Liz Carolan
@lizcarolan.com
I publish thebriefing.ie, & founded organisations working on tech & democracy. Political scientist, advocate, writer, knitter. DMs open
I've a piece in the paper today
Liz Carolan: Free speech will be a big EU-US battleground in 2026 - and Ireland is caught in the middle
Liz Carolan: Free speech will be a big EU-US battleground in 2026 - and Ireland is caught in the middle
Ireland is in a highly precarious position as we head into 2026, on the faultline between our allies in the EU and the US administration and Big Tech
www.irishtimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I've a piece in the paper today
AI is doing to words - literature, journalism, entertainment - what polyester did our clothing
There used to be natural fabrics and clothes meant something; now we are drowning in shitty, toxically & exploitatively produced crap, and yes most is cheap but even high end stuff is also now mostly sh!t
There used to be natural fabrics and clothes meant something; now we are drowning in shitty, toxically & exploitatively produced crap, and yes most is cheap but even high end stuff is also now mostly sh!t
Hard no to this: French publisher Harlequin has told translators that their work will now be done by AI. They can ‘revise’ AI translations at much lower rate. It’s a subsidiary of Harper Collins so treat this as a test for rollout elsewhere
"Bradage de la traduction, plan social invisible : Harlequin passe à l’IA"
Faites tourner, parce qu'il va falloir se battre encore plus. :/
#traduction #IA #Harlequin #ATLF
Faites tourner, parce qu'il va falloir se battre encore plus. :/
#traduction #IA #Harlequin #ATLF
December 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
AI is doing to words - literature, journalism, entertainment - what polyester did our clothing
There used to be natural fabrics and clothes meant something; now we are drowning in shitty, toxically & exploitatively produced crap, and yes most is cheap but even high end stuff is also now mostly sh!t
There used to be natural fabrics and clothes meant something; now we are drowning in shitty, toxically & exploitatively produced crap, and yes most is cheap but even high end stuff is also now mostly sh!t
Reposted by Liz Carolan
‘The hundreds of billions of dollars companies are investing in AI now account for an astonishing 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year… Outside of the AI plays, even European stock markets have been outperforming the US this decade’
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
America is now one big bet on AI
It’s seen as the magic fix for every threat to the US economy
on.ft.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
‘The hundreds of billions of dollars companies are investing in AI now account for an astonishing 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year… Outside of the AI plays, even European stock markets have been outperforming the US this decade’
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
on.ft.com/4pTQ3US
I honestly don’t know why we buy children toys 📦
December 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I honestly don’t know why we buy children toys 📦
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Adopt far-right policies to stop the far right gaining influence - continues to be the stupidest idea in European politics today.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Adopt far-right policies to stop the far right gaining influence - continues to be the stupidest idea in European politics today.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
📻 I’m going to be on @rteone.rte.ie shortly to talk MAGA madness
Will try my hardest not to say “batshit” live on air 🦇
Will try my hardest not to say “batshit” live on air 🦇
November 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
📻 I’m going to be on @rteone.rte.ie shortly to talk MAGA madness
Will try my hardest not to say “batshit” live on air 🦇
Will try my hardest not to say “batshit” live on air 🦇
Reposted by Liz Carolan
📣 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 Liz Carolan
The European Commission is now digging deeper in to our complaint against Ireland’s process by which Ireland appointed ex-Meta lobbyist as its Data Protection Commissioner
www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
EU seeking information over data commissioner appointment
The European Commission is seeking further information from the Irish authorities in relation to the appointment of Niamh Sweeney as the third commissioner of the Irish Data Protection Commission.
www.rte.ie
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
The European Commission is now digging deeper in to our complaint against Ireland’s process by which Ireland appointed ex-Meta lobbyist as its Data Protection Commissioner
www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Well, it's a little clearer now why billionaires are so invested in technology that produces better written emails.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
If gave you €1 every second since you were born:
You would have €1 million within a week and a half.
You would have €1 billion by 32.
You would never have €1 trillion. Generations upon generations after you would not reach €1 trillion. Because it would take over 31,700 years to reach €1 trillion.
You would have €1 million within a week and a half.
You would have €1 billion by 32.
You would never have €1 trillion. Generations upon generations after you would not reach €1 trillion. Because it would take over 31,700 years to reach €1 trillion.
