Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
@tharsen.bsky.social
doting father, friend & ally; hyperpolyglot computational philologist & sinologist;
currently teaching AI, deep learning + multilingual NLP/NLU + HPC + humanities data science @UChicago, creating new methods for multilingual intertextuality、古聲韻學、文字學等等
currently teaching AI, deep learning + multilingual NLP/NLU + HPC + humanities data science @UChicago, creating new methods for multilingual intertextuality、古聲韻學、文字學等等
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
The collateral damage of people upset (often with good reasons) about generative AI is their digital humanities colleagues. It’s outpacing 2010 levels of vitriol, by a lot. The irony is we’re the best allies — we understand how the tech works and can translate between the doom and the hype. +
December 16, 2025 at 12:29 AM
The collateral damage of people upset (often with good reasons) about generative AI is their digital humanities colleagues. It’s outpacing 2010 levels of vitriol, by a lot. The irony is we’re the best allies — we understand how the tech works and can translate between the doom and the hype. +
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Today I remembered that there is a resource that is just a list of almost one hundred humanities PhDs who have transitioned to other careers and are available to talk about it.
You can schedule an informational interview or invite them to talk to your department!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
You can schedule an informational interview or invite them to talk to your department!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Alt-Ac Support network
docs.google.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Today I remembered that there is a resource that is just a list of almost one hundred humanities PhDs who have transitioned to other careers and are available to talk about it.
You can schedule an informational interview or invite them to talk to your department!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
You can schedule an informational interview or invite them to talk to your department!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
I always learn so much from @mariaa.bsky.social. She's really helped me think more deeply about AI models and privacy, which sometimes doesn't get enough attention.
It's like social media all over again, but now the data is even more sensitive. This clip is worth a listen!
It's like social media all over again, but now the data is even more sensitive. This clip is worth a listen!
We don't actually trust AI.
We trust the companies behind it.
As Maria Antoniak notes, every "private" chat flows through corporate systems with long histories of data misuse. If we care about AI ethics, we need to name power, not anthropomorphize models.
We trust the companies behind it.
As Maria Antoniak notes, every "private" chat flows through corporate systems with long histories of data misuse. If we care about AI ethics, we need to name power, not anthropomorphize models.
December 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I always learn so much from @mariaa.bsky.social. She's really helped me think more deeply about AI models and privacy, which sometimes doesn't get enough attention.
It's like social media all over again, but now the data is even more sensitive. This clip is worth a listen!
It's like social media all over again, but now the data is even more sensitive. This clip is worth a listen!
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
One way that the reaction to Rob Reiner's murder mirrors Charlie Kirk's is that the best way to eulogize each of them is to quote their words, and in both cases, doing so pisses off conservatives.
Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."
December 15, 2025 at 8:52 PM
One way that the reaction to Rob Reiner's murder mirrors Charlie Kirk's is that the best way to eulogize each of them is to quote their words, and in both cases, doing so pisses off conservatives.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
The CFP for ACH2026 is now live: ach2026.ach.org/en/cfp/
The theme this year is Emergence/ia and the conference will be virtual and bilingual.
Submit proposals by 11:59pm on 2/2/2026 and save the date for June 24-26, 2026!
The theme this year is Emergence/ia and the conference will be virtual and bilingual.
Submit proposals by 11:59pm on 2/2/2026 and save the date for June 24-26, 2026!
ACH 2026 CFP
Submit a proposal: ACH 2026 ConfTool
ach2026.ach.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The CFP for ACH2026 is now live: ach2026.ach.org/en/cfp/
The theme this year is Emergence/ia and the conference will be virtual and bilingual.
Submit proposals by 11:59pm on 2/2/2026 and save the date for June 24-26, 2026!
The theme this year is Emergence/ia and the conference will be virtual and bilingual.
Submit proposals by 11:59pm on 2/2/2026 and save the date for June 24-26, 2026!
