Gary R. Bunt
@garyrbunt.bsky.social
Digitally distracted Professor. Researcher/author on Islam, Muslims and the internet. Emoji-free zone. Posting does not imply endorsement, etc. Based in Wales. X antidote. https://virtuallyislamic.com
Pinned
(Another) Commercial Break:
The ‘Islamic Algorithms’ paperback is out now @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social. If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI this is the place to start. Drop me a comment if you have read it. More info: www.virtuallyislamic.com/books/islami...
The ‘Islamic Algorithms’ paperback is out now @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social. If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI this is the place to start. Drop me a comment if you have read it. More info: www.virtuallyislamic.com/books/islami...
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
Incredibly funny how much political discussion is driven by the four things at the bottom while everyone else is getting cooked on Facebook looking at pictures of AI Eminem opening nursing homes for crying veterans
November 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Incredibly funny how much political discussion is driven by the four things at the bottom while everyone else is getting cooked on Facebook looking at pictures of AI Eminem opening nursing homes for crying veterans
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
You can get ChatGPT to help you build a nuclear bomb if you simply design the prompt in the form of a poem, according to a new study from researchers in Europe. www.wired.com/story/poems-...
Poems Can Trick AI Into Helping You Make a Nuclear Weapon
It turns out all the guardrails in the world won’t protect a chatbot from meter and rhyme.
www.wired.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
You can get ChatGPT to help you build a nuclear bomb if you simply design the prompt in the form of a poem, according to a new study from researchers in Europe. www.wired.com/story/poems-...
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
‘Speaking outside his chateau in France, former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP Coburn answered "no" when a BBC journalist asked him whether he had ever been paid to give a speech to promote pro-Russian campaigners.’
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
November 28, 2025 at 6:28 AM
‘Speaking outside his chateau in France, former Brexit Party and UKIP MEP Coburn answered "no" when a BBC journalist asked him whether he had ever been paid to give a speech to promote pro-Russian campaigners.’
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
Great work from @BBCWales. Keep going
Via Apple News: "Saudi Aramco, the government-controlled energy and chemicals company, said Monday it has installed the Kingdom’s first quantum computer, in a move that adds to mounting security concerns for Bitcoin and other blockchain networks."
Saudi Arabia's First Quantum Computer: Can It Break Bitcoin? — Decrypt
Saudi Arabia has deployed its first quantum computer, renewing questions about the future of blockchain security.
apple.news
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Via Apple News: "Saudi Aramco, the government-controlled energy and chemicals company, said Monday it has installed the Kingdom’s first quantum computer, in a move that adds to mounting security concerns for Bitcoin and other blockchain networks."
Do you want #chips with that?
Semiconductor giant SK hynix now makes chips you can eat
South Korea's semiconductor giant SK hynix has made a foray into a new genre of chips -- the kind that's crunchy and goes with a beer.
www.france24.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Do you want #chips with that?
Exploring AI and education - an ongoing Qatar event.
Doha summit cautions against tech-driven schooling
Global education systems are falling behind the pace of technology, and leaders meeting in Doha warned that classrooms are changing faster than schools can cope.
www.euronews.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Exploring AI and education - an ongoing Qatar event.
Further reading required here:
The documents obtained by The Intercept illustrate how the broadening net of on-campus intelligence gathering swept up constitutionally protected speech in the name of “social listening.”
How Corporate Partnerships Powered University Surveillance of Palestine Protests
Internal emails reveal U.S. universities’ playbooks for cracking down on the student movement for Palestine.
interc.pt
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Further reading required here:
Even though I have specific research interests in AI, I absolutely agree with this need for a shift in focus. I've been discussing this very issue with humanities students this week.
AI Is Turning Our Brains To Mush—And The Solution Lies In The Humanities
We need to shift our focus from AI literacy to nurturing critical thinking.
www.buzzfeed.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Even though I have specific research interests in AI, I absolutely agree with this need for a shift in focus. I've been discussing this very issue with humanities students this week.
For the headline (but I didn’t get past the paywall)
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:46 PM
For the headline (but I didn’t get past the paywall)
Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi seem to be going quite fast ...
