Alex Hanna
@alexhanna.bsky.social
Director of Research, @dairinstitute.bsky.social
Roller derby athlete
https://alex-hanna.com
Book: thecon.ai
Pod+newsletter: https://dair-institute.org/maiht3k
🇪🇬🏳️⚧️ She/هي
📸 @willtoft.bsky.social
Rep📘 @ianbonaparte.bsky.social
Roller derby athlete
https://alex-hanna.com
Book: thecon.ai
Pod+newsletter: https://dair-institute.org/maiht3k
🇪🇬🏳️⚧️ She/هي
📸 @willtoft.bsky.social
Rep📘 @ianbonaparte.bsky.social
Pinned
Alex Hanna
@alexhanna.bsky.social
· May 13
On the Very Real Dangers of the Artificial Intelligence Hype Machine
As long as there’s been research on AI, there’s been AI hype. In the most commonly told narrative about the research field’s development, mathematician John McCarthy and computer scientist Marvin M…
lithub.com
It's book press day! The AI Con is available where ever you find fine books! Check out thecon.ai for details.
@emilymbender.bsky.social and I think we wrote a damn fine book, and we hope you'll enjoy it too.
For a taste, check out the preview of Chapter 1, graciously published by LitHub.
@emilymbender.bsky.social and I think we wrote a damn fine book, and we hope you'll enjoy it too.
For a taste, check out the preview of Chapter 1, graciously published by LitHub.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
if you're interested in this story, you might be interested in our reading group; we're reading chapter 5 of "The AI Con" by @alexhanna.bsky.social and @emilymbender.bsky.social this week
November 11, 2025 at 1:30 AM
if you're interested in this story, you might be interested in our reading group; we're reading chapter 5 of "The AI Con" by @alexhanna.bsky.social and @emilymbender.bsky.social this week
Reposted by Alex Hanna
NEW: British journalist Sami Hamdi is being released from US detention.
Trump administration agents detained him two weeks ago at the San Francisco airport — hours after he addressed an event, where he urged US leaders to take an “America First” approach rather than “Israel First.”
Trump administration agents detained him two weeks ago at the San Francisco airport — hours after he addressed an event, where he urged US leaders to take an “America First” approach rather than “Israel First.”
November 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
NEW: British journalist Sami Hamdi is being released from US detention.
Trump administration agents detained him two weeks ago at the San Francisco airport — hours after he addressed an event, where he urged US leaders to take an “America First” approach rather than “Israel First.”
Trump administration agents detained him two weeks ago at the San Francisco airport — hours after he addressed an event, where he urged US leaders to take an “America First” approach rather than “Israel First.”
Reposted by Alex Hanna
This town has officially decided to fight against the construction of an AI data center that would service a nuclear weapons laboratory 1,500 miles away.
Amber Fellows, a Ypsilanti Township councilmember, tells us why:
Story by @mjgault.bsky.social: www.404media.co/a-small-town...
Amber Fellows, a Ypsilanti Township councilmember, tells us why:
Story by @mjgault.bsky.social: www.404media.co/a-small-town...
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
This town has officially decided to fight against the construction of an AI data center that would service a nuclear weapons laboratory 1,500 miles away.
Amber Fellows, a Ypsilanti Township councilmember, tells us why:
Story by @mjgault.bsky.social: www.404media.co/a-small-town...
Amber Fellows, a Ypsilanti Township councilmember, tells us why:
Story by @mjgault.bsky.social: www.404media.co/a-small-town...
Reposted by Alex Hanna
Generative AI is the apotheosis of this process. It's praised for doing better than a human on certain tasks, but those tasks were *made for computer logic* in the first place.
The new world will try to convince you that this computer logic is more valuable than your human thought. Defy it.
The new world will try to convince you that this computer logic is more valuable than your human thought. Defy it.
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Generative AI is the apotheosis of this process. It's praised for doing better than a human on certain tasks, but those tasks were *made for computer logic* in the first place.
The new world will try to convince you that this computer logic is more valuable than your human thought. Defy it.
