Jeni Tennison
@jenitennison.com
Data nerd/wonk. Founder of Connected by Data, campaigning for communities to have a powerful say over data and AI.
Into trans rights, neurodiversity, board games, lego, dogs, spreadsheets.
www.jenitennison.com
Into trans rights, neurodiversity, board games, lego, dogs, spreadsheets.
www.jenitennison.com
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
A really thoughtful piece from Adam Briggle on how STS ideas help us think about care for trans people issues.org/scientific-n...
The Heart Is Not Neutral
The debate over gender-affirming health care shows why the pursuit of “scientific neutrality” often fails to bring about social consensus.
issues.org
December 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A really thoughtful piece from Adam Briggle on how STS ideas help us think about care for trans people issues.org/scientific-n...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
A propos of nothing, it's taken as a given that Bob Geldof should be made fun of and that his Band Aid Christmas song is not just a maddening tune, but also a prime example of the White Saviour syndrome. I'd just like to add something to this take, which I've only learnt about very recently.
December 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A propos of nothing, it's taken as a given that Bob Geldof should be made fun of and that his Band Aid Christmas song is not just a maddening tune, but also a prime example of the White Saviour syndrome. I'd just like to add something to this take, which I've only learnt about very recently.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Labour supporters are the most homophobic and almost the most transphobic.
December 24, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Labour supporters are the most homophobic and almost the most transphobic.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
The idea that AI can “detoxify” people reframes emotional overwhelm as a software problem, and it treats loneliness and strain as things to route into a machine rather than conditions that require support, care, and structural repair. 1/*
These rebranding attempts are getting more ridiculous.
The CEO of Microsoft AI says AI chatbots are a powerful way for humans to offload emotions and 'detoxify ourselves'
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI's CEO, has described using AI for guidance on life decisions as "something that the world needs."
www.businessinsider.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The idea that AI can “detoxify” people reframes emotional overwhelm as a software problem, and it treats loneliness and strain as things to route into a machine rather than conditions that require support, care, and structural repair. 1/*
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
We're looking for a Professor of Public Policy to join our senior leadership team.
They'll play a leading role in teaching on the School's postgraduate courses, & make a significant contribution to research & research leadership in the new School.
Apply by 9 February 2026: bit.ly/4j6UMQ4
They'll play a leading role in teaching on the School's postgraduate courses, & make a significant contribution to research & research leadership in the new School.
Apply by 9 February 2026: bit.ly/4j6UMQ4
December 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
We're looking for a Professor of Public Policy to join our senior leadership team.
They'll play a leading role in teaching on the School's postgraduate courses, & make a significant contribution to research & research leadership in the new School.
Apply by 9 February 2026: bit.ly/4j6UMQ4
They'll play a leading role in teaching on the School's postgraduate courses, & make a significant contribution to research & research leadership in the new School.
Apply by 9 February 2026: bit.ly/4j6UMQ4
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Still utopian: www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/index.p...
Still utopian | The Enlightened Economist
www.enlightenmenteconomics.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Still utopian: www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/index.p...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
For many, the end of the year is an opportunity to catch up on reading or to purchase books as gifts. In 2025, a number of authors joined the Tech Policy Press podcast, providing fresh insights into how technology interacts with people, politics, and power. Check out the list:
Tech Policy Press: The Year in Books 2025 | TechPolicy.Press
In 2025, a number of authors joined the Tech Policy Press podcast, providing fresh insights into how technology interacts with people, politics, and power.
www.techpolicy.press
December 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
For many, the end of the year is an opportunity to catch up on reading or to purchase books as gifts. In 2025, a number of authors joined the Tech Policy Press podcast, providing fresh insights into how technology interacts with people, politics, and power. Check out the list:
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
The Council for Science & Technology which advises the PM is looking for a new member ‘with social & behavioural science expertise’. Great opportunity to bring a social science perspective to the heart of policymaking. Apply by 19 Jan
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9075
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9075
Appointment details – Council for Science and Technology Member – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk
December 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The Council for Science & Technology which advises the PM is looking for a new member ‘with social & behavioural science expertise’. Great opportunity to bring a social science perspective to the heart of policymaking. Apply by 19 Jan
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9075
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/9075
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
After months of learning in our InnovateUS series, the lesson is democracy works when governments can listen, learn, and act on public input.
From Taiwan to California, it shows engagement tied to decisions reduces polarization and builds trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/deliber...
From Taiwan to California, it shows engagement tied to decisions reduces polarization and builds trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/deliber...
Using AI to Support Public Deliberation: A Conversation with Audrey Tang
In this workshop, Audrey Tang and Danielle Allen discuss how AI-enabled civic technologies, paired with radical transparency and thoughtful institutional design, can help democracies respond to proble...
rebootdemocracy.ai
December 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
After months of learning in our InnovateUS series, the lesson is democracy works when governments can listen, learn, and act on public input.
From Taiwan to California, it shows engagement tied to decisions reduces polarization and builds trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/deliber...
