Tom Mullaney
@tommullaney.bsky.social
Tom Mullaney (he/him) helps teachers design creative, inclusive lessons and think critically about generative AI, EdTech, and pedagogy.
🌐 tommullaney.com
📰 criticalinkling.com
No MAGA, Bitcoin, Crypto, or AI hype.
🌐 tommullaney.com
📰 criticalinkling.com
No MAGA, Bitcoin, Crypto, or AI hype.
Pinned
Tom Mullaney
@tommullaney.bsky.social
· Nov 12
Hello, #EduSky, I'm Tom Mullaney. I taught Special Education and Social Studies. Now I present to schools about educational technology. I write critically about AI in EDU.
www.criticalinkling.com
And I'm a face painter. Gotta support the team.
www.criticalinkling.com
And I'm a face painter. Gotta support the team.
It's not unreasonable for teachers to avoid technology that comes with whistleblowers. #EduSky
It’s a year since Suchir Balaji, the former OpenAI employee who spoke out on copyright, died.
In the brief time in which I got to know him, it was immediately apparent that he was an incredible person.
🧵 1/8
In the brief time in which I got to know him, it was immediately apparent that he was an incredible person.
🧵 1/8
January 10, 2026 at 3:05 PM
It's not unreasonable for teachers to avoid technology that comes with whistleblowers. #EduSky
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
If you do one thing today, I encourage you to read his essay on fair use, and the accompanying New York Times article. He and his work deserve to be remembered.
suchir.net/fair_use.html
www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/t...
/end
suchir.net/fair_use.html
www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/t...
/end
When does generative AI qualify for fair use?
suchir.net
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
If you do one thing today, I encourage you to read his essay on fair use, and the accompanying New York Times article. He and his work deserve to be remembered.
suchir.net/fair_use.html
www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/t...
/end
suchir.net/fair_use.html
www.nytimes.com/2024/10/23/t...
/end
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
He thought deeply about the issue of AI & copyright, and he came to the conclusion that you could not argue that all AI training is fair use.
5/8
5/8
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
He thought deeply about the issue of AI & copyright, and he came to the conclusion that you could not argue that all AI training is fair use.
5/8
5/8
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
He thought creatives were being treated unfairly, and he wanted to support them.
Among other things, he worked on collecting data for OpenAI’s models. He joined the company before ChatGPT was released. Over time, he came to believe what they were doing was unfair.
4/8
Among other things, he worked on collecting data for OpenAI’s models. He joined the company before ChatGPT was released. Over time, he came to believe what they were doing was unfair.
4/8
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
He thought creatives were being treated unfairly, and he wanted to support them.
Among other things, he worked on collecting data for OpenAI’s models. He joined the company before ChatGPT was released. Over time, he came to believe what they were doing was unfair.
4/8
Among other things, he worked on collecting data for OpenAI’s models. He joined the company before ChatGPT was released. Over time, he came to believe what they were doing was unfair.
4/8
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
By all accounts one of the most well thought of researchers at OpenAI, he also became a hero to the creative community when he broke with the company and said he thought they were infringing copyright.
2/8
2/8
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
By all accounts one of the most well thought of researchers at OpenAI, he also became a hero to the creative community when he broke with the company and said he thought they were infringing copyright.
2/8
2/8
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
It’s a year since Suchir Balaji, the former OpenAI employee who spoke out on copyright, died.
In the brief time in which I got to know him, it was immediately apparent that he was an incredible person.
🧵 1/8
In the brief time in which I got to know him, it was immediately apparent that he was an incredible person.
🧵 1/8
November 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM
It’s a year since Suchir Balaji, the former OpenAI employee who spoke out on copyright, died.
In the brief time in which I got to know him, it was immediately apparent that he was an incredible person.
🧵 1/8
In the brief time in which I got to know him, it was immediately apparent that he was an incredible person.
🧵 1/8
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
Rethinking Schools published my article about pushing back on some of the arguments made by those seeking to rush AI tools into schools.
Resisting AI Mania in Schools
A former English teacher takes on many of the arguments of AI promoters.
rethinkingschools.org
January 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Rethinking Schools published my article about pushing back on some of the arguments made by those seeking to rush AI tools into schools.
I'm so happy @sarapequeno.bsky.social will be posting more to BlueSky. One of the best political writers. Give her a follow.
Happy New Year! One of my resolutions is to post more of my stories on Bluesky.
Speaking of resolutions, here are three I came up with for the new mayor of New York City.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Speaking of resolutions, here are three I came up with for the new mayor of New York City.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Now that Mamdani is sworn in, New Yorkers can't tune out | Opinion
Zohran Mamdani talked a big game in New York City's race for mayor, and now it’s time for the democratic socialist and his team to lock in.
www.usatoday.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I'm so happy @sarapequeno.bsky.social will be posting more to BlueSky. One of the best political writers. Give her a follow.
