Katie (Kathryn) Conrad
@kconrad.bsky.social
Prof. of English at University of Kansas. Tech and culture. AI ethics. Critical AI literacy. Pandora’s Bot on Substack. Library of Babel Group. Zine publisher. #aiethics #criticalailiteracy
In related news,
January 25, 2026 at 1:59 AM
In related news,
Perhaps "Abject Victorian orphan" is the line between "seen a ghost" and "processing bad news"
January 16, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Perhaps "Abject Victorian orphan" is the line between "seen a ghost" and "processing bad news"
Agreed! I think "jackass" could also be called "ghoul" - just to harmonize with the "seen a ghost" (which shades occasionally into "abject Victorian orphan" when he's being apologetic but I would say is still the same category).
January 16, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Agreed! I think "jackass" could also be called "ghoul" - just to harmonize with the "seen a ghost" (which shades occasionally into "abject Victorian orphan" when he's being apologetic but I would say is still the same category).
Reposted by Katie (Kathryn) Conrad
Democratic accountability requires following power where it moves. Traditional mechanisms—public notice, comment, judicial review—were designed for formal rulemaking. We now need accountability frameworks that cut through the mirage of AI deregulation.
January 15, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Democratic accountability requires following power where it moves. Traditional mechanisms—public notice, comment, judicial review—were designed for formal rulemaking. We now need accountability frameworks that cut through the mirage of AI deregulation.
For a little midweek relief, I highly recommend Ryan George’s “The Absolute Lunantics of LinkedIn“ for dramatic readings and analyses of such posts. Eg. youtu.be/D3MQQDYijqY?...
The Absolute Lunatics of LinkedIn Pt. 2
YouTube video by Ryan George Extra Plus!
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 4:10 PM
For a little midweek relief, I highly recommend Ryan George’s “The Absolute Lunantics of LinkedIn“ for dramatic readings and analyses of such posts. Eg. youtu.be/D3MQQDYijqY?...
I'll also add that when I read the intro, I imagine the Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" playing in the background 😁
January 7, 2026 at 12:18 AM
I'll also add that when I read the intro, I imagine the Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" playing in the background 😁
Reposted by Katie (Kathryn) Conrad
I had to send an email to my kid's teacher. Thankfully they weren't having the kids interact with it directly but I was still furious
I ended up drafting an email that didn't really lean on research specific to grade school education, but expressed my concerns in the most basic terms.
I removed the personal details and have shared it as a template here for folks who might find it useful:
bit.ly/TeacherEmail...
I removed the personal details and have shared it as a template here for folks who might find it useful:
bit.ly/TeacherEmail...
![Dear [TEACHER],
I want to make sure we're on the same page for the rest of the year, because I was surprised and disappointed to hear that you uploaded student projects to ChatGPT.
We have always found [SCHOOL] to be a place that encourages students to express themselves creatively, to be responsible and aware of how their actions affect others, and to be intellectually honest – doing their own work, rather than copying from others.
I know ChatGPT has been heavily marketed as an educational tool, but everything about it is the opposite of those values. AI tools are built by training models on stolen work. They have huge and terrible environmental costs, because their data centers generate enormous amounts of pollution and are cooled with drinking water. They're also incredibly dangerous: tools like ChatGPT have taught children how to start fires and even encouraged them to commit suicide.
And in a classroom setting, it teaches students that a machine can express their ideas better than they can. I told [ CHILD ] I was interested in seeing what they had to draw, and my heart sank when they told me "but I can't draw that pretty." Children deserve to draw what they imagine.
These environmental, ethical, and pedagogical concerns are why I don't want [ CHILD ] to use AI tools (or for you to use them on their behalf). For the same reasons, I respectfully ask that you stop using them in your classroom.
If you do plan to use AI this year, please send home a permission slip requesting consent. There are important privacy concerns when you upload student work into a for-profit service like ChatGPT.
Thank you,
[ PARENT ]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:c2xl6zaxo623jzbjb43urymd/bafkreiesldew7oebm4hg2gymd4cftvwmrpbdw6m7eil2buiphw7db4ror4@jpeg)
January 6, 2026 at 10:17 PM
I had to send an email to my kid's teacher. Thankfully they weren't having the kids interact with it directly but I was still furious
I'm sorry I missed your earlier posts about your dad. Again, so sorry. And yes, you've got plenty other on your plate. :)
January 5, 2026 at 4:24 PM
I'm sorry I missed your earlier posts about your dad. Again, so sorry. And yes, you've got plenty other on your plate. :)
Reposted by Katie (Kathryn) Conrad
Seems like only a few years ago this type of thing was a scandal.
January 5, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Seems like only a few years ago this type of thing was a scandal.