Alex Engler
@alexengler.bsky.social
Executive Director of Penn Center on Media, Tech & Democracy | "If you can keep it" | Alum: DemTech at White House NSC & AI Policy at OSTP; Brookings; Urban Institute; Taught at UChicago & Georgetown
Reposted by Alex Engler
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
January 23, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Tomorrow's front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 24, 2026
Reposted by Alex Engler
A society that has any aspiration to be free and democratic cannot - it must not! - tolerate the existence of an agency like ICE.
In both personnel and institutionalized culture, ICE is a stronghold of violent authoritarianism, simply incompatible with the fundamental values of a democratic society
In both personnel and institutionalized culture, ICE is a stronghold of violent authoritarianism, simply incompatible with the fundamental values of a democratic society
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
January 22, 2026 at 8:42 PM
A society that has any aspiration to be free and democratic cannot - it must not! - tolerate the existence of an agency like ICE.
In both personnel and institutionalized culture, ICE is a stronghold of violent authoritarianism, simply incompatible with the fundamental values of a democratic society
In both personnel and institutionalized culture, ICE is a stronghold of violent authoritarianism, simply incompatible with the fundamental values of a democratic society
Reposted by Alex Engler
New real-world field study *inoculating* against misinformation in live social media scroll feeds out in Harvard Misinfo Review @misinforeview.bsky.social
We targeted +375k users with a short ad on Insta using a novel quasi-experimental method (1/3)
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/preb...
We targeted +375k users with a short ad on Insta using a novel quasi-experimental method (1/3)
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/preb...
January 23, 2026 at 12:12 PM
New real-world field study *inoculating* against misinformation in live social media scroll feeds out in Harvard Misinfo Review @misinforeview.bsky.social
We targeted +375k users with a short ad on Insta using a novel quasi-experimental method (1/3)
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/preb...
We targeted +375k users with a short ad on Insta using a novel quasi-experimental method (1/3)
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/preb...
Reposted by Alex Engler
pepper spraying someone in the face from inches away while they are already restrained on the ground should get you fired and land you in jail, no exceptions
An observer arrested in Suth Minneapolis. Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 PM
pepper spraying someone in the face from inches away while they are already restrained on the ground should get you fired and land you in jail, no exceptions
The new Penn Center is now on LinkedIn, bringing you the latest and greatest research on the information ecosystem!
New paper overviews from Duncan Watts, Matt Levendusky, Diana Mutz, and Dan Hopins out today in our growing (in beta) Research Compendium
www.linkedin.com/company/penn...
New paper overviews from Duncan Watts, Matt Levendusky, Diana Mutz, and Dan Hopins out today in our growing (in beta) Research Compendium
www.linkedin.com/company/penn...
January 21, 2026 at 9:26 PM
The new Penn Center is now on LinkedIn, bringing you the latest and greatest research on the information ecosystem!
New paper overviews from Duncan Watts, Matt Levendusky, Diana Mutz, and Dan Hopins out today in our growing (in beta) Research Compendium
www.linkedin.com/company/penn...
New paper overviews from Duncan Watts, Matt Levendusky, Diana Mutz, and Dan Hopins out today in our growing (in beta) Research Compendium
www.linkedin.com/company/penn...
This was extremely predictable, and a good criticism of US AI policy has been an overly strong focus on large models, rather than specific uses / applications where value is clearly demonstrated and real competition is happening already.
In @wired.com's new China issue, I take an in-depth look at the fast-rising robotics firm Unitree. It's low-cost machines, which are found in many US research labs already, reveal China's big manufacturing edge as the AI industry pivots to the physical world.
www.wired.com/story/china-...
www.wired.com/story/china-...
Your First Humanoid Robot Coworker Will Probably Be Chinese
Explosive acceleration, limited dexterity, eyes in the back of its head. What could possibly go wrong?
www.wired.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:58 PM
This was extremely predictable, and a good criticism of US AI policy has been an overly strong focus on large models, rather than specific uses / applications where value is clearly demonstrated and real competition is happening already.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Google traffic to publishers dropped by ONE THIRD in 2025 pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Global publisher Google traffic dropped by a third in 2025
Google search traffic was down globally by a third in the year to November, according to new Chartbeat data.
pressgazette.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Google traffic to publishers dropped by ONE THIRD in 2025 pressgazette.co.uk/media-audien...