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
If gave you €1 every second since you were born:
You would have €1 million within a week and a half.
You would have €1 billion by 32.
You would never have €1 trillion. Generations upon generations after you would not reach €1 trillion. Because it would take over 31,700 years to reach €1 trillion.
You would have €1 million within a week and a half.
You would have €1 billion by 32.
You would never have €1 trillion. Generations upon generations after you would not reach €1 trillion. Because it would take over 31,700 years to reach €1 trillion.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Always nice to see our work picked up and amplified by other, bigger media. These survey results have been on RTÉ radio, Newstalk, FM104, and others are planning to cover it too.
There's been a great deal of debate about how safe Dublin city centre is, but when we @dublininquirer.com looked for data to resolve this, we couldn't find much useful – so we commissioned a survey to try to add some facts/data to the debate. Today we've published five articles about the results. 1/
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Always nice to see our work picked up and amplified by other, bigger media. These survey results have been on RTÉ radio, Newstalk, FM104, and others are planning to cover it too.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
The Washington Post thinks the White House Ballroom is a splendid idea and anyone who thinks otherwise is a NIMBY. In other news Post owner Jeff Bezos is helping to pay for the Ballroom
October 27, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The Washington Post thinks the White House Ballroom is a splendid idea and anyone who thinks otherwise is a NIMBY. In other news Post owner Jeff Bezos is helping to pay for the Ballroom
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Don't get your hopes up yet, but it looks like Geert Wilders is on track for a pretty bad performance in the Netherlands election this week. If this poll is right, it looks like making a non-Wilders coalition will be pretty easy.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Dutch Far-Right Party’s Lead Shrinks Further in Latest Poll
Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party (PVV) is projected to take 26 seats in Wednesday’s Dutch election, according to a poll conducted by Ipsos I&O Research, down from 29 in an earlier s...
www.bloomberg.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Don't get your hopes up yet, but it looks like Geert Wilders is on track for a pretty bad performance in the Netherlands election this week. If this poll is right, it looks like making a non-Wilders coalition will be pretty easy.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
"Connolly was advised to avoid her hobby of rollerblading down Galway’s prom for fear of injury." 🤌
Jack Horgan-Jones piece inside the successful Catherine Connolly campaign: From gaining cross-party support to digital dexterity
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Jack Horgan-Jones piece inside the successful Catherine Connolly campaign: From gaining cross-party support to digital dexterity
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Inside the Catherine Connolly campaign: From gaining cross-party support to digital dexterity
Calls for Galway TD to seek new home in the Áras stretch back several years, when she at first dismissed the idea
www.irishtimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM
"Connolly was advised to avoid her hobby of rollerblading down Galway’s prom for fear of injury." 🤌
Jack Horgan-Jones piece inside the successful Catherine Connolly campaign: From gaining cross-party support to digital dexterity
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Jack Horgan-Jones piece inside the successful Catherine Connolly campaign: From gaining cross-party support to digital dexterity
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
I realise this isn't the point but if I'm reading this right, we're about to get ourselves President CMAC #áras25 #spéirgorm
With 3 constituencies left to count - Catherine Connolly has received the highest number of votes of any candidate for presidency in the history of the state
According to @womenforelection.bsky.social data - MDH in 2018 had 822k #Aras25
According to @womenforelection.bsky.social data - MDH in 2018 had 822k #Aras25
October 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I realise this isn't the point but if I'm reading this right, we're about to get ourselves President CMAC #áras25 #spéirgorm
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Make that the highest absolute number AND highest percentage in the history of that state
Newsletter in inboxes: www.thebriefing.ie/highest-perc...
Newsletter in inboxes: www.thebriefing.ie/highest-perc...
Highest percentage and highest number of votes in the history of the Irish Presidency
The results are in; Catherine Connolly won the Irish Presidential election of 2025, gathering 914,143 - or 63% - of the vote.
There is a lot of talk of spoiled ballots (including from me) - but - thi...
www.thebriefing.ie
October 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Make that the highest absolute number AND highest percentage in the history of that state
Newsletter in inboxes: www.thebriefing.ie/highest-perc...
Newsletter in inboxes: www.thebriefing.ie/highest-perc...
It’s official - highest percentage AND highest absolute number of votes in the history of the presidency
More than Dev, more than Michael D.