From Taiwan to California, it shows engagement tied to decisions reduces polarization and builds trust.
rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/deliber...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Worked hard to get this into Guardian Oz & big props to @fiercemum.bsky.social for setting it up & Melissa Davey for publishing it. She will doubtless get loads of hassle from transphobes for it, but it needs to be out there.
Puberty Blocker bans harm trans kids, no-one should pretend they don’t.
Puberty Blocker bans harm trans kids, no-one should pretend they don’t.
Puberty blocker bans in Queensland and NZ risk extreme harm to trans youth, UK expert warns
Sociologist who surveyed effect of 2024 UK ban says denial of gender-affirming care has left trans and non-binary children in ‘abject misery and severe distress’
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Worked hard to get this into Guardian Oz & big props to @fiercemum.bsky.social for setting it up & Melissa Davey for publishing it. She will doubtless get loads of hassle from transphobes for it, but it needs to be out there.
Puberty Blocker bans harm trans kids, no-one should pretend they don’t.
Puberty Blocker bans harm trans kids, no-one should pretend they don’t.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Overheard on bus in Baden-Baden yesterday. Grouo of teenage students.
'Our teacher creates his worksheets with ChatGPT; we answer them using ChatGPT; he marks them using ChatGPT.'
Thanks to my translator (human).
'Our teacher creates his worksheets with ChatGPT; we answer them using ChatGPT; he marks them using ChatGPT.'
Thanks to my translator (human).
December 20, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Overheard on bus in Baden-Baden yesterday. Grouo of teenage students.
'Our teacher creates his worksheets with ChatGPT; we answer them using ChatGPT; he marks them using ChatGPT.'
Thanks to my translator (human).
'Our teacher creates his worksheets with ChatGPT; we answer them using ChatGPT; he marks them using ChatGPT.'
Thanks to my translator (human).
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Okay, I've read the AISI paper now and it's interesting www.aisi.gov.uk/frontier-ai-... but I do think it could have been much more interesting if they had applied some sociotechnical thinking (and recruited a sociologist to do the social analysis)
December 19, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Okay, I've read the AISI paper now and it's interesting www.aisi.gov.uk/frontier-ai-... but I do think it could have been much more interesting if they had applied some sociotechnical thinking (and recruited a sociologist to do the social analysis)
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
This is actually really, really good.
I've seen a few people understandably respond to this with complaints about poor treatment they have received from doctors. But as the doctor's union, the BMA is an ideal group to argue for better from the profession and from the NHS.
I've seen a few people understandably respond to this with complaints about poor treatment they have received from doctors. But as the doctor's union, the BMA is an ideal group to argue for better from the profession and from the NHS.
The BMA has published an updated policy position on the rights of transgender and non-binary people in healthcare settings.
www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-s...
www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-s...
Policy position on the rights of transgender and non-binary people in healthcare settings
Our policy position is centred around the need to advocate for equitable access to healthcare, create safe and inclusive workplaces for trans and non-binary people working in healthcare settings, and ...
www.bma.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM
This is actually really, really good.
I've seen a few people understandably respond to this with complaints about poor treatment they have received from doctors. But as the doctor's union, the BMA is an ideal group to argue for better from the profession and from the NHS.
I've seen a few people understandably respond to this with complaints about poor treatment they have received from doctors. But as the doctor's union, the BMA is an ideal group to argue for better from the profession and from the NHS.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
This by the excellent @jburnmurdoch.ft.com confirms my view that political trends are being driven by the halting of the upward economic conveyor belt - striking charts: www.ft.com/content/30a4... Welcome to the age of zero-sum politics
Welcome to the age of zero-sum politics
A stalled economic conveyor belt is behind the rise of anti-system, anti-growth parties on both the right and left
www.ft.com
December 19, 2025 at 7:31 AM
This by the excellent @jburnmurdoch.ft.com confirms my view that political trends are being driven by the halting of the upward economic conveyor belt - striking charts: www.ft.com/content/30a4... Welcome to the age of zero-sum politics
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
OpenAI has been grantwashing for a long time. Hope we take it more seriously now.
December 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
OpenAI has been grantwashing for a long time. Hope we take it more seriously now.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI
UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI
Performing arts union Equity says it may hold formal ballot after 99% of actors polled in indicative ballot voted in favour of refusing body scans
Actors have voted in favour of refusing to be digitally scanned in order to prevent their likeness being used by artificial intelligence in a pushback against the use of AI in the arts.
Members of the performing arts union Equity were asked if they would refuse to be scanned while on set, a common practice where actors have their likeness captured for future use, with 99% voting in favour of the move. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
UK actors vote to refuse to be digitally scanned in pushback against AI
You know what's really great about the UK's passport renewal service? It's how you get updates about where your application is at each stage, and have a page you can check about it. No more just sending stuff off and having no idea if it's disappeared into a black hole or is being dealt with.
December 17, 2025 at 1:32 PM
You know what's really great about the UK's passport renewal service? It's how you get updates about where your application is at each stage, and have a page you can check about it. No more just sending stuff off and having no idea if it's disappeared into a black hole or is being dealt with.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Coke admitted they had to generate 70,000 video clips for their latest Christmas slopvertising
BY MY CALCS:
- 4x the CO2 impact of a normal ad project
- 1 day of 2-5 medium hospitals
- 1 month of 250 households
- 44 years of continuous Netflix viewing
futurism.com/artificial-i...