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
to my great surprise, we are left with some money for buying books for our team at the institute. Any recent recommendations in computational humanities, DH, poetics, verse studies, world lit / comparative lit?
Let's go, internet! Self plugs are more than welcome.
Let's go, internet! Self plugs are more than welcome.
December 15, 2025 at 2:55 PM
to my great surprise, we are left with some money for buying books for our team at the institute. Any recent recommendations in computational humanities, DH, poetics, verse studies, world lit / comparative lit?
Let's go, internet! Self plugs are more than welcome.
Let's go, internet! Self plugs are more than welcome.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
New article in AI & Society with @richardjeanso.bsky.social and @hoytlong.bsky.social 🎉
We wanted to know how AI might affect cultural fields like literary publishing. But cultural production is complex! So we piloted a new method we call “social simulation.”
rdcu.be/eTkMy
We wanted to know how AI might affect cultural fields like literary publishing. But cultural production is complex! So we piloted a new method we call “social simulation.”
rdcu.be/eTkMy
The social AI author: modeling creativity and distinction in simulated cultural fields
rdcu.be
December 15, 2025 at 2:25 PM
New article in AI & Society with @richardjeanso.bsky.social and @hoytlong.bsky.social 🎉
We wanted to know how AI might affect cultural fields like literary publishing. But cultural production is complex! So we piloted a new method we call “social simulation.”
rdcu.be/eTkMy
We wanted to know how AI might affect cultural fields like literary publishing. But cultural production is complex! So we piloted a new method we call “social simulation.”
rdcu.be/eTkMy
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
I wish a notice like this wasn't necessary.
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...
Important notice: AI-generated archival references
www.icrc.org
December 8, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Folks might not know a lot of people are getting *very* upset that the materials they request are not available in the libraries/archives they're requesting from.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
We're getting lots here at the Library of Virginia: requests of documents likely surfaced by large language models that *do not exist*.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
a man reading a book to a young boy
Alt: a man reading a book to a young boy
media.tenor.com
June 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
🚨 LAST DAY! #DH2026 submissions close Dec 15
⏰ 23:59 KST (Korea)
⏰ 15:59 CET (Central Europe)
⏰ 14:59 GMT (UK)
⏰ 09:59 EST (US East)
⏰ 06:59 PST (US West)
⏰ 01:59 AEDT, Dec 16 (Australia Sydney)
Submit now 👉 dh2026.adho.org/cfp/
⏰ 23:59 KST (Korea)
⏰ 15:59 CET (Central Europe)
⏰ 14:59 GMT (UK)
⏰ 09:59 EST (US East)
⏰ 06:59 PST (US West)
⏰ 01:59 AEDT, Dec 16 (Australia Sydney)
Submit now 👉 dh2026.adho.org/cfp/
CFP – DH2026 in Daejeon, South Korea
The Alliance of Digital Humanities Organizations (ADHO) invites submissions for its annual conference, DH2026, to be held in Daejeon, South Korea, from July 27 to 31, 2026.
dh2026.adho.org
December 15, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Open models year in review.
What a year! We're back with an updated open model builder tier list, our top models of the year, and our predictions for 2026.
www.interconnects.ai/p/2025-open-...
What a year! We're back with an updated open model builder tier list, our top models of the year, and our predictions for 2026.
www.interconnects.ai/p/2025-open-...
December 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Open models year in review.
What a year! We're back with an updated open model builder tier list, our top models of the year, and our predictions for 2026.
www.interconnects.ai/p/2025-open-...
What a year! We're back with an updated open model builder tier list, our top models of the year, and our predictions for 2026.
www.interconnects.ai/p/2025-open-...
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
this, from @kevinbaker.bsky.social, is a better analysis of the intersection between LLMs and academic science than 98% of what's out there.
