Jen Raso
@jenraso.bsky.social
Assistant Prof at McGill's Faculty of Law | McCAIS leadership team | Researching digital government, AI systems, and other socio-legal-technical things | www.jenraso.com
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Jen Raso
@jenraso.bsky.social
· Mar 26
How does the design of digital govt infrastructure impact decision-making & accountability? @jenraso.bsky.social & I argue that data-sharing arrangements underlying digital govt programs are dispersing responsibilities within decision-making, generating what we call 'bureaucratic disempowerment' 1/4
Data Entry and Decision Chains: Distributed Responsibility and Bureaucratic Disempowerment in the UK’s Universal Credit Programme
Abstract. Digitalising public programmes creates new accountability challenges, many of which are under-theorised. Using Universal Credit to illustrate its
academic.oup.com
Thrilled that this piece by @victoriaadamant.bsky.social and I is finally out! Thanks to so many, including my @mcgill.ca law colleagues who generously shared comments early on, and to the @datasociety.bsky.social Keywords of the Digital State collection which planted early seeds for this paper.
Reposted by Jen Raso
what really gets me every damn time is why "AI" products built with children in mind are rarely vetted or regulated. even simple household appliances go through so much testing, assurance, & regulatory process
and now the industry is lobbying so hard, we've regressed back to a decade
and now the industry is lobbying so hard, we've regressed back to a decade
A company is reportedly withdrawing its $99 AI teddy bear from the market after researchers found it told a tester where to get knives, pills and matches when asked.
It also spoke graphically about sex positions and sexual kinks.
It also spoke graphically about sex positions and sexual kinks.
AI toys can cajole kids or be made to discuss sex, watchdog groups warn
A company is reportedly withdrawing its AI teddy bear from the market after researchers found it told a tester where to get knives, pills and matches when asked.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
what really gets me every damn time is why "AI" products built with children in mind are rarely vetted or regulated. even simple household appliances go through so much testing, assurance, & regulatory process
and now the industry is lobbying so hard, we've regressed back to a decade
and now the industry is lobbying so hard, we've regressed back to a decade
Reposted by Jen Raso
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Reposted by Jen Raso
It would be nice if the people in charge of the Bank of Canada didn't have brains so melted by finance-speak that they think we can "productivity" our way out of an affordability crisis that in huge part was created by decades of not building enough affordable housing.
Bank of Canada deputy governor says country's affordability crisis is linked to productivity
Canada's affordability crisis is really a productivity problem, according to the Bank of Canada. Find out more
financialpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:31 AM
It would be nice if the people in charge of the Bank of Canada didn't have brains so melted by finance-speak that they think we can "productivity" our way out of an affordability crisis that in huge part was created by decades of not building enough affordable housing.
Reposted by Jen Raso
Your daily reminder that federal government and all our universities are all leaning heavily into this broken, corrupt technological bubble, and they're gonna take us all over the cliff.
AI bot recorded doctors’ meeting, sent patient info to dozens of current and former hospital staff. This is a cautionary tale for healthcare providers about AI and patient privacy, watchdog says, by @hannay.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com
AI bot recorded doctors’ meeting, sent patient info to current and former hospital staff, watchdog says
The transcription tool recorded the meeting on behalf of a physician who no longer worked at the hospital
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Your daily reminder that federal government and all our universities are all leaning heavily into this broken, corrupt technological bubble, and they're gonna take us all over the cliff.
Reposted by Jen Raso
Happy Christmas nightmares, kids!
Town's Huge Christmas Mural Was Generated Using AI, Resulting in Ghastly Chthonic Horrors
An enormous new mural near London, depicting a crowded Christmas scene, has drawn outrage and mockery from passersby.
futurism.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Happy Christmas nightmares, kids!
A dystopian example of interface governance, here with an inaccurate, English-only chatbot pushed onto highly vulnerable people, and phone lines to humans who might provide more robust answers long closed. "Optimization" for whom?
"The Minister states that “the chatbot was tested extensively...checking responses to “55 questions out of which 53 were deemed successful"
Wendy Lyon, an immigration & human rights solicitor at Abbey law, found that many of these 53 “successful” responses were wrong, unhelpful & misleading."
Wendy Lyon, an immigration & human rights solicitor at Abbey law, found that many of these 53 “successful” responses were wrong, unhelpful & misleading."
Our investigation into Irish Department of Justice use of chatbots. The department hides behind disclaimers while deploying misleading chatbots.
@iccl.bsky.social @abeba.bsky.social @johnnyryan.bsky.social
www.iccl.ie/news/irish-d...