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
Happy New Year! One of my resolutions is to post more of my stories on Bluesky.
Speaking of resolutions, here are three I came up with for the new mayor of New York City.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Speaking of resolutions, here are three I came up with for the new mayor of New York City.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Now that Mamdani is sworn in, New Yorkers can't tune out | Opinion
Zohran Mamdani talked a big game in New York City's race for mayor, and now it’s time for the democratic socialist and his team to lock in.
www.usatoday.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Happy New Year! One of my resolutions is to post more of my stories on Bluesky.
Speaking of resolutions, here are three I came up with for the new mayor of New York City.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Speaking of resolutions, here are three I came up with for the new mayor of New York City.
www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
Questions:
1) Will Democrats listen to voters, advocate for regulating AI/stopping data centers, and ride that to electoral victory?
2) Will K-12 schools listen to the public and slow their roll?
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
1) Will Democrats listen to voters, advocate for regulating AI/stopping data centers, and ride that to electoral victory?
2) Will K-12 schools listen to the public and slow their roll?
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Americans Hate AI. Which Party Will Benefit?
Party insiders are divided on how to channel Americans’ growing fear of AI.
www.politico.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Questions:
1) Will Democrats listen to voters, advocate for regulating AI/stopping data centers, and ride that to electoral victory?
2) Will K-12 schools listen to the public and slow their roll?
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
1) Will Democrats listen to voters, advocate for regulating AI/stopping data centers, and ride that to electoral victory?
2) Will K-12 schools listen to the public and slow their roll?
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
For those needing a reminder of how powerful and transformative generative AI can be. www.tiktok.com/@lian.benpor...
The struggle is real 😑 #actorslife #fyp #selftapeaudition #ai
TikTok video by It’smeLian
www.tiktok.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
For those needing a reminder of how powerful and transformative generative AI can be. www.tiktok.com/@lian.benpor...
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
It's truly wild to me that this just keeps happening. Coca-Cola runs an AI ad and people overwhelmingly react with disgust. They do it again, and people are disgusted again. Now McDonald's makes an AI ad that's so bad that so many people are furious about it they pull it down.
People hate AI slop!
People hate AI slop!
McDonald's Pulls Down AI-Generated Holiday Ad After Deluge of Mockery
McDonald's Netherlands is catching flak for a stupefying AI-generated video, which was roundly condemned on social media.
futurism.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
It's truly wild to me that this just keeps happening. Coca-Cola runs an AI ad and people overwhelmingly react with disgust. They do it again, and people are disgusted again. Now McDonald's makes an AI ad that's so bad that so many people are furious about it they pull it down.
People hate AI slop!
People hate AI slop!
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
When we interact with automated (or "automated") systems, whether by choice or not, we are engaging with a global system of labor exploitation
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
Report Reveals the Devastating Cost of AI Intimacy
Plus, what an uncanny customer service experience taught us about global systems of labor exploitation
buttondown.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
When we interact with automated (or "automated") systems, whether by choice or not, we are engaging with a global system of labor exploitation
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
APUSH Teachers: If you have your students tomorrow, I have a Festivus-themed review game for you.
www.criticalinkling.com/p/festivus-a...
www.criticalinkling.com/p/festivus-a...
Festivus Themed APUSH Review
I have not been writing as much lately because I am teaching AP US History for a few months.
www.criticalinkling.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
APUSH Teachers: If you have your students tomorrow, I have a Festivus-themed review game for you.
www.criticalinkling.com/p/festivus-a...
www.criticalinkling.com/p/festivus-a...
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
This was a fantastic chat with my good friend @tommullaney.bsky.social - and my first middle school friendly appearance!
It was an honor joining my friend, @flipperpa.bsky.social, on a podcast to talk about what kids should know about generative AI. #EduSky #GenerativeAI
www.buzzsprout.com/2345747/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2345747/epis...
AI Slop, Character.ai Risks, and Spotting AI Hype (Middle School+) - AI for Kids
What do kids really touch when they “use AI”? We sat down with educator Tom Mullaney and early virtual economy pioneer Tim Allen to strip away the buzzwords and bring AI back to what children actually...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:48 PM
This was a fantastic chat with my good friend @tommullaney.bsky.social - and my first middle school friendly appearance!
It was an honor joining my friend, @flipperpa.bsky.social, on a podcast to talk about what kids should know about generative AI. #EduSky #GenerativeAI
www.buzzsprout.com/2345747/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2345747/epis...
AI Slop, Character.ai Risks, and Spotting AI Hype (Middle School+) - AI for Kids
What do kids really touch when they “use AI”? We sat down with educator Tom Mullaney and early virtual economy pioneer Tim Allen to strip away the buzzwords and bring AI back to what children actually...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It was an honor joining my friend, @flipperpa.bsky.social, on a podcast to talk about what kids should know about generative AI. #EduSky #GenerativeAI
www.buzzsprout.com/2345747/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2345747/epis...