#Aras25
More than Dev, more than Michael D.
#Aras25
October 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM
It’s official - highest percentage AND highest absolute number of votes in the history of the presidency
More than Dev, more than Michael D.
#Aras25
More than Dev, more than Michael D.
#Aras25
With 3 constituencies left to count - Catherine Connolly has received the highest number of votes of any candidate for presidency in the history of the state
According to @womenforelection.bsky.social data - MDH in 2018 had 822k #Aras25
According to @womenforelection.bsky.social data - MDH in 2018 had 822k #Aras25
October 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
With 3 constituencies left to count - Catherine Connolly has received the highest number of votes of any candidate for presidency in the history of the state
According to @womenforelection.bsky.social data - MDH in 2018 had 822k #Aras25
According to @womenforelection.bsky.social data - MDH in 2018 had 822k #Aras25
Reposted by Liz Carolan
First few official results now coming in for #aras25: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
October 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
First few official results now coming in for #aras25: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
CC’s win was so evident, so early, that I fear we’ve jumped right over it to debating the meaning of spoilt votes
The reasons will be as diverse as voters -who put 10 parties & 10% indies in the Dái— are
But that won’t stop the fight to own the narrative #Aras25
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
The reasons will be as diverse as voters -who put 10 parties & 10% indies in the Dái— are
But that won’t stop the fight to own the narrative #Aras25
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Liz Carolan: How the ‘spoilyourvote’ campaign was mobilised online
The battle to claim the narrative of what this diverse group of unhappy voters wanted is already underway
www.irishtimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:31 PM
CC’s win was so evident, so early, that I fear we’ve jumped right over it to debating the meaning of spoilt votes
The reasons will be as diverse as voters -who put 10 parties & 10% indies in the Dái— are
But that won’t stop the fight to own the narrative #Aras25
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
The reasons will be as diverse as voters -who put 10 parties & 10% indies in the Dái— are
But that won’t stop the fight to own the narrative #Aras25
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
October 25, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Two women who were canvassing in support of Catherine Connolly in north Dublin have allegedly been assaulted.
Two women allegedly assaulted while canvassing in Dublin
Two women who were canvassing in support of Catherine Connolly in north Dublin have allegedly been assaulted. The incident occurred as Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald joined the canvass, a party sp...
www.rte.ie
October 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Two women who were canvassing in support of Catherine Connolly in north Dublin have allegedly been assaulted.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
I did a roundup post of what turned out to be a very weird #Aras25
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
#Aras25 Campaign Roundup
Over the last few months I have tried to dig out and get on the record some of the hidden and more ephemeral aspects of this election. Here is a recap of what we covered.
www.thebriefing.ie
October 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I did a roundup post of what turned out to be a very weird #Aras25
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
I did a roundup post of what turned out to be a very weird #Aras25
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
#Aras25 Campaign Roundup
Over the last few months I have tried to dig out and get on the record some of the hidden and more ephemeral aspects of this election. Here is a recap of what we covered.
www.thebriefing.ie
October 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I did a roundup post of what turned out to be a very weird #Aras25
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
In 12 newsletters, 3 newspaper articles, & a fair few media bits,
my goal has been to get on the record the ephemera of the digital campaign
Reviewing it, its striking how much is already erased
www.thebriefing.ie/aras25-campa...
I've a piece in @irishexaminer.bsky.social today about the #Aras25 "election cancelled" deepfake
I look at 4 potential motivations for going to the lengths they went to
Including my current pet theory is that it was a marketing push by a deepfake tech vendor
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
I look at 4 potential motivations for going to the lengths they went to
Including my current pet theory is that it was a marketing push by a deepfake tech vendor
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Who's behind the Catherine Connolly deepfake video, and why?
The AI generated video we saw this week could well be a display item for some deepfake vendor’s shop window — disturbing democracy is big business
www.irishexaminer.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I've a piece in @irishexaminer.bsky.social today about the #Aras25 "election cancelled" deepfake
I look at 4 potential motivations for going to the lengths they went to
Including my current pet theory is that it was a marketing push by a deepfake tech vendor
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
I look at 4 potential motivations for going to the lengths they went to
Including my current pet theory is that it was a marketing push by a deepfake tech vendor
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...