@iccl.bsky.social @abeba.bsky.social @johnnyryan.bsky.social
www.iccl.ie/news/irish-d...
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
A dystopian example of interface governance, here with an inaccurate, English-only chatbot pushed onto highly vulnerable people, and phone lines to humans who might provide more robust answers long closed. "Optimization" for whom?
Reposted by Jen Raso
if you are considering submitting an application for this position, you still have just under 2 weeks to do so
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
📣 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
November 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
if you are considering submitting an application for this position, you still have just under 2 weeks to do so
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
any and all suitable candidates, please apply. everyone else, pls share with your networks
Reposted by Jen Raso
Canada is also falling for AI industry hype, which is threatening to escalate the environmental crisis and derail democracy.
"policymakers have a duty to serve the citizens and not cater to the whims of tech CEOs."
@mark-carney.bsky.social
"policymakers have a duty to serve the citizens and not cater to the whims of tech CEOs."
@mark-carney.bsky.social
Europe’s policy makers continue to echo corporate hype and tech CEOs' speculations about “AGI” and “superintelligence”. In this piece, @krisshrishak.bsky.social & I call on our policy makers to be grounded in empirical evidence
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
www.techpolicy.press/ai-hype-is-s...
AI Hype Is Steering EU Policy Off Course | TechPolicy.Press
Kris Shrishak and Abeba Birhane say policymakers should stop peddling in unscientific discourse about "AGI" and "superintelligence."
www.techpolicy.press
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Canada is also falling for AI industry hype, which is threatening to escalate the environmental crisis and derail democracy.
"policymakers have a duty to serve the citizens and not cater to the whims of tech CEOs."
@mark-carney.bsky.social
"policymakers have a duty to serve the citizens and not cater to the whims of tech CEOs."
@mark-carney.bsky.social
Reposted by Jen Raso
As Langdon Winner put so well 40 years ago, don't fall into the trap of accepting "RISK" as a good framework for these conversations. Business interests love framing their violence in terms of "risks & rewards" bc as a society, we love to heroize & reward risk-takers. Talk instead about "HAZARD."
November 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
As Langdon Winner put so well 40 years ago, don't fall into the trap of accepting "RISK" as a good framework for these conversations. Business interests love framing their violence in terms of "risks & rewards" bc as a society, we love to heroize & reward risk-takers. Talk instead about "HAZARD."
Reposted by Jen Raso
Le salaire minimum, c'est bien beau, mais il devrait y avoir un débat sur le salaire maximum.
Il devrait y avoir un plafond. Un clapet. Une carte que tu reçois à ton premier milliard. La chronique de Léa Stréliski.
Que faire des milliardaires?
www.ledevoir.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Le salaire minimum, c'est bien beau, mais il devrait y avoir un débat sur le salaire maximum.
Reposted by Jen Raso
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Jen Raso
This is a particularly blatant example of sthg at the core of a dynamic /attitude I've always sensed & hated but couldn't put my finger on, until Ed Ongweso Jr named it in this fantastic article: incuriosity. Never trust people who don't care, and want you not to care, about the why & how of things.
November 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
This is a particularly blatant example of sthg at the core of a dynamic /attitude I've always sensed & hated but couldn't put my finger on, until Ed Ongweso Jr named it in this fantastic article: incuriosity. Never trust people who don't care, and want you not to care, about the why & how of things.
On today's soundtrack, Julie Doiron's Snowfalls in November:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTup...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTup...
Snowfalls in November
YouTube video by Julie Doiron - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
On today's soundtrack, Julie Doiron's Snowfalls in November:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTup...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTup...
Twenty centimetres and still falling ❤️❄️
November 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Twenty centimetres and still falling ❤️❄️
Inquiring minds would like to know what all this white fluffy stuff is doing.
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Inquiring minds would like to know what all this white fluffy stuff is doing.
Reposted by Jen Raso
Reposted by Jen Raso
“A.I. makes art accessible.” Art has always been accessible. There was like a six month period where I drew all the sketches for my comics with a lined notebook from the grocery store and a random green marker.
April 2, 2025 at 3:43 AM
“A.I. makes art accessible.” Art has always been accessible. There was like a six month period where I drew all the sketches for my comics with a lined notebook from the grocery store and a random green marker.
Reposted by Jen Raso
caliper-wielding eugenicist freaks are gonna keep saying this, keep circling the toilet bowl talking about predicting someone's sexuality or personality or ethnicity or whatever else w/AI
and it being bullshit won't matter; it being a pretext for state/admin/other violence will be all that matters
and it being bullshit won't matter; it being a pretext for state/admin/other violence will be all that matters
A new paper suggests a photo can tell a recruiter much about an applicant’s personality
Should facial analysis help determine whom companies hire?
