Alastair Reid
@ajreid.bsky.social
Senior journalist, BBC News digital formats team, aka finding new ways to do the news. Prevs: Big Issue, PA Media, First Draft, Journalism.co.uk, AJ English.
Reposted by Alastair Reid
just parent your fucking kids oh my god!!!! no one made you have them!! be a responsible adult!
Some parents are letting their kids talk to ChatGPT in the guise of characters. Some are using it to tell bedtime stories or create coloring books.
"My son thinks ChatGPT is the coolest train loving person in the world. The bar is set so high now I am never going to be able to compete with that.”
"My son thinks ChatGPT is the coolest train loving person in the world. The bar is set so high now I am never going to be able to compete with that.”
‘My son genuinely believed it was real’: Parents are letting little kids play with AI. Are they wrong?
Some believe AI can spark their child’s imagination through personalized stories and generative images. Scientists are wary of its affect on creativity
www.theguardian.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
just parent your fucking kids oh my god!!!! no one made you have them!! be a responsible adult!
Reposted by Alastair Reid
New post just out:
"The financial crisis theory of everything"
Why the 2008 crash was the WW1 of our generation that led to nearly all of the problems we have today - from the rise of the radical right to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The financial crisis theory of everything"
Why the 2008 crash was the WW1 of our generation that led to nearly all of the problems we have today - from the rise of the radical right to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The financial crisis theory of everything
Last month there was a fascinating poll from More in Common asking people to pick the main reason Britain is “on the wrong track”.
open.substack.com
August 26, 2025 at 7:41 AM
New post just out:
"The financial crisis theory of everything"
Why the 2008 crash was the WW1 of our generation that led to nearly all of the problems we have today - from the rise of the radical right to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The financial crisis theory of everything"
Why the 2008 crash was the WW1 of our generation that led to nearly all of the problems we have today - from the rise of the radical right to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Reposted by Alastair Reid
An M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return. It jibes with the emerging idea that generative A.I., “in its current incarnation, simply isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be,” johncassidysays.bsky.social writes.
The A.I.-Profits Drought and the Lessons of History
Like the steam engine, electricity, and computers, generative artificial intelligence could take longer than expected to transform the economy.
www.newyorker.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:43 PM
An M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return. It jibes with the emerging idea that generative A.I., “in its current incarnation, simply isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be,” johncassidysays.bsky.social writes.
Reposted by Alastair Reid
A great many more people protested the plight of Sheffield Wednesday this month than have attended any protest against asylum hotels
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sheffield Wednesday fans hold Chansiri protest ahead of home game
Fans want owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell the club following a turbulent time.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 25, 2025 at 9:08 AM
A great many more people protested the plight of Sheffield Wednesday this month than have attended any protest against asylum hotels
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alastair Reid
The thing you don’t see about lengthy libel cases like this is the mental impact on witnesses - and on news outlets’ willingness to do similar stories.
Respect to all the women who chose to go to court to defend this story - plus Sirin Kale, Lucy Osborne, Paul Lewis and the Guardian team.
Respect to all the women who chose to go to court to defend this story - plus Sirin Kale, Lucy Osborne, Paul Lewis and the Guardian team.
The Guardian has successfully defended a libel action brought by the actor Noel Clarke over an investigation by the newspaper in which he was accused of sexual misconduct by more than 20 women.
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/a...
Noel Clarke loses libel case against Guardian over sexual misconduct investigation
High court rejects actor’s claim that accusations against him by more than 20 women were false and part of a conspiracy
www.theguardian.com
August 22, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The thing you don’t see about lengthy libel cases like this is the mental impact on witnesses - and on news outlets’ willingness to do similar stories.
Respect to all the women who chose to go to court to defend this story - plus Sirin Kale, Lucy Osborne, Paul Lewis and the Guardian team.
Respect to all the women who chose to go to court to defend this story - plus Sirin Kale, Lucy Osborne, Paul Lewis and the Guardian team.
Reposted by Alastair Reid
On the left: Nate Cavanagh, a 28-year-old DOGE staffer and college dropout.
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
August 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
On the left: Nate Cavanagh, a 28-year-old DOGE staffer and college dropout.
