Teresa Heffernan
@tjheffernan.bsky.social
Literature prof; author; current project: how literal readings of fiction by the tech industry are destroying the world. Let's read/interpret fiction as fiction. Boycott generative AI (chatbots etc); Website: https://www.socialrobotfutures.com/
AI/Data is not the 'new' oil...data is keeping the fossil fuel industry alive; there is no end to data theft, stored & processed in water and energy guzzling data centres. Surely, with a little imagination, we can figure out a less soul-destroying planet-burning basis for the economy.
November 28, 2025 at 2:33 AM
AI/Data is not the 'new' oil...data is keeping the fossil fuel industry alive; there is no end to data theft, stored & processed in water and energy guzzling data centres. Surely, with a little imagination, we can figure out a less soul-destroying planet-burning basis for the economy.
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
So thrilled to finally have @ketanjoshi.co on the podcast!
We dig into what the numbers are telling us about the climate impact of data centers — and it’s not a good story. These tech companies need to be held accountable for the climate cost of their AI ambitions!
We dig into what the numbers are telling us about the climate impact of data centers — and it’s not a good story. These tech companies need to be held accountable for the climate cost of their AI ambitions!
Tech giants are building loads of hyperscale data centers to power generative AI. What happened to their climate pledges?
This week @ketanjoshi.co joins @parismarx.com to discuss the greenwashing of data centers and how they’re driving fossil fuel demand.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/304_...
This week @ketanjoshi.co joins @parismarx.com to discuss the greenwashing of data centers and how they’re driving fossil fuel demand.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/304_...
November 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
So thrilled to finally have @ketanjoshi.co on the podcast!
We dig into what the numbers are telling us about the climate impact of data centers — and it’s not a good story. These tech companies need to be held accountable for the climate cost of their AI ambitions!
We dig into what the numbers are telling us about the climate impact of data centers — and it’s not a good story. These tech companies need to be held accountable for the climate cost of their AI ambitions!
Maybe give some thought for the kids who will inherit the damage of the fossil fuel industry...what happened to "values"?
Lets face it, this is a good day for oil companies, businesses, and those in the oil sector. Its a bad day for the environment and for reconciliation with Indigenous nations whose lands this thing will go over. As Blanchet stated, this is the official end of Canada's climate commitments.
Ottawa-Alberta agreement clears federal hurdles for west coast pipeline, suspends clean energy regulations
Federal government won’t implement its oil and gas emissions cap, and both sides will consult with B.C. on project, MOU says
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Maybe give some thought for the kids who will inherit the damage of the fossil fuel industry...what happened to "values"?
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
“Reflecting on the harms of AI is not itself harm reduction. It may even contribute to rationalizing, normalizing, and enabling harm. Critical reflection without appropriate action is thus quintessentially critical washing.”
Suarez [et al. (2025, par. 7)]
zenodo.org/records/1567...
Suarez [et al. (2025, par. 7)]
zenodo.org/records/1567...
Critical AI Literacy: Beyond hegemonic perspectives on sustainability
How can universities resist being coopted and corrupted by the AI industries’ agendas? Originally published here: https://rcsc.substack.com/p/critical-ai-literacy-beyond-hegemonic
zenodo.org
November 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
“Reflecting on the harms of AI is not itself harm reduction. It may even contribute to rationalizing, normalizing, and enabling harm. Critical reflection without appropriate action is thus quintessentially critical washing.”
Suarez [et al. (2025, par. 7)]
zenodo.org/records/1567...
Suarez [et al. (2025, par. 7)]
zenodo.org/records/1567...
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
"Amazon is using the shiny thing of AI to distract from the fact that it’s building a dirty energy empire”.
1/n
1/n
Amazon heads: hey what if instead of dealing with problems like toxic air...we made things even worse for people:
"the biggest single factor in the city’s failure to end its dependence on fossil fuels: energy-hungry datacentres."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"the biggest single factor in the city’s failure to end its dependence on fossil fuels: energy-hungry datacentres."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘It’s hell for us here’: Mumbai families suffer as datacentres keep the city hooked on coal
As Mumbai sees increased energy demand from new datacenters, particularly from Amazon, the filthiest neighbourhood in one of India’s largest cities must keep its major coal plants
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"Amazon is using the shiny thing of AI to distract from the fact that it’s building a dirty energy empire”.
