Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
@zeerak.bsky.social
Thinking about content moderation, equity, machine learning, and natural language processing.
Now: Chancellor's Fellow (~Asst. Prof) @technomoralfutures.bsky.social @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social
Past: MBZUAI, SFU, Uni of. {Sheffield, CPH}
Now: Chancellor's Fellow (~Asst. Prof) @technomoralfutures.bsky.social @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social
Past: MBZUAI, SFU, Uni of. {Sheffield, CPH}
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Reminder that In the 1990s Farage sought the backing of the disgraced former Conservative MP and notorious racist Enoch Powell and twice asked him to stand as a candidate for UKIP.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Nigel Farage asked former Conservative MP Enoch Powell to back Ukip
Despite his ‘rivers of blood’ speech, the Ukip leader has said the central thrust of Powell’s immigration arguments hold true
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reminder that In the 1990s Farage sought the backing of the disgraced former Conservative MP and notorious racist Enoch Powell and twice asked him to stand as a candidate for UKIP.
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
www.theguardian.com/politics/201...
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Anders Breivik's fairy godmother.
The fact that she is still in paid employment after inspiring him to mass murder a load of kids is pretty disgusting.
The fact that she is still in paid employment after inspiring him to mass murder a load of kids is pretty disgusting.
November 25, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Anders Breivik's fairy godmother.
The fact that she is still in paid employment after inspiring him to mass murder a load of kids is pretty disgusting.
The fact that she is still in paid employment after inspiring him to mass murder a load of kids is pretty disgusting.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
She has always been utterly grim.
Apart from Israel, she was a big Wakefield supporter. She published loads of stuff denying climate change. And thoroughly opposed gay rights.
It's always been incredibly disappointing she continues to have a job and audience
Apart from Israel, she was a big Wakefield supporter. She published loads of stuff denying climate change. And thoroughly opposed gay rights.
It's always been incredibly disappointing she continues to have a job and audience
November 25, 2025 at 6:09 AM
She has always been utterly grim.
Apart from Israel, she was a big Wakefield supporter. She published loads of stuff denying climate change. And thoroughly opposed gay rights.
It's always been incredibly disappointing she continues to have a job and audience
Apart from Israel, she was a big Wakefield supporter. She published loads of stuff denying climate change. And thoroughly opposed gay rights.
It's always been incredibly disappointing she continues to have a job and audience
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
The Overton Window has shifted and increasingly wanton overt bigotry and evil are mainstream. Don’t accept it. Fight and defy people like this.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-colu...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-colu...
British columnist Melanie Phillips lashes out at Palestinians at pro-Israel NYC event
The controversial columnist and broadcaster also mocked Christianity and claimed the West is facing a 'death cult' in 'forces of Islam'
www.middleeasteye.net
November 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
The Overton Window has shifted and increasingly wanton overt bigotry and evil are mainstream. Don’t accept it. Fight and defy people like this.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-colu...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-colu...
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
“Mother Fletcher carried 111 years of truth, resilience, and grace and was a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we must still go”
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
“Mother Fletcher carried 111 years of truth, resilience, and grace and was a reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we must still go”
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
This government has not taken a single meaningful step to tackle the causes of the horrendous inefficiencies in the criminal justice system, instead rushing to dismantle trial by jury.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul
Exclusive: Courts minister says change needed to stop criminals opting for juries to delay cases, sometimes by years, and clear huge backlog
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Criminals will be stopped from “gaming the system” by choosing trial by jury in order to increase the chances of proceedings collapsing, the courts minister has said, promising to enact radical changes to limit jury trials by the next election.
Drug dealers and career criminals were “laughing in the dock” knowing cases can take years to come to trial, Sarah Sackman told the Guardian, saying inaction would be a road to “chaos and ruin”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This government has not taken a single meaningful step to tackle the causes of the horrendous inefficiencies in the criminal justice system, instead rushing to dismantle trial by jury.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
Legal professionals have offered numerous alternatives to address the backlog.
Ministers are not listening.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Important piece. The many worrying human impacts come through very strongly here.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Important piece. The many worrying human impacts come through very strongly here.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Local (separate from individual, which are also important) actions have the potential to inspire broader action, esp. among institutions. So:
-Demand better options/behavior from our vendors
-Judicious vs. regular AI use
-Host communities of learning
-Host local models
-Seek community input!
-Demand better options/behavior from our vendors
-Judicious vs. regular AI use
-Host communities of learning
-Host local models
-Seek community input!
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Local (separate from individual, which are also important) actions have the potential to inspire broader action, esp. among institutions. So:
-Demand better options/behavior from our vendors
-Judicious vs. regular AI use
-Host communities of learning
-Host local models
-Seek community input!
-Demand better options/behavior from our vendors
-Judicious vs. regular AI use
-Host communities of learning
-Host local models
-Seek community input!
