Dr Abeba Birhane
@abeba.bsky.social
Founder & PI @aial.ie. Assistant Professor of AI, School of Computer Science & Statistics, @tcddublin.bsky.social
AI accountability, AI audits & evaluation, critical data studies. Cognitive scientist by training. Ethiopian in Ireland. She/her
AI accountability, AI audits & evaluation, critical data studies. Cognitive scientist by training. Ethiopian in Ireland. She/her
Pinned
Dr Abeba Birhane
@abeba.bsky.social
· Jun 25
Computer-vision research powers surveillance technology - Nature
An analysis of research papers and citing patents indicates the extensive ties between computer-vision research and surveillance.
www.nature.com
New paper hot off the press www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We analysed over 40,000 computer vision papers from CVPR (the longest standing CV conf) & associated patents tracing pathways from research to application. We found that 90% of papers & 86% of downstream patents power surveillance
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We analysed over 40,000 computer vision papers from CVPR (the longest standing CV conf) & associated patents tracing pathways from research to application. We found that 90% of papers & 86% of downstream patents power surveillance
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Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Chatbots offer a magnificent bribe - a fast, frictionless route to information that bypasses the discomfort of learning. In this op-ed, we describe this as a Faustian bargain, in which we trade away what it means to be human & universities trade away their value
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Learning is complex, messy, emotional: AI can’t replicate that
ChatGPT and other AI tools may seem irresistible. But educators should beware, as they could end up trading away the thing that gives them value — the rich experience of slow learning
www.irishexaminer.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Chatbots offer a magnificent bribe - a fast, frictionless route to information that bypasses the discomfort of learning. In this op-ed, we describe this as a Faustian bargain, in which we trade away what it means to be human & universities trade away their value
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
"Eventually” Ms. West said, “readers will not care.”
How much disdain must you have for your readers to say something like this and have your name attached?
It's like saying "hey little piggies, come get your romance slop"
How much disdain must you have for your readers to say something like this and have your name attached?
It's like saying "hey little piggies, come get your romance slop"
February 8, 2026 at 5:59 PM
"Eventually” Ms. West said, “readers will not care.”
How much disdain must you have for your readers to say something like this and have your name attached?
It's like saying "hey little piggies, come get your romance slop"
How much disdain must you have for your readers to say something like this and have your name attached?
It's like saying "hey little piggies, come get your romance slop"
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
2026. Nestlé still hasn't tightened up their quality control.
Formula sold in UK found with cereulide, "a highly stable, heat-resistant toxin that causes rapid-onset food poisoning (vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain) within 30 minutes to 6 hrs of ingestion. It is especially dangerous for infants."
Formula sold in UK found with cereulide, "a highly stable, heat-resistant toxin that causes rapid-onset food poisoning (vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain) within 30 minutes to 6 hrs of ingestion. It is especially dangerous for infants."
February 8, 2026 at 3:20 PM
2026. Nestlé still hasn't tightened up their quality control.
Formula sold in UK found with cereulide, "a highly stable, heat-resistant toxin that causes rapid-onset food poisoning (vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain) within 30 minutes to 6 hrs of ingestion. It is especially dangerous for infants."
Formula sold in UK found with cereulide, "a highly stable, heat-resistant toxin that causes rapid-onset food poisoning (vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain) within 30 minutes to 6 hrs of ingestion. It is especially dangerous for infants."
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Journalist: "What do you say to reports that you were aware these deportation airplanes stopped in Shannon?"
Micheál Martin & Simon Harris, in unison: "That's an absolutely reprehensible assertion, how dare you, what a repugnant claim, you're not giving us any credit for the work we've done"
Micheál Martin & Simon Harris, in unison: "That's an absolutely reprehensible assertion, how dare you, what a repugnant claim, you're not giving us any credit for the work we've done"
February 8, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Journalist: "What do you say to reports that you were aware these deportation airplanes stopped in Shannon?"
Micheál Martin & Simon Harris, in unison: "That's an absolutely reprehensible assertion, how dare you, what a repugnant claim, you're not giving us any credit for the work we've done"
Micheál Martin & Simon Harris, in unison: "That's an absolutely reprehensible assertion, how dare you, what a repugnant claim, you're not giving us any credit for the work we've done"
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Awkward for everyone on Substack...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Revealed: How Substack makes money from hosting Nazi newsletters
Exclusive: Site takes a cut of subscriptions to content that promotes far-right ideology, white supremacy and antisemitism
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Awkward for everyone on Substack...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/media/2026/f...
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
The latest file drop shows attorneys who represented Epstein survivors communicated with Epstein and his associates going back over a decade. I’ve been sick over it, but it’s true.
February 6, 2026 at 8:49 PM
The latest file drop shows attorneys who represented Epstein survivors communicated with Epstein and his associates going back over a decade. I’ve been sick over it, but it’s true.
