Colin Gavaghan
@digitalfutures.bsky.social
Professor at Bristol Digital Futures Institute/UoB Law School.
Tech law geek. Genre fic nerd. Proud Scot-kiwi-Bristolian.
Tech law geek. Genre fic nerd. Proud Scot-kiwi-Bristolian.
Delighted to see that my old chair won't be vacant for too much longer.
Dr Mariela de Amstalden has been appointed as a full professor to the New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies!
She will have a key role in delivering innovative solutions to the legal and policy issues shaping our technological future.
Read more about her appointment ⬇️👏
She will have a key role in delivering innovative solutions to the legal and policy issues shaping our technological future.
Read more about her appointment ⬇️👏
New Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies for Otago
The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Mariela de Amstalden as a full professor to the New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Emerging Technologies.
www.otago.ac.nz
November 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Delighted to see that my old chair won't be vacant for too much longer.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
Possibly the wackiest case of AI solutionism since the January announcement that it would be used to find (not fix, mind, just find) potholes in the roads.
But if you've bought a really expensive hammer, I suppose every problem does assume a certain nail-like appearance...
But if you've bought a really expensive hammer, I suppose every problem does assume a certain nail-like appearance...
With the caveat that it's impossible to know what is really happening from such a short story, this is clearly a terrible idea www.theguardian.com/education/20...
All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets
Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Possibly the wackiest case of AI solutionism since the January announcement that it would be used to find (not fix, mind, just find) potholes in the roads.
But if you've bought a really expensive hammer, I suppose every problem does assume a certain nail-like appearance...
But if you've bought a really expensive hammer, I suppose every problem does assume a certain nail-like appearance...
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
685,000 Britons has wealth of £2.8 trillion, 48m have £2.4trn.
4 people have more wealth than 20m Britons.
Bottom 50% of the population has 5% of wealth, the bottom fifth only 0.5%.
Rich buy political parties, legislators; hold govts to ransom.
Can't get economic growth without redistribution.
4 people have more wealth than 20m Britons.
Bottom 50% of the population has 5% of wealth, the bottom fifth only 0.5%.
Rich buy political parties, legislators; hold govts to ransom.
Can't get economic growth without redistribution.
Rachel Reeves’ budget must reduce inequalities and increase spending capacity of the masses
This is how to secure sustained economic growth
leftfootforward.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:31 AM
685,000 Britons has wealth of £2.8 trillion, 48m have £2.4trn.
4 people have more wealth than 20m Britons.
Bottom 50% of the population has 5% of wealth, the bottom fifth only 0.5%.
Rich buy political parties, legislators; hold govts to ransom.
Can't get economic growth without redistribution.
4 people have more wealth than 20m Britons.
Bottom 50% of the population has 5% of wealth, the bottom fifth only 0.5%.
Rich buy political parties, legislators; hold govts to ransom.
Can't get economic growth without redistribution.
@thenewworldmag.bsky.social Pretty savage Codeword this week! If I solve this, do I get out of Slough House?
October 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
@thenewworldmag.bsky.social Pretty savage Codeword this week! If I solve this, do I get out of Slough House?
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
The BBC are accidentally running the subtitles to Mrs Marple over the Mercury Prize, and it’s rather wonderful. A few of lines could plausibly have been written by Jarvis.
October 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The BBC are accidentally running the subtitles to Mrs Marple over the Mercury Prize, and it’s rather wonderful. A few of lines could plausibly have been written by Jarvis.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
AI has a cargo cult problem on.ft.com/4qg0Hp6 | opinion
AI has a cargo cult problem
Spending vast sums and inflating an investment bubble is no guarantee of unleashing technological magic
on.ft.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:04 AM
AI has a cargo cult problem on.ft.com/4qg0Hp6 | opinion
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
Absolutely love this twitter classic:
October 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Absolutely love this twitter classic:
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
We are now accepting abstracts for our Annual Conference at @aberuni.bsky.social 15-17 Apr. 2026. Join us for critical talks on law, tech & education (and generally a good time!) The theme is: 'Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.' More info: www.bileta.org.uk/news/bileta-...