Driverless robotaxis now available in Abu Dhabi | The National
Service operated by Uber and WeRide operational in certain areas
www.thenationalnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi seem to be going quite fast ...
(Another) Commercial Break:
The ‘Islamic Algorithms’ paperback is out now @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social. If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI this is the place to start. Drop me a comment if you have read it. More info: www.virtuallyislamic.com/books/islami...
The ‘Islamic Algorithms’ paperback is out now @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social. If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI this is the place to start. Drop me a comment if you have read it. More info: www.virtuallyislamic.com/books/islami...
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
(Another) Commercial Break:
The ‘Islamic Algorithms’ paperback is out now @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social. If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI this is the place to start. Drop me a comment if you have read it. More info: www.virtuallyislamic.com/books/islami...
The ‘Islamic Algorithms’ paperback is out now @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social. If you want to tap into my research on cyber-Islamic environments and AI this is the place to start. Drop me a comment if you have read it. More info: www.virtuallyislamic.com/books/islami...
Check out this @socialmedialab.ca thread exploring location features (pros and cons) and VPNs.
X's new “About this account is less accurate because it uses aggregated IP addresses, at least [that's] what they’re saying they’re doing, to share with the public where your account is based,” says @philipmai.com www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
New location feature on X sheds light on accounts — but also has errors | CBC News
Canadian researchers who track online misinformation and foreign interference are welcoming a new feature that reveals the location of an X account but warn that it still has glitches and its results ...
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Check out this @socialmedialab.ca thread exploring location features (pros and cons) and VPNs.
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
🚨NEW🚨 Google shipped its AI code editor Antigravity with a bunch of security vulnerabilities.
The most severe, discovered within 24 hours of launch, allows for a persistent backdoor on target systems.
It remains unpatched.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
The most severe, discovered within 24 hours of launch, allows for a persistent backdoor on target systems.
It remains unpatched.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
Google AI Coding Tool Antigravity Was Hacked A Day After Launch
A security researcher discovered a major flaw in the coding product, the latest example of companies rushing out AI tools vulnerable to hacking.
www.forbes.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:34 AM
🚨NEW🚨 Google shipped its AI code editor Antigravity with a bunch of security vulnerabilities.
The most severe, discovered within 24 hours of launch, allows for a persistent backdoor on target systems.
It remains unpatched.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
The most severe, discovered within 24 hours of launch, allows for a persistent backdoor on target systems.
It remains unpatched.
www.forbes.com/sites/thomas...
That’s tonight’s listening sorted (via @newlinesmag.bsky.social) - and a chance to include “enshitification” in a post (after a struggle with spellcheck)
newlinesmag.com/podcast/why-...
newlinesmag.com/podcast/why-...
Why the Internet Got Bad, and How To Fix It
Cory Doctorow joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss his new book “Enshittification” and how the internet got so bad.
newlinesmag.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
That’s tonight’s listening sorted (via @newlinesmag.bsky.social) - and a chance to include “enshitification” in a post (after a struggle with spellcheck)
newlinesmag.com/podcast/why-...
newlinesmag.com/podcast/why-...
A great long read from @newlinesmag.bsky.social (and a necessary escape from budget headlines). I’d like to read more on this subject.
NEW: For centuries, Arabian horses were shaped by tribes and harsh landscapes. Now, as registries decide what counts as “authentic,” a battle to define the Arabian horse is underway, writes Mohamed Nasser for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/spotlight/th...
newlinesmag.com/spotlight/th...
The Battle To Define the Arabian Horse
It once embodied migration, honor and survival, but the breed’s identity is increasingly tied to a global bureaucracy
newlinesmag.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A great long read from @newlinesmag.bsky.social (and a necessary escape from budget headlines). I’d like to read more on this subject.
From YouTube to the boxing ring - impressive!
'They told me to choose between my hijab and boxing' www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
'They told me to choose between my hijab and boxing' www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
Boxing: Zeina Nassar, the hijab-wearing boxer who makes her pro debut in Pakistan
How Germany's Zeina Nassar - who makes her pro debut on Wednesday - rewrote boxing's rules about fighting in a hijab.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
From YouTube to the boxing ring - impressive!
