James Garforth
@jamesgarforth.bsky.social
Lecturer in Ethics, Society and Professionalism in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. Proud associate of the Centre for Technomoral Futures.
Reposted by James Garforth
There was moment I thought perhaps we had movement here, but the @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social strike is on. You can read more about why here:
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Please write and call your MSPs on Monday: www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/lobby-your-msp
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Please write and call your MSPs on Monday: www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/lobby-your-msp
Edinburgh university staff back industrial action again in longstanding dispute over cuts and redundancies
Staff at the University of Edinburgh have today (Tuesday) backed industrial action for a second time in a longstanding dispute over £140million cuts, job losses and compulsory redundancies.
www.ucu.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
There was moment I thought perhaps we had movement here, but the @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social strike is on. You can read more about why here:
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Please write and call your MSPs on Monday: www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/lobby-your-msp
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1423...
Please write and call your MSPs on Monday: www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/lobby-your-msp
Reposted by James Garforth
Reposted by James Garforth
Identifying flaws in GenAI unfortunately offers a pretext for claims that perfecting the product is just a matter of time & money. So pointing to chatbots’ role in,say, suicides can only go so far if we don’t also identify the systemic, irresolvable lack of Gen AI’s human commitment bc math has none
November 8, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Identifying flaws in GenAI unfortunately offers a pretext for claims that perfecting the product is just a matter of time & money. So pointing to chatbots’ role in,say, suicides can only go so far if we don’t also identify the systemic, irresolvable lack of Gen AI’s human commitment bc math has none
Reposted by James Garforth
📣 I am hiring a postdoc! aial.ie/hiring/postd...
applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome
pls share with your networks
applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome
pls share with your networks
October 30, 2025 at 7:51 PM
📣 I am hiring a postdoc! aial.ie/hiring/postd...
applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome
pls share with your networks
applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome
pls share with your networks
Reposted by James Garforth
@ruha9.bsky.social asking us to unlearn some of the bullshit silicon valley and western thinking is predicated on
October 30, 2025 at 2:23 PM
@ruha9.bsky.social asking us to unlearn some of the bullshit silicon valley and western thinking is predicated on
Reposted by James Garforth
“what radicalized you” idk paying attention
October 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
“what radicalized you” idk paying attention
Reposted by James Garforth
As the single most important news story this year, I can't wait to see the detailed and central coverage this will get in every media outlet we have
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head
Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 AM
As the single most important news story this year, I can't wait to see the detailed and central coverage this will get in every media outlet we have
Reposted by James Garforth
If students believe they are paying universities for “information,” they shouldn’t go
Wow. Just wow.
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
"Students pay premium prices for information that AI now delivers instantly and for free. A business student can ask ChatGPT to explain supply chain optimization or generate market analysis in seconds. The traditional lecture-and-test model faces its Blockbuster moment."
When Knowledge is Free, What are Professors For?
Higher Education Must Stop Competing with AI on Information and Start Teaching What Machines Can’t Do
www.forbes.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
If students believe they are paying universities for “information,” they shouldn’t go
Reposted by James Garforth
We're hiring at BRAID UK!
Exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to lead work around the social return on AI investment, working closely with @ewaluger.bsky.social and @shannonvallor.bsky.social
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPA010/r...
Applications open. Closes 7 Nov, Interviews 9 Dec.
Exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to lead work around the social return on AI investment, working closely with @ewaluger.bsky.social and @shannonvallor.bsky.social
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPA010/r...
Applications open. Closes 7 Nov, Interviews 9 Dec.
October 13, 2025 at 10:03 AM
We're hiring at BRAID UK!
Exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to lead work around the social return on AI investment, working closely with @ewaluger.bsky.social and @shannonvallor.bsky.social
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPA010/r...
Applications open. Closes 7 Nov, Interviews 9 Dec.
Exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to lead work around the social return on AI investment, working closely with @ewaluger.bsky.social and @shannonvallor.bsky.social
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPA010/r...