Context Widows
or, of GPUs, LPUs, and Goal Displacement
artificialbureaucracy.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:47 PM
this, from @kevinbaker.bsky.social, is a better analysis of the intersection between LLMs and academic science than 98% of what's out there.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Tbf I think this is the expected behavior of someone who just happened to know 90 harmless facts about Hitler
December 13, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Tbf I think this is the expected behavior of someone who just happened to know 90 harmless facts about Hitler
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
We are actively trying to spread the word globally beyond English-speaking institutions. We have been attending conferences and other events outside the US and speaking with researchers from South America, Asia, and Europe. If you can help us get the word out, it would be appreciated.
December 13, 2025 at 8:56 PM
We are actively trying to spread the word globally beyond English-speaking institutions. We have been attending conferences and other events outside the US and speaking with researchers from South America, Asia, and Europe. If you can help us get the word out, it would be appreciated.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Excited to get this work out in the world at #chr2025 (with Sabrina Baur, Mackenzie Cramer, Anna Ho and Tom McEnaney) -- asking: how much do contemporary songs tell stories, and how has that changed over the past half century?
anthology.ach.org/volumes/vol0...
anthology.ach.org/volumes/vol0...
Measuring the Stories in Contemporary Songs
anthology.ach.org
December 12, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Excited to get this work out in the world at #chr2025 (with Sabrina Baur, Mackenzie Cramer, Anna Ho and Tom McEnaney) -- asking: how much do contemporary songs tell stories, and how has that changed over the past half century?
anthology.ach.org/volumes/vol0...
anthology.ach.org/volumes/vol0...
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
"Paula Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association, said she expects graduates of the program will be in great demand"
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
How One University Is Reimagining a Humanities Ph.D. Program
Carnegie Mellon is turning its literary and cultural studies Ph.D. program into one focused on computational cultural studies. The reframe comes as many humanities graduate programs face an uncertain ...
www.insidehighered.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:13 PM
"Paula Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association, said she expects graduates of the program will be in great demand"
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Here are the top 10 most popular post-1945 American authors at the Seattle Public Library over the last 20 years.
December 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Here are the top 10 most popular post-1945 American authors at the Seattle Public Library over the last 20 years.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
We’ve got 8 PhD studentships open in Durham for interdisciplinary research, especially projects sitting at the intersection of humanities and sciences. Many music psychology projects can tick these boxes! Feel free to get in touch www.durham.ac.uk/departments/...
PhD Studentships in Transformative Humanities - Durham University
www.durham.ac.uk
December 12, 2025 at 9:04 PM
We’ve got 8 PhD studentships open in Durham for interdisciplinary research, especially projects sitting at the intersection of humanities and sciences. Many music psychology projects can tick these boxes! Feel free to get in touch www.durham.ac.uk/departments/...
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
improving authorship attribution using phonetic features — fascinating work by Simon Gabay, @floriancafiero.bsky.social, and Jean-Luc Falcone at #CHR2025
December 12, 2025 at 3:38 PM
improving authorship attribution using phonetic features — fascinating work by Simon Gabay, @floriancafiero.bsky.social, and Jean-Luc Falcone at #CHR2025
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Thanks to generous funding from the @sloanfoundation.bsky.social, John Basl and I are thrilled to be running the AI and Data Ethics summer school in 2026! ~12 graduate students, $10k stipend, 9 weeks to learn about scientific and ethical issues raised by AI. Please apply! aidesummer.org
AIDE Summer
AI + Data Ethics (AIDE) Summer is intended for graduate students with advanced training in applied ethics, ethical theory, philosophy of science, metascience, epistemology, or other areas with potenti...
aidesummer.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Thanks to generous funding from the @sloanfoundation.bsky.social, John Basl and I are thrilled to be running the AI and Data Ethics summer school in 2026! ~12 graduate students, $10k stipend, 9 weeks to learn about scientific and ethical issues raised by AI. Please apply! aidesummer.org
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
🎉 Congratulations to @mmvty.bsky.social, a 2025 HAVI awardee by @schmidtsciences.bsky.social! This grant of up to $450K, led by Tom Lippincott @jhu.edu with co-PIs John Hale (JHU) & Robert Lieck (@durham.ac.uk), will develop ML tools to analyze hierarchical structure in poetry, narrative & music.
