Scott McKee
@scottmckee.design
Experienced Web Designer & Developer | Associate Director of UX at WTW | AI Luddite | Head, hand, and heart
Reposted by Scott McKee
We present a typology of traps to avoid:
1. Believing that AI systems are minds
2. Believing that AI systems are theories
3. Believing that cognitive science can be automated.
Learn to recognise and avoid these traps. Failure to avoid leads to numerous problems.
3/🧵
1. Believing that AI systems are minds
2. Believing that AI systems are theories
3. Believing that cognitive science can be automated.
Learn to recognise and avoid these traps. Failure to avoid leads to numerous problems.
3/🧵
January 6, 2026 at 5:54 PM
We present a typology of traps to avoid:
1. Believing that AI systems are minds
2. Believing that AI systems are theories
3. Believing that cognitive science can be automated.
Learn to recognise and avoid these traps. Failure to avoid leads to numerous problems.
3/🧵
1. Believing that AI systems are minds
2. Believing that AI systems are theories
3. Believing that cognitive science can be automated.
Learn to recognise and avoid these traps. Failure to avoid leads to numerous problems.
3/🧵
Reposted by Scott McKee
Started blogging in ’95. Nearly all site’s my content from the past 30 years is still up. Sadly, the same can’t be said for most third-party content I linked to. Happily, the Internet Archive Wayback Machine Link Fixer solves much of this.
wordpress.org/plugins/inte...
wordpress.org/plugins/inte...
Internet Archive Wayback Machine Link Fixer
Automatically fix broken links by replacing them with archived versions from the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine.
wordpress.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Started blogging in ’95. Nearly all site’s my content from the past 30 years is still up. Sadly, the same can’t be said for most third-party content I linked to. Happily, the Internet Archive Wayback Machine Link Fixer solves much of this.
wordpress.org/plugins/inte...
wordpress.org/plugins/inte...
Reposted by Scott McKee
✏️ 5 accessibility checks to run on every component zeroheight.com/blog/5-acces...
I guest-posted on zeroheight's blog about accessibility of components!
(note: WCAG compliance is claimed on full pages/processes only)
I guest-posted on zeroheight's blog about accessibility of components!
(note: WCAG compliance is claimed on full pages/processes only)
5 accessibility checks to run on every component - zeroheight
Hidde de Vries explains how to test components for accessibility, from keyboard support to screen readers and zoom.
zeroheight.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:18 AM
✏️ 5 accessibility checks to run on every component zeroheight.com/blog/5-acces...
I guest-posted on zeroheight's blog about accessibility of components!
(note: WCAG compliance is claimed on full pages/processes only)
I guest-posted on zeroheight's blog about accessibility of components!
(note: WCAG compliance is claimed on full pages/processes only)
Reposted by Scott McKee
Co-signing this. Grok is out there making CSAM on request from pictures posted to the internet.
And if you posted pictures of your kids to Twitter, you LICENSED Grok to do that. Take those pics down NOW
And if you posted pictures of your kids to Twitter, you LICENSED Grok to do that. Take those pics down NOW
Parents, if you didn't have a problem until now of not posting pics of your kids on public social media, now might be a good time to start (and maybe scrub what's there already).
January 5, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Co-signing this. Grok is out there making CSAM on request from pictures posted to the internet.
And if you posted pictures of your kids to Twitter, you LICENSED Grok to do that. Take those pics down NOW
And if you posted pictures of your kids to Twitter, you LICENSED Grok to do that. Take those pics down NOW
Reposted by Scott McKee
All I want for Christmas is this outcome
“I just don’t know how you go around, asking everyone first. I just don’t see how that would work.”
From May 2025: www.theverge.com/news/674366/...
From May 2025: www.theverge.com/news/674366/...
December 31, 2025 at 1:35 AM
All I want for Christmas is this outcome
Reposted by Scott McKee
“This could look like a user asking how much ibuprofen to take for a headache receiving a promoted ad for Advil in the chatbot’s response. Meanwhile, actual results on correct dosage may be brushed to the side, or buried under a mountain of ad text…”
OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in Conversation
OpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results.
futurism.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:19 PM
“This could look like a user asking how much ibuprofen to take for a headache receiving a promoted ad for Advil in the chatbot’s response. Meanwhile, actual results on correct dosage may be brushed to the side, or buried under a mountain of ad text…”
Reposted by Scott McKee
2025: The Year in Review
December 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
2025: The Year in Review
Reposted by Scott McKee
As an educator, I have a mandatory reporting duty to alert my school if I suspect a student is a victim of abuse, manipulation, and/or harassment. What happens when ChatGPT is the perpetrator?