Applications open. Closes 7 Nov, Interviews 9 Dec.
Reposted by James Garforth
the good news is, it's almost the weekend, the bad news is that i've once again realised that i picked a topic of research that requires me to be at least mildly infuriated about 70% of the time
October 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
the good news is, it's almost the weekend, the bad news is that i've once again realised that i picked a topic of research that requires me to be at least mildly infuriated about 70% of the time
Reposted by James Garforth
I covered the protests in London against Trump for @wired.com. Protesters aren't convinced by the AI deal from US tech giants: They want to know what the UK is giving them in exchange for up to $45bn in investment and where the power for data centers will come from www.wired.com/story/climat...
Anti-Trump Protesters Take Aim at ‘Naive’ US-UK AI Deal
Thousands marched in London to protest President Donald Trump’s second state visit. Among them were many environmental activists unhappy with Britain’s new AI deal with the US.
www.wired.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I covered the protests in London against Trump for @wired.com. Protesters aren't convinced by the AI deal from US tech giants: They want to know what the UK is giving them in exchange for up to $45bn in investment and where the power for data centers will come from www.wired.com/story/climat...
Reposted by James Garforth
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
September 6, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Finally! 🤩 Our position piece: Against the Uncritical Adoption of 'AI' Technologies in Academia:
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
doi.org/10.5281/zeno...
We unpick the tech industry’s marketing, hype, & harm; and we argue for safeguarding higher education, critical
thinking, expertise, academic freedom, & scientific integrity.
1/n
"I love you"?
Speech trainer John Bowe writes, "As a public speaking expert, I use one phrase that gets audiences to instantly perk up and pay attention."
'Highly engaging' people use this 3-word phrase to get people to listen, says public speaking expert
Given people's short attention spans, it's never been harder to get people engaged in what we have to say. Public speaking expert John Bowe shares the 3-word phrase that will instantly make people listen.
cnb.cx
September 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
"I love you"?
Reposted by James Garforth
Mic drop from @abeba.bsky.social at UNESCO Digital Learning Week
September 2, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Mic drop from @abeba.bsky.social at UNESCO Digital Learning Week
Reposted by James Garforth
There are four main arguments for AI in education:
1. Efficiency, saving teachers time
2. Equity, making education inclusive
3. Improving outcomes by personalizing learning
4. It's inevitable
Is it true?
Nope.
Micro 🧵
1. Efficiency, saving teachers time
2. Equity, making education inclusive
3. Improving outcomes by personalizing learning
4. It's inevitable
Is it true?
Nope.
Micro 🧵
August 29, 2025 at 10:17 PM
There are four main arguments for AI in education:
1. Efficiency, saving teachers time
2. Equity, making education inclusive
3. Improving outcomes by personalizing learning
4. It's inevitable
Is it true?
Nope.
Micro 🧵
1. Efficiency, saving teachers time
2. Equity, making education inclusive
3. Improving outcomes by personalizing learning
4. It's inevitable
Is it true?
Nope.
Micro 🧵
Reposted by James Garforth
Western leaders have appeased Donald Trump since he returned to power, only to be hit with new demands after every concession.
On Tuesday, Trump declared economic war on countries that regulate its tech companies. It’s time for the world to break from the US and aggressively target Silicon Valley.
On Tuesday, Trump declared economic war on countries that regulate its tech companies. It’s time for the world to break from the US and aggressively target Silicon Valley.
World leaders must stop appeasing Donald Trump
Conceding to Trump’s demands only guarantees new threats. It’s time to reject the US and its tech companies.
www.disconnect.blog
August 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Western leaders have appeased Donald Trump since he returned to power, only to be hit with new demands after every concession.
On Tuesday, Trump declared economic war on countries that regulate its tech companies. It’s time for the world to break from the US and aggressively target Silicon Valley.
On Tuesday, Trump declared economic war on countries that regulate its tech companies. It’s time for the world to break from the US and aggressively target Silicon Valley.