Reposted by Alex Engler
this is superb data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-wall-l...
The Wall Looks Permanent Until It Falls
On the optimism of preparation in a time of democratic decay.
data4democracy.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:26 PM
this is superb data4democracy.substack.com/p/the-wall-l...
Reposted by Alex Engler
Registration is open for the first Accountable AI Research Conference, at The Wharton School in Philadelphia on Feb. 6, 2026.
ai-analytics.wharton.upenn.edu/wharton-acco...
If you're an AI governance practitioner or researcher, looking for insights on the future of responsible AI, please join us!
ai-analytics.wharton.upenn.edu/wharton-acco...
If you're an AI governance practitioner or researcher, looking for insights on the future of responsible AI, please join us!
December 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Registration is open for the first Accountable AI Research Conference, at The Wharton School in Philadelphia on Feb. 6, 2026.
ai-analytics.wharton.upenn.edu/wharton-acco...
If you're an AI governance practitioner or researcher, looking for insights on the future of responsible AI, please join us!
ai-analytics.wharton.upenn.edu/wharton-acco...
If you're an AI governance practitioner or researcher, looking for insights on the future of responsible AI, please join us!
Reposted by Alex Engler
I see this take around from time to time and totally disagree. ICE just murdered a woman standing up to them. No Kings is among the largest protests in history.
The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership
The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership
January 11, 2026 at 8:00 PM
I see this take around from time to time and totally disagree. ICE just murdered a woman standing up to them. No Kings is among the largest protests in history.
The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership
The complacency is coming from elites in media, business, universities, and the Democratic leadership
Reposted by Alex Engler
As our government seeks to erase the truth of five years ago, I am deeply grateful for all those researchers whose words shine with such clarity in our Media and January 6th @oxfordunipress.bsky.social book: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:48 PM
As our government seeks to erase the truth of five years ago, I am deeply grateful for all those researchers whose words shine with such clarity in our Media and January 6th @oxfordunipress.bsky.social book: global.oup.com/academic/pro...
ICYMI -
As of Jan 1, Virginia has a 1-hour limit on any individual social media app for youth under 16 years old (so, 1-hour limit on _each_ TikTok, IG, X, etc).
Parents are also allowed to change that limit for their children, apparently without restriction.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
As of Jan 1, Virginia has a 1-hour limit on any individual social media app for youth under 16 years old (so, 1-hour limit on _each_ TikTok, IG, X, etc).
Parents are also allowed to change that limit for their children, apparently without restriction.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
January 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
ICYMI -
As of Jan 1, Virginia has a 1-hour limit on any individual social media app for youth under 16 years old (so, 1-hour limit on _each_ TikTok, IG, X, etc).
Parents are also allowed to change that limit for their children, apparently without restriction.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
As of Jan 1, Virginia has a 1-hour limit on any individual social media app for youth under 16 years old (so, 1-hour limit on _each_ TikTok, IG, X, etc).
Parents are also allowed to change that limit for their children, apparently without restriction.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
Reposted by Alex Engler
I strongly disagree with Congressman Finstad’s support for these illegal attacks and regime change in Venezuela.
We have to stop risking American lives and wasting taxpayer dollars on these invasions that primarily benefit military contractors and Big Oil.
We have to stop risking American lives and wasting taxpayer dollars on these invasions that primarily benefit military contractors and Big Oil.
January 3, 2026 at 6:31 PM
I strongly disagree with Congressman Finstad’s support for these illegal attacks and regime change in Venezuela.
We have to stop risking American lives and wasting taxpayer dollars on these invasions that primarily benefit military contractors and Big Oil.
We have to stop risking American lives and wasting taxpayer dollars on these invasions that primarily benefit military contractors and Big Oil.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Scathing response from @schiff.senate.gov:
"“Acting without Congressional approval or the buy-in of the public, Trump risks plunging a hemisphere into chaos and has broken his promise to end wars instead of starting them...Congress must bring up a new War Powers Resolution and reassert its power."
