and its terrifying. It should scare all of us.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
It’s not a plot hole that Elmo has been 3 years old for 50 years. He was bitten by The Count, willingly. Elmo asked for the Dark Gift
February 12, 2026 at 1:22 PM
It’s not a plot hole that Elmo has been 3 years old for 50 years. He was bitten by The Count, willingly. Elmo asked for the Dark Gift
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Here we go again.
We need an “agent of change” principle in this country. They knew there was a club there but skimped on the sound proofing.
This stuff is on purpose. They shouldn’t be rewarded for it. It’s entirely their own fault.
We need an “agent of change” principle in this country. They knew there was a club there but skimped on the sound proofing.
This stuff is on purpose. They shouldn’t be rewarded for it. It’s entirely their own fault.
New Hoxton Hotel seeks injunction over music noise from adjoining club
Yamamori Izakaya, which hosts late-night music, shares party walls with hotel
www.irishtimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Here we go again.
We need an “agent of change” principle in this country. They knew there was a club there but skimped on the sound proofing.
This stuff is on purpose. They shouldn’t be rewarded for it. It’s entirely their own fault.
We need an “agent of change” principle in this country. They knew there was a club there but skimped on the sound proofing.
This stuff is on purpose. They shouldn’t be rewarded for it. It’s entirely their own fault.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Large electric powered container ships are already a reality.
When posting about this 2 years ago the so-called “experts” said it is impossible.
Can people stop listening to oil and gas “experts” soon?
When posting about this 2 years ago the so-called “experts” said it is impossible.
Can people stop listening to oil and gas “experts” soon?
China Starts Sea Trials for Largest Electric-Powered Containership
China’s first 10,000-ton electric containership is beginning sea trials. The shipyard is billing the ship as the largest of its kind and a further bre...
maritime-executive.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Large electric powered container ships are already a reality.
When posting about this 2 years ago the so-called “experts” said it is impossible.
Can people stop listening to oil and gas “experts” soon?
When posting about this 2 years ago the so-called “experts” said it is impossible.
Can people stop listening to oil and gas “experts” soon?
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
More evidence of real life impacts of @garda.ie zero enforcement regime
"Gda Galvin agreed with Patrick Jackson BL, defending, that a lot of drivers regularly took that illegal right-hand turn despite their being numerous signs advising that it was not permitted."
"Gda Galvin agreed with Patrick Jackson BL, defending, that a lot of drivers regularly took that illegal right-hand turn despite their being numerous signs advising that it was not permitted."
the driver was doing an illegal right-hand turn
Cyclist crushed twice by SUV in Dublin city centre recalls ‘the worst day of my life’ in court
www.thejournal.ie/courts-cycli...
www.thejournal.ie/courts-cycli...
February 11, 2026 at 11:39 PM
More evidence of real life impacts of @garda.ie zero enforcement regime
"Gda Galvin agreed with Patrick Jackson BL, defending, that a lot of drivers regularly took that illegal right-hand turn despite their being numerous signs advising that it was not permitted."
"Gda Galvin agreed with Patrick Jackson BL, defending, that a lot of drivers regularly took that illegal right-hand turn despite their being numerous signs advising that it was not permitted."
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
It's #112Day, we want to raise awareness that in Ireland and Europe you can diall 112 for the emergency services
In Ireland, you can also use 999
Take the time tomorrow on the school run to ask your children what the number is to call for help. A lot of them will say 911.
In Ireland, you can also use 999
Take the time tomorrow on the school run to ask your children what the number is to call for help. A lot of them will say 911.
February 11, 2026 at 7:28 PM
It's #112Day, we want to raise awareness that in Ireland and Europe you can diall 112 for the emergency services
In Ireland, you can also use 999
Take the time tomorrow on the school run to ask your children what the number is to call for help. A lot of them will say 911.
In Ireland, you can also use 999
Take the time tomorrow on the school run to ask your children what the number is to call for help. A lot of them will say 911.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
The wait is over.