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
(Public) library usage is actually pretty strong, thanks in part to our ability to adapt to changing tech landscape! I think the real challenge is how do we spin up in-house expertise though, since we've outsourced a lot of our tech.
Most lib'ns are not technologists, and reskilling is hard.
Most lib'ns are not technologists, and reskilling is hard.
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
(Public) library usage is actually pretty strong, thanks in part to our ability to adapt to changing tech landscape! I think the real challenge is how do we spin up in-house expertise though, since we've outsourced a lot of our tech.
Most lib'ns are not technologists, and reskilling is hard.
Most lib'ns are not technologists, and reskilling is hard.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
A: To be fair, libraries have a strong track record of coexisting and even using our ostensible replacements (google and search, e-books and print media, wikipedia and reference questions, zoom and public meeting spaces), so *existentially* I'm not nervous. Not about THAT, anyhow.
But/And...
But/And...
November 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
A: To be fair, libraries have a strong track record of coexisting and even using our ostensible replacements (google and search, e-books and print media, wikipedia and reference questions, zoom and public meeting spaces), so *existentially* I'm not nervous. Not about THAT, anyhow.
But/And...
But/And...
Finally! The European Union is prioritising the ease of access to personal and private data for large tech companies!
So good that the EU politicians are starting to take their role as representatives of tech companies' interest more seriously than their side hustle of representing their people.
So good that the EU politicians are starting to take their role as representatives of tech companies' interest more seriously than their side hustle of representing their people.
November 11, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Finally! The European Union is prioritising the ease of access to personal and private data for large tech companies!
So good that the EU politicians are starting to take their role as representatives of tech companies' interest more seriously than their side hustle of representing their people.
So good that the EU politicians are starting to take their role as representatives of tech companies' interest more seriously than their side hustle of representing their people.
It's absolutely fucking insane that we have to keep telling scientists that offloading scientific tasks to a probabilistic machine is bad scientific conduct.
November 11, 2025 at 8:04 AM
It's absolutely fucking insane that we have to keep telling scientists that offloading scientific tasks to a probabilistic machine is bad scientific conduct.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Biden knew that Israel was committing crimes against humanity in Gaza and then decided to keep US commitments to Israel, shortly before handing it over to Trump
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Biden Discussed Potential Israeli War Crimes In Gaza. He Kicked The Can To Trump.
New intelligence shocked officials in late 2024, spurring heightened fear of U.S. liability, HuffPost has learned. The period saw Secretary of State Antony Blinken ask if Israel’s actions constituted ...
www.huffpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Biden knew that Israel was committing crimes against humanity in Gaza and then decided to keep US commitments to Israel, shortly before handing it over to Trump
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-...
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
If Labour wants us to think about their wonderful policies on housing etc, they need to stop making us think that all they really care about is how be nastier and more evil on immigration. Like, every day.
*Again* the top story on BBC 6 music is about immigration
How is Shabana Mahmood wanting to introduce a ‘Danish style’ system for refugees the top story this morning?!?
The obsession of 6 Music news on immigration and asylum is frankly bizarre
How is Shabana Mahmood wanting to introduce a ‘Danish style’ system for refugees the top story this morning?!?
The obsession of 6 Music news on immigration and asylum is frankly bizarre
November 8, 2025 at 11:11 AM
If Labour wants us to think about their wonderful policies on housing etc, they need to stop making us think that all they really care about is how be nastier and more evil on immigration. Like, every day.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Even right-wing propagandists think X has a right-wing propaganda problem that is poisoning people's brains.
That should cause concern among the many media / politics types who still use it and who consider their feeds to be representative of the public's views.
That should cause concern among the many media / politics types who still use it and who consider their feeds to be representative of the public's views.
Ben Shapiro tells Megyn Kelly that to avoid vile extremists like Nick Fuentes “the first thing people need to do is turn off X, which is poisoning brains and making people think not true things.” Yet, Shapiro continues to post there, often multiple times a day. youtu.be/tprng5mObQg?...
Ben Shapiro Responds to Tucker Carlson, Plus Sydney Sweeney and Newsom, with Knowles and Klavan
YouTube video by Megyn Kelly
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Even right-wing propagandists think X has a right-wing propaganda problem that is poisoning people's brains.
That should cause concern among the many media / politics types who still use it and who consider their feeds to be representative of the public's views.
That should cause concern among the many media / politics types who still use it and who consider their feeds to be representative of the public's views.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
I fully believe in the corporate death penalty and believe we would be a better world if OpenAI lost its corporate charter and was forcibly dissolved.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
ChatGPT encouraged college graduate to commit suicide, family claims in lawsuit against OpenAI | CNN
A 23-year-old man killed himself in Texas after ChatGPT ‘goaded’ him to commit suicide, his family says in a lawsuit.
www.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Panera’s moderately caffeinated lemonade was loosely associated with 2 deaths before it was taken off market.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
This article alone has 4 examples of ChatGPT encouraging young people to commit suicide, and OpenAI’s own public stats estimate over a million users discuss suicide with ChatGPT each week.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
the american war machine is both the evilest AND stupidest mechanism on planet earth right now
Trump threatens US military action in Nigeria over treatment of Christians reut.rs/4qBrVXy
Trump threatens US military action in Nigeria over treatment of Christians
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he has asked the Defense Department to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria if the Nigerian government "continues to allow the killing of Christians."
reut.rs
November 1, 2025 at 9:47 PM
the american war machine is both the evilest AND stupidest mechanism on planet earth right now
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
POSSIBLE FUTURES WORKSHOP
🗣️ Looking for a fun, hopeful activity to stretch your imaginative muscle?
