Celia Ford
@celiaford.bsky.social
she/her/dr • trying to make the future better ✨
AI reporter @ transformernews.ai
also: thereplacement.substack.com
previously: @vox.com, @wired.com,
@theopennotebook.bsky.social
signal: @celia.08
portfolio: drceliaford.com
AI reporter @ transformernews.ai
also: thereplacement.substack.com
previously: @vox.com, @wired.com,
@theopennotebook.bsky.social
signal: @celia.08
portfolio: drceliaford.com
Reposted by Celia Ford
When I launched Transformer a year ago, it was with a simple mission: provide decision-makers with the information and analysis needed to anticipate and steer the impacts of transformative AI.
Today, we're announcing an exciting new effort to achieve that: Transformer 2.0.
Today, we're announcing an exciting new effort to achieve that: Transformer 2.0.
Welcome to Transformer 2.0
We're now a team of reporters and editors dedicated to covering the power and politics of AI
www.transformernews.ai
September 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
When I launched Transformer a year ago, it was with a simple mission: provide decision-makers with the information and analysis needed to anticipate and steer the impacts of transformative AI.
Today, we're announcing an exciting new effort to achieve that: Transformer 2.0.
Today, we're announcing an exciting new effort to achieve that: Transformer 2.0.
California SB 53, the watered-down successor of last year's fumbled AI safety bill, might actually stand a chance. It all comes down to whether Gov. Newsom values voters over tech billionaires.
I covered SB 53's home stretch @transformernews.bsky.social:
www.transformernews.ai/p/california...
I covered SB 53's home stretch @transformernews.bsky.social:
www.transformernews.ai/p/california...
California's latest AI safety bill might stand a chance
SB 53 is entering the home stretch despite industry lobbying. Will it make it over the line?
www.transformernews.ai
September 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
California SB 53, the watered-down successor of last year's fumbled AI safety bill, might actually stand a chance. It all comes down to whether Gov. Newsom values voters over tech billionaires.
I covered SB 53's home stretch @transformernews.bsky.social:
www.transformernews.ai/p/california...
I covered SB 53's home stretch @transformernews.bsky.social:
www.transformernews.ai/p/california...
Reposted by Celia Ford
Like the big tech of previous years, the AI industry has been lobbying hard against regulation. California's last attempt at passing legislation on AI failed, but its latest might just have a shot at becoming law. Read @celiaford.bsky.social dive: www.transformernews.ai/p/california...
California's latest AI safety bill might stand a chance
SB 53 is entering the home stretch despite industry lobbying. Will it make it over the line?
www.transformernews.ai
September 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Like the big tech of previous years, the AI industry has been lobbying hard against regulation. California's last attempt at passing legislation on AI failed, but its latest might just have a shot at becoming law. Read @celiaford.bsky.social dive: www.transformernews.ai/p/california...
Reposted by Celia Ford
How a securities fraud case broke animal welfare enforcement: a quick Q&A with @delcianna.bsky.social director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute at @vtlaw.bsky.social
By @celiaford.bsky.social
thereplacement.substack.com/p/research-f...
By @celiaford.bsky.social
thereplacement.substack.com/p/research-f...
“Research facilities have carte blanche to violate the Animal Welfare Act"
How a securities fraud case broke animal welfare enforcement
thereplacement.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:16 PM
How a securities fraud case broke animal welfare enforcement: a quick Q&A with @delcianna.bsky.social director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute at @vtlaw.bsky.social
By @celiaford.bsky.social
thereplacement.substack.com/p/research-f...
By @celiaford.bsky.social
thereplacement.substack.com/p/research-f...
Reposted by Celia Ford
Hello, reporters, writers and commentators covering AI. I'm commissioning pieces for Transformer and I would love to hear from you! Feel free to send (brief) pitches to jasper@transformernews.ai. And if you're covering the beat and want to chat through what we're interested in, drop me a line!
July 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Hello, reporters, writers and commentators covering AI. I'm commissioning pieces for Transformer and I would love to hear from you! Feel free to send (brief) pitches to jasper@transformernews.ai. And if you're covering the beat and want to chat through what we're interested in, drop me a line!
Pleasantly surprised by how not-horrible the YouTube comments have been so far, but this callout was brutal and accurate.