The EDPB and EDPS advise against adopting the proposed changes to the definition of personal data, as these go well beyond a technical amendment, do not align with CJEU case law, and would greatly narrow the concept of personal data.
www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
The EDPB and EDPS advise against adopting the proposed changes to the definition of personal data, as these go well beyond a technical amendment, do not align with CJEU case law, and would greatly narrow the concept of personal data.
www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
February 11, 2026 at 1:23 PM
The wait is over.
The EDPB and EDPS advise against adopting the proposed changes to the definition of personal data, as these go well beyond a technical amendment, do not align with CJEU case law, and would greatly narrow the concept of personal data.
www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
The EDPB and EDPS advise against adopting the proposed changes to the definition of personal data, as these go well beyond a technical amendment, do not align with CJEU case law, and would greatly narrow the concept of personal data.
www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files...
Good jebus. The stoooopid it BURNS.
Burgum: "CO2 was never a pollutant. When we breathe, we emit CO2. Plants need CO2 to survive and grow. They thrive with more CO2. So the whole endangerment thing opens up an opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful, American coal."
February 11, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Good jebus. The stoooopid it BURNS.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
So much stupid.
Too much stupid.
Too much stupid.
Burgum: "CO2 was never a pollutant. When we breathe, we emit CO2. Plants need CO2 to survive and grow. They thrive with more CO2. So the whole endangerment thing opens up an opportunity for the revival of clean, beautiful, American coal."
February 11, 2026 at 2:32 PM
So much stupid.
Too much stupid.
Too much stupid.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
“We're predisposed to personalise inanimate objects.”
It’s all the worse when the object manipulates language. Language-using humans have an intrinsic bias to assume that something reflecting language back at us must also be thinking.
It’s all the worse when the object manipulates language. Language-using humans have an intrinsic bias to assume that something reflecting language back at us must also be thinking.
February 11, 2026 at 6:23 AM
“We're predisposed to personalise inanimate objects.”
It’s all the worse when the object manipulates language. Language-using humans have an intrinsic bias to assume that something reflecting language back at us must also be thinking.
It’s all the worse when the object manipulates language. Language-using humans have an intrinsic bias to assume that something reflecting language back at us must also be thinking.
We are reaching the “Find Out” stage of the process it seems #SpeirGorm
Fascist thugs Derek Blighe and Ross Lahive sent forward for trial on garda harassment charge #SpeirGorm
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...
Anti-immigration activist Derek Blighe sent forward for trial on garda harassment charge
Blighe, who has pleaded not guilty, ‘skirting quite close to online commentary’ regarding case, court told
www.irishtimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:57 PM
We are reaching the “Find Out” stage of the process it seems #SpeirGorm
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
This is a framing error, NYT. It's different technologies. Chatbots are not the same as the machine learning involved in reading scans (better defined inputs, clearer evaluation of outputs). Calling both AI is like conflating bombs dropped from planes with cars, because they both involve explosions.
February 10, 2026 at 4:39 AM
This is a framing error, NYT. It's different technologies. Chatbots are not the same as the machine learning involved in reading scans (better defined inputs, clearer evaluation of outputs). Calling both AI is like conflating bombs dropped from planes with cars, because they both involve explosions.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Next time someone asks you about energy and land use, maybe remind them that the ~35 million acres that currently grow corn for ethanol in the US could produce ~15 PWh per year of electricity from solar photovoltaics. That's ~3.5 times more than *total annual generation from all US power plants*.
February 1, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Next time someone asks you about energy and land use, maybe remind them that the ~35 million acres that currently grow corn for ethanol in the US could produce ~15 PWh per year of electricity from solar photovoltaics. That's ~3.5 times more than *total annual generation from all US power plants*.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Ok. The Department is correct that the @dpcireland.bsky.social own volition investigation didn’t focus on question of harm. It assessed if there was a valid legal basis for processing of biometric data to produce the card produced by a company called Biometric Card Services.