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
This is enshittification pure and simple: the aim is to make standalone chapters less portable/readable. Every handbook chapter comes with a carefully curated bibliography. Taking that away diminishes the value and integrity of scholarly work. #OUP is not adding, but substracting value here.
4/4
4/4
February 7, 2026 at 11:37 PM
This is enshittification pure and simple: the aim is to make standalone chapters less portable/readable. Every handbook chapter comes with a carefully curated bibliography. Taking that away diminishes the value and integrity of scholarly work. #OUP is not adding, but substracting value here.
4/4
4/4
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
I would not be surprised if this goes against CrossRef's guidelines for registering references www.crossref.org/documentatio... , and/or against their metadata best practices www.crossref.org/documentatio...
Perhaps @crossref.bsky.social cares about the quality of "cited by" metadata?
3/4
Perhaps @crossref.bsky.social cares about the quality of "cited by" metadata?
3/4
Data and software citation deposit guide - Crossref
Data and software citations link publications to their supporting data, making both the research itself and the research process more transparent and reproducible. Data citations are references to dat...
www.crossref.org
February 7, 2026 at 11:37 PM
I would not be surprised if this goes against CrossRef's guidelines for registering references www.crossref.org/documentatio... , and/or against their metadata best practices www.crossref.org/documentatio...
Perhaps @crossref.bsky.social cares about the quality of "cited by" metadata?
3/4
Perhaps @crossref.bsky.social cares about the quality of "cited by" metadata?
3/4
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
For each of the 53 chapters, OUP registered the same 3295 (!) references as being cited. This is essentially citation spamming on a massive scale, diluting the process of scholarly attribution and diminishing the quality of CrossRef metadata.
api.crossref.org/works/10.109...
2/n
api.crossref.org/works/10.109...
2/n
February 7, 2026 at 11:37 PM
For each of the 53 chapters, OUP registered the same 3295 (!) references as being cited. This is essentially citation spamming on a massive scale, diluting the process of scholarly attribution and diminishing the quality of CrossRef metadata.
api.crossref.org/works/10.109...
2/n
api.crossref.org/works/10.109...
2/n
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
It seems @oxfordunipress.bsky.social no longer cares about bibliographic metadata. The way they do their handbooks these days is they rob all individual chapters of bibliographies, meaning cites go undetected and the crossref metadata for chapters is the biggest mess possible
1/n
1/n
February 7, 2026 at 11:37 PM
It seems @oxfordunipress.bsky.social no longer cares about bibliographic metadata. The way they do their handbooks these days is they rob all individual chapters of bibliographies, meaning cites go undetected and the crossref metadata for chapters is the biggest mess possible
1/n
1/n
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Don't worry, most of them will just "post through it" and come out the other side unscathed.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Epstein files reveal deeper ties to scientists than previously known
Latest batch of documents show researchers consulting the financier and sex offender on publications, visas and more.
www.nature.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Don't worry, most of them will just "post through it" and come out the other side unscathed.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
i donno but i’ve been feel like i am incapable of working on anything that doesn’t end with burn it all down to the ground
February 7, 2026 at 5:29 PM
i donno but i’ve been feel like i am incapable of working on anything that doesn’t end with burn it all down to the ground
just to be clear, the country is Ireland
this in a country where the government is deprioritising climate action
Blackrock DART station.
February 7, 2026 at 2:54 PM
just to be clear, the country is Ireland
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Reading this commentary by @ameliagentleman.bsky.social, I may have to update the message I send to decline without changes when invited to speak on a manel.
Considering using the line "This event seems as male as an Epstein dinner."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Considering using the line "This event seems as male as an Epstein dinner."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Sex and snacks, but no seat at the table: the role of women in Epstein’s sordid men’s club
Files reveal a world of flattery and fratboy tones, where rich men are cultivated and women provide services
www.theguardian.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Reading this commentary by @ameliagentleman.bsky.social, I may have to update the message I send to decline without changes when invited to speak on a manel.
Considering using the line "This event seems as male as an Epstein dinner."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Considering using the line "This event seems as male as an Epstein dinner."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
What an opportunity...!
Like, I'd apply for it if I could in any conceivable way. Alas, I must read something on Roman horse breeding to see if I find a reference.
Like, I'd apply for it if I could in any conceivable way. Alas, I must read something on Roman horse breeding to see if I find a reference.
are you displeased with today’s AI safety evaluation landscape and curious about what greater conceptual clarity, methodological soundness, and rigour in AI evaluation could look like? if so, consider coming to Dublin to pursue a PhD with me
apply here: aial.ie/hiring/phd-a...
pls repost
apply here: aial.ie/hiring/phd-a...
pls repost
February 7, 2026 at 11:25 AM
What an opportunity...!