BILETA conference 2026 – call for papers – BILETA
www.bileta.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 12:18 PM
We are now accepting abstracts for our Annual Conference at @aberuni.bsky.social 15-17 Apr. 2026. Join us for critical talks on law, tech & education (and generally a good time!) The theme is: 'Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.' More info: www.bileta.org.uk/news/bileta-...
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
Also tiktok, so relevant both sides of the Atlantic.
It’s because of the links coming out between the Tony Blair Institute (which is very embedded in our government due to New Labour ministers and advisors coming back) and Oracle
Article is free to read with a free account
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Article is free to read with a free account
www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Inside the Tony Blair Institute
Who really benefits from the former PM’s tech evangelism?
www.newstatesman.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Also tiktok, so relevant both sides of the Atlantic.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
September 24, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Let’s be clear about what happened to Jimmy Kimmel
Trump’s most brazen attack on free speech yet.
www.yahoo.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Spot on.
"If you've had enough of politicians, if you don't trust Westminster, join us."
What a revolting, cynical statement for a man who was an MP of the party that ruled for 14 years until five minutes ago - and David Cameron's speech writer before that.
What contempt for voters. ~AA
What a revolting, cynical statement for a man who was an MP of the party that ruled for 14 years until five minutes ago - and David Cameron's speech writer before that.
What contempt for voters. ~AA
September 15, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Spot on.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
UPEND THE ESTABLISHMENT, by voting for a party composed entirely of rejects from the oldest party in the country that was in power for 14 years. 😂
Reform UK increasingly look like the Tories just ran off stage, then ran back on wearing a comedy glasses-nose-moustache disguise.
Reform UK increasingly look like the Tories just ran off stage, then ran back on wearing a comedy glasses-nose-moustache disguise.
BREAKING: Tory MP Danny Kruger just defected to Reform. Big surprise, not. ~AA
September 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
UPEND THE ESTABLISHMENT, by voting for a party composed entirely of rejects from the oldest party in the country that was in power for 14 years. 😂
Reform UK increasingly look like the Tories just ran off stage, then ran back on wearing a comedy glasses-nose-moustache disguise.
Reform UK increasingly look like the Tories just ran off stage, then ran back on wearing a comedy glasses-nose-moustache disguise.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
Trump on 19 Russian drones shot into Poland: "could've been a mistake..."
Part 2 of our podcast for TRUMP & VANCE - W/ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast
w/
Gen Sir Tim Radford
Prof Ana Garcia
Richard Graham ex MP & diplomat
@digitalfutures.bsky.social
#nato
Part 2 of our podcast for TRUMP & VANCE - W/ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast
w/
Gen Sir Tim Radford
Prof Ana Garcia
Richard Graham ex MP & diplomat
@digitalfutures.bsky.social
#nato
September 13, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Trump on 19 Russian drones shot into Poland: "could've been a mistake..."
Part 2 of our podcast for TRUMP & VANCE - W/ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast
w/
Gen Sir Tim Radford
Prof Ana Garcia
Richard Graham ex MP & diplomat
@digitalfutures.bsky.social
#nato
Part 2 of our podcast for TRUMP & VANCE - W/ FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast
w/
Gen Sir Tim Radford
Prof Ana Garcia
Richard Graham ex MP & diplomat
@digitalfutures.bsky.social
#nato
'living in a drably anonymous corner of the United Kingdom (the film was shot in Bristol)'
Harsh.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...
Harsh.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...
Bad Apples review – Saoirse Ronan’s dark, school-set satire doesn’t go far enough
The four-time Oscar nominee is as strong as ever playing a teacher in a shocking situation, but the film can’t quite rise to her level
www.theguardian.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:21 AM
'living in a drably anonymous corner of the United Kingdom (the film was shot in Bristol)'
Harsh.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...
Harsh.
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...
There are two kinds of people. There are those who see this statue and see a teddy bear reaching out to comfort someone in despair. And there are those who see a nightmare toy come to life, about to push him off the ledge... 😈
August 28, 2025 at 8:45 PM
There are two kinds of people. There are those who see this statue and see a teddy bear reaching out to comfort someone in despair. And there are those who see a nightmare toy come to life, about to push him off the ledge... 😈
This was such a rewarding gig!
