Ben Holliday
@benholliday.com
Design and digital transformation | Chief Design Officer at TPXimpact | UK Lake District
Reposted by Ben Holliday
We've had the ability to automate things for years.
The ability to understand how jobs actually work, not automate things that shouldn't be, and not automate things badly still seems beyond us, and AI isn't fixing that I'm afraid.
The ability to understand how jobs actually work, not automate things that shouldn't be, and not automate things badly still seems beyond us, and AI isn't fixing that I'm afraid.
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, says AI can automate white-collar jobs within 12-18 months, as tech reaches human-level performance in tasks.
Microsoft AI CEO predicts 'most, if not all' white-collar tasks will be automated by AI within 18 months
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI chief, says AI can automate white-collar jobs within 12-18 months, as tech reaches human-level performance in tasks.
www.businessinsider.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:17 AM
We've had the ability to automate things for years.
The ability to understand how jobs actually work, not automate things that shouldn't be, and not automate things badly still seems beyond us, and AI isn't fixing that I'm afraid.
The ability to understand how jobs actually work, not automate things that shouldn't be, and not automate things badly still seems beyond us, and AI isn't fixing that I'm afraid.
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Everyone in the UK right now
a white cat with its paws up in the air is sitting on the ground
Alt: a white cat with its paws up in the air is sitting on the ground, stretching up towards the bright sunshine
media.tenor.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Everyone in the UK right now
Euston Station is a brilliant example that you can’t improve something substantially by constantly tinkering at the edges …today the ‘new’ displays were being taken down. They weren’t any improvement, along with the constant small changes to remove/move retail spaces that keep happening
February 11, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Euston Station is a brilliant example that you can’t improve something substantially by constantly tinkering at the edges …today the ‘new’ displays were being taken down. They weren’t any improvement, along with the constant small changes to remove/move retail spaces that keep happening
There’s an unusual blue colour in the sky this morning. Walked the dog without needing a hat, gloves, or waterproofs for the first time this year. Roll on Spring ⛅️ #UKLakeDistrict
February 7, 2026 at 12:29 PM
There’s an unusual blue colour in the sky this morning. Walked the dog without needing a hat, gloves, or waterproofs for the first time this year. Roll on Spring ⛅️ #UKLakeDistrict
Reposted by Ben Holliday
I'm going to share a very good story about the internet. I won't tell it well because I apparently have the flu, but I think we all need a good story about the internet.
It starts in 2021, when I took a sabbatical and got a little workspace to write a design book.
It starts in 2021, when I took a sabbatical and got a little workspace to write a design book.
February 5, 2026 at 4:11 AM
I'm going to share a very good story about the internet. I won't tell it well because I apparently have the flu, but I think we all need a good story about the internet.
It starts in 2021, when I took a sabbatical and got a little workspace to write a design book.
It starts in 2021, when I took a sabbatical and got a little workspace to write a design book.
Reposted by Ben Holliday
It’s like the way email was supposed to make white collar jobs more efficient, but now every white collar job is just writing emails and no-one now remembers what the original job was that the emails were supposed to make more efficient
Give it up for your trillion dollar hype bubble, ladies & gentlemen!
‘A big new survey of executives in America, Australia, Britain and Germany… shows that almost three-quarters of businesses are using AI in some way. Yet 86% of bosses across these four countries report the technology has had no impact on labour productivity over the past three years’
February 3, 2026 at 8:10 PM
It’s like the way email was supposed to make white collar jobs more efficient, but now every white collar job is just writing emails and no-one now remembers what the original job was that the emails were supposed to make more efficient
Reposted by Ben Holliday
I’ve finally had enough and blogged about the new Civil Service Pensions website @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @janethughes.bsky.social @zsk.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
bearoneill.com/2026/01/29/bad…
bearoneill.com/2026/01/29/bad…
Bad
It’s unusual to come across a truly bad new digital service these days. People now praise the online passport service for speed and ease of use, the same for Jobseeker’s, voter registra…
bearoneill.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:02 PM
I’ve finally had enough and blogged about the new Civil Service Pensions website @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @janethughes.bsky.social @zsk.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
bearoneill.com/2026/01/29/bad…
bearoneill.com/2026/01/29/bad…
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Interesting. And very good.