For context, I teach "AI" and machine learning. I'm not anti-tech but GenAI should be shot into the sun.
For context, I teach "AI" and machine learning. I'm not anti-tech but GenAI should be shot into the sun.
Adam Raine’s life hurtled toward tragedy soon after he began talking with ChatGPT about homework. Analysis of his ChatGPT account shows how the chatbot became a confidant as he planned to end his life.
74 suicide warnings and 243 mentions of hanging: What ChatGPT said to a suicidal teen
Analysis of high-schooler Adam Raine’s ChatGPT account by attorneys for his parents shows how the chatbot became a confidant as he planned to end his life.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:44 AM
As an educator, I have a mandatory reporting duty to alert my school if I suspect a student is a victim of abuse, manipulation, and/or harassment. What happens when ChatGPT is the perpetrator?
For context, I teach "AI" and machine learning. I'm not anti-tech but GenAI should be shot into the sun.
For context, I teach "AI" and machine learning. I'm not anti-tech but GenAI should be shot into the sun.
Reposted by Scott McKee
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Reposted by Scott McKee
Somewhere out there right now is a programmer vibe-coding an FDA-regulated medical device, and somewhere else is the unemployed person whose job was to inspect that code and hold it to standards and who was fired by a 19 year old.
December 23, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Somewhere out there right now is a programmer vibe-coding an FDA-regulated medical device, and somewhere else is the unemployed person whose job was to inspect that code and hold it to standards and who was fired by a 19 year old.
Reposted by Scott McKee
When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control | Rafael Behr
When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control | Rafael Behr
The US economy is pumped up on tech-bro vanity. The inevitable correction should prompt a global conversation, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:56 AM
When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control | Rafael Behr
Reposted by Scott McKee
“‘My most daring idea is to refuse,’ she said to applause.”
Professor Warns That the Wealthy Are Trying to Use AI to Seize Control of Everything
Renowned sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom says that AI is a tool for the rich to cement control over society.
futurism.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
“‘My most daring idea is to refuse,’ she said to applause.”
Reposted by Scott McKee
I loved this talk by @tink.uk on pros and cons of AI for a11y ffconf.org/talks/2024_l....
As for 2, yeah, I worry about that too. I'm happy the kill switch will be there for folks who want nothing to do with it, but I get why that might not be enough for some folks.
As for 2, yeah, I worry about that too. I'm happy the kill switch will be there for folks who want nothing to do with it, but I get why that might not be enough for some folks.
AI & Accessibility: The Good, the Bad...
Léonie Watson explores the realities of AI and accessibility, separating fact from hype at FFConf.
ffconf.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:16 AM
I loved this talk by @tink.uk on pros and cons of AI for a11y ffconf.org/talks/2024_l....
As for 2, yeah, I worry about that too. I'm happy the kill switch will be there for folks who want nothing to do with it, but I get why that might not be enough for some folks.
As for 2, yeah, I worry about that too. I'm happy the kill switch will be there for folks who want nothing to do with it, but I get why that might not be enough for some folks.
Reposted by Scott McKee
This is absolutely fucking bananas the way that these people are *so close* to getting it but still manage to miss it by a fucking mile.
December 21, 2025 at 12:33 AM
This is absolutely fucking bananas the way that these people are *so close* to getting it but still manage to miss it by a fucking mile.
Reposted by Scott McKee
A rant in the face of the industry's continued neglect and outright hostility towards digital accessibility and care for users.
vale.rocks/posts/access...
#WebDev #Accessibility #a11y #FrontEndDevelopment
vale.rocks/posts/access...
#WebDev #Accessibility #a11y #FrontEndDevelopment
You Can't Opt-Out of Accessibility
Shiny exclusion all the way down.
vale.rocks
December 18, 2025 at 4:59 AM
A rant in the face of the industry's continued neglect and outright hostility towards digital accessibility and care for users.
vale.rocks/posts/access...
#WebDev #Accessibility #a11y #FrontEndDevelopment
vale.rocks/posts/access...