Like, I'd apply for it if I could in any conceivable way. Alas, I must read something on Roman horse breeding to see if I find a reference.
Like, I'd apply for it if I could in any conceivable way. Alas, I must read something on Roman horse breeding to see if I find a reference.
application for this phd closes on 10 Feb
are you displeased with today’s AI safety evaluation landscape and curious about what greater conceptual clarity, methodological soundness, and rigour in AI evaluation could look like? if so, consider coming to Dublin to pursue a PhD with me
apply here: aial.ie/hiring/phd-a...
pls repost
apply here: aial.ie/hiring/phd-a...
pls repost
February 7, 2026 at 11:21 AM
application for this phd closes on 10 Feb
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Any NATO government contemplating a Palantir contract should carefully scrutinize the newly released DOJ Epstein files, and particularly the document surrounding Epstein's introduction of Palantir owner Peter Thiel to a senior Russian intelligence officer.
February 7, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Any NATO government contemplating a Palantir contract should carefully scrutinize the newly released DOJ Epstein files, and particularly the document surrounding Epstein's introduction of Palantir owner Peter Thiel to a senior Russian intelligence officer.
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
February 7, 2026 at 3:38 AM
By the way, for those of you not in MN: Homan’s strategy was to withdraw some agents, so it felt like we were in the denouement of the crisis, and then escalate hard against observers. They’re being incredibly aggressive with observers now. National media may not want to check out just yet
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
February 6, 2026 at 10:23 PM
This is bleak: Jes Staley, currently CEO of Barclays, reassuring Epstein that popular revolt against financial elites is unlikely because capitalism and pop culture have defanged social movements, leaving people more invested in consumption than justice.
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
I read through hundreds of emails and scoured through years of correspondence and background information to write this 4600 word report.
It confirms what we all have been saying about the anti-trans movement from the start. Read it from the top down, I can't even begin to summarize it all properly.
It confirms what we all have been saying about the anti-trans movement from the start. Read it from the top down, I can't even begin to summarize it all properly.
You’re not crazy. The anti-trans movement is not organic; it was funded by pedophilic billionaires like Jeffrey Epstein who backed a network of conservatives to accuse the same people they were sexually abusing of being the real danger. @madycast.com exposes the truth in our in-depth report.
Epstein Backed ‘Billionaires’ Dinner’ Network of Prominent Anti-Trans Figures
Lawrence Krauss, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker and other anti-trans influencers personally benefited from a right-wing academic social group backed by infamous human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, somet...
transnews.network
February 6, 2026 at 8:21 PM
I read through hundreds of emails and scoured through years of correspondence and background information to write this 4600 word report.
It confirms what we all have been saying about the anti-trans movement from the start. Read it from the top down, I can't even begin to summarize it all properly.
It confirms what we all have been saying about the anti-trans movement from the start. Read it from the top down, I can't even begin to summarize it all properly.
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
With Jeff Bezos's dismantling of the Washington Post and Amazon's extensive ICE and DoD profiteering, it's imperative to understand precisely how both have openly become instruments of authoritarianism
How Jeff Bezos and Amazon became instruments of authoritarianism
And how to stop them
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:24 PM
With Jeff Bezos's dismantling of the Washington Post and Amazon's extensive ICE and DoD profiteering, it's imperative to understand precisely how both have openly become instruments of authoritarianism
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
Pinker is also, in my opinion, a eugenicist.
Richard Dawkins. Steven Pinker. Lawrence Krauss. Jonathan Haidt. Robert Trivers. Prominent atheists and scientists who have pushed anti-trans propaganda for years. They all had ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Some received huge research grants and island trips, and all of them benefited from their ties.
You’re not crazy. The anti-trans movement is not organic; it was funded by pedophilic billionaires like Jeffrey Epstein who backed a network of conservatives to accuse the same people they were sexually abusing of being the real danger. @madycast.com exposes the truth in our in-depth report.
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Pinker is also, in my opinion, a eugenicist.
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
I wrote about the Epstein files (gift link) www.theverge.com/tech/874721/...
How the men in the Epstein files defeated #MeToo
The emails show the “anti-woke” crusaders are afraid of accountability.
www.theverge.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I wrote about the Epstein files (gift link) www.theverge.com/tech/874721/...
Reposted by Dr Abeba Birhane
AI for leadership, development, democratization, scale, and digital public infrastructure.
These are some of the many terms we’ll hear world leaders tout over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the India AI Impact Summit taking place later this year.
These are some of the many terms we’ll hear world leaders tout over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the India AI Impact Summit taking place later this year.
February 6, 2026 at 8:52 PM
AI for leadership, development, democratization, scale, and digital public infrastructure.
These are some of the many terms we’ll hear world leaders tout over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the India AI Impact Summit taking place later this year.
These are some of the many terms we’ll hear world leaders tout over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the India AI Impact Summit taking place later this year.