July 3, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Pleasantly surprised by how not-horrible the YouTube comments have been so far, but this callout was brutal and accurate.
It was an absolute honor to chat about ChatGPT and critical thinking with Manuel Rapalo on @aljazeera.com's The Take! TLDR; use your brain first. 🧠
Watch the video: youtu.be/qz_ZYa3oRSE
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts, if that's more the vibe! podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...
Watch the video: youtu.be/qz_ZYa3oRSE
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts, if that's more the vibe! podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...
Is ChatGPT hurting our critical thinking skills? | The Take
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
July 3, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It was an absolute honor to chat about ChatGPT and critical thinking with Manuel Rapalo on @aljazeera.com's The Take! TLDR; use your brain first. 🧠
Watch the video: youtu.be/qz_ZYa3oRSE
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts, if that's more the vibe! podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...
Watch the video: youtu.be/qz_ZYa3oRSE
Or listen wherever you get your podcasts, if that's more the vibe! podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...
Meet The Replacement: a bi-weekly newsletter on the global transition away from animal testing. ✨
Coverage of animal testing & research policy often flies under the radar, but it's more urgent than ever. I'm here to round up the news for you. 🫡
Please share widely!
thereplacement.substack.com
Coverage of animal testing & research policy often flies under the radar, but it's more urgent than ever. I'm here to round up the news for you. 🫡
Please share widely!
thereplacement.substack.com
Welcome to The Replacement
a bi-weekly newsletter covering the global transition away from animal testing
thereplacement.substack.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Meet The Replacement: a bi-weekly newsletter on the global transition away from animal testing. ✨
Coverage of animal testing & research policy often flies under the radar, but it's more urgent than ever. I'm here to round up the news for you. 🫡
Please share widely!
thereplacement.substack.com
Coverage of animal testing & research policy often flies under the radar, but it's more urgent than ever. I'm here to round up the news for you. 🫡
Please share widely!
thereplacement.substack.com
Reposted by Celia Ford
hahaha unfortunately i was behind the times with this and the rough drafts of history are already being written www.vox.com/future-perfe... by @celiaford.bsky.social
March 17, 2025 at 6:35 PM
hahaha unfortunately i was behind the times with this and the rough drafts of history are already being written www.vox.com/future-perfe... by @celiaford.bsky.social
Reposted by Celia Ford
BREAKING: The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University has reneged on their commitment to host the @sciencewriters.org annual conference and withdrew their entire financial support.
The National Association of Science Writers is now looking for a new venue, sponsors, and partners.
The National Association of Science Writers is now looking for a new venue, sponsors, and partners.
March 6, 2025 at 4:14 PM
BREAKING: The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University has reneged on their commitment to host the @sciencewriters.org annual conference and withdrew their entire financial support.
The National Association of Science Writers is now looking for a new venue, sponsors, and partners.
The National Association of Science Writers is now looking for a new venue, sponsors, and partners.
Reposted by Celia Ford
Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
48 Scientific Societies Representing Almost 100,000 Scientists Ask Congress to Protect the Future of Science
48 scientific societies representing almost 100,000 scientists signed on to a letter asking Congress to protect the future of science
www.ucsusa.org
March 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
Reposted by Celia Ford
If ever there was a case for @whenwejustify.bsky.social, this is it. Thank you, @celiaford.bsky.social, for courageously sharing your story & compiling such a thorough narrative on the experiences of animal research professionals & the psychological impacts of this work.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
The harrowing lives of animal researchers
Science depends on animal testing. But the work comes at a steep, hidden cost.
www.vox.com
March 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
If ever there was a case for @whenwejustify.bsky.social, this is it. Thank you, @celiaford.bsky.social, for courageously sharing your story & compiling such a thorough narrative on the experiences of animal research professionals & the psychological impacts of this work.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
1/ Today, @Vox published a piece that's very close to my heart. Science depends on animal testing, but the work comes at a steep psychological cost—one that too many researchers have been told to endure in silence.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
The harrowing lives of animal researchers
Science depends on animal testing. But the work comes at a steep, hidden cost.
www.vox.com
March 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
1/ Today, @Vox published a piece that's very close to my heart. Science depends on animal testing, but the work comes at a steep psychological cost—one that too many researchers have been told to endure in silence.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Being a Vox Future Perfect Fellow is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. Now, it's time to pass the torch.