The new world will try to convince you that this computer logic is more valuable than your human thought. Defy it.
Absolutely harrowing.
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Absolutely harrowing.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
Here's our interview with the creators of Save Our Signs, a project to archive signs and placards from national parks as the Trump administration attempts to rewrite history by having many removed.
YouTube here, subscribe for an interview like this every week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrCE...
YouTube here, subscribe for an interview like this every week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrCE...
Volunteers Archived 10,000 Signs from National Parks (with Jenny McBurney and Lynda Kellam)
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Here's our interview with the creators of Save Our Signs, a project to archive signs and placards from national parks as the Trump administration attempts to rewrite history by having many removed.
YouTube here, subscribe for an interview like this every week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrCE...
YouTube here, subscribe for an interview like this every week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrCE...
Reposted by Alex Hanna
📬 We're incredibly proud that our recently launched newsletter is consistently opened by over 60% of all recipients--three times the average open rate!
See what all the fuss is about, and sign up to receive semi-regular comment and analysis, featured researcher interviews, links roundups, and more
See what all the fuss is about, and sign up to receive semi-regular comment and analysis, featured researcher interviews, links roundups, and more
Improve Your Transcripts - Academic Audio Transcription Ltd
Get the FREE guide on improving transcript accuracy through 9 simple tweaks to how you record your research.
academicaudiotranscription.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
📬 We're incredibly proud that our recently launched newsletter is consistently opened by over 60% of all recipients--three times the average open rate!
See what all the fuss is about, and sign up to receive semi-regular comment and analysis, featured researcher interviews, links roundups, and more
See what all the fuss is about, and sign up to receive semi-regular comment and analysis, featured researcher interviews, links roundups, and more
every time one opens the Times, you expect psychic damage.
but this? this is an assault on the frontal cortex
but this? this is an assault on the frontal cortex
November 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
every time one opens the Times, you expect psychic damage.
but this? this is an assault on the frontal cortex
but this? this is an assault on the frontal cortex
Did a smartphone write this
November 10, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Did a smartphone write this
Reposted by Alex Hanna
"We seek truth and help people better understand the world."
November 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"We seek truth and help people better understand the world."
Reposted by Alex Hanna
Well, unfortunately
Threat of victory looms large over Election Day as an ominous portent of a future that could leave Dems in array; party elders scramble to contain the risk
The framing of this is hilarious: Democrats deeply worried about the repercussions of a victory
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/m...
www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/m...
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Well, unfortunately
Reposted by Alex Hanna
Stop overhyping AI, scientists tell von der Leyen
Stop overhyping AI, scientists tell von der Leyen
Open letter criticises the Commission President for remarks earlier this year – when she anticipated AI would “approach human reasoning” in 2026
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Stop overhyping AI, scientists tell von der Leyen
I feel this intensely.
No other word has done more damage to the craft of writing in recent years than “content”. Even if you’re using the word “content” ironically, or as a cute little joke, don’t. When someone calls writing “content” they’re pissing on someone’s hard work & passion. “Content” is Technosatan’s henchword.
November 10, 2025 at 9:28 AM
I feel this intensely.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
No other word has done more damage to the craft of writing in recent years than “content”. Even if you’re using the word “content” ironically, or as a cute little joke, don’t. When someone calls writing “content” they’re pissing on someone’s hard work & passion. “Content” is Technosatan’s henchword.
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 AM
No other word has done more damage to the craft of writing in recent years than “content”. Even if you’re using the word “content” ironically, or as a cute little joke, don’t. When someone calls writing “content” they’re pissing on someone’s hard work & passion. “Content” is Technosatan’s henchword.
Cab driver here is maybe podcasting while driving. Or sending voice memos to a debate group.
Anyhow, perfect voice for radio, no notes.
Anyhow, perfect voice for radio, no notes.
November 10, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Cab driver here is maybe podcasting while driving. Or sending voice memos to a debate group.
Anyhow, perfect voice for radio, no notes.
