Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
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mctd.bsky.social
Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
@mctd.bsky.social
Radically rethinking power relationships between digital technologies, society, and the planet | 📍 University of Cambridge | Sign-up to our mailing list ➡️ http://tinyurl.com/minderoocambs | Latest: https://linktr.ee/mctdcambridge
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NEW REPORT 🚨 BSL is Not for Sale

Sign Language AI systems are being rolled out across the UK's public services without proper consultation with Deaf communities❗

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/bsl-not-for-...
@ginasue.bsky.social joined Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday to discuss harms from AI chatbots.

She argued that without building trust, we won't see the benefits of AI adoption, and called on the UK seize the unique opportunity we have to get governance of AI right.

www.mctd.ac.uk/watch-protec...
Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Professor Gina Neff joins panel on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg to discuss harms caused by AI Chatbots Our Executive Director, Professor Gina Neff, joined this week’s episode of Sunday with Laura Kuen...
www.mctd.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:52 PM
UPCOMING 📚 The Impact of GenAI on the Novel

Join us for the (online) launch of a new report from Dr @clemicollett.bsky.social @braiduk.bsky.social (in assoc with @ifow.org) on how generative AI is impacting novelists and the publishing industry.

Book your spot ➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/events/gener...
November 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Discussion of "The Rise of Techno-Authoritarian Control," hosted by @ginasue.bsky.social from the @mctd.bsky.social.

Featuring UCLA Professor @safiyanoble.bsky.social.

From April 2025.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ty...
Keynote: The Rise of Techno-Authoritarian Control - Safiya Noble in conversation with Gina Neff
YouTube video by Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy
www.youtube.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
How can the law keep up with tech in the AI era❓

We recently hosted a convo with Prof Mimi Zou of UNSW at @crasshlive.bsky.social to mark the publication of 'The Cambridge Handbook of GenAI and the Law' from @cambridge.org.

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/cambridge-ha...
October 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
NEW 📚 Data Protection in Humanitarian Action

Our team (Timothy Charlton, Cassie Seo, and Julia Feigen) contributed 2️⃣ chapters to a new anthology from @icrc.org and @unhcr.org exploring data protection as a key enabler of responsible humanitarian action.

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/book-data-pr...
October 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
As data centres lock in renewable capacity, are we crowding out the ability to decarbonise other sectors❓

Our ED @ginasue.bsky.social reflects on a Reframe Venture workshop bringing together investors and researchers on what the AI booms means for climate change.

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/sustainabili...
The sustainability challenges at the heart of the AI boom
Our Executive Director Professor Gina Neff reflects on a Reframe Venture workshop on what the AI booms means for climate change.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Gina Neff @ginasue.bsky.social shares her research on the evolution of technology and how it is shaping AI and the future of work. #cscw2025
October 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
For the #CSCW2025 closing keynote, @ginasue.bsky.social discusses the myth of automation: automation uncovers and foregrounds current sociotechnical configurations. Technological innovation doesn't happen overnight, it's negotiated by people on the ground over time.
October 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Gina Neff @ginasue.bsky.social : What the CSCW community is well positioned to do:

*recognize work of negotiating innovation
*prepare people for increased capacity
*map institutional constraints
*co-create social structures that bring people together

#cscw2025
October 22, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
It's the final day of #cscw2025! I can't believe how quickly the last week has gone by, but I'm feeling very energized by this community, and I'm especially looking forward to Gina Neff (@ginasue.bsky.social) giving the closing keynote this afternoon.
October 22, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Today's AWS outage, which affected a range of websites and applications—from Signal to Fortnite to key UK government services—reveals the dangers of relying on a handful of Big Tech firms, write Article 19's Corinne Cath and Don Le. These are not glitches; they are democratic failures, they say.
Amazon Cloud Outage Reveals Democratic Deficit in Relying on Big Tech | TechPolicy.Press
The AWS outage demonstrates the need for a fundamental shift in how we think about digital infrastructure, write Corinne Cath and Don Le.
www.techpolicy.press
October 20, 2025 at 2:03 PM
What does today's announcement of AI growth labs mean for responsible innovation, regulation, and growth?

Our director Gina Neff shared insights on the Today Programme this morning. Listen back here 👇

www.mctd.ac.uk/listen-ai-gr...
AI Growth Labs are an opportunity for the UK to strike the right balance between AI innovation and regulation – Gina Neff on BBC Radio 4 Today
Professor Gina Neff appears on BBC Radio 4 Today to give her view on AI Growth Labs.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
How are algorithms affecting the ethics and politics of today's society?

⏰ Mon 20 Oct, 7pm BST- online free and open to all

Join Prof Louise Amoore and Dr Audrey Borowski to discuss ethically responsible algorithms and their relationship to power and political order

www.mctd.ac.uk/events/ai-th...
AI and the Digital: On Cloud Ethics and Beyond
Louise Amoore and our Affiliate Dr Audrey Borowski will discuss the ethical responsibility of algorithms.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Freedom or Fear? The Lib Dems’ Digital Divide 💭

@ngidda.bsky.social reflects on the @libdems.org.uk Conference, observing that tech for the Lib Dems isn't just a policy debate, but a palpable anxiety about how to shield future generations from the modern internet.