If you're an early-career writer thinking about how to make the world a better place, this is for you! (one year, remote + well-paid!)
job-boards.greenhouse.io/voxmedia/job...
If you're an early-career writer thinking about how to make the world a better place, this is for you! (one year, remote + well-paid!)
job-boards.greenhouse.io/voxmedia/job...
2025 Future Perfect Fellows
Remote (US Only)
job-boards.greenhouse.io
February 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Being a Vox Future Perfect Fellow is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. Now, it's time to pass the torch.
If you're an early-career writer thinking about how to make the world a better place, this is for you! (one year, remote + well-paid!)
job-boards.greenhouse.io/voxmedia/job...
If you're an early-career writer thinking about how to make the world a better place, this is for you! (one year, remote + well-paid!)
job-boards.greenhouse.io/voxmedia/job...
Reposted by Celia Ford
Chilling read by @celiaford.bsky.social "As our mental security becomes less guaranteed, we’ll need to decide whether the convenience of controlling stuff with our minds is worth letting tech companies colonize our last truly private space." www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Meta’s brain-to-text tech is here. We are not remotely ready.
Why we should start caring about the right to brain privacy now.
www.vox.com
February 20, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Chilling read by @celiaford.bsky.social "As our mental security becomes less guaranteed, we’ll need to decide whether the convenience of controlling stuff with our minds is worth letting tech companies colonize our last truly private space." www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Celia Ford
I do miss that beautiful time [two weeks ago] when we could post about science, instead of just sharing shit like "contact your district attorney asap if you want to retain your right to whisper 'the earth revolves around the sun' to yourself"
February 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I do miss that beautiful time [two weeks ago] when we could post about science, instead of just sharing shit like "contact your district attorney asap if you want to retain your right to whisper 'the earth revolves around the sun' to yourself"
Reposted by Celia Ford
"A modern-day book burning," a "five-alarm fire": Groups decry the CDC taking data offline, and the CDC's advisory board demands answers, acknowledging it may be their last act.
“We all discussed that,” said one board member. “We expect to be fired.”
New from @statnews.com this evening:
“We all discussed that,” said one board member. “We expect to be fired.”
New from @statnews.com this evening:
CDC advisers push agency to explain data removal, say when info will be restored
Information on topics such as gender, teens' behavior, and infectious diseases was removed from the CDC's website.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2025 at 12:58 AM
"A modern-day book burning," a "five-alarm fire": Groups decry the CDC taking data offline, and the CDC's advisory board demands answers, acknowledging it may be their last act.
“We all discussed that,” said one board member. “We expect to be fired.”
New from @statnews.com this evening:
“We all discussed that,” said one board member. “We expect to be fired.”
New from @statnews.com this evening:
Reposted by Celia Ford
BREAKING NEWS: CDC orders mass retraction and revision of submitted research across all science and medicine journals. Banned terms must be scrubbed.
Goes beyond MMWR +other CDC pubs. Applies to research already submitted to top medical journals.
Take a look.
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
Goes beyond MMWR +other CDC pubs. Applies to research already submitted to top medical journals.
Take a look.
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
BREAKING NEWS: CDC orders mass retraction and revision of submitted research across all science and medicine journals. Banned terms must be scrubbed.
Any unpublished manuscript mentioning certain topics, including gender and "LGBT," must be pulled or revised.
open.substack.com
February 1, 2025 at 9:20 PM
BREAKING NEWS: CDC orders mass retraction and revision of submitted research across all science and medicine journals. Banned terms must be scrubbed.
Goes beyond MMWR +other CDC pubs. Applies to research already submitted to top medical journals.
Take a look.
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
Goes beyond MMWR +other CDC pubs. Applies to research already submitted to top medical journals.
Take a look.
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
Reposted by Celia Ford
BREAKING: Vital, nationally-representative data has been removed from the CDC website. "Everyone I know in public health and science more broadly is freaking out right now,” @albeccia.bsky.social told me. Read: www.statnews.com/2025/01/31/c...
