Dr Zena Assaad
@zenaassaad.bsky.social
Host of the Responsible Bytes Podcast 🎙
Senior lecturer @ Australian National University researching safe & trusted autonomy, AI & human-machine teaming.
Top 10 Women in AI APAC | 100 brilliant women in AI ethics | 🇦🇺🇱🇧
https://www.zenaassaad.com
Senior lecturer @ Australian National University researching safe & trusted autonomy, AI & human-machine teaming.
Top 10 Women in AI APAC | 100 brilliant women in AI ethics | 🇦🇺🇱🇧
https://www.zenaassaad.com
Thanks to @markgkenny.bsky.social for inviting me to speak at the Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program event today. It's always a pleasure to be a part of this amazing program.
November 26, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Thanks to @markgkenny.bsky.social for inviting me to speak at the Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program event today. It's always a pleasure to be a part of this amazing program.
A report I wrote with @jessicadorsey.bsky.social for @perryworldhouse.bsky.social is now freely available to read. It's part of the work we are doing as responsible by design ambassadors on lawful military AI and AWS. The report blends Jess's legal perspective and my technical perspective 👇🏼
Read "Designing Lawful Military AI: Technical and Legal Reflections on Decision-Support and Autonomous Weapon Systems" by @zenaassaad.bsky.social and
@jessicadorsey.bsky.social: perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/news-and-ins...
@jessicadorsey.bsky.social: perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/news-and-ins...
Designing Lawful Military AI: Technical and Legal Reflections on Decision-Support and Autonomous Weapon Systems - Perry World House
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a speculative frontier in military affairs; it is already embedded in the day-to-day realities of armed conflict. AI-enabled technologies are increasingly int...
perryworldhouse.upenn.edu
November 25, 2025 at 11:34 PM
A report I wrote with @jessicadorsey.bsky.social for @perryworldhouse.bsky.social is now freely available to read. It's part of the work we are doing as responsible by design ambassadors on lawful military AI and AWS. The report blends Jess's legal perspective and my technical perspective 👇🏼
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Policymakers, if you want to base your decisions on AI slop, generate it yourselves instead of paying Deloitte through the nose to do it. #healthpolicy
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
Major N.L. healthcare report contains errors likely generated by A.I. – The Independent
$1.6 million Health Human Resources Plan from Deloitte cites research papers that don’t exist, making it the second major government policy paper called into question in as many months
theindependent.ca
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Policymakers, if you want to base your decisions on AI slop, generate it yourselves instead of paying Deloitte through the nose to do it. #healthpolicy
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
theindependent.ca/news/lji/maj...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Gmail users!!
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
Gmail can read your emails and attachments to train its AI, unless you opt out
A new Gmail update may allow Google to use your private messages and attachments for AI training. Here's how to turn it off.
www.malwarebytes.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Gmail users!!
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
They've turned on AI scraping by default now...Here's how to turn it off.
Pass it on!!
www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
The small modular reactor startup is capitalizing on surging interest from tech companies and data center developers.
X-energy rides nuclear wave, raises $700M Series D | TechCrunch
The small modular reactor startup is capitalizing on surging interest from tech companies and data center developers.
techcrunch.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The small modular reactor startup is capitalizing on surging interest from tech companies and data center developers.
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
"Anatomy of an AI Coup" examines a shift of power from policy makers and bureaucrats to those with the skill to train and fine-tune large language models - often behind system prompts, which further calibrate the gov. worker's options toward the decisions of those who calibrate the system.
Anatomy of an AI Coup | TechPolicy.Press
DOGE is gutting federal agencies to install AI across the government. Democracy is on the line, writes Tech Policy Press fellow Eryk Salvaggio.
www.techpolicy.press
November 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
"Anatomy of an AI Coup" examines a shift of power from policy makers and bureaucrats to those with the skill to train and fine-tune large language models - often behind system prompts, which further calibrate the gov. worker's options toward the decisions of those who calibrate the system.
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
“Meta shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding causal evidence that its products harmed users’ mental health, according to unredacted filings in a lawsuit by U.S. school districts against Meta and other social media platforms.”
Meta buried 'causal' evidence of social media harm, US court filings allege - The Economic Times
Meta reportedly halted internal research into the mental health impacts of Facebook and Instagram after finding causal evidence of harm. Internal documents revealed users reported lower depression and...
m.economictimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:46 PM
“Meta shut down internal research into the mental health effects of Facebook after finding causal evidence that its products harmed users’ mental health, according to unredacted filings in a lawsuit by U.S. school districts against Meta and other social media platforms.”