Given the evolving digital landscape, it's more important than ever to move beyond the concept of "pages" and start structurally modelling *things* in your operating domain.
Given the evolving digital landscape, it's more important than ever to move beyond the concept of "pages" and start structurally modelling *things* in your operating domain.
January 20, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Interesting. And very good.
Given the evolving digital landscape, it's more important than ever to move beyond the concept of "pages" and start structurally modelling *things* in your operating domain.
Given the evolving digital landscape, it's more important than ever to move beyond the concept of "pages" and start structurally modelling *things* in your operating domain.
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Good reminder that AI companies have been playing whack-a-mole against AI generated misinformation and prejudicial bias for a decade
Health experts: Your synthetic text "AI" overviews are misleading, for example see this about liver function tests.
Google: Okay, we'll block "AI" overviews on that query.
The product is fundamentally flawed and cannot be "fixed" by patching query by query.
A short 🧵>>
Google: Okay, we'll block "AI" overviews on that query.
The product is fundamentally flawed and cannot be "fixed" by patching query by query.
A short 🧵>>
‘Dangerous and alarming’: Google removes some of its AI summaries after users’ health put at risk
Guardian investigation finds AI Overviews provided inaccurate and false information when queried over blood tests
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Good reminder that AI companies have been playing whack-a-mole against AI generated misinformation and prejudicial bias for a decade
Reposted by Ben Holliday
At this point, I'd be happy with someone just spraying a white circle around them so I can avoid hitting them
And this pothole map connects to pothole reporting services where people can report potholes in England (or wider UK)?
Or understand who's responsible for a particular pothole?
Or even track progress (if there's enough need for that...)?
Yes?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Or understand who's responsible for a particular pothole?
Or even track progress (if there's enough need for that...)?
Yes?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Potholes map rates council road repair progress
Thirteen local authorities received a
www.bbc.co.uk
January 11, 2026 at 12:53 PM
At this point, I'd be happy with someone just spraying a white circle around them so I can avoid hitting them
And we're back.. Day 1 of work in 2026 complete. All the things at once to remind myself why I don't normally do 2 day compressed weeks!
January 8, 2026 at 5:33 PM
And we're back.. Day 1 of work in 2026 complete. All the things at once to remind myself why I don't normally do 2 day compressed weeks!
Reposted by Ben Holliday
If you're new here and happen to see this, here's a Critical Tech starter pack, full of interesting folk to follow go.bsky.app/VFxSES6 And if you have a small account (<10k followers) and would like to be added for visibility, let me know! (Although response times may be slow)
January 8, 2026 at 12:27 PM
If you're new here and happen to see this, here's a Critical Tech starter pack, full of interesting folk to follow go.bsky.app/VFxSES6 And if you have a small account (<10k followers) and would like to be added for visibility, let me know! (Although response times may be slow)
Reposted by Ben Holliday
It's always an exciting moment when we can say #CampDigital is happening THIS YEAR! 🎉
🎤 Our brilliant speakers for 7th May include: @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @himal.bsky.social @dasbarrett.bsky.social, @laurayarrow.bsky.social
Early birds available till end of Jan at:
tinyurl.com/2s35kfd9
🎤 Our brilliant speakers for 7th May include: @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @himal.bsky.social @dasbarrett.bsky.social, @laurayarrow.bsky.social
Early birds available till end of Jan at:
tinyurl.com/2s35kfd9
January 8, 2026 at 10:52 AM
It's always an exciting moment when we can say #CampDigital is happening THIS YEAR! 🎉
🎤 Our brilliant speakers for 7th May include: @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @himal.bsky.social @dasbarrett.bsky.social, @laurayarrow.bsky.social
Early birds available till end of Jan at:
tinyurl.com/2s35kfd9
🎤 Our brilliant speakers for 7th May include: @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @himal.bsky.social @dasbarrett.bsky.social, @laurayarrow.bsky.social
Early birds available till end of Jan at:
tinyurl.com/2s35kfd9
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Looking ahead to #UKGovCamp - coming up soon 🎉
We’ll be there as Gold Sponsors of this public services unconference on 17 Jan. Come say hi 👋
We’ll be there as Gold Sponsors of this public services unconference on 17 Jan. Come say hi 👋
January 8, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Looking ahead to #UKGovCamp - coming up soon 🎉
We’ll be there as Gold Sponsors of this public services unconference on 17 Jan. Come say hi 👋
We’ll be there as Gold Sponsors of this public services unconference on 17 Jan. Come say hi 👋
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Wrote about my first 7 months transforming the technology underpinning the national breast screening programme: lizlutgendorff.substack.com/p/lessons-le...