CDC removes data on sexual orientation, gender identity from website
Data from an expansive federal survey on youth behavioral habits, including their sexual orientation and gender identity, have been removed from the website of the CDC.
www.statnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 5:48 PM
BREAKING: Vital, nationally-representative data has been removed from the CDC website. "Everyone I know in public health and science more broadly is freaking out right now,” @albeccia.bsky.social told me. Read: www.statnews.com/2025/01/31/c...
Reposted by Celia Ford
“If the freeze is not stopped, I might lose my house."
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
National Science Foundation suspends salary payments, leaving researchers unable to pay their bills
An NSF online payment system remained down after the federal funding freeze was lifted, leaving early-career scientists scrambling to pay bills
www.statnews.com
January 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
“If the freeze is not stopped, I might lose my house."
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Some NSF-funded postdocs are having trouble paying rent and credit card bills because their salaries were paused this week, even though the federal funding freeze memo was rescinded.
www.statnews.com/2025/01/30/t...
Reposted by Celia Ford
Huge thanks to @vox.com for writing on the crucial issue of funding and meeting cessation at NIH.
Also, @celiaford.bsky.social wins for characterizing study sections as "jury duty for nerds".
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Also, @celiaford.bsky.social wins for characterizing study sections as "jury duty for nerds".
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Researchers are terrified of Trump’s freeze on science. The rest of us should be, too.
Government support is essential to science. The Trump administration kneecapped it.
www.vox.com
January 28, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Huge thanks to @vox.com for writing on the crucial issue of funding and meeting cessation at NIH.
Also, @celiaford.bsky.social wins for characterizing study sections as "jury duty for nerds".
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Also, @celiaford.bsky.social wins for characterizing study sections as "jury duty for nerds".
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
It's been a week, and the vibes are bleak. Or, in the words of one NIH senior scientist I heard from, "fucking scary."
I walked through the whirlwind of NIH-related chaos for @vox.com:
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
I walked through the whirlwind of NIH-related chaos for @vox.com:
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Researchers are terrified of Trump’s freeze on science. The rest of us should be, too.
Government support is essential to science. The Trump administration kneecapped it.
www.vox.com
January 28, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It's been a week, and the vibes are bleak. Or, in the words of one NIH senior scientist I heard from, "fucking scary."
I walked through the whirlwind of NIH-related chaos for @vox.com:
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
I walked through the whirlwind of NIH-related chaos for @vox.com:
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
As science chaos gets more chaotic, I am begging us to remember that highlighting areas where science can improve — even criticizing long-standing institutions — is NOT inherently anti-science.
Two things are true:
1. Science is an invaluable public good.
2. It should be so much better.
Two things are true:
1. Science is an invaluable public good.
2. It should be so much better.
January 26, 2025 at 12:19 AM
As science chaos gets more chaotic, I am begging us to remember that highlighting areas where science can improve — even criticizing long-standing institutions — is NOT inherently anti-science.
Two things are true:
1. Science is an invaluable public good.
2. It should be so much better.
Two things are true:
1. Science is an invaluable public good.
2. It should be so much better.
Hi, Vox reporter here: If you've had a study section, NIH travel, or other NIH-related meeting cancelled (or not), raise your hand! Reply or DM me, and repost for visibility if you're able.
#academicsky @drugmonkey.bsky.social
#academicsky @drugmonkey.bsky.social
January 23, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Hi, Vox reporter here: If you've had a study section, NIH travel, or other NIH-related meeting cancelled (or not), raise your hand! Reply or DM me, and repost for visibility if you're able.
#academicsky @drugmonkey.bsky.social
#academicsky @drugmonkey.bsky.social
I forgot how much physical stress this news cycle creates.
If you're here, relax your jaw. Drop your shoulders. Remember that you're just a soft animal with a mind that wasn't built to know this much.
If you're here, relax your jaw. Drop your shoulders. Remember that you're just a soft animal with a mind that wasn't built to know this much.
January 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I forgot how much physical stress this news cycle creates.
If you're here, relax your jaw. Drop your shoulders. Remember that you're just a soft animal with a mind that wasn't built to know this much.
If you're here, relax your jaw. Drop your shoulders. Remember that you're just a soft animal with a mind that wasn't built to know this much.