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
Reposted by Alastair Reid
I alerted Meta in Feb to a network of ~100 hoax pages connected to Vietnam. Instead of shrinking, the network expanded—using AI slop, deceptive “static video” & hacked accounts to exploit algorithms for profit & influence. I just found another ~130 pages.
Celebrity slop: Hoax pages thrive under Meta’s loosened moderation
Indicator identified more than 100 foreign-run Facebook pages that use AI to spread false claims about celebs like Stephen Colbert, Caitlin Clark and others
indicator.media
August 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I alerted Meta in Feb to a network of ~100 hoax pages connected to Vietnam. Instead of shrinking, the network expanded—using AI slop, deceptive “static video” & hacked accounts to exploit algorithms for profit & influence. I just found another ~130 pages.
Reposted by Alastair Reid
As per previous tweet - Labour are missing as they didn't file their accounts in time...
August 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
As per previous tweet - Labour are missing as they didn't file their accounts in time...
Reposted by Alastair Reid
UK political party income and expenditure in 2024, out today from the Electoral Commission:
![Party Income Expenditure
Total £90,879,328 £90,888,325
Conservative and Unionist Party £50,174,000 £52,027,000
Liberal Democrats £12,580,154 £11,516,811
Reform UK £10,832,716 £9,314,587
Green Party £5,217,767 £4,985,310
Scottish National Party (SNP) £4,506,027 £4,961,281
Co-operative Party £1,816,732 £1,754,930
Sinn Féin £1,068,608 £1,490,829
Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales £1,033,111 £1,045,798
Scottish Green Party £544,939 £597,724
Communist Party of Britain £494,906 £276,853
Alliance - Alliance Party of Northern Ireland £475,562 £500,017
The Reclaim Party £475,061 £837,959
SDLP (Social Democratic & Labour Party) £474,574 £442,380
Women's Equality Party [De-registered 31/12/24] £471,464 £501,318
Democratic Unionist Party - D.U.P. £441,985 £436,146
UK Independence Party (UKIP) £271,722 £199,382](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6laekojw3whqu64tlaxopvgx/bafkreih4dfafhrtb536om4c2ld2lp4vabgdubb3tpso7m2lwscmmiuvb5y@jpeg)
August 21, 2025 at 8:52 AM
UK political party income and expenditure in 2024, out today from the Electoral Commission:
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Hello. I wrote a nice long essay about AI and this very strange moment where we're constantly told we're living in the dawn of a strange new future but the only thing that's actually clear is that everyone feels pretty unmoored and uncertain. I hope you'll read it
AI Is a Mass-Delusion Event
Three years in, one of AI’s enduring impacts is to make people feel like they’re losing it.
www.theatlantic.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Hello. I wrote a nice long essay about AI and this very strange moment where we're constantly told we're living in the dawn of a strange new future but the only thing that's actually clear is that everyone feels pretty unmoored and uncertain. I hope you'll read it
Reposted by Alastair Reid
this is so wonderfully weird, give her all the golds 🥇
August 18, 2025 at 12:16 AM
this is so wonderfully weird, give her all the golds 🥇
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Police report one arrest, for breaking a cordon line.
The police did not intervene in the use of a "Kill 'Em All" banner, either by arresting the protestor, nor even in telling him not to display it.
The police did not intervene in the use of a "Kill 'Em All" banner, either by arresting the protestor, nor even in telling him not to display it.
August 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Police report one arrest, for breaking a cordon line.
The police did not intervene in the use of a "Kill 'Em All" banner, either by arresting the protestor, nor even in telling him not to display it.
The police did not intervene in the use of a "Kill 'Em All" banner, either by arresting the protestor, nor even in telling him not to display it.
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Reposted by Alastair Reid
@gralefrit.bsky.social You have to see these! A friend of mine has been collating a series of images entitled "Things my students have written turned into Philomena Cunk quotes" and they're just glorious.
August 11, 2025 at 11:12 AM
@gralefrit.bsky.social You have to see these! A friend of mine has been collating a series of images entitled "Things my students have written turned into Philomena Cunk quotes" and they're just glorious.
Reposted by Alastair Reid
I’m doing a printed mag of type-in web pages (like ‘80s computer mags did with BASIC programs) and it just occurred to me that one of them could be an image
Any illustrators fancy the challenge of making an image that’s (a) a fun surprise when you see it, & (b) a very small SVG file when exported..?