Ep 1 of our epic #defence talk podcast, the whole talk by Gen Tim Radford Prof Ana Garcia & Richard Graham w host @digitalfutures.bsky.social
Do #Alaska & yesterday’s meet in the W House mean anything concrete for Uk defence in the era of #AmericaFirst?
www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast
#nato
Do #Alaska & yesterday’s meet in the W House mean anything concrete for Uk defence in the era of #AmericaFirst?
www.alteredstate.org.uk/podcast
#nato
August 20, 2025 at 12:23 PM
This was such a rewarding gig!
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
I have a rape case. Offence in April 2022. Reported within days. Charged Oct 2023. Trial listed July 2024. Put back to Oct 2024. No court available so put back to today. At court today, there's no court available AGAIN. FOURTH trial date now June 2026 - more than four years after the incident!!
August 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I have a rape case. Offence in April 2022. Reported within days. Charged Oct 2023. Trial listed July 2024. Put back to Oct 2024. No court available so put back to today. At court today, there's no court available AGAIN. FOURTH trial date now June 2026 - more than four years after the incident!!
A real treat to spend a weekend with good books by fine friends.
August 10, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A real treat to spend a weekend with good books by fine friends.
Reading through a 6-page explainer doc on how to navigate 8 website pages listing about 80 different links, so that I can check my teaching timetable for the coming year. I sure am optimistic about the next wave of tech freeing us up to do the 'high value' work because it's going so well so far...
July 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reading through a 6-page explainer doc on how to navigate 8 website pages listing about 80 different links, so that I can check my teaching timetable for the coming year. I sure am optimistic about the next wave of tech freeing us up to do the 'high value' work because it's going so well so far...
Can't beat listening to one of my favourite tech ethics people on one of my favourite podcasts. Check out @drkatedevlin.bsky.social on @bunkerpod.bsky.social! pod.link/1496246490
The Bunker – News without the nonsense
News without the nonsense, every weekday morning. In episodes that fit your commute*, The Bunker cuts through the noise to make sense of what’s really going on in news, current affairs, politics, econ...
pod.link
July 17, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Can't beat listening to one of my favourite tech ethics people on one of my favourite podcasts. Check out @drkatedevlin.bsky.social on @bunkerpod.bsky.social! pod.link/1496246490
14 years, I think you'll find! Some of them even pretty good ones. Srsly, it's a tremendous place and a great opportunity.
🚨🚨 Attention legal academic bsky ... Otago Law is seeking to appoint the "New Zealand Law Foundation Chair in Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies". This was held by @digitalfutures.bsky.social for the best part of a decade, so you KNOW it's a quality opportunity!
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...
otago.taleo.net/careersectio...
July 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
14 years, I think you'll find! Some of them even pretty good ones. Srsly, it's a tremendous place and a great opportunity.
Reposted by Colin Gavaghan
Brilliant talk last night about UK defence in the era of America First foreign policy
Thanks to Gen Sir Tim Radford, Prof Ana Juncos Garcia, Richard Graham & host @digitalfutures.bsky.social
Punches were not pulled
Spades were called spades
Blog & podcast to follow
#alteredstate #bristoltalks
Thanks to Gen Sir Tim Radford, Prof Ana Juncos Garcia, Richard Graham & host @digitalfutures.bsky.social
Punches were not pulled
Spades were called spades
Blog & podcast to follow
#alteredstate #bristoltalks
June 25, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Brilliant talk last night about UK defence in the era of America First foreign policy
Thanks to Gen Sir Tim Radford, Prof Ana Juncos Garcia, Richard Graham & host @digitalfutures.bsky.social
Punches were not pulled
Spades were called spades
Blog & podcast to follow
#alteredstate #bristoltalks
Thanks to Gen Sir Tim Radford, Prof Ana Juncos Garcia, Richard Graham & host @digitalfutures.bsky.social
Punches were not pulled
Spades were called spades
Blog & podcast to follow
#alteredstate #bristoltalks