Lessons learned after 7 months at NHSE
Not what I expected but in a good way.
lizlutgendorff.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Wrote about my first 7 months transforming the technology underpinning the national breast screening programme: lizlutgendorff.substack.com/p/lessons-le...
Reposted by Ben Holliday
First working day back for many. It can be easy to get swamped, especially if you’re compensating for gaps.
Wrote this to cover something I’ve seen in many places: effort masquerading as capacity, leading to burnout, how it affects some more than others, and how to not let it become normalised.
Wrote this to cover something I’ve seen in many places: effort masquerading as capacity, leading to burnout, how it affects some more than others, and how to not let it become normalised.
Effort Is Not Capacity
Why interest-driven nervous systems burn out in systems that confuse effort for capacity
himalmandalia.medium.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:41 AM
First working day back for many. It can be easy to get swamped, especially if you’re compensating for gaps.
Wrote this to cover something I’ve seen in many places: effort masquerading as capacity, leading to burnout, how it affects some more than others, and how to not let it become normalised.
Wrote this to cover something I’ve seen in many places: effort masquerading as capacity, leading to burnout, how it affects some more than others, and how to not let it become normalised.
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Don’t worry gang, no one actually starts their New Year’s resolutions on the 1st. And you’d be silly to begin on a Friday, best save it for Monday. But Monday is the 5th so you’ve kind of missed the boat anyway and can safely put it off for next year.
January 1, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Don’t worry gang, no one actually starts their New Year’s resolutions on the 1st. And you’d be silly to begin on a Friday, best save it for Monday. But Monday is the 5th so you’ve kind of missed the boat anyway and can safely put it off for next year.
Happy New Year to everyone I know or have connected with here 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣🎆
I’m halfway through a much needed Christmas break from work… No reflection posts from me this year - I ran out of time and energy in 2025.
Here’s to doing our best and being our best selves in 2026 #keepgoing
I’m halfway through a much needed Christmas break from work… No reflection posts from me this year - I ran out of time and energy in 2025.
Here’s to doing our best and being our best selves in 2026 #keepgoing
December 31, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Happy New Year to everyone I know or have connected with here 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣🎆
I’m halfway through a much needed Christmas break from work… No reflection posts from me this year - I ran out of time and energy in 2025.
Here’s to doing our best and being our best selves in 2026 #keepgoing
I’m halfway through a much needed Christmas break from work… No reflection posts from me this year - I ran out of time and energy in 2025.