Any illustrators fancy the challenge of making an image that’s (a) a fun surprise when you see it, & (b) a very small SVG file when exported..?
August 13, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I’m doing a printed mag of type-in web pages (like ‘80s computer mags did with BASIC programs) and it just occurred to me that one of them could be an image
Any illustrators fancy the challenge of making an image that’s (a) a fun surprise when you see it, & (b) a very small SVG file when exported..?
Any illustrators fancy the challenge of making an image that’s (a) a fun surprise when you see it, & (b) a very small SVG file when exported..?
Reposted by Alastair Reid
“The AI in the study probably prompted doctors to become over-reliant on its recommendations, ‘leading to clinicians becoming less motivated, less focused, and less responsible when making cognitive decisions without AI assistance,’ the scientists said in the paper.”
AI Eroded Doctors’ Ability to Spot Cancer Within Months in Study
Artificial intelligence, touted for its potential to transform medicine, led to some doctors losing skills after just a few months in a new study.
www.bloomberg.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“The AI in the study probably prompted doctors to become over-reliant on its recommendations, ‘leading to clinicians becoming less motivated, less focused, and less responsible when making cognitive decisions without AI assistance,’ the scientists said in the paper.”
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Remember that viral story last week about Angela Rayner bulldozing allotments? Which even the allotment society somewhat debunked?
I looked into one of the sites and it’s wilder still: they are *increasing* the number of allotments, not cutting them. capx.co/angela-rayne...
I looked into one of the sites and it’s wilder still: they are *increasing* the number of allotments, not cutting them. capx.co/angela-rayne...
READ MORE
The Telegraph has launched a new campaign against Labour's housebuilding plans
capx.co
August 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Remember that viral story last week about Angela Rayner bulldozing allotments? Which even the allotment society somewhat debunked?
I looked into one of the sites and it’s wilder still: they are *increasing* the number of allotments, not cutting them. capx.co/angela-rayne...
I looked into one of the sites and it’s wilder still: they are *increasing* the number of allotments, not cutting them. capx.co/angela-rayne...
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Low-income and minority ethnic people in England most at risk from dangerously hot homes
- Homes are heating up as summers get hotter but least well-off are shouldering greatest risk, study finds
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
- Homes are heating up as summers get hotter but least well-off are shouldering greatest risk, study finds
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Low-income and minority ethnic people in England most at risk from dangerously hot homes
Exclusive: Homes are heating up as summers get hotter but least well-off are shouldering greatest risk, study finds
www.theguardian.com
August 11, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Low-income and minority ethnic people in England most at risk from dangerously hot homes
- Homes are heating up as summers get hotter but least well-off are shouldering greatest risk, study finds
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
- Homes are heating up as summers get hotter but least well-off are shouldering greatest risk, study finds
#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Trump's Truth Social launched an AI "answer engine" reports @drewharwell.com. But "Truth Search AI contradicts the president by saying that tariffs are a tax on Americans, the 2020 election wasn’t stolen, and his family’s cryptocurrency investments pose a potential conflict of interest." [Gift link]
New chatbot on Trump’s Truth Social platform keeps contradicting him
An “answer engine” on Trump’s social media site says the 2020 election wasn’t stolen, tariffs aren’t boosting the stock market and Barack Obama is seen favorably.