🌻 If you’re in the Seattle area, @dylnbkr.bsky.social will be hosting a free in person Possible Futures workshop on November 16 @ 2pm PST.
🪴 RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/dair-prese... to attend.
🗣️ Looking for a fun, hopeful activity to stretch your imaginative muscle?
🌻 If you’re in the Seattle area, @dylnbkr.bsky.social will be hosting a free in person Possible Futures workshop on November 16 @ 2pm PST.
🪴 RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/dair-prese... to attend.
October 28, 2025 at 11:42 PM
POSSIBLE FUTURES WORKSHOP
🗣️ Looking for a fun, hopeful activity to stretch your imaginative muscle?
🌻 If you’re in the Seattle area, @dylnbkr.bsky.social will be hosting a free in person Possible Futures workshop on November 16 @ 2pm PST.
🪴 RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/dair-prese... to attend.
🗣️ Looking for a fun, hopeful activity to stretch your imaginative muscle?
🌻 If you’re in the Seattle area, @dylnbkr.bsky.social will be hosting a free in person Possible Futures workshop on November 16 @ 2pm PST.
🪴 RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/dair-prese... to attend.
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
We’re excited to release the Call for Papers for #FAccT2026 which will be held in Montreal, Canada in June 2026! Abstracts are due on January 8th, papers due on January 13th.
Call for Papers: facctconference.org/2026/cfp
Important info in thread →
Call for Papers: facctconference.org/2026/cfp
Important info in thread →
ACM FAccT - 2026 CFP
facctconference.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We’re excited to release the Call for Papers for #FAccT2026 which will be held in Montreal, Canada in June 2026! Abstracts are due on January 8th, papers due on January 13th.
Call for Papers: facctconference.org/2026/cfp
Important info in thread →
Call for Papers: facctconference.org/2026/cfp
Important info in thread →
Really looking forward to the incredible @mayameme.bsky.social talking at Edinburgh Uni about her book on Friday!
Come join if you're into (great) takes on AI!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/auto-corre...
Come join if you're into (great) takes on AI!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/auto-corre...
‘Auto-correct’ - A book talk by Dr Maya Indira Ganesh
A talk on the fantasies and failures of AI, ethics, and the driverless car.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Really looking forward to the incredible @mayameme.bsky.social talking at Edinburgh Uni about her book on Friday!
Come join if you're into (great) takes on AI!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/auto-corre...
Come join if you're into (great) takes on AI!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/auto-corre...
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
This is why we need a more political approach to AI as a project: Red-brown politics, trying to build alliances between AI skeptics and fascists is coming to AI
The AI boom has crystallized feelings of anxiety in the public sphere, writes Lam Tran, yet recent policy developments have revealed the potential of an unlikely coalition to safeguard the public interest in AI.
The Age of AI Anxiety — and the Hope of Democratic Resistance | TechPolicy.Press
Amid the AI frenzy, one sentiment has crystallized across the public sphere: anxiety, writes Lam Tran.
buff.ly
October 18, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This is why we need a more political approach to AI as a project: Red-brown politics, trying to build alliances between AI skeptics and fascists is coming to AI
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
🤩 So happy and proud to be part of the Society for Hopeful Technologists (or SOHOT ;) We have a charter, and it was such a cool exercise to work with people from different sectors to co-produce this. Our #3 newsletter is OUT! where you can find our charter -> buttondown.com/society-of-h...
October 16, 2025 at 7:37 AM
🤩 So happy and proud to be part of the Society for Hopeful Technologists (or SOHOT ;) We have a charter, and it was such a cool exercise to work with people from different sectors to co-produce this. Our #3 newsletter is OUT! where you can find our charter -> buttondown.com/society-of-h...
Reposted by Zeerak Talat زیرک ظلعت (they/them)
Open PhD position in embodied AI, Edinburgh - applications closing soon!
PhD position available ! - Generative AI for Embodied Collaborative Agents (eg. robots :) - Please distribute
PhD position in Generative AI for Embodied Collaborative Agents: #GenAI #NLProc #HRI #ELLISforEurope #AI #ML #PhD @heriotwattuni.bsky.social - please contact me ASAP if you are interested !
sites.google.com/site/hwinter...
sites.google.com/site/hwinter...
October 16, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Open PhD position in embodied AI, Edinburgh - applications closing soon!