BY MY CALCS:
- 4x the CO2 impact of a normal ad project
- 1 day of 2-5 medium hospitals
- 1 month of 250 households
- 44 years of continuous Netflix viewing
futurism.com/artificial-i...
December 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Coke admitted they had to generate 70,000 video clips for their latest Christmas slopvertising
BY MY CALCS:
- 4x the CO2 impact of a normal ad project
- 1 day of 2-5 medium hospitals
- 1 month of 250 households
- 44 years of continuous Netflix viewing
futurism.com/artificial-i...
BY MY CALCS:
- 4x the CO2 impact of a normal ad project
- 1 day of 2-5 medium hospitals
- 1 month of 250 households
- 44 years of continuous Netflix viewing
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Here's something to look forward to in the new year - a one-day event to mark the 21st birthday of #FOI!
Join us to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future of the UK's Freedom of Information Act. Meet others, get inspired, and discover the lasting impact of FOI. pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
Join us to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future of the UK's Freedom of Information Act. Meet others, get inspired, and discover the lasting impact of FOI. pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
December 17, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Here's something to look forward to in the new year - a one-day event to mark the 21st birthday of #FOI!
Join us to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future of the UK's Freedom of Information Act. Meet others, get inspired, and discover the lasting impact of FOI. pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
Join us to discuss the achievements, challenges, and future of the UK's Freedom of Information Act. Meet others, get inspired, and discover the lasting impact of FOI. pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
We're recruiting a Communications Lead to join our fantastic team. .
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills who can run our press office and lead the way in creating and implementing our new Comms Strategy.
For more info go to transactual.org.uk/jobs
#hiring #vacancy
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills who can run our press office and lead the way in creating and implementing our new Comms Strategy.
For more info go to transactual.org.uk/jobs
#hiring #vacancy
December 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We're recruiting a Communications Lead to join our fantastic team. .
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills who can run our press office and lead the way in creating and implementing our new Comms Strategy.
For more info go to transactual.org.uk/jobs
#hiring #vacancy
We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal skills who can run our press office and lead the way in creating and implementing our new Comms Strategy.
For more info go to transactual.org.uk/jobs
#hiring #vacancy
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
"For those asking the public to trust their AIs, it doesn’t help that systems based on related technology are causing harm in ways all of us hear about daily, from suicide-encouraging chatbots to image generators that devour jobs and intellectual property." www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-d...
AI Can Make Decisions Better Than People Do. So Why Don’t We Trust It?
Machines that show their work, in ways that are impossible for humans, could overcome the public’s inherent distrust.
www.wsj.com
December 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
"For those asking the public to trust their AIs, it doesn’t help that systems based on related technology are causing harm in ways all of us hear about daily, from suicide-encouraging chatbots to image generators that devour jobs and intellectual property." www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-d...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Trans+ people deserve to live, learn and work without being singled out or treated unfairly. As parents of trans+ people, we've seen how discrimination creates barriers in school, healthcare, housing and in everyday public life. It pushes people out of opportunities that others take for granted.
December 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Trans+ people deserve to live, learn and work without being singled out or treated unfairly. As parents of trans+ people, we've seen how discrimination creates barriers in school, healthcare, housing and in everyday public life. It pushes people out of opportunities that others take for granted.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Disenshittificatory countermanoeuvres? www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/index.p...
Disenshittificatory countermanoeuvres? | The Enlightened Economist
www.enlightenmenteconomics.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Disenshittificatory countermanoeuvres? www.enlightenmenteconomics.com/blog/index.p...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
"All of these companies promised the same nebulous crap as current year AI hype babies: brain in a can. Using expert system shells rather than neural nets. Basically because everyone else was doing it." Wolfram & Maplesoft survived, BBN - which invented the Internet as much as any company - did not
Fun post about the AI bubble of the 1980s
scottlocklin.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/t...
scottlocklin.wordpress.com/2025/12/10/t...
The first AI bubble
The first investment bubble in “AI” happened in the 1980s. As I mentioned before, one of the things which kicked it off was Japanese investment in the fifth generation computing projec…
scottlocklin.wordpress.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
"All of these companies promised the same nebulous crap as current year AI hype babies: brain in a can. Using expert system shells rather than neural nets. Basically because everyone else was doing it." Wolfram & Maplesoft survived, BBN - which invented the Internet as much as any company - did not
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Silicon Valley’s Authoritarian Tech Right is not theorizing this world. They are already building it. The pipelines are operational. The feedback loops are functioning. The sovereignty transfers are completing.
A MUST READ 👇
A MUST READ 👇
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
www.authoritarian-stack.info
December 13, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Silicon Valley’s Authoritarian Tech Right is not theorizing this world. They are already building it. The pipelines are operational. The feedback loops are functioning. The sovereignty transfers are completing.
A MUST READ 👇
A MUST READ 👇