1/n
1/n
Amazon heads: hey what if instead of dealing with problems like toxic air...we made things even worse for people:
"the biggest single factor in the city’s failure to end its dependence on fossil fuels: energy-hungry datacentres."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"the biggest single factor in the city’s failure to end its dependence on fossil fuels: energy-hungry datacentres."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘It’s hell for us here’: Mumbai families suffer as datacentres keep the city hooked on coal
As Mumbai sees increased energy demand from new datacenters, particularly from Amazon, the filthiest neighbourhood in one of India’s largest cities must keep its major coal plants
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Amazon heads: hey what if instead of dealing with problems like toxic air...we made things even worse for people:
"the biggest single factor in the city’s failure to end its dependence on fossil fuels: energy-hungry datacentres."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
"the biggest single factor in the city’s failure to end its dependence on fossil fuels: energy-hungry datacentres."
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Canada gov instead of allowing Big Tech to move fast and break things, please take the advice of @jeff.doctor : "move slow and empower people"
"The way that the federal government ... talks about AI is very ideological … We need to adopt it for its own sake, independent of what that actually means … We’re rushing without having a clear sense of where we’re going.” @hadrianmk.bsky.social #cdnpoli rabble.ca/podcast/the-...
The AI hype-machine: Canada’s ill-advised ‘national sprint’ on artificial intelligence
Cynthia Khoo, Jeff Doctor and Hadrian Mertons-Kirkwood discuss the dangers of Canada’s accelerated approach to artificial intelligence.
rabble.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Canada gov instead of allowing Big Tech to move fast and break things, please take the advice of @jeff.doctor : "move slow and empower people"
Tech companies "flying in the wrong direction."
Tech giants are building loads of hyperscale data centers to power generative AI. What happened to their climate pledges?
This week @ketanjoshi.co joins @parismarx.com to discuss the greenwashing of data centers and how they’re driving fossil fuel demand.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/304_...
This week @ketanjoshi.co joins @parismarx.com to discuss the greenwashing of data centers and how they’re driving fossil fuel demand.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/304_...
November 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Tech companies "flying in the wrong direction."
Instead of doing something about actual problems (say, greenhouse gasses, plastic, trash, wealth disparity, a burning planet)
"this magic bean of AI, this bundle of excuses comes together, that, oh we have to extract more, we have to mine more, we have to use more energy."
"this magic bean of AI, this bundle of excuses comes together, that, oh we have to extract more, we have to mine more, we have to use more energy."
I did my best to not yell about how ridiculous everything is right now and how hard it is to take anything seriously when we're all supposed to bet our future on magic beans
rabble.ca/podcast/the-...
rabble.ca/podcast/the-...
The AI hype-machine: Canada’s ill-advised ‘national sprint’ on artificial intelligence
Cynthia Khoo, Jeff Doctor and Hadrian Mertons-Kirkwood discuss the dangers of Canada’s accelerated approach to artificial intelligence.
rabble.ca
November 27, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Instead of doing something about actual problems (say, greenhouse gasses, plastic, trash, wealth disparity, a burning planet)
"this magic bean of AI, this bundle of excuses comes together, that, oh we have to extract more, we have to mine more, we have to use more energy."
"this magic bean of AI, this bundle of excuses comes together, that, oh we have to extract more, we have to mine more, we have to use more energy."
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
Solomon sounds like he's outsourced his thinking to a chatbot.
"Technology moves at the speed of innovation"* is right up there with "Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty."
(Also, I'm pretty sure the PM is 100% on board with what Solomon's doing.)
"Technology moves at the speed of innovation"* is right up there with "Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty."
(Also, I'm pretty sure the PM is 100% on board with what Solomon's doing.)
@mark-carney.bsky.social...could you please ask your minister how he defines 'AI,' a marketing term? And, if he is relying on universities, could he at least pay attention to the research and stop parroting Big Tech hype?
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
Universities 'absolutely vital' to Canada's AI strategy, minister says - University Affairs
Evan Solomon, Canada’s minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, in conversation with University Affairs’ Christopher Guly.
universityaffairs.ca
November 27, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Solomon sounds like he's outsourced his thinking to a chatbot.
"Technology moves at the speed of innovation"* is right up there with "Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty."
(Also, I'm pretty sure the PM is 100% on board with what Solomon's doing.)
"Technology moves at the speed of innovation"* is right up there with "Moisture is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty."