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/freedom-or-f...
Freedom or Fear? The Lib Dems’ Digital Divide
Our Head of Strategic Communications, Navneet Gidda, reflects on the Liberal Democrats Conference 2025 in Bournemouth.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
We're excited to announce details of our seminar series for Michaelmas, convened by our postdoctoral scholar, Ashwin Varghese.

Register for your next event: shorturl.at/saRod.

#AlgorithmicGovernance
October 9, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Really pleased with this new paper out with Peter Nagy and the reception we are getting for it.
When your AI friend changes overnight: the complicated relationship between humans and chatbots 🔍

Read the paper @ginasue.bsky.social discusses in the episode, it explores how Replika users responded when their AI companions suddenly changed.

More details ➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/quasi-domest...
The quasi-domestication of social chatbots: The case of Replika
New research in New Media & Society from Professor Gina Neff and Peter Nagy explores how Replika users responded when their AI companions suddenly changed.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The race to exploit online intimacy could reinforce regressive stereotypes and facilitate child sexual abuse material❗

BBC Woman’s Hour spoke to our ED @ginasue.bsky.social about her latest research and what AI girlfriends could mean for women.

Listen now 🎧➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/ai-girlfrien...
AI 'girlfriends', Japan's PM designate, Hope Reese, Musica Secreta – Gina Neff on BBC Woman's Hour
BBC Woman's Hour hosted a conversation with our Executive Director Professor Gina Neff and journalist Amelia Gentleman about what AI girlfriends could mean for women.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
CALL FOR PAPERS 🧠

We're co-hosting Cambridge Disinformation Summit 2026! Each year, the Summit convenes academics, legislators, and regulators to explore systemic risks from disinfo supported by AI and online platforms.

The Summit is now accepting papers! ➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/call-for-pap...
Call for Papers: Cambridge Disinformation Summit 2026
Submissions are now open for the Cambridge Disinformation Summit 2026.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 8, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Will AI really deliver against the hype❓

@wired.com brought together a group of senior leaders to discuss the future of AI. Our ED @ginasue.bsky.social took part in the debate, w/ @azeem.bsky.social @rory-stewart.bsky.social, exploring the political economy of AI.

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/the-real-mea...
October 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
Call for Papers now open for the

Cambridge Disinformation Summit, 8-10 April 2026.

Research on systemic risks from technology that affects information streams or the amplification or monetization of disinformation.

Hosted with @mctd.bsky.social.

Information: www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/cambr...
Cambridge disinformation summit (2026) - Cambridge Judge Business School
Connect with Cambridge Judge! Explore our full calendar of upcoming events, learn about our programmes and connect with world-class speakers.
www.jbs.cam.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Getting tech right is vital in Labour’s quest for “national renewal” 💭

@tomlacy.bsky.social reflects on last week's @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Conference. He reacts to announcements on tech policy, shares insights from the panels, and considers tech hype vs reality.

➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/getting-tech...
Getting tech right is vital in Labour’s quest for “national renewal”
Our Policy and Impact Manager, Tom Lacy, reflects on his time at Labour Conference 2025.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Are you curious about the future of the law in the age of AI? 🤔

Join our convo with Prof Mimi Zou, editor of 'The Cambridge Handbook of GenAI and the Law', next week! Hosted by @annkristinglenster.bsky.social with @cambridgelaw.bsky.social and @wipo.int.

Book now ➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/events/book-...
Book Launch: Cambridge Handbook of Generative AI and the Law
Join us in Cambridge for the launch of The Cambridge Handbook of Generative AI and the Law, a new anthology bridging the gap between legal concepts and real-world applications of GenAI.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Is AI a friend to democracy or a potential enemy❓

Our ED @ginasue.bsky.social was on BBC Radio Ulster this morning discussing AI as a force of centralisation and control and how the tech industry is fueling ideologies of unchecked economic growth.

Listen now 🎧 ➡️ www.mctd.ac.uk/ai-democracy...
Is AI a friend to democracy or a potential enemy? – Gina Neff on BBC Radio Ulster Talkback
Our Executive Director Professor Gina Neff appeared on today’s BBC Radio Ulster Talkback to discuss how AI will shape the future of politics and democratic governance.
www.mctd.ac.uk
October 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
📢 Calling all local council staff & @cam.ac.uk #AI researchers!

Join our new #AI in Local Government Fair to hear directly from councils about their toughest challenges and explore together how AI can strengthen #publicservices.

📅 Monday 24 November
➡️ Apply now: ai.cam.ac.uk/calls/ai-in-...
September 26, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Minderoo Centre for Technology & Democracy
"Like so many of these so-called think tanks, the Tony Blair Institute dances to the tune of its funders"

Was so great to talk about Blair, Larry Ellison, Keir Stamer and corporate capture with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social on Democracy for Sale

democracyforsale.substack.com/p/george-mon...
George Monbiot on Blair, Starmer and the capture of democracy
I spoke with the celebrated journalist and activist about ‘junk tanks’, dark money - and how we can fight back
democracyforsale.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM