David J. Warne
@davidjwarne.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer in Statistical Data Science at QUT in Mathematics. I do inference in ecology and biology. Stochastic modelling and Bayesian computation. Opinions=mine
Pinned
David J. Warne
@davidjwarne.bsky.social
· Feb 20
Concerned about the environmental impact⚡💧 of AI/ML systems? Interested in doing a PhD in 🌞 Brisbane, Aus?
I have PhD positions available exploring power and statistical efficiency in AI/ML/Stats!
👇
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
I have PhD positions available exploring power and statistical efficiency in AI/ML/Stats!
👇
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
Reposted by David J. Warne
So…about AI’s energy use…
“…to create a five-second video, a newer AI model uses ‘about 3.4 million joules, more than 700 times the energy required to generate a high-quality image’. That's the equivalent of running a microwave for over an hour.”
“…to create a five-second video, a newer AI model uses ‘about 3.4 million joules, more than 700 times the energy required to generate a high-quality image’. That's the equivalent of running a microwave for over an hour.”
Report: Creating a 5-second AI video is like running a microwave for an hour
That's a long time in the microwave.
mashable.com
May 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
So…about AI’s energy use…
“…to create a five-second video, a newer AI model uses ‘about 3.4 million joules, more than 700 times the energy required to generate a high-quality image’. That's the equivalent of running a microwave for over an hour.”
“…to create a five-second video, a newer AI model uses ‘about 3.4 million joules, more than 700 times the energy required to generate a high-quality image’. That's the equivalent of running a microwave for over an hour.”
Reposted by David J. Warne
Right. Tax it to the fucking skies.
Make it cost what it costs. Make it unfeasible to use.
Then stop using it.
Make it cost what it costs. Make it unfeasible to use.
Then stop using it.
So…about AI’s energy use…
“…to create a five-second video, a newer AI model uses ‘about 3.4 million joules, more than 700 times the energy required to generate a high-quality image’. That's the equivalent of running a microwave for over an hour.”
“…to create a five-second video, a newer AI model uses ‘about 3.4 million joules, more than 700 times the energy required to generate a high-quality image’. That's the equivalent of running a microwave for over an hour.”
Report: Creating a 5-second AI video is like running a microwave for an hour
That's a long time in the microwave.
mashable.com
May 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Right. Tax it to the fucking skies.
Make it cost what it costs. Make it unfeasible to use.
Then stop using it.
Make it cost what it costs. Make it unfeasible to use.
Then stop using it.
Reposted by David J. Warne
This is one of the worst violations of research ethics I've ever seen. Manipulating people in online communities using deception, without consent, is not "low risk" and, as evidenced by the discourse in this Reddit post, resulted in harm.
Great thread from Sarah, and I have additional thoughts. 🧵
Great thread from Sarah, and I have additional thoughts. 🧵
The mods of r/ChangeMyView shared the sub was the subject of a study to test the persuasiveness of LLMs & that they didn't consent. There’s a lot that went wrong, so here’s a 🧵 unpacking it, along with some ideas for how to do research with online communities ethically. tinyurl.com/59tpt988
From the changemyview community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the changemyview community
tinyurl.com
April 26, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This is one of the worst violations of research ethics I've ever seen. Manipulating people in online communities using deception, without consent, is not "low risk" and, as evidenced by the discourse in this Reddit post, resulted in harm.
Great thread from Sarah, and I have additional thoughts. 🧵
Great thread from Sarah, and I have additional thoughts. 🧵
Reposted by David J. Warne
Come to Canada for graduate work: zero or few courses, no Trump, no ICE, no DOGE.
(We have other problems but I won’t get into those here)
#academicsky
(We have other problems but I won’t get into those here)
#academicsky
April 26, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Come to Canada for graduate work: zero or few courses, no Trump, no ICE, no DOGE.
(We have other problems but I won’t get into those here)
#academicsky
(We have other problems but I won’t get into those here)
#academicsky
Reposted by David J. Warne
Great work! Good to see someone standing up to and calling out #TheOrangeTrumpet / #Trump and his attempt to wreck the #US
#POTUS #USA #BlackSky #AcademicSky #Republican #GOP
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#POTUS #USA #BlackSky #AcademicSky #Republican #GOP
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Cory Booker breaks record for longest Senate speech with Trump condemnation
In speech that began Monday night, Democratic senator warns of ‘grave and urgent’ danger of Trump administration
www.theguardian.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Great work! Good to see someone standing up to and calling out #TheOrangeTrumpet / #Trump and his attempt to wreck the #US
#POTUS #USA #BlackSky #AcademicSky #Republican #GOP
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#POTUS #USA #BlackSky #AcademicSky #Republican #GOP
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by David J. Warne
When researchers cannot engage in legitimate scientific discourse out of fear that the government will strip away their livelihoods, we no longer live in a society that values freedom, truth, or progress.