But…
But…
February 9, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Ok. The Department is correct that the @dpcireland.bsky.social own volition investigation didn’t focus on question of harm. It assessed if there was a valid legal basis for processing of biometric data to produce the card produced by a company called Biometric Card Services.
But…
But…
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Yes be warned, if you travel to the UK without use of a VPN and need to access a DM, you will be blocked from doing so unless you comply with age verification.
TIL that Bluesky DMs are a victim of age gating in the UK.
February 9, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Yes be warned, if you travel to the UK without use of a VPN and need to access a DM, you will be blocked from doing so unless you comply with age verification.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Without deliberate choices, AI could deepen inequality in Africa, argues Mpho Primus. To avoid this, Africa should pursue a framework that treats AI as relational and social, rather than purely technical or proprietary.
Why Africa Needs an Ubuntu-Inspired AI Framework
Mpho Primus discusses the risks of artificial intelligence widening inequality in Africa and the Ubuntu AI Framework as a response.
www.techpolicy.press
February 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Without deliberate choices, AI could deepen inequality in Africa, argues Mpho Primus. To avoid this, Africa should pursue a framework that treats AI as relational and social, rather than purely technical or proprietary.
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
one chatbot told a participant in this study to go lay down in the dark when he was presenting with a brain hemorrhage... what are we even doing
www.404media.co/chatbots-hea...
www.404media.co/chatbots-hea...
Chatbots Make Terrible Doctors, New Study Finds
Chatbots provided incorrect, conflicting medical advice, researchers found: “Despite all the hype, AI just isn't ready to take on the role of the physician.”
www.404media.co
February 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM
one chatbot told a participant in this study to go lay down in the dark when he was presenting with a brain hemorrhage... what are we even doing
www.404media.co/chatbots-hea...
www.404media.co/chatbots-hea...
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Ofcom under fire after refusing to investigate ‘misleading’ GB News Trump interview www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Ofcom under fire after refusing to investigate ‘misleading’ GB News Trump interview
US president not challenged over false claims climate change is ‘hoax’ and parts of London have sharia law
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Ofcom under fire after refusing to investigate ‘misleading’ GB News Trump interview www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
This stuff isn't hard to look up, it took me literaly 15 mins sitting on the train on the way home, so why couldn't the @irishtimes.com do it? Ill informed attacks on lawyers and the judiciary attacks the rule of law
February 9, 2026 at 5:12 PM
This stuff isn't hard to look up, it took me literaly 15 mins sitting on the train on the way home, so why couldn't the @irishtimes.com do it? Ill informed attacks on lawyers and the judiciary attacks the rule of law
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
Gemini (or any other LLM) can describe DockChain quite well. And that's great. The concern about LLMs for regulated industries is that the description is never QUITE the same two times in a row. Still, a good description of DockChain is nice!
February 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Gemini (or any other LLM) can describe DockChain quite well. And that's great. The concern about LLMs for regulated industries is that the description is never QUITE the same two times in a row. Still, a good description of DockChain is nice!
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
In Boston ICE randomly pulled over this huge white Irish guy with a Mass drivers license, 20 years in the states, legal status, pending green card and have held him for 5 months, his citizen wife paid a $4k bond that was ignored(!) ICE forged his signature on deportation agreement, no appeal
Kerryman who is married, living and working legally in the United States for >20 years has been incarcerated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) since September 2025.
Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irish man with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
In Boston ICE randomly pulled over this huge white Irish guy with a Mass drivers license, 20 years in the states, legal status, pending green card and have held him for 5 months, his citizen wife paid a $4k bond that was ignored(!) ICE forged his signature on deportation agreement, no appeal
Reposted by Daragh Ó Briain
ec.europa.eu/commission/p... The EU seems to have mandated agentic AI without thinking very hard about the security, scraping and other risks. Hard anti-competition makes bad law.
Press corner
Highlights, press releases and speeches
ec.europa.eu
February 9, 2026 at 12:04 PM
ec.europa.eu/commission/p... The EU seems to have mandated agentic AI without thinking very hard about the security, scraping and other risks. Hard anti-competition makes bad law.