logan koepke
@jlkoepke.bsky.social
senior project director @upturn.org. i work on AI/ML + civil rights research. personal views. we have it in our power to begin the world over again.
www.jlkoepke.com
www.jlkoepke.com
Pinned
logan koepke
@jlkoepke.bsky.social
· Nov 18
howdy!
the Georgetown Law Journal has published "Less Discriminatory Algorithms." it's been very fun to work on this w/ Emily Black, Pauline Kim, Solon Barocas, and Ming Hsu.
i hope you give it a read — the article is just the beginning of this line of work.
www.law.georgetown.edu/georgetown-l...
the Georgetown Law Journal has published "Less Discriminatory Algorithms." it's been very fun to work on this w/ Emily Black, Pauline Kim, Solon Barocas, and Ming Hsu.
i hope you give it a read — the article is just the beginning of this line of work.
www.law.georgetown.edu/georgetown-l...
Reposted by logan koepke
some identify publicly with the left because they hate oppression, others because they hate being oppressed. things will make more sense when you keep in mind that these are not the same - or even similar
January 4, 2026 at 10:28 PM
some identify publicly with the left because they hate oppression, others because they hate being oppressed. things will make more sense when you keep in mind that these are not the same - or even similar
congratulations to OpenAI on the Caracas data centers, fueled by Exxon Mobil!
January 3, 2026 at 5:30 PM
congratulations to OpenAI on the Caracas data centers, fueled by Exxon Mobil!
In the last half of 2025, the President of OpenAI donated $25 million to the SuperPAC MAGA, Inc — the single largest contributor
January 3, 2026 at 1:33 AM
In the last half of 2025, the President of OpenAI donated $25 million to the SuperPAC MAGA, Inc — the single largest contributor
Reposted by logan koepke
Mamdani won on affordability, but the real keyworld for the left’s challenges and opportunities is SPEED. Biden was slow, opening the door for Trump 2. Mamdani get it though: deliver fast or die.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
January 2, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Mamdani won on affordability, but the real keyworld for the left’s challenges and opportunities is SPEED. Biden was slow, opening the door for Trump 2. Mamdani get it though: deliver fast or die.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/n...
so the current VC logic is that we should preempt all state AI policy because policymakers in one (1) state *merely proposed* and *have not enacted* a law they believe is bad on the merits.
perhaps other options — say, lobbying! — are on the table!
Image
perhaps other options — say, lobbying! — are on the table!
Image
January 1, 2026 at 9:06 PM
so the current VC logic is that we should preempt all state AI policy because policymakers in one (1) state *merely proposed* and *have not enacted* a law they believe is bad on the merits.
perhaps other options — say, lobbying! — are on the table!
Image
perhaps other options — say, lobbying! — are on the table!
Image
my prediction for 2026 is that many more people will become much more interested in supervisory regulatory authority and how to deploy it in the future
December 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
my prediction for 2026 is that many more people will become much more interested in supervisory regulatory authority and how to deploy it in the future
curious: if the vast majority of AI data center build out was powered by wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and tons of batteries — and fueled significant more investment/deployment in clean tech — would we still see as significant AI data center opposition?
December 29, 2025 at 7:14 PM
curious: if the vast majority of AI data center build out was powered by wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, and tons of batteries — and fueled significant more investment/deployment in clean tech — would we still see as significant AI data center opposition?
Reposted by logan koepke
The “free speech” and “cancel culture” panics have led to overt state censorship because that was always their purpose. (Gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The “free speech” and “cancel culture” panics have led to overt state censorship because that was always their purpose. (Gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
"we need to start to use a percentage of the balance sheets of these companies in order to benefit as many americans as possible."
perhaps an interesting, if inadvertent, admission
perhaps an interesting, if inadvertent, admission
December 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
"we need to start to use a percentage of the balance sheets of these companies in order to benefit as many americans as possible."
perhaps an interesting, if inadvertent, admission
perhaps an interesting, if inadvertent, admission
people certainly (probably rightly) think that AI/electricity costs will be a top issue for voters in 2026.
so far under-appreciated: the role AI will play in making Medicaid work requirement determinations, potentially kicking tens of thousands off their benefits
so far under-appreciated: the role AI will play in making Medicaid work requirement determinations, potentially kicking tens of thousands off their benefits
A consequence of President Trump's signature piece of legislation: it will require states to scramble to "quickly build expensive and complex software systems to measure and track who is eligible [given more stringent work requirements]" and do so with less money.
⬇️
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/u...
⬇️
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/u...
Why a G.O.P. Medicaid Requirement Could Set States Up for Failure
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
people certainly (probably rightly) think that AI/electricity costs will be a top issue for voters in 2026.
so far under-appreciated: the role AI will play in making Medicaid work requirement determinations, potentially kicking tens of thousands off their benefits
so far under-appreciated: the role AI will play in making Medicaid work requirement determinations, potentially kicking tens of thousands off their benefits
Reposted by logan koepke
“In America, one can never escape the inevitability of race. It’s happening now, as you read this—that inevitability, the one built on old power imbalances and a racial hierarchy, is pushing industries to the brink”
reckoning with the reality of DEI for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/dei-di...
reckoning with the reality of DEI for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/dei-di...
