Eric Gilbert
@eegilbert.org
Professor at Michigan. On sabbatical at the Berkman Klein Center. http://eegilbert.org
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
This is actually the thing that worries me most about AI. It's "there is no such thing as society" implemented as software solution. Needing to ask people for help, advice, or information is part of how we build and maintain social and professional bonds.
Preliminary results show that the current framework of "AI" makes ppl less likely to help or seek help from other humans, or to seek to soothe conflict, and that people actively prefer that framework to any others, literally serving to make them more dependent on it.
Sycophantic AI Decreases Prosocial Intentions and Promotes Dependence
Both the general public and academic communities have raised concerns about sycophancy, the phenomenon of artificial intelligence (AI) excessively agreeing with or flattering users. Yet, beyond isolat...
arxiv.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
This is actually the thing that worries me most about AI. It's "there is no such thing as society" implemented as software solution. Needing to ask people for help, advice, or information is part of how we build and maintain social and professional bonds.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
In which Harvard’s Enos & Levitsky call on Harvard to lead the way, coordinating with other universities in fight for academic freedom. Our civil institutions will need to learn that power is harnessed through coordination. Protecting oneself will never be enough.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Harvard Must Take a Stand Against Trump’s Compact | Opinion | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard, rather than quietly pursuing its own appeasement strategy, should lead the way to preserve academic freedom and democracy.
www.thecrimson.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
In which Harvard’s Enos & Levitsky call on Harvard to lead the way, coordinating with other universities in fight for academic freedom. Our civil institutions will need to learn that power is harnessed through coordination. Protecting oneself will never be enough.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
A series of short posts from leading scholars about the constraints the First Amendment imposes on the government's authority to impose conditions on federal funding. Seems relevant! This is a @knightcolumbia.org series from earlier this year. knightcolumbia.org/research/fed...
Federal Funding and the First Amendment
knightcolumbia.org
October 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
A series of short posts from leading scholars about the constraints the First Amendment imposes on the government's authority to impose conditions on federal funding. Seems relevant! This is a @knightcolumbia.org series from earlier this year. knightcolumbia.org/research/fed...
But this is my feed now
Mark Zuckerberg is introducing a feed that's just 100% AI slop. No pesky creativity from real people to get in the way. Eat up little piggies
September 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
But this is my feed now
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
The Third Reich had an agency called the Reichskulturkammer, "Reich Culture Chamber". All singers, writers, musicians, journalists, and actors had to apply for membership and were ideologically vetted. Expulsion or failure to gain admission resulted in an occupational ban. Jews were not admitted.
September 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The Third Reich had an agency called the Reichskulturkammer, "Reich Culture Chamber". All singers, writers, musicians, journalists, and actors had to apply for membership and were ideologically vetted. Expulsion or failure to gain admission resulted in an occupational ban. Jews were not admitted.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Major ruling from the Colombian constitutional court requiring fair process, transparency, and appeals for Meta account termination.
h/t @joanbarata.bsky.social and sorry Gustavo Gómez doesn’t have an account here to credit. This is his translated post on X.
h/t @joanbarata.bsky.social and sorry Gustavo Gómez doesn’t have an account here to credit. This is his translated post on X.
September 15, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Major ruling from the Colombian constitutional court requiring fair process, transparency, and appeals for Meta account termination.
h/t @joanbarata.bsky.social and sorry Gustavo Gómez doesn’t have an account here to credit. This is his translated post on X.
h/t @joanbarata.bsky.social and sorry Gustavo Gómez doesn’t have an account here to credit. This is his translated post on X.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
From Judith Butler's piece about UC Berkeley's turning over to the Trump admin the names of students and faculty anonymously accused of antisemitism. www.chronicle.com/article/when...
September 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
From Judith Butler's piece about UC Berkeley's turning over to the Trump admin the names of students and faculty anonymously accused of antisemitism. www.chronicle.com/article/when...
The School of Information at Michigan is looking for its next John Derby Evans Professor in Information. It's open at the Assistant and Associate levels, and its a broad search: anyone working at the intersection of tech and society can apply. Please share!
www.si.umich.edu/people/facul...
www.si.umich.edu/people/facul...
John Derby Evans Professorship in Information (Assistant or Associate Professor) | umsi
The University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position focusing on technology and society.
www.si.umich.edu
September 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The School of Information at Michigan is looking for its next John Derby Evans Professor in Information. It's open at the Assistant and Associate levels, and its a broad search: anyone working at the intersection of tech and society can apply. Please share!
www.si.umich.edu/people/facul...
www.si.umich.edu/people/facul...