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
South Korea sees room for cooperation with Taiwan on US chip tariffs, trade minister says reut.rs/3M5SN25
South Korea sees room for cooperation with Taiwan on US chip tariffs, trade minister says
South Korea sees room for cooperation with Taiwan on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on chips, the country's trade minister said on Monday.
reut.rs
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
South Korea sees room for cooperation with Taiwan on US chip tariffs, trade minister says reut.rs/3M5SN25
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
The Artist Who Reminds Us that Another Way Is Possible
The late artist Abigail McGrath cultivated a creative life for herself filled with freedom, joy, and a commitment to beauty. In an age of authoritarianism and algorithms, it’s a kind of life worth pro...
www.harpersbazaar.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
ChatGPT launches group chats globally
ChatGPT launches group chats globally | TechCrunch
The company sees group chats in ChatGPT as a way for people to coordinate trips, co-write documents, settle debates, or work through research together, while ChatGPT helps search, summarize, and compare options.
techcrunch.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
ChatGPT launches group chats globally
New #ResponsibleBytesPodcast episode with Alison Kershaw chatting about science communication and generative AI 👇🏼
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
New #ResponsibleBytesPodcast episode with Alison Kershaw chatting about science communication and generative AI 👇🏼
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Well-written and informative. To sum-AI does not belong in educational spaces.
“While the AI industry claims its models can “think,” “reason,” and “learn,” their supposed achievements rest on marketing hype and stolen intellectual labor. In reality, AI erodes academic freedom, weakens critical reading, and subordinates the pursuit of knowledge to corporate interests.”
AI Is Hollowing Out Higher Education
Olivia Guest & Iris van Rooij urge teachers and scholars to reject tools that commodify learning, deskill students, and promote illiteracy.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 16, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Well-written and informative. To sum-AI does not belong in educational spaces.
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Regardless of how many researchers highlight the cultural trends against "AI" data centers, & the increasingly widepread public awareness of the unequal economic & environmental harms of these systems, a lot of tech-pilled ppl will only pay attention once it shows up somewhere like WIRED.
So here:
So here:
The Data Center Resistance Has Arrived
A new report finds that local opposition to data centers skyrocketed in the second quarter of this year.
www.wired.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Regardless of how many researchers highlight the cultural trends against "AI" data centers, & the increasingly widepread public awareness of the unequal economic & environmental harms of these systems, a lot of tech-pilled ppl will only pay attention once it shows up somewhere like WIRED.
So here:
So here:
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
‘In whose tech we trust: Part II’ by Jason Van der Schyff et al, outlines practical policy options for Indo-Pacific governments and industry to manage the national-security risks posed by foreign-owned, controlled or influenced technology suppliers.
🔖 Read it now 👉 bit.ly/3LOrkSm
‘In whose tech we trust: Part II’ by Jason Van der Schyff et al, outlines practical policy options for Indo-Pacific governments and industry to manage the national-security risks posed by foreign-owned, controlled or influenced technology suppliers.
🔖 Read it now 👉 bit.ly/3LOrkSm
November 16, 2025 at 10:05 PM
🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨
‘In whose tech we trust: Part II’ by Jason Van der Schyff et al, outlines practical policy options for Indo-Pacific governments and industry to manage the national-security risks posed by foreign-owned, controlled or influenced technology suppliers.
🔖 Read it now 👉 bit.ly/3LOrkSm
‘In whose tech we trust: Part II’ by Jason Van der Schyff et al, outlines practical policy options for Indo-Pacific governments and industry to manage the national-security risks posed by foreign-owned, controlled or influenced technology suppliers.
🔖 Read it now 👉 bit.ly/3LOrkSm
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
The death of a neighborhood bodega cat named Kit Kat has shaken San Francisco’s Mission District and prompted new debates about robotaxi safety.
Beloved SF cat’s death fuels Waymo criticism | TechCrunch
The death of a neighborhood bodega cat named Kit Kat has shaken San Francisco’s Mission District and prompted new debates about robotaxi safety.
techcrunch.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The death of a neighborhood bodega cat named Kit Kat has shaken San Francisco’s Mission District and prompted new debates about robotaxi safety.