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
No one before Sam successfully raised a child, which is why the human species went extinct in Mesopotamia. Seriously, the best way to read this is that countless billions of humans did just fine but Sam is not as competent and self-reliant as them, and that's what AI wants us to be: dependent.
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
No one before Sam successfully raised a child, which is why the human species went extinct in Mesopotamia. Seriously, the best way to read this is that countless billions of humans did just fine but Sam is not as competent and self-reliant as them, and that's what AI wants us to be: dependent.
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
"Big Tech and data center developers appear to be siting data centers in vulnerable communities...These locations show a troubling trend - they primarily impact working class and Black and Latine communities."
The Unequal Burden of Data Centers - Kapor Foundation
An examination of the Environmental and Public Health Impacts on Communities in California
kaporfoundation.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"Big Tech and data center developers appear to be siting data centers in vulnerable communities...These locations show a troubling trend - they primarily impact working class and Black and Latine communities."
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
An abfab post from @tommullaney.bsky.social I reread selfishly as some think I am foolish for caring more about our lack of reading literacy than false hopes of the future- which, ironically, would still need critical reading.... #TLSky #EduSky www.criticalinkling.com/p/teachers-n...
Teachers, Not Time Travelers
Use Your Critical Thinking 🧢, not your 🔮, when considering "AI" in education.
www.criticalinkling.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
An abfab post from @tommullaney.bsky.social I reread selfishly as some think I am foolish for caring more about our lack of reading literacy than false hopes of the future- which, ironically, would still need critical reading.... #TLSky #EduSky www.criticalinkling.com/p/teachers-n...
There is increasing evidence of harm resulting from chatbot usage. We need to protect students. @techpolicypress.bsky.social
#EduSky #AIinEDU
www.techpolicy.press/uk-laws-do-n...
#EduSky #AIinEDU
www.techpolicy.press/uk-laws-do-n...
UK Laws Do Not Provide Effective Protection From Chatbot Harms | TechPolicy.Press
Julia Smakman explores how the UK is falling behind on laws and policies needed to protect people from the growing risks of AI chatbots and advanced assistants.
www.techpolicy.press
December 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
There is increasing evidence of harm resulting from chatbot usage. We need to protect students. @techpolicypress.bsky.social
#EduSky #AIinEDU
www.techpolicy.press/uk-laws-do-n...
#EduSky #AIinEDU
www.techpolicy.press/uk-laws-do-n...
"Another enormous task that has been put on their plates by the fad-obsessed."
Exactly right, @lutzfernandez.bsky.social! @aft.org needs to step up to protect children and teachers, not partner with tech giants.
#EduSky #AIinEDU
Exactly right, @lutzfernandez.bsky.social! @aft.org needs to step up to protect children and teachers, not partner with tech giants.
#EduSky #AIinEDU
The issues teachers told this researcher they needed help with are longstanding problems that have gotten worse. The newer one is tech/AI, which they are struggling with--because it is another enormous task that has been put on their plates by the fad-obsessed.
December 10, 2025 at 11:56 AM
"Another enormous task that has been put on their plates by the fad-obsessed."
Exactly right, @lutzfernandez.bsky.social! @aft.org needs to step up to protect children and teachers, not partner with tech giants.
#EduSky #AIinEDU
Exactly right, @lutzfernandez.bsky.social! @aft.org needs to step up to protect children and teachers, not partner with tech giants.
#EduSky #AIinEDU
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
The issues teachers told this researcher they needed help with are longstanding problems that have gotten worse. The newer one is tech/AI, which they are struggling with--because it is another enormous task that has been put on their plates by the fad-obsessed.
December 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The issues teachers told this researcher they needed help with are longstanding problems that have gotten worse. The newer one is tech/AI, which they are struggling with--because it is another enormous task that has been put on their plates by the fad-obsessed.
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
I have issues with the research conducted here and some of its conclusions, but there is no question PD often sucks. Teacher surveys have shown this for years. A problem right this minute now is we're trading one focus for another--how to use AI--that doesn't address teacher or student needs.
December 10, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I have issues with the research conducted here and some of its conclusions, but there is no question PD often sucks. Teacher surveys have shown this for years. A problem right this minute now is we're trading one focus for another--how to use AI--that doesn't address teacher or student needs.
Reposted by Tom Mullaney
Oh joy, another helpful AI infographic via LinkedIn. Off I go to my job as a liberaian, maybe to run some critical evaligane workshops and of course use New! Boulean! Logic!
December 2, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Oh joy, another helpful AI infographic via LinkedIn. Off I go to my job as a liberaian, maybe to run some critical evaligane workshops and of course use New! Boulean! Logic!