March 29, 2025 at 11:52 PM
When researchers cannot engage in legitimate scientific discourse out of fear that the government will strip away their livelihoods, we no longer live in a society that values freedom, truth, or progress.
Reposted by David J. Warne
I received a heartbreaking email today: A paper in a special issue I’m editing is being retracted because one of its authors is afraid of losing their job and their legal status in the U.S. if they publish a scientific study on evolution. Yes, on evolution, nature's engine of diversity.
March 29, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I received a heartbreaking email today: A paper in a special issue I’m editing is being retracted because one of its authors is afraid of losing their job and their legal status in the U.S. if they publish a scientific study on evolution. Yes, on evolution, nature's engine of diversity.
Reposted by David J. Warne
Congrats to MACSYS Dep. Director @mjsimpson.bsky.social & his colleagues @apbrowning.bsky.social @profruthbaker.bsky.social @davidjwarne.bsky.social & @omaclaren.bsky.social - just awarded the Lewis Wolpert Prize for Best Paper by Journal of Theoretical Biology
www.sciencedirect.com/journal/jour...
www.sciencedirect.com/journal/jour...
March 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Congrats to MACSYS Dep. Director @mjsimpson.bsky.social & his colleagues @apbrowning.bsky.social @profruthbaker.bsky.social @davidjwarne.bsky.social & @omaclaren.bsky.social - just awarded the Lewis Wolpert Prize for Best Paper by Journal of Theoretical Biology
www.sciencedirect.com/journal/jour...
www.sciencedirect.com/journal/jour...
Concerned about the environmental impact⚡💧 of AI/ML systems? Interested in doing a PhD in 🌞 Brisbane, Aus?
I have PhD positions available exploring power and statistical efficiency in AI/ML/Stats!
👇
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
I have PhD positions available exploring power and statistical efficiency in AI/ML/Stats!
👇
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
February 20, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Concerned about the environmental impact⚡💧 of AI/ML systems? Interested in doing a PhD in 🌞 Brisbane, Aus?
I have PhD positions available exploring power and statistical efficiency in AI/ML/Stats!
👇
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
I have PhD positions available exploring power and statistical efficiency in AI/ML/Stats!
👇
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
www.qut.edu.au/research/stu...
Reposted by David J. Warne
“As a professional statistician, I have an ethical responsibility to protect and the rights of data subjects and those directly affected by statistical practices; I have an ethical responsibility to stakeholders in collection, release, and dissemination of data;
kuwisdelu.github.io/letter-on-pu...
kuwisdelu.github.io/letter-on-pu...
Open Letter on Public Data
kuwisdelu.github.io
February 10, 2025 at 8:15 AM
“As a professional statistician, I have an ethical responsibility to protect and the rights of data subjects and those directly affected by statistical practices; I have an ethical responsibility to stakeholders in collection, release, and dissemination of data;
kuwisdelu.github.io/letter-on-pu...
kuwisdelu.github.io/letter-on-pu...
Reposted by David J. Warne
Maybe a hot take, but what about the following advice to the next gen:
Don't get an AI degree; the curriculum will be outdated before you graduate. Instead, study math, stats, or physics as your foundation, and stay current with AI through code-focused books, blogs, and papers.
Don't get an AI degree; the curriculum will be outdated before you graduate. Instead, study math, stats, or physics as your foundation, and stay current with AI through code-focused books, blogs, and papers.
February 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Maybe a hot take, but what about the following advice to the next gen:
Don't get an AI degree; the curriculum will be outdated before you graduate. Instead, study math, stats, or physics as your foundation, and stay current with AI through code-focused books, blogs, and papers.
Don't get an AI degree; the curriculum will be outdated before you graduate. Instead, study math, stats, or physics as your foundation, and stay current with AI through code-focused books, blogs, and papers.
Reposted by David J. Warne
Universities and Institutions have to push back NOW.
When they threaten one group of scientific institutions, if we are silent, we will be next.
HHMI and the other potential targets need to work with red state Unis to stall this illegal targeting in courts.
www.science.org/content/arti...