A new paper suggests a photo can tell a recruiter much about an applicant’s personality
econ.st
November 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
caliper-wielding eugenicist freaks are gonna keep saying this, keep circling the toilet bowl talking about predicting someone's sexuality or personality or ethnicity or whatever else w/AI
and it being bullshit won't matter; it being a pretext for state/admin/other violence will be all that matters
and it being bullshit won't matter; it being a pretext for state/admin/other violence will be all that matters
Reposted by Jen Raso
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI in Danger After Authors Suing It Gain Access to Its Internal Slack Messages
Authors and publishers, who are suing OpenAI, secured access to internal Slack messages and emails discussing the deletion of pirated books.
futurism.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
😍 Just in time for winter holiday gift-giving and gathering season!
We know lots of you have been asking 3M for a Black Aura - like mask for consumer use.
Today we're excited to launch a new product to fill that hole in the market!
Introducing the headband version of BreatheTeq KN95.
Available in black and white.
Today we're excited to launch a new product to fill that hole in the market!
Introducing the headband version of BreatheTeq KN95.
Available in black and white.
November 6, 2025 at 6:01 PM
😍 Just in time for winter holiday gift-giving and gathering season!
Reposted by Jen Raso
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
November 5, 2025 at 5:28 AM
The lesson of history is that tyrants cannot be appeased.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Appeasement only feeds their insatiable hunger for power.
Tyrants prey on people who feel unsafe and vulnerable.
But without mass submission, a tyrant is powerless.
Remember this.
Reposted by Jen Raso
And what does the Canadian gov mean by "AI"? Which, as @emilymbender.bsky.social and @alexhanna.bsky.social explain ("The AI Con"), at best, is a marketing term? Why should we "build trust in its use" around a sales pitch instead of paying attention to the research?
Indeed (p. 119):
"The government will also explore options and work with the private sector to encourage the adoption of artificial intelligence in the financial sector in ways that advance innovation and build trust in its use."
"The government will also explore options and work with the private sector to encourage the adoption of artificial intelligence in the financial sector in ways that advance innovation and build trust in its use."
November 5, 2025 at 1:15 AM
And what does the Canadian gov mean by "AI"? Which, as @emilymbender.bsky.social and @alexhanna.bsky.social explain ("The AI Con"), at best, is a marketing term? Why should we "build trust in its use" around a sales pitch instead of paying attention to the research?
Reposted by Jen Raso
Canada budget: AI is going to do an awful lot apparently. We can cut lots of money, AI will deliver instead!
Public safety? AI will deliver
RCMP? You guessed it, AI will save the day
Fisheries? Yup
ESDC? Also on the AI train
CRA? See above
Gosh I hope this AI thing works out
Public safety? AI will deliver
RCMP? You guessed it, AI will save the day
Fisheries? Yup
ESDC? Also on the AI train
CRA? See above
Gosh I hope this AI thing works out
November 5, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Canada budget: AI is going to do an awful lot apparently. We can cut lots of money, AI will deliver instead!
Public safety? AI will deliver
RCMP? You guessed it, AI will save the day
Fisheries? Yup
ESDC? Also on the AI train
CRA? See above
Gosh I hope this AI thing works out
Public safety? AI will deliver
RCMP? You guessed it, AI will save the day
Fisheries? Yup
ESDC? Also on the AI train
CRA? See above
Gosh I hope this AI thing works out
I agree totally. These "basics" would be revolutionary, actually. Even more so if they were designed to ensure the people using them can robustly be heard on the other end, and to require and support folks/institutions on the other end(s) to do the work that hearing and exercising judgment require.
You know what's urgently needed? Basic software. Reliable database systems, accessible interfaces, privacy oriented design. It's super mundane stuff like asking, "how can software make your life better", not telling people "this is how software is going to solve all your problems." Because it won't.
November 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I agree totally. These "basics" would be revolutionary, actually. Even more so if they were designed to ensure the people using them can robustly be heard on the other end, and to require and support folks/institutions on the other end(s) to do the work that hearing and exercising judgment require.
👇 Looking forward to reading this piece and the whole collection. Thanks @blairaf.com for sharing, and for this vital work.
How can we address algorithmic justice challenges when we are faced with unreliable and malicious governments? My new article "Algorithmic Justice vs. State Power" confronts this question. Read here: montrealethics.ai/state-of-ai-...
November 4, 2025 at 4:08 PM
👇 Looking forward to reading this piece and the whole collection. Thanks @blairaf.com for sharing, and for this vital work.