(Also, I'm pretty sure the PM is 100% on board with what Solomon's doing.)
@mark-carney.bsky.social...could you please ask your minister how he defines 'AI,' a marketing term? And, if he is relying on universities, could he at least pay attention to the research and stop parroting Big Tech hype?
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
Universities 'absolutely vital' to Canada's AI strategy, minister says - University Affairs
Evan Solomon, Canada’s minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, in conversation with University Affairs’ Christopher Guly.
universityaffairs.ca
November 27, 2025 at 1:04 AM
@mark-carney.bsky.social...could you please ask your minister how he defines 'AI,' a marketing term? And, if he is relying on universities, could he at least pay attention to the research and stop parroting Big Tech hype?
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
Can someone please ask him what he means by "AI" and how he thinks it works???? He really needs to go.
Probably one of the most neoliberal pitches for AI and education to date, from Canada's AI Minister, extolling Mark Carney's dream of the university as a war machine factory.
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
universityaffairs.ca/news/ai-mini...
Universities 'absolutely vital' to Canada's AI strategy, minister says - University Affairs
Evan Solomon, Canada’s minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, in conversation with University Affairs’ Christopher Guly.
universityaffairs.ca
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Can someone please ask him what he means by "AI" and how he thinks it works???? He really needs to go.
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
Is Santa Real? Many users feel they're getting presents from him. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Is Santa Real? Many users feel they're getting presents from him. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Canada also needs to wake up:
'“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds,” the lawmakers say, praising the International Criminal Court’s recent move to drop Microsoft over U.S. sanction fears.'
'“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds,” the lawmakers say, praising the International Criminal Court’s recent move to drop Microsoft over U.S. sanction fears.'
“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds.”
A cross-party group of lawmakers are pushing for the European Parliament to get off US tech, starting with Microsoft.
A cross-party group of lawmakers are pushing for the European Parliament to get off US tech, starting with Microsoft.
Get us off Microsoft! Lawmakers press EU Parliament to change in-house IT.
“We cannot afford this level of dependence on foreign tech,” lawmakers say in letter obtained by POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Canada also needs to wake up:
'“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds,” the lawmakers say, praising the International Criminal Court’s recent move to drop Microsoft over U.S. sanction fears.'
'“Our mid-term goal should be the complete phase-out of Microsoft products, including the Windows operating system. It’s easier than it sounds,” the lawmakers say, praising the International Criminal Court’s recent move to drop Microsoft over U.S. sanction fears.'
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
My speaker notes & slides from today's panel on 'Resisting GenAI & Big Tech in Higher Education', co-organised with the Climate Justice Universities Union (CJUU). The full recording, slides and resources will be available soon via the CJUU site.
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
My speaker notes & slides from today's panel on 'Resisting GenAI & Big Tech in Higher Education', co-organised with the Climate Justice Universities Union (CJUU). The full recording, slides and resources will be available soon via the CJUU site.
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
danmcquillan.org/resisting_ge...
"Tech CEOs are riding the AI hype by pocketing billions through circular deals — and the European Commission is fueling the hype. When the bubble bursts, CEOs may lose investors, but the commission will have wasted public funds and shattered public trust."
euobserver.com/digital/ar68...
euobserver.com/digital/ar68...
Von der Leyen caught in AI hype trap while Tech bros cash in
Ursula von der Leyen and the EU Commission are fueling the AI hype, claiming AI could reach human-level reasoning next year. When asked for evidence, they cited tech CEOs’ essays, prompting scientists...
euobserver.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:38 PM
"Tech CEOs are riding the AI hype by pocketing billions through circular deals — and the European Commission is fueling the hype. When the bubble bursts, CEOs may lose investors, but the commission will have wasted public funds and shattered public trust."
euobserver.com/digital/ar68...
euobserver.com/digital/ar68...
'Peter Geoghegan, former editor-in-chief at openDemocracy, told Byline Times: “It’s curious that the Orwell Prize – Britain’s most celebrated award for public interest journalism – has turned to a man who’s spent much of his career trying to stifle it.”'
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
'Peter Geoghegan, former editor-in-chief at openDemocracy, told Byline Times: “It’s curious that the Orwell Prize – Britain’s most celebrated award for public interest journalism – has turned to a man who’s spent much of his career trying to stifle it.”'