When they threaten one group of scientific institutions, if we are silent, we will be next.
HHMI and the other potential targets need to work with red state Unis to stall this illegal targeting in courts.
www.science.org/content/arti...
HHMI kills program aimed at boosting inclusivity in STEM education
“Inclusive excellence” program had committed $60 million to 104 institutions
www.science.org
February 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Universities and Institutions have to push back NOW.
When they threaten one group of scientific institutions, if we are silent, we will be next.
HHMI and the other potential targets need to work with red state Unis to stall this illegal targeting in courts.
www.science.org/content/arti...
When they threaten one group of scientific institutions, if we are silent, we will be next.
HHMI and the other potential targets need to work with red state Unis to stall this illegal targeting in courts.
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by David J. Warne
What fascinates me the most about people who think LLMs are in any way reliable is that they've clearly never asked an LLM for information on literally anything they know the answer to themselves 😅
For what it's worth, today is Monday, February 10, so third time lucky (fourth time not so much)
For what it's worth, today is Monday, February 10, so third time lucky (fourth time not so much)
February 10, 2025 at 8:41 AM
What fascinates me the most about people who think LLMs are in any way reliable is that they've clearly never asked an LLM for information on literally anything they know the answer to themselves 😅
For what it's worth, today is Monday, February 10, so third time lucky (fourth time not so much)
For what it's worth, today is Monday, February 10, so third time lucky (fourth time not so much)
Reposted by David J. Warne
“Why do I need NOAA? I’ve got a weather app.”
Is equivalent to asking
“Why do I need farms? I can go to the supermarket.”
www.noaa.gov/about-our-ag...
Is equivalent to asking
“Why do I need farms? I can go to the supermarket.”
www.noaa.gov/about-our-ag...
About our agency
NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment aro...
www.noaa.gov
February 9, 2025 at 4:22 AM
“Why do I need NOAA? I’ve got a weather app.”
Is equivalent to asking
“Why do I need farms? I can go to the supermarket.”
www.noaa.gov/about-our-ag...
Is equivalent to asking
“Why do I need farms? I can go to the supermarket.”
www.noaa.gov/about-our-ag...
Reposted by David J. Warne
🌿 Green Action Week 2025 🌿
This week, we’re embracing sustainability! In our department, members are swapping plants, sharing plant-based cakes, and discussing green ideas with our Green Team. 🌍💚
#GreenActionWeek #Sustainability #Environment #OxfordUniversity
This week, we’re embracing sustainability! In our department, members are swapping plants, sharing plant-based cakes, and discussing green ideas with our Green Team. 🌍💚
#GreenActionWeek #Sustainability #Environment #OxfordUniversity
February 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
🌿 Green Action Week 2025 🌿
This week, we’re embracing sustainability! In our department, members are swapping plants, sharing plant-based cakes, and discussing green ideas with our Green Team. 🌍💚
#GreenActionWeek #Sustainability #Environment #OxfordUniversity
This week, we’re embracing sustainability! In our department, members are swapping plants, sharing plant-based cakes, and discussing green ideas with our Green Team. 🌍💚
#GreenActionWeek #Sustainability #Environment #OxfordUniversity
Reposted by David J. Warne
Microsoft's own research confirms something that was already pretty obvious: relying on a text generating machine to come up with answers erodes critical thinking, and is a method favoured by those who never liked doing critical thinking in the first place
advait.org/files/lee_20...
advait.org/files/lee_20...
advait.org
February 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Microsoft's own research confirms something that was already pretty obvious: relying on a text generating machine to come up with answers erodes critical thinking, and is a method favoured by those who never liked doing critical thinking in the first place
advait.org/files/lee_20...
advait.org/files/lee_20...
Anyone get a sense of irony from OpenAIs claim here? www.bbc.com/news/article...
OpenAI says Chinese rivals using its work for their AI apps
ChatGPT maker says it will need extra protection from US government, following emergence of Chinese rival, DeepSeek.
www.bbc.com
January 30, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Anyone get a sense of irony from OpenAIs claim here? www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by David J. Warne
I am thrilled to share our recent publication, "An off-lattice discrete model to characterise filamentous yeast colony morphology", which uses agent-based modelling and Bayesian inference to understand how yeast grows, is now available online in PLoS Computational Biology.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
December 8, 2024 at 3:00 AM
I am thrilled to share our recent publication, "An off-lattice discrete model to characterise filamentous yeast colony morphology", which uses agent-based modelling and Bayesian inference to understand how yeast grows, is now available online in PLoS Computational Biology.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
Reposted by David J. Warne
Two talks at CERN today related to first results using simulation-based inference (likelihood-free inference) at the LHC.