'They told me to choose between my hijab and boxing' www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
'They told me to choose between my hijab and boxing' www.bbc.com/sport/boxing...
Positive news about Vahid Abedini ...
US-based Iranian professor released by ICE after detention
Vahid Abedini was released in the early hours of Tuesday after spending several days in detention, after his arrest by ICE agents.
www.newarab.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Positive news about Vahid Abedini ...
"The Cabinet approved the move as part of a broader effort to shield young people from online harm like cyberbullying, scams and sexual exploitation." #Malaysia
Malaysia to ban social media for children under 16 next year
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia plans to ban social media accounts for people under 16 starting in 2026, joining Australia and a growing number of countries pushing tighter digital age limits for children. Com...
arab.news
November 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
"The Cabinet approved the move as part of a broader effort to shield young people from online harm like cyberbullying, scams and sexual exploitation." #Malaysia
Hallucinations ++ don't over-feed the LLM
Why ChatGPT Hallucinates, And How To Fix It
Hallucinations are, unfortunately, a fact of large language models. Still, there are ways to cut down on false information, and every leader should be practicing them.
www.forbes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Hallucinations ++ don't over-feed the LLM
If you haven’t already seen this from @theleaduk.bsky.social it is essential reading …
X's new transparency feature has exposed many of the platform's influential MAGA personalities as being located outside the US.
This is similar to the trend exposed by @kdenkwrites.com in the UK, where foreign 'UK patriot' accounts are even fooling councillors.
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-cou...
This is similar to the trend exposed by @kdenkwrites.com in the UK, where foreign 'UK patriot' accounts are even fooling councillors.
national.thelead.uk/p/reform-cou...
Bots, AI memes and Reform councillors: How foreign Facebook pages are hijacking UK patriotism
Fake British “patriot” pages run from abroad are fooling thousands – including elected councillors.
national.thelead.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
If you haven’t already seen this from @theleaduk.bsky.social it is essential reading …
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
Gender-based violence has no place in a free and equal society.
No woman or girl should have to live in fear.
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call for an end to all forms of violence and affirm the right for every women to live in safety and dignity.
No woman or girl should have to live in fear.
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call for an end to all forms of violence and affirm the right for every women to live in safety and dignity.
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Gender-based violence has no place in a free and equal society.
No woman or girl should have to live in fear.
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call for an end to all forms of violence and affirm the right for every women to live in safety and dignity.
No woman or girl should have to live in fear.
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call for an end to all forms of violence and affirm the right for every women to live in safety and dignity.
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
X's location "transparency" feature showing many MAGA accounts are based internationally reveals what we already knew: The world is using American social media and American politics as a slot machine and social media companies are directly incentivizing this:
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
The 'psyops' revealed by X are entirely the fault of the perverse incentives created by social media monetization programs.
www.404media.co
November 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
X's location "transparency" feature showing many MAGA accounts are based internationally reveals what we already knew: The world is using American social media and American politics as a slot machine and social media companies are directly incentivizing this:
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
Ian Miles Cheong: Everyone must go back to the country where they are born. Please don't tell people I'm living in Malaysia, where I was born, but spend my entire life complaining about America.
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Someone is having concerns about Twitter privacy all of a sudden
November 23, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Ian Miles Cheong: Everyone must go back to the country where they are born. Please don't tell people I'm living in Malaysia, where I was born, but spend my entire life complaining about America.
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Ian Miles Cheong: *has been secretly living in Dubai this whole time*
Reposted by Gary R. Bunt
🇯🇲 Jamaica's Jimmy Cliff, the iconic reggae star who helped transform the island's music into a global cultural phenomenon, has died, his wife said Monday in a social media post. He was 81.
November 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
🇯🇲 Jamaica's Jimmy Cliff, the iconic reggae star who helped transform the island's music into a global cultural phenomenon, has died, his wife said Monday in a social media post. He was 81.