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
uh this is a lotta dough www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
Exclusive: Here's How Much OpenAI Spends On Inference and Its Revenue Share With Microsoft
As with my Anthropic exclusive from a few weeks ago, though this feels like a natural premium piece, I decided it was better to publish on my free one so that you could all enjoy it. If you liked or f...
www.wheresyoured.at
November 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
uh this is a lotta dough www.wheresyoured.at/oai_docs/
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Recently, I had the great joy of chatting with my dear friend of 36 years Karen O'Sullivan from the destination bookstore Great Ocean Reads in Apollo Bay.
It's wonderful to be able to combine work with pleasure.
You can listen here: greatoceanreads.podbean.com/e/episode-5-...
It's wonderful to be able to combine work with pleasure.
You can listen here: greatoceanreads.podbean.com/e/episode-5-...
Episode 5 Tracey Spicer, author Man-Made | Great Ocean Reads Podcast
In Episode 5 of the Great Ocean Reads Podcast, Karen speaks with her great friend, journalist, author and self confessed bogan from the outskirts of Brisbane, Tracey Spicer.
Tracey has written two boo...
greatoceanreads.podbean.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Recently, I had the great joy of chatting with my dear friend of 36 years Karen O'Sullivan from the destination bookstore Great Ocean Reads in Apollo Bay.
It's wonderful to be able to combine work with pleasure.
You can listen here: greatoceanreads.podbean.com/e/episode-5-...
It's wonderful to be able to combine work with pleasure.
You can listen here: greatoceanreads.podbean.com/e/episode-5-...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
When scholarship is politically steered, the public loses access to evidence and the means to hold power to account.
Why threats to academic freedom are growing – and how universities can respond to intimidation
When scholarship is politically steered, the public loses access to evidence and the means to hold power to account.
tcnv.link
November 10, 2025 at 8:28 PM
When scholarship is politically steered, the public loses access to evidence and the means to hold power to account.
The latest issue of the Australian Army Journal arrived in the mail yesterday. I contributed a paper to this edition on considerations for safely scaling swarms in military operations.
You can freely access and read the paper here: researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/aust...
You can freely access and read the paper here: researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/aust...
November 9, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The latest issue of the Australian Army Journal arrived in the mail yesterday. I contributed a paper to this edition on considerations for safely scaling swarms in military operations.
You can freely access and read the paper here: researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/aust...
You can freely access and read the paper here: researchcentre.army.gov.au/library/aust...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Tired of being unemployed when my work is what companies say they need: making complex systems clear, usable. I’ve spent years designing human-centered research & translating user insights into decisions that make products and experiences better. DM #UX research leads! jgcarpenter.com #AI #HCI #HRI
Julie Carpenter, PhD
jgcarpenter.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Tired of being unemployed when my work is what companies say they need: making complex systems clear, usable. I’ve spent years designing human-centered research & translating user insights into decisions that make products and experiences better. DM #UX research leads! jgcarpenter.com #AI #HCI #HRI
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
The US national strategy to prevent suicide failed to address the risks posed by social media and AI, Erich Mische writes. That's why he's come to regret signing it — and calling for a new plan.
The US Needs a New Suicide Prevention Plan That Tackles Social Media and AI | TechPolicy.Press
Our national suicide prevention largely treats technology as a tool to be managed, not a threat to be confronted, Erich Mische writes.
buff.ly
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The US national strategy to prevent suicide failed to address the risks posed by social media and AI, Erich Mische writes. That's why he's come to regret signing it — and calling for a new plan.
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
Based on analysis of years of revenues, losses and funding, since 2023, OpenAI has taken in $28.6bn in cash and had $13.7bn in losses.
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
Where Is OpenAI's Money Going?
Soundtrack: Queens of the Stone Age - Song For The Dead
Editor's Note: The original piece had a mathematical error around burnrate, it's been fixed.
A few days ago, Sam Altman said that OpenAI’s rev...
www.wheresyoured.at
November 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Based on analysis of years of revenues, losses and funding, since 2023, OpenAI has taken in $28.6bn in cash and had $13.7bn in losses.
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
However, reports say OpenAI ended 1H 2025 with $9.6bn in cash - suggesting OpenAI's losses are billions higher than reported.
www.wheresyoured.at/where-is-ope...
Reposted by Dr Zena Assaad