Anyhow, perfect voice for radio, no notes.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
The centrists in the Senate Democratic caucus saw that the country was rallying to the party in the 2025 elections and resolved that they would do anything they could to kill that momentum.
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The centrists in the Senate Democratic caucus saw that the country was rallying to the party in the 2025 elections and resolved that they would do anything they could to kill that momentum.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
What is the argument for voting for Democrats for harm reduction if the harm is not fucking reduced
November 10, 2025 at 1:12 AM
What is the argument for voting for Democrats for harm reduction if the harm is not fucking reduced
Reposted by Alex Hanna
Most of y’all are old enough to remember but it bears repeating, Democrats couldn’t peel off a single member of the Republican caucus in the initial fight to enact the ACA, even after they watered down the plans to attract them.
Republicans got 8 Democrats in what’s essentially a vote to repeal.
Republicans got 8 Democrats in what’s essentially a vote to repeal.
Democrats have been fighting for months to address America's healthcare crisis
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
For the millions who will lose coverage
For people with cancer who won't get the care they need
For working families who can't afford to pay $25K more a year for healthcare
We will keep fighting
November 10, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Most of y’all are old enough to remember but it bears repeating, Democrats couldn’t peel off a single member of the Republican caucus in the initial fight to enact the ACA, even after they watered down the plans to attract them.
Republicans got 8 Democrats in what’s essentially a vote to repeal.
Republicans got 8 Democrats in what’s essentially a vote to repeal.
This is some Cardassian level of hate. The kind of hate that ensures your enemies all die before you do. Respect.
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
November 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This is some Cardassian level of hate. The kind of hate that ensures your enemies all die before you do. Respect.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
You folks near San Ramon good? Series of quakes...
November 9, 2025 at 6:48 PM
You folks near San Ramon good? Series of quakes...
Reposted by Alex Hanna
I'm on a surprise panel at #MozFest!
"Unlearning Cisnormativity: Why Trans Justice is Tech Justice,"
Immediately after Chelsea Manning's talk, on the mainstage (which begins at 11:30)
💜💙
"Unlearning Cisnormativity: Why Trans Justice is Tech Justice,"
Immediately after Chelsea Manning's talk, on the mainstage (which begins at 11:30)
💜💙
November 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I'm on a surprise panel at #MozFest!
"Unlearning Cisnormativity: Why Trans Justice is Tech Justice,"
Immediately after Chelsea Manning's talk, on the mainstage (which begins at 11:30)
💜💙
"Unlearning Cisnormativity: Why Trans Justice is Tech Justice,"
Immediately after Chelsea Manning's talk, on the mainstage (which begins at 11:30)
💜💙
Cuomo unfortunately forcing his humiliation kink onto everyone
I think this is very generous of him and I admire him for it. I think every aspiring Democratic politician in New York State should be given the chance to beat Andrew Cuomo in a primary at least once.
November 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Cuomo unfortunately forcing his humiliation kink onto everyone
Reposted by Alex Hanna
Your tamagotchi had a rich inner life and the equivalent of 37 doctorates. Why not.
Bahahahahaha The New York Times just printed an opinion piece declaring "AI is intelligent, so long as we redefine what intelligence means to include it. And soon AI will be conscious, because we'll just redefine consciousness too!"
Nothing means anything! Yay!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Nothing means anything! Yay!
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/o...
Opinion | A.I. Is on Its Way to Something Even More Remarkable Than Intelligence
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Your tamagotchi had a rich inner life and the equivalent of 37 doctorates. Why not.
Reposted by Alex Hanna
I appreciate the work of these authors to show that this problem not only is still here but has grown:
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
But it is also quite frustrating 🧵>>
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
But it is also quite frustrating 🧵>>
AI's capabilities may be exaggerated by flawed tests, according to new study
A study from the Oxford Internet Institute analyzed 445 tests used to evaluate AI models.
www.nbcnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I appreciate the work of these authors to show that this problem not only is still here but has grown:
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
But it is also quite frustrating 🧵>>
www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
But it is also quite frustrating 🧵>>