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
The free speech activist who built a list of professors he worked to get fired for their speech must be celebrated for his support of free speech, and anyone who quotes his speech accurately in context will be fired and/or face state punishment by the champions of free speech, do I have that right?
September 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The free speech activist who built a list of professors he worked to get fired for their speech must be celebrated for his support of free speech, and anyone who quotes his speech accurately in context will be fired and/or face state punishment by the champions of free speech, do I have that right?
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Exclusive: Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has given Congress a copy of the 2003 birthday book, including the letter with Trump’s signature that he has said doesn’t exist.
Epstein Birthday Letter With Trump’s Signature Revealed
Lawyers for Epstein’s estate have given Congress a copy of the 2003 birthday book.
on.wsj.com
September 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Exclusive: Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has given Congress a copy of the 2003 birthday book, including the letter with Trump’s signature that he has said doesn’t exist.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Know your rights, Illinois.
Stay safe and stay informed.
Stay safe and stay informed.
September 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Know your rights, Illinois.
Stay safe and stay informed.
Stay safe and stay informed.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
The funny thing about this is that the Smithsonian African American History Museum is built around the exact "Success" narrative Trump claims to want. You climb through the Middle Passage, slave cabin, Jim Crow train, etc, and come out into Oprah's studio and Obama.
www.cnn.com/2025/08/19/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/08/19/p...
Trump escalates attacks against Smithsonian museums, says they focus too much on ‘how bad slavery was’ | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against museums and alleged “WOKE” exhibits on Tuesday, saying “everything” is centered on highlighting negative aspects of American in story, including “...
www.cnn.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The funny thing about this is that the Smithsonian African American History Museum is built around the exact "Success" narrative Trump claims to want. You climb through the Middle Passage, slave cabin, Jim Crow train, etc, and come out into Oprah's studio and Obama.
www.cnn.com/2025/08/19/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/08/19/p...
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Said in long form
> In some ways, the AI hype cycle ~has~ to be out of hand. It ~has~ to justify the ferocious level of investment, the uncountable billions of dollars in sunk costs.
> ... keeping the economy afloat and threatening to crash it. There is so, so, so much money at stake.
> In some ways, the AI hype cycle ~has~ to be out of hand. It ~has~ to justify the ferocious level of investment, the uncountable billions of dollars in sunk costs.
> ... keeping the economy afloat and threatening to crash it. There is so, so, so much money at stake.
August 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Said in long form
> In some ways, the AI hype cycle ~has~ to be out of hand. It ~has~ to justify the ferocious level of investment, the uncountable billions of dollars in sunk costs.
> ... keeping the economy afloat and threatening to crash it. There is so, so, so much money at stake.
> In some ways, the AI hype cycle ~has~ to be out of hand. It ~has~ to justify the ferocious level of investment, the uncountable billions of dollars in sunk costs.
> ... keeping the economy afloat and threatening to crash it. There is so, so, so much money at stake.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Are you a researcher (from HCI, communication, or information science) studying online misinformaiton, disinfromation, hate speech, polarization, or related information toxicity? Apply to attend our CSCW workshop (with both remote and in-person options).
Does your work explore mis/disinformation, scams, hate speech, or other forms of harmful information online?
We are convening a CSCW workshop to bring together a global community focused on information disorder. We welcome short submissions, due August 8th.
cscw2025infodisorder.netlify.app
We are convening a CSCW workshop to bring together a global community focused on information disorder. We welcome short submissions, due August 8th.
cscw2025infodisorder.netlify.app
August 4, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Are you a researcher (from HCI, communication, or information science) studying online misinformaiton, disinfromation, hate speech, polarization, or related information toxicity? Apply to attend our CSCW workshop (with both remote and in-person options).
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
That's how you can tell human authors from AI.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
Em dashes, like anything, should be used in moderation. Check first with your editor if em dashes are right for you. 😉
#WriteSky #WritingTips
#WriteSky #WritingTips
August 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
That's how you can tell human authors from AI.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
AI will put in some em dashes, then apologise and take them out when told off.
Human authors will climb the filing cabinet, hissing, and defend their right to em dashes with a loaded stapler.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Affiliated departments at UNC are hiring an assistant professor position for the study of AI. Happy to connect folks w/ questions. I would say that there is an emphasis on the “socio-technical”.
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303...
(Issued with all sincere sympathies about the job market.)
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303...
(Issued with all sincere sympathies about the job market.)