Reposted by James Garforth
We need to know what humans do before we argue that machines can do it just the same. There can’t be AI literacy without a literacy in being human: how we make meaning in work and life, distinguishing the artificial from the imaginary from the true. mail.cyberneticforests.com/human-litera...
Human Literacy
Something I Can Tell Students Now That I Am Not Teaching
You and I probably both keep hearing that students should be working toward AI literacy. They should know what to type into prompt windows, ...
mail.cyberneticforests.com
August 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
We need to know what humans do before we argue that machines can do it just the same. There can’t be AI literacy without a literacy in being human: how we make meaning in work and life, distinguishing the artificial from the imaginary from the true. mail.cyberneticforests.com/human-litera...
Reposted by James Garforth
sorry to post about myself, but i'm getting pretty desperate, so
if anyone has a lead on any jobs in AI policy or research, i would be very grateful for a positive reference or just a pointer in the direction of the job listing.
thanks a ton in advance.
if anyone has a lead on any jobs in AI policy or research, i would be very grateful for a positive reference or just a pointer in the direction of the job listing.
thanks a ton in advance.
August 6, 2025 at 3:43 AM
sorry to post about myself, but i'm getting pretty desperate, so
if anyone has a lead on any jobs in AI policy or research, i would be very grateful for a positive reference or just a pointer in the direction of the job listing.
thanks a ton in advance.
if anyone has a lead on any jobs in AI policy or research, i would be very grateful for a positive reference or just a pointer in the direction of the job listing.
thanks a ton in advance.
Reposted by James Garforth
Reposted by James Garforth
"Be kind to yourself and hard on the system."
Burnout is clinically understood as a combo of 6 factors—work overload, lack of control, insufficient rewards, breakdown in community, absence of fairness, & value conflicts—and only a fraction of it is under your control. Burnout is a systemic problem, so be kind to yourself and hard on the system.
Hey gang I've had to learn recently that the whole "burning out" thing is real so if you find yourself being panicked every waking second that you're not working on something, despite those seconds being very rare, you should maybe listen to the signals and take an intentional break before you crash
July 14, 2025 at 2:39 AM
"Be kind to yourself and hard on the system."
Reposted by James Garforth
I did this before in German but I guess today is a good day to compile English resources on why AI isn‘t actually intelligent and also a real danger: 🧵
July 9, 2025 at 7:32 AM
I did this before in German but I guess today is a good day to compile English resources on why AI isn‘t actually intelligent and also a real danger: 🧵
Reposted by James Garforth
Who in government is thinking about long-term digital infra and resilience, about equity beyond the 101 of inclusion, about supporting workers and workers to shift to a model of lifelong learning, or considering which non-digital skills should be deemed critical and a protected class?
July 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Who in government is thinking about long-term digital infra and resilience, about equity beyond the 101 of inclusion, about supporting workers and workers to shift to a model of lifelong learning, or considering which non-digital skills should be deemed critical and a protected class?
Reposted by James Garforth
Look, I'm not a politician running the world's sixth largest economy, but if *I* was giving a speech about a contentious issue like immigration in the current environment, I would probably try to have at least a passing familiarity with the history of that debate.
June 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Look, I'm not a politician running the world's sixth largest economy, but if *I* was giving a speech about a contentious issue like immigration in the current environment, I would probably try to have at least a passing familiarity with the history of that debate.
Reposted by James Garforth
Dress it up in progressive language but you're cheating yourself by not doing the work. This is the worst thing about AI: millions of students refusing to learn, taking zero interest in the world around them, empty in mind and heart. Your punishment is the person you will become.
June 19, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Dress it up in progressive language but you're cheating yourself by not doing the work. This is the worst thing about AI: millions of students refusing to learn, taking zero interest in the world around them, empty in mind and heart. Your punishment is the person you will become.
Reposted by James Garforth
No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel.
June 17, 2025 at 2:07 PM
No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel. No war with Iran. No weapons or funds for Israel.