Home - Schmidt Sciences
schmidtsciences.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
🎉 Congratulations to @mmvty.bsky.social, a 2025 HAVI awardee by @schmidtsciences.bsky.social! This grant of up to $450K, led by Tom Lippincott @jhu.edu with co-PIs John Hale (JHU) & Robert Lieck (@durham.ac.uk), will develop ML tools to analyze hierarchical structure in poetry, narrative & music.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
My final manuscript in! And now I give you..... COVER REVEAL (US cover, UK is sooooo different but it's not public yet)
December 10, 2025 at 2:11 PM
My final manuscript in! And now I give you..... COVER REVEAL (US cover, UK is sooooo different but it's not public yet)
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Public AI, Built On Open Source, Is The Way Forward In The EU
Aquarter of a century ago, I wrote a book called “Rebel Code”. It was the first – and is still the only – detailed history of the origins and rise of free software and open source, based on interviews with the gifted and generous…
Aquarter of a century ago, I wrote a book called “Rebel Code”. It was the first – and is still the only – detailed history of the origins and rise of free software and open source, based on interviews with the gifted and generous…
Public AI, Built On Open Source, Is The Way Forward In The EU
Aquarter of a century ago, I wrote a book called “Rebel Code”. It was the first – and is still the only – detailed history of the origins and rise of free software and open source, based on interviews with the gifted and generous hackers who took part. Back then, it was clear that open source represented a powerful alternative to the traditional proprietary approach to software development and distribution.
www.techdirt.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Public AI, Built On Open Source, Is The Way Forward In The EU
Aquarter of a century ago, I wrote a book called “Rebel Code”. It was the first – and is still the only – detailed history of the origins and rise of free software and open source, based on interviews with the gifted and generous…
Aquarter of a century ago, I wrote a book called “Rebel Code”. It was the first – and is still the only – detailed history of the origins and rise of free software and open source, based on interviews with the gifted and generous…
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
My colleague points out here that possibly one in seven requests to our library now may be assisted by LLMs.
When those point to fictional documents, that's a huge staff time drain. There's often no quick way to check if an undigitized primary source doc exists beyond physically pulling some boxes.
When those point to fictional documents, that's a huge staff time drain. There's often no quick way to check if an undigitized primary source doc exists beyond physically pulling some boxes.
December 9, 2025 at 2:06 AM
My colleague points out here that possibly one in seven requests to our library now may be assisted by LLMs.
When those point to fictional documents, that's a huge staff time drain. There's often no quick way to check if an undigitized primary source doc exists beyond physically pulling some boxes.
When those point to fictional documents, that's a huge staff time drain. There's often no quick way to check if an undigitized primary source doc exists beyond physically pulling some boxes.
Reposted by Jeff Tharsen 康森傑
Do you write research software for the humanities?
Consider writing a software paper to share your work!
Reach out to me, @nolauren.bsky.social , or any of the other editors at the CHR journal with your questions or ideas.
Consider writing a software paper to share your work!
Reach out to me, @nolauren.bsky.social , or any of the other editors at the CHR journal with your questions or ideas.
“The Software Paper fills a gap for the computational and digital humanities communities...” Thank you to research software engineer extraordinaire @suttonkoeser.bsky.social for leading this initiative for Computational Humanities Research journal. Please share!
Introducing the 'Software Paper': New ways to publish on research software in Computational Humanities Research
When Lauren Tilton first approached me about joining the Computational Humanities Research (CHR) journal’s Editorial Board as an Associate Editor, the thing that made the invitation so compelling and ...
www.cambridge.org
December 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Do you write research software for the humanities?
Consider writing a software paper to share your work!
Reach out to me, @nolauren.bsky.social , or any of the other editors at the CHR journal with your questions or ideas.
Consider writing a software paper to share your work!
Reach out to me, @nolauren.bsky.social , or any of the other editors at the CHR journal with your questions or ideas.