Here’s to doing our best and being our best selves in 2026 #keepgoing
Reposted by Ben Holliday
Meanwhile this is *machine learning* and what it is *good at*. Not generative AI bullshit, actual useful predictive statistical models. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
AI being used to help cut A&E waiting times in England this winter
Forecasting tool predicts when demand will be highest, allowing NHS trusts to better plan staffing and bed space
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Meanwhile this is *machine learning* and what it is *good at*. Not generative AI bullshit, actual useful predictive statistical models. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Merry Christmas everyone 🎄 …with four children and a busy household we’re at the *falling over the line* stage of life on days like today. I’m just glad we made it and everyone seems healthy and happy this morning. Hope you all have a good one 🥂
December 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Merry Christmas everyone 🎄 …with four children and a busy household we’re at the *falling over the line* stage of life on days like today. I’m just glad we made it and everyone seems healthy and happy this morning. Hope you all have a good one 🥂
Reposted by Ben Holliday
The Top 10 (non job links) from my newsletter this year -
About the GOV Reuse Library
reuselibrary-dev.apps.cloud-platform.service.justice.gov.uk/about.html
...was top by a country mile.
About the GOV Reuse Library
reuselibrary-dev.apps.cloud-platform.service.justice.gov.uk/about.html
...was top by a country mile.
About the Reuse Library
reuselibrary-dev.apps.cloud-platform.service.justice.gov.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The Top 10 (non job links) from my newsletter this year -
About the GOV Reuse Library
reuselibrary-dev.apps.cloud-platform.service.justice.gov.uk/about.html
...was top by a country mile.
About the GOV Reuse Library
reuselibrary-dev.apps.cloud-platform.service.justice.gov.uk/about.html
...was top by a country mile.
💡 New short read about false positives in user-centred design.
This is an analogy I find helpful when thinking about how user-centricity is really shaping, directing and impacting the work of digital teams
#digitaltransformation
benholliday.com/2025/11/27/f...
This is an analogy I find helpful when thinking about how user-centricity is really shaping, directing and impacting the work of digital teams
#digitaltransformation
benholliday.com/2025/11/27/f...
False positives and user-centricity
Are there false positives in the user-centricity of your team, programme, or organisation?
benholliday.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
💡 New short read about false positives in user-centred design.
This is an analogy I find helpful when thinking about how user-centricity is really shaping, directing and impacting the work of digital teams
#digitaltransformation
benholliday.com/2025/11/27/f...
This is an analogy I find helpful when thinking about how user-centricity is really shaping, directing and impacting the work of digital teams
#digitaltransformation
benholliday.com/2025/11/27/f...
Reposted by Ben Holliday
I *love* the torn one that just has "you don't have to accept this future" written in regular handwriting. That's what I keep repeating to anyone who will listen to me at my institution. We don't have to participate in reinforcing this one possible future; there are others we can imagine and make.
Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.
November 24, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I *love* the torn one that just has "you don't have to accept this future" written in regular handwriting. That's what I keep repeating to anyone who will listen to me at my institution. We don't have to participate in reinforcing this one possible future; there are others we can imagine and make.
Kendal Mountain Festival has taken over our small town again this weekend - it’s wonderful seeing this international festival growing each year… busiest I’ve ever seen it around the town yesterday #UKLakeDistrict
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Kendal Mountain Festival has taken over our small town again this weekend - it’s wonderful seeing this international festival growing each year… busiest I’ve ever seen it around the town yesterday #UKLakeDistrict
Reposted by Ben Holliday
One brilliant thing about Twitter was that for a lot of us, it made networking not networking.
You posted about what you were passionate about it, and it had more of a chance to get in front of someone relevant. It wasn't networking, it was caring about something in public.
You posted about what you were passionate about it, and it had more of a chance to get in front of someone relevant. It wasn't networking, it was caring about something in public.
I made friends with game developers. I did my own work. And it happened. That’s all there is.
November 23, 2025 at 4:07 PM
One brilliant thing about Twitter was that for a lot of us, it made networking not networking.
You posted about what you were passionate about it, and it had more of a chance to get in front of someone relevant. It wasn't networking, it was caring about something in public.
You posted about what you were passionate about it, and it had more of a chance to get in front of someone relevant. It wasn't networking, it was caring about something in public.