Assistant Professor
The School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill invite applications for a tenure...
unc.peopleadmin.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Affiliated departments at UNC are hiring an assistant professor position for the study of AI. Happy to connect folks w/ questions. I would say that there is an emphasis on the “socio-technical”.
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303...
(Issued with all sincere sympathies about the job market.)
unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303...
(Issued with all sincere sympathies about the job market.)
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
I wrote this about the press, but I believe the argument applies with equal force to law firms, museums, and universities. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/o...
Opinion | This Is Not a Moment to Settle With Trump
www.nytimes.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I wrote this about the press, but I believe the argument applies with equal force to law firms, museums, and universities. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/o...
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
When I was little, the U.S. military came to our home at gunpoint and took me and my family away. We were imprisoned for years in barbed wire camps simply because we were Japanese American. I have spent my life telling that story, hoping it would never be repeated.
July 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
When I was little, the U.S. military came to our home at gunpoint and took me and my family away. We were imprisoned for years in barbed wire camps simply because we were Japanese American. I have spent my life telling that story, hoping it would never be repeated.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Bluesky is hiring 👉 bsky.social/about/join
Roles include:
- data scientist
- feed algo eng
- data engineer
+ others (click the link!)
Roles include:
- data scientist
- feed algo eng
- data engineer
+ others (click the link!)
Jobs - Bluesky
View open positions at Bluesky
bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Bluesky is hiring 👉 bsky.social/about/join
Roles include:
- data scientist
- feed algo eng
- data engineer
+ others (click the link!)
Roles include:
- data scientist
- feed algo eng
- data engineer
+ others (click the link!)
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
BREAKING: Scientists are staging a “science fair” in the lobby of a Congressional building to tell elected officials about the critical knowledge the US will lose because their research grants have been canceled.
July 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
BREAKING: Scientists are staging a “science fair” in the lobby of a Congressional building to tell elected officials about the critical knowledge the US will lose because their research grants have been canceled.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
In light of the news on my first day of sabbatical: gender is a social construct, trans women are women, no amount of complying with authoritarians who pretend they will only strip some people but not you of rights will keep you safe. And in 2025 university administrators should know all of that.
July 1, 2025 at 10:07 PM
In light of the news on my first day of sabbatical: gender is a social construct, trans women are women, no amount of complying with authoritarians who pretend they will only strip some people but not you of rights will keep you safe. And in 2025 university administrators should know all of that.
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
3 new #FAccT2025 papers!
@lameiro.bsky.social's first first-authored paper "TIDEs: A Transgender and Nonbinary Community-Labeled Dataset and Model for Transphobia Identification in Digital Environments" w/ @laviniakd.bsky.social , @dallascard.bsky.social, @eegilbert.org
tinyurl.com/tidesfacct
@lameiro.bsky.social's first first-authored paper "TIDEs: A Transgender and Nonbinary Community-Labeled Dataset and Model for Transphobia Identification in Digital Environments" w/ @laviniakd.bsky.social , @dallascard.bsky.social, @eegilbert.org
tinyurl.com/tidesfacct
deepblue.lib.umich.edu
June 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM
3 new #FAccT2025 papers!
@lameiro.bsky.social's first first-authored paper "TIDEs: A Transgender and Nonbinary Community-Labeled Dataset and Model for Transphobia Identification in Digital Environments" w/ @laviniakd.bsky.social , @dallascard.bsky.social, @eegilbert.org
tinyurl.com/tidesfacct
@lameiro.bsky.social's first first-authored paper "TIDEs: A Transgender and Nonbinary Community-Labeled Dataset and Model for Transphobia Identification in Digital Environments" w/ @laviniakd.bsky.social , @dallascard.bsky.social, @eegilbert.org
tinyurl.com/tidesfacct
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
Wikipedia wanted to use AI summaries at the top of article pages. Editors said please please don't www.404media.co/wikipedia-pa...
Wikipedia Pauses AI-Generated Summaries After Editor Backlash
“This would do immediate and irreversible harm to our readers and to our reputation as a decently trustworthy and serious source,” one Wikipedia editor said.
www.404media.co
June 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Wikipedia wanted to use AI summaries at the top of article pages. Editors said please please don't www.404media.co/wikipedia-pa...
Reposted by Eric Gilbert
The "fact sheet" associated with this executive order is of course even more deranged and preposterous than the executive order itself. www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
June 5, 2025 at 1:33 AM
The "fact sheet" associated with this executive order is of course even more deranged and preposterous than the executive order itself. www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...