CMS (talk by Calandri): indico.cern.ch/event/138922...
ATLAS (talk by Gosh): indico.cern.ch/event/1479992/
ATLAS paper: arxiv.org/abs/2412.01600
CMS (talk by Calandri): indico.cern.ch/event/138922...
ATLAS (talk by Gosh): indico.cern.ch/event/1479992/
ATLAS paper: arxiv.org/abs/2412.01600
The 21st Workshop of the LHC Higgs Working Group
The aim of the LHC Higgs Working Group (LHCHWG) is to collect and produce theoretical predictions relevant for Higgs physics in the Standard Model and beyond. Summaries of these activities have been m...
indico.cern.ch
December 4, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Two talks at CERN today related to first results using simulation-based inference (likelihood-free inference) at the LHC.
CMS (talk by Calandri): indico.cern.ch/event/138922...
ATLAS (talk by Gosh): indico.cern.ch/event/1479992/
ATLAS paper: arxiv.org/abs/2412.01600
CMS (talk by Calandri): indico.cern.ch/event/138922...
ATLAS (talk by Gosh): indico.cern.ch/event/1479992/
ATLAS paper: arxiv.org/abs/2412.01600
Reposted by David J. Warne
Thread on need to fight for evidence-based policy - a response to Trump's cabinet picks.
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
November 28, 2024 at 11:58 PM
Thread on need to fight for evidence-based policy - a response to Trump's cabinet picks.
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
Based on new @bmj.com article by me, @martinmckee.bsky.social & @kentbuse.bsky.social
TLDR: Now is the time to stand up for science, not appease those in power attacking it
www.bmj.com/content/387/... 1/14
Reposted by David J. Warne
I'm very happy to see papers like this. We need more contributions to the underlying theory. Similarly, we need more theory to understand pros and cons of density estimation based methods (posterior or likelihood) to ratio-based methods (likelihood ratios and posterior-to-evidence ratio)
Thrilled to contribute to this work led by David Frazier providing theory for NPE/NLE in simulation-based inference. These methods are known to match the accuracy of ABC and BSL with fewer simulations, this paper rigorously shows why this can be achieved.
arxiv.org/abs/2411.12068
arxiv.org/abs/2411.12068
The Statistical Accuracy of Neural Posterior and Likelihood Estimation
Neural posterior estimation (NPE) and neural likelihood estimation (NLE) are machine learning approaches that provide accurate posterior, and likelihood, approximations in complex modeling scenarios, ...
arxiv.org
November 22, 2024 at 8:35 PM
I'm very happy to see papers like this. We need more contributions to the underlying theory. Similarly, we need more theory to understand pros and cons of density estimation based methods (posterior or likelihood) to ratio-based methods (likelihood ratios and posterior-to-evidence ratio)
Reposted by David J. Warne
Check out this #SMB #SocietyMathBio starter pack. This was the default Starter Pack set up on our feed, but we can add to this as well to help build the mathematical biology community on BlueSky.
go.bsky.app/2sXtZV4
go.bsky.app/2sXtZV4
November 10, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Check out this #SMB #SocietyMathBio starter pack. This was the default Starter Pack set up on our feed, but we can add to this as well to help build the mathematical biology community on BlueSky.
go.bsky.app/2sXtZV4
go.bsky.app/2sXtZV4
Reposted by David J. Warne
November 22, 2024 at 11:16 PM
Reposted by David J. Warne
@rellypops.bsky.social dropping the wisdom - people often misunderstand self care, she says.
"The self does not have to be selfish". Think about it as extended beyond you. Approach self care on the spirit of "what do I have to do for myself to be able to be there for others?"
"The self does not have to be selfish". Think about it as extended beyond you. Approach self care on the spirit of "what do I have to do for myself to be able to be there for others?"
November 22, 2024 at 10:53 AM
@rellypops.bsky.social dropping the wisdom - people often misunderstand self care, she says.
"The self does not have to be selfish". Think about it as extended beyond you. Approach self care on the spirit of "what do I have to do for myself to be able to be there for others?"
"The self does not have to be selfish". Think about it as extended beyond you. Approach self care on the spirit of "what do I have to do for myself to be able to be there for others?"