"“Acting without Congressional approval or the buy-in of the public, Trump risks plunging a hemisphere into chaos and has broken his promise to end wars instead of starting them...Congress must bring up a new War Powers Resolution and reassert its power."
January 3, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Scathing response from @schiff.senate.gov:
"“Acting without Congressional approval or the buy-in of the public, Trump risks plunging a hemisphere into chaos and has broken his promise to end wars instead of starting them...Congress must bring up a new War Powers Resolution and reassert its power."
"“Acting without Congressional approval or the buy-in of the public, Trump risks plunging a hemisphere into chaos and has broken his promise to end wars instead of starting them...Congress must bring up a new War Powers Resolution and reassert its power."
Reposted by Alex Engler
"Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power."
House Republicans Buried the Jack Smith Transcript on New Year’s Eve. I Read It So You Don’t Have To.
12 takeaways from Smith's closed-door testimony
www.readtpa.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:46 PM
"Our investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt that President Trump engaged in a criminal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election and to prevent the lawful transfer of power."
Reposted by Alex Engler
Just pure incoherence from a product Google is shipping to billions of people. Also already being hacked by SEO games
December 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Just pure incoherence from a product Google is shipping to billions of people. Also already being hacked by SEO games
Reposted by Alex Engler
Good news; a judge has blocked the detention of a technology researcher that the State Department had slated to deport.
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
Judge Blocks Detention of British Researcher Who Scrutinizes Online Hate
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Good news; a judge has blocked the detention of a technology researcher that the State Department had slated to deport.
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
However, this is just the start of what will certainly be a longer-term challenge. What can we do about this? A thread.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/u...
Reposted by Alex Engler
US issues visa ban on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton as well as Imran Ahmed, the British CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate; Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of the German nonprofit HateAid; and Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI).
US targets former EU commissioner, activists with visa bans over alleged censorship
The Trump administration on Tuesday imposed visa bans on a former European Union commissioner and anti-disinformation campaigners it says were involved in censoring U.S. social media platforms, in the...
www.reuters.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
US issues visa ban on former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton as well as Imran Ahmed, the British CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate; Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of the German nonprofit HateAid; and Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI).
Reposted by Alex Engler
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
Reposted by Alex Engler
Yeah, here is the thing: Bari Weiss is fine with conspiracy theories that target her enemies. The biggest causes of political violence in America? Universities, which operate like madrassas.
That’s a conspiracy theory dressed up as respectable middle-of-the-road punditocracy. That’s what it is.
That’s a conspiracy theory dressed up as respectable middle-of-the-road punditocracy. That’s what it is.
December 19, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Yeah, here is the thing: Bari Weiss is fine with conspiracy theories that target her enemies. The biggest causes of political violence in America? Universities, which operate like madrassas.
That’s a conspiracy theory dressed up as respectable middle-of-the-road punditocracy. That’s what it is.
That’s a conspiracy theory dressed up as respectable middle-of-the-road punditocracy. That’s what it is.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Come and work with me! We're building out our state engagement team at CDT, and are looking for a Senior Policy Counsel to help fight for digital rights at the state level. cdt.org/careers/#op-...
Careers
Current Openingsfind yourself engaged in passionate discussions about privacy policies? Are you yearning to put your expertise to work on internet neutrality legislation? If so, you might be a great f...
cdt.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Come and work with me! We're building out our state engagement team at CDT, and are looking for a Senior Policy Counsel to help fight for digital rights at the state level. cdt.org/careers/#op-...
Reposted by Alex Engler
The networks were afraid not to run Trump because they assumed he would use his office to punish them if they didn’t. The irony is that this is what Biden was warning about, a warning they chose not to share with America.
You'll remember that when Biden delivered an address in 2022, networks refused to air it because they said it was "political" www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/0...
As Biden warned about democracy’s collapse, TV networks aired reruns
Broadcasters NBC, CBS and ABC usually air presidential prime-time addresses live. But they found Biden's Philadelphia speech more "political" than newsworthy.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The networks were afraid not to run Trump because they assumed he would use his office to punish them if they didn’t. The irony is that this is what Biden was warning about, a warning they chose not to share with America.