wapo.st
August 10, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Trump's Truth Social launched an AI "answer engine" reports @drewharwell.com. But "Truth Search AI contradicts the president by saying that tariffs are a tax on Americans, the 2020 election wasn’t stolen, and his family’s cryptocurrency investments pose a potential conflict of interest." [Gift link]
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Original painting: art, deliberate, soulful
AI 'exploration' of original painting: not art, ghoulish, inhuman, emperor's new clothes
Putting the Doom UI over it: art, intentional, hilarious, human, quietly profound
AI 'exploration' of original painting: not art, ghoulish, inhuman, emperor's new clothes
Putting the Doom UI over it: art, intentional, hilarious, human, quietly profound
August 9, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Original painting: art, deliberate, soulful
AI 'exploration' of original painting: not art, ghoulish, inhuman, emperor's new clothes
Putting the Doom UI over it: art, intentional, hilarious, human, quietly profound
AI 'exploration' of original painting: not art, ghoulish, inhuman, emperor's new clothes
Putting the Doom UI over it: art, intentional, hilarious, human, quietly profound
Reposted by Alastair Reid
Where 2024 Labour voters are now:
Still Labour: 52% (5m)
Don't know: 13% (1.3m)
Now Lib Dem: 10% (1.0m)
Now Green: 8% (0.8m)
Now Reform UK: 7% (0.7m)
Now Won't Vote: 4% (0.3m)
Now Conservative: 3% (0.3m)
Now SNP/PC: 2% (0.2m)
Now Other: 1% (0.1m)
Dead: 1% (0.1m)
Still Labour: 52% (5m)
Don't know: 13% (1.3m)
Now Lib Dem: 10% (1.0m)
Now Green: 8% (0.8m)
Now Reform UK: 7% (0.7m)
Now Won't Vote: 4% (0.3m)
Now Conservative: 3% (0.3m)
Now SNP/PC: 2% (0.2m)
Now Other: 1% (0.1m)
Dead: 1% (0.1m)
August 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Where 2024 Labour voters are now:
Still Labour: 52% (5m)
Don't know: 13% (1.3m)
Now Lib Dem: 10% (1.0m)
Now Green: 8% (0.8m)
Now Reform UK: 7% (0.7m)
Now Won't Vote: 4% (0.3m)
Now Conservative: 3% (0.3m)
Now SNP/PC: 2% (0.2m)
Now Other: 1% (0.1m)
Dead: 1% (0.1m)
Still Labour: 52% (5m)
Don't know: 13% (1.3m)
Now Lib Dem: 10% (1.0m)
Now Green: 8% (0.8m)
Now Reform UK: 7% (0.7m)
Now Won't Vote: 4% (0.3m)
Now Conservative: 3% (0.3m)
Now SNP/PC: 2% (0.2m)
Now Other: 1% (0.1m)
Dead: 1% (0.1m)
Reposted by Alastair Reid
As the US hits a 33-year high in measles infections, there is now a "race" to find a treatment for the disease.
One pharma company "is banking on a continuing decline in vaccination rates to fuel a need for measles treatments—and in turn, more investor interest"
🎁 link
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
One pharma company "is banking on a continuing decline in vaccination rates to fuel a need for measles treatments—and in turn, more investor interest"
🎁 link
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
The Race to Find a Measles Treatment as Infections Surge
The measles vaccine was so effective the disease was considered eliminated in the U.S., but a resurgence of outbreaks is spurring a need for drugs.
www.wsj.com
August 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
As the US hits a 33-year high in measles infections, there is now a "race" to find a treatment for the disease.
One pharma company "is banking on a continuing decline in vaccination rates to fuel a need for measles treatments—and in turn, more investor interest"
🎁 link
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
One pharma company "is banking on a continuing decline in vaccination rates to fuel a need for measles treatments—and in turn, more investor interest"
🎁 link
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Reposted by Alastair Reid
"Asked to generate intervention plans for struggling students, AI teacher assistants recommended more-punitive measures for hypothetical students with Black-coded names and more supportive approaches for students the platforms perceived as white" www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/06/a...
Annie and Lakeesha struggle in school. AI teacher assistants treated them very differently.
A Common Sense Media study found that prominent teacher assistants that use AI generated recommendations that appeared to be rooted in racial stereotypes based on students’ names. About a third of tea...
www.chalkbeat.org
August 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
"Asked to generate intervention plans for struggling students, AI teacher assistants recommended more-punitive measures for hypothetical students with Black-coded names and more supportive approaches for students the platforms perceived as white" www.chalkbeat.org/2025/08/06/a...
"Chemical pollution is 'a threat to the thriving of humans and nature of a similar order as climate change' but decades behind global heating in terms of public awareness and action, a report has warned."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Chemical pollution a threat comparable to climate change, scientists warn
More than 100 million ‘novel entity’ chemicals are in circulation, with health impact not widely recognised
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2025 at 7:28 AM
"Chemical pollution is 'a threat to the thriving of humans and nature of a similar order as climate change' but decades behind global heating in terms of public awareness and action, a report has warned."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...