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
Finally something on this argument current and future school teachers keep throwing at me - no, underserved groups are not currently or ever going to benefit from LLMs.
They love to say it's a way to help underserved groups of children too. Extra scary.
Forbes, S. H. & Guest, O. (2025). To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models. Cognitive Science. doi.org/10.1111/cogs...
PDF: philpapers.org/archive/FORT...
Forbes, S. H. & Guest, O. (2025). To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models. Cognitive Science. doi.org/10.1111/cogs...
PDF: philpapers.org/archive/FORT...
To Improve Literacy, Improve Equality in Education, Not Large Language Models
Huettig and Christiansen in an earlier issue argue that large language models (LLMs) are beneficial to address declining cognitive skills, such as literacy, through combating imbalances in educationa....
doi.org
November 23, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Finally something on this argument current and future school teachers keep throwing at me - no, underserved groups are not currently or ever going to benefit from LLMs.
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
You think LLM-based chatbots can help students learn? Think again.
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
Take a few minutes to listen to Dr. @drtanksley.bsky.social clear explanation why this is very bad, harmful idea, especially for Black students.
#Critical_AI_Literacy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtc...
AGI is a myth... and a 'terrible goal'
November 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
AGI is a myth... and a 'terrible goal'
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
What sucks is when your college's CTL is pimping LLMs all the fucking time for every fucking thing. I have so little respect for the people working there.
Anyone using chatbots for education needs to stop now.
They spew Jim Crow levels of racism and hate that get even worse with scaling not better.
Reminder: "AI" has never been about education or intelligence..it is about power, surveillance and control.
They spew Jim Crow levels of racism and hate that get even worse with scaling not better.
Reminder: "AI" has never been about education or intelligence..it is about power, surveillance and control.
I need everyone, esp anyone working in education or tech (but really everyone) to WATCH THIS CLIP of @drtanksley.bsky.social discussing the technologies infiltrating our schools & psyches and how she is addressing it with our young people. youtu.be/5mtcSL4S3HQ
November 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
What sucks is when your college's CTL is pimping LLMs all the fucking time for every fucking thing. I have so little respect for the people working there.
Anyone using chatbots for education needs to stop now.
They spew Jim Crow levels of racism and hate that get even worse with scaling not better.
Reminder: "AI" has never been about education or intelligence..it is about power, surveillance and control.
They spew Jim Crow levels of racism and hate that get even worse with scaling not better.
Reminder: "AI" has never been about education or intelligence..it is about power, surveillance and control.
I need everyone, esp anyone working in education or tech (but really everyone) to WATCH THIS CLIP of @drtanksley.bsky.social discussing the technologies infiltrating our schools & psyches and how she is addressing it with our young people. youtu.be/5mtcSL4S3HQ
Howard University AI Panel
YouTube video by Tiera Tanksley
youtu.be
November 22, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Anyone using chatbots for education needs to stop now.
They spew Jim Crow levels of racism and hate that get even worse with scaling not better.
Reminder: "AI" has never been about education or intelligence..it is about power, surveillance and control.
They spew Jim Crow levels of racism and hate that get even worse with scaling not better.
Reminder: "AI" has never been about education or intelligence..it is about power, surveillance and control.
Reposted by Teresa Heffernan
A French ICC judge sanctioned by the US over the Netanyau arrest warrant says all his accounts with US companies have been closed, making it “like being sent back to the 1990s.”
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
![What can governments do?
In the face of US sanctions, European authorities can implement the "blocking statute" [a mechanism used in the past that protects EU citizens and companies from the effects of sanctions imposed by third countries]. Europe needs greater sovereignty, especially in digital and banking matters. That is the only way to reduce the impact of sanctions and, indirectly, protect the victims of international crimes. Today, there is no room for naivety. Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law. Some European lawmakers have become aware of these issues. Still, this awareness must grow among national governments and the European Commission, because behind the sanctions against the ICC lies the entire question of the rule of law.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5rxcpjus3ple6jpbuafvm4og/bafkreiflzi2b3svul3iq3omdpk3yl4kydla7cisw7ireldm7zne2majeoq@jpeg)
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
A French ICC judge sanctioned by the US over the Netanyau arrest warrant says all his accounts with US companies have been closed, making it “like being sent back to the 1990s.”
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.
“Without sovereignty – military, health, financial and digital – we can no longer guarantee the rule of law,” he says.