DEI Died This Year. Maybe It Was Supposed To
I’m a Black staffer at WIRED. My position feels more precarious than ever. There’s a reason for that.
www.wired.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“In America, one can never escape the inevitability of race. It’s happening now, as you read this—that inevitability, the one built on old power imbalances and a racial hierarchy, is pushing industries to the brink”
reckoning with the reality of DEI for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/dei-di...
reckoning with the reality of DEI for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/dei-di...
Reposted by logan koepke
new from me: are data centers going to wipe out water supplies? how much water does ChatGPT really use? and what's going on with that big correction in Empire of AI?
i went long on the conversation around AI and water, and how it's actually about what we want resources to be used for:
i went long on the conversation around AI and water, and how it's actually about what we want resources to be used for:
You’re Thinking About AI and Water All Wrong
Fears about AI data centers’ water use have exploded. Experts say the reality is far more complicated than people think.
www.wired.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
new from me: are data centers going to wipe out water supplies? how much water does ChatGPT really use? and what's going on with that big correction in Empire of AI?
i went long on the conversation around AI and water, and how it's actually about what we want resources to be used for:
i went long on the conversation around AI and water, and how it's actually about what we want resources to be used for:
Reposted by logan koepke
free advice for democratic policymakers: if the president is about to sign an unlawful executive order attempting to preempt every state AI policy by directing the DOJ to sue states, perhaps don't come out of the gate with "we are not against preemption, we just want preemption lite"
December 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
free advice for democratic policymakers: if the president is about to sign an unlawful executive order attempting to preempt every state AI policy by directing the DOJ to sue states, perhaps don't come out of the gate with "we are not against preemption, we just want preemption lite"
free advice for democratic policymakers: if the president is about to sign an unlawful executive order attempting to preempt every state AI policy by directing the DOJ to sue states, perhaps don't come out of the gate with "we are not against preemption, we just want preemption lite"
December 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
free advice for democratic policymakers: if the president is about to sign an unlawful executive order attempting to preempt every state AI policy by directing the DOJ to sue states, perhaps don't come out of the gate with "we are not against preemption, we just want preemption lite"
"We tend to imagine corruption as ... money buying votes, quid pro quos in backrooms. But money's real power is quieter and deeper. It decides which candidates get to run, which policies are thinkable, and whose voices get amplified or ignored."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
data4democracy.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
"We tend to imagine corruption as ... money buying votes, quid pro quos in backrooms. But money's real power is quieter and deeper. It decides which candidates get to run, which policies are thinkable, and whose voices get amplified or ignored."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
so I understand it: we have to preempt every state AI law because we have to beat China. simultaneously, we have to provide China access to some of our most advanced chips, in order to beat China.
December 10, 2025 at 11:11 PM
so I understand it: we have to preempt every state AI law because we have to beat China. simultaneously, we have to provide China access to some of our most advanced chips, in order to beat China.
I was told by the much vaunted AI Action Plan this wouldn’t happen!
…almost as if the AI Action Plan wasn’t worth the paper it was written on when in service of an authoritarian regime
…almost as if the AI Action Plan wasn’t worth the paper it was written on when in service of an authoritarian regime
December 8, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I was told by the much vaunted AI Action Plan this wouldn’t happen!
…almost as if the AI Action Plan wasn’t worth the paper it was written on when in service of an authoritarian regime
…almost as if the AI Action Plan wasn’t worth the paper it was written on when in service of an authoritarian regime
"we want to financialize everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion” is perhaps the apotheosis of learning the wrong lessons from the past two decades.
The co-founder of Kalshi says: " The long-term vision is to financialize everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion."
December 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"we want to financialize everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion” is perhaps the apotheosis of learning the wrong lessons from the past two decades.
we can be confident that the large technology companies that outsourced a lot of this work will work tirelessly to stand up for their international contractors and workers!
[taps ear]
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
[taps ear]
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Exclusive: Trump administration orders enhanced vetting for applicants of H-1B visa
An internal State Department memo said that anyone involved in "censorship" of free speech should be considered for rejection.
www.reuters.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:04 PM
we can be confident that the large technology companies that outsourced a lot of this work will work tirelessly to stand up for their international contractors and workers!
[taps ear]
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
[taps ear]
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
nearly 1,000 people stood in line this week for a chance at emergency rental aid in DC on the *one day* they could apply after the phone lines crashed due to overwhelming demand
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Hundreds of struggling renters in nation’s capital line up to ask for help
Many had lost jobs and fallen behind on rent. But D.C.’s emergency rental aid program is limited after major budget cuts.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
nearly 1,000 people stood in line this week for a chance at emergency rental aid in DC on the *one day* they could apply after the phone lines crashed due to overwhelming demand
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
proponents of a state AI policy moratorium often argue that state proposals aimed at combatting algorithmic discrimination are “redundant” because of existing civil rights law.
this view is very common! but it is flatly wrong.
this view is very common! but it is flatly wrong.
November 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
proponents of a state AI policy moratorium often argue that state proposals aimed at combatting algorithmic discrimination are “redundant” because of existing civil rights law.
this view is very common! but it is flatly wrong.
this view is very common! but it is flatly wrong.
Reposted by logan koepke
the newest report from my colleagues at Upturn interrogates a set of under-examined automated systems that directly impact the material conditions of your friends, family, and community: Medicaid home care eligibility algorithms.
October 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
the newest report from my colleagues at Upturn interrogates a set of under-examined automated systems that directly impact the material conditions of your friends, family, and community: Medicaid home care eligibility algorithms.