#WebDev #Accessibility #a11y #FrontEndDevelopment
Reposted by Scott McKee
Yeah I only use AI for the fun part right at the beginning where we're kicking ideas around and not worried about budget or expectations. Just the best part of any group creative endeavor, me and my team challenging each other with our most visionary ideas, I'm looking to automate that
"look we're not using AI in the final product we're just using it to speed up the conceptual stage" is what a lot of dopes affecting an enlightened middle position keep saying. I truly do not get that one. You hate imagining stuff? You don't like thinking and conceptualizing? Get a grip
December 17, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Yeah I only use AI for the fun part right at the beginning where we're kicking ideas around and not worried about budget or expectations. Just the best part of any group creative endeavor, me and my team challenging each other with our most visionary ideas, I'm looking to automate that
Reposted by Scott McKee
Are these the same companies that told us the robot could do it?
December 17, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Are these the same companies that told us the robot could do it?
Reposted by Scott McKee
If an organization wants to learn, there are ways to become faster and more effective. But if you aren't going to do good faith design research to inform decisions, just don't bother.
Just ship what you want to ship and forgo the time faffing about with "synthetic users."
Just ship what you want to ship and forgo the time faffing about with "synthetic users."
December 17, 2025 at 6:30 AM
If an organization wants to learn, there are ways to become faster and more effective. But if you aren't going to do good faith design research to inform decisions, just don't bother.
Just ship what you want to ship and forgo the time faffing about with "synthetic users."
Just ship what you want to ship and forgo the time faffing about with "synthetic users."
Reposted by Scott McKee
I wrote this brief talk on why “augmenting diversity” with LLMs is empirically unsubstantiable, conceptually flawed, and epistemically harmful and a nice surprise to see the organisers have made it public
synthetic-data-workshop.github.io/papers/13.pdf
synthetic-data-workshop.github.io/papers/13.pdf
December 16, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I wrote this brief talk on why “augmenting diversity” with LLMs is empirically unsubstantiable, conceptually flawed, and epistemically harmful and a nice surprise to see the organisers have made it public
synthetic-data-workshop.github.io/papers/13.pdf
synthetic-data-workshop.github.io/papers/13.pdf
Reposted by Scott McKee
this field biologist does a great job highlighting the insidiousness of AI editing
these one-click AI edit buttons are incredibly appealing to many photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, and are framed as innocuous
this is worth sharing and educating people about
these one-click AI edit buttons are incredibly appealing to many photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, and are framed as innocuous
this is worth sharing and educating people about
December 15, 2025 at 2:21 AM
this field biologist does a great job highlighting the insidiousness of AI editing
these one-click AI edit buttons are incredibly appealing to many photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, and are framed as innocuous
this is worth sharing and educating people about
these one-click AI edit buttons are incredibly appealing to many photographers, amateurs and professionals alike, and are framed as innocuous
this is worth sharing and educating people about
Reposted by Scott McKee
AI’ is becoming shorthand for ’We don’t care if it works, we just don’t want to pay people to do it properly.’
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Amazon pulls AI recap from Fallout TV show after it made several mistakes
The errors included getting dialogue wrong and incorrectly claiming a scene was set 100 years earlier than it was.
www.bbc.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
AI’ is becoming shorthand for ’We don’t care if it works, we just don’t want to pay people to do it properly.’
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Scott McKee
AI assisted coding has a remote hope of being economically viable because coding is a high-leverage economic product. Slop "art" that no one wants? At $5 per 10 seconds, that's, what, $1,800 per hour of video?
'Sora cost $20 a month & subscribers can generate an unlimited number of AI videos... this costs (Sora owners) OpenAI "at least $5 per 10-second video"'.
Journalists, please ask more questions about how this tech could ever in a million years make a profit?
Journalists, please ask more questions about how this tech could ever in a million years make a profit?
studio execs & major outlets claim AI is "inevitable" and poised to take over Hollywood. the reality is much different. i spoke with filmmakers, producers, and editors about how AI is actually showing up in productions – and what it still can't do:
December 13, 2025 at 11:41 PM
AI assisted coding has a remote hope of being economically viable because coding is a high-leverage economic product. Slop "art" that no one wants? At $5 per 10 seconds, that's, what, $1,800 per hour of video?
Reposted by Scott McKee
Don't make solutions looking for problems
December 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Don't make solutions looking for problems