Alexander Iosad
@iosad.fyi
Director of government innovation policy @ the Tony Blair Institute. Views own, &c.
AI, a lot; also public policy, education, technology, history of science (DPhil).
Citizen of nowhere. Fan of universities, progress, 🏏. School governor. Diasporan ✡️.
AI, a lot; also public policy, education, technology, history of science (DPhil).
Citizen of nowhere. Fan of universities, progress, 🏏. School governor. Diasporan ✡️.
As far as I can tell, the only announcement on student visas from the HO so far has been on tightening controls on overstayers. Which could be sensible! (eg we don’t even know how many there are) – if done well; or could just end up an extra admin burden on HEIs not equipped to deal with it.
May 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
As far as I can tell, the only announcement on student visas from the HO so far has been on tightening controls on overstayers. Which could be sensible! (eg we don’t even know how many there are) – if done well; or could just end up an extra admin burden on HEIs not equipped to deal with it.
And to accompany the publication of our NDL paper, something of a bucket list item for me with a guest post for @jamesomalley.co.uk. You also have the opportunity to ask burning questions/hurl questionable fruit at me tonight at our long-planned in-conversation about AI in govt – info in the post.
Here's a pitch for what the National Data Library should actually be - a guest post by @iosad.fyi ! (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/tbi-ndl
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/tbi-ndl
Here's a pitch for what the National Data Library should actually be
Do you want to be a National Data Librarian?
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
February 25, 2025 at 8:39 AM
And to accompany the publication of our NDL paper, something of a bucket list item for me with a guest post for @jamesomalley.co.uk. You also have the opportunity to ask burning questions/hurl questionable fruit at me tonight at our long-planned in-conversation about AI in govt – info in the post.
Joining forces today with @anastasiabekt.bsky.social at The Entrepreneurs Network and TBI colleagues to map out the road to the National Data Library. Instead of pointing to a gap in policy and saying “do this”, we share our take on how to help an exciting govt initiative succeed: bit.ly/3XgHjLQ 1/
Governing in the Age of AI: Building Britain’s National Data Library
Governing in the Age of AI: Building Britain’s National Data Library
bit.ly
February 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Joining forces today with @anastasiabekt.bsky.social at The Entrepreneurs Network and TBI colleagues to map out the road to the National Data Library. Instead of pointing to a gap in policy and saying “do this”, we share our take on how to help an exciting govt initiative succeed: bit.ly/3XgHjLQ 1/
Gave it a shot. Think we might need to have that conversation with @jamesomalley.co.uk after all. And you’re all invited to join in!
January 13, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Gave it a shot. Think we might need to have that conversation with @jamesomalley.co.uk after all. And you’re all invited to join in!
An excellent piece if you’ve not read it yet.
It’s a British dysfunction, but I’m sure arguments from optics alone are increasingly common elsewhere, too; & it’s not a left-right issue either. It’s also bad politics; voters care about substance more than looks, except when there’s no substance.
It’s a British dysfunction, but I’m sure arguments from optics alone are increasingly common elsewhere, too; & it’s not a left-right issue either. It’s also bad politics; voters care about substance more than looks, except when there’s no substance.
Wrote about “not a good look”, the worst phrase in British politics
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
The four worst words in British politics
Saying “not a good look” is not a good look
www.economist.com
January 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
An excellent piece if you’ve not read it yet.
It’s a British dysfunction, but I’m sure arguments from optics alone are increasingly common elsewhere, too; & it’s not a left-right issue either. It’s also bad politics; voters care about substance more than looks, except when there’s no substance.
It’s a British dysfunction, but I’m sure arguments from optics alone are increasingly common elsewhere, too; & it’s not a left-right issue either. It’s also bad politics; voters care about substance more than looks, except when there’s no substance.
Reposted by Alexander Iosad
Wrote about “not a good look”, the worst phrase in British politics
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
The four worst words in British politics
Saying “not a good look” is not a good look
www.economist.com
January 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Wrote about “not a good look”, the worst phrase in British politics
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
www.economist.com/britain/2025...
One time in Moscow, heading home at 9am on Jan 1 after celebrating NY at a friend’s, I spent 20 minutes inside a locked trolleybus – the badly hungover driver nipped out to the corner shop for a hair of the dog & didn’t realise I was still on board. (But no transport on Christmas Day is still odd).
I sent a message to my family in London asking if people were not mad that there was no Tube or bus service on Christmas Day? Got a one-word answer back: “Nah”.
It's a very controversial take, but I think it's crazy that the London Tube and UK rail system will be completely closed tomorrow.
December 26, 2024 at 11:44 AM
One time in Moscow, heading home at 9am on Jan 1 after celebrating NY at a friend’s, I spent 20 minutes inside a locked trolleybus – the badly hungover driver nipped out to the corner shop for a hair of the dog & didn’t realise I was still on board. (But no transport on Christmas Day is still odd).
Reposted by Alexander Iosad
Not going to call out names of people on this app, but I see what @deanwb.bsky.social is seeing a lot in policy circles.
December 24, 2024 at 7:22 AM
Not going to call out names of people on this app, but I see what @deanwb.bsky.social is seeing a lot in policy circles.
Eminently sensible @financialtimes.com leader today: “A British e-ID could supercharge public service reform.” Yes, it could!
Is this, too, banging on about ID cards?..
Is this, too, banging on about ID cards?..
December 15, 2024 at 12:50 PM
Eminently sensible @financialtimes.com leader today: “A British e-ID could supercharge public service reform.” Yes, it could!
Is this, too, banging on about ID cards?..
Is this, too, banging on about ID cards?..
Reposted by Alexander Iosad
Eg on both mainline trains and on London Underground there are more and more signs that say you must have a charged phone for your ticket to be valid. Something has gone a bit wrong here in the digital delivery of tickets and payments: a digital transaction should have a mark on a ledger somewhere
December 12, 2024 at 6:19 PM
Eg on both mainline trains and on London Underground there are more and more signs that say you must have a charged phone for your ticket to be valid. Something has gone a bit wrong here in the digital delivery of tickets and payments: a digital transaction should have a mark on a ledger somewhere
Reposted by Alexander Iosad
Syrian events just amaze. FT journalists in Damascus say it took just 15 mins to be accredited by the new govt. one of the HTS leaders in Damascus from Idlib points out they introduced an ID card system there that takes just 5 mins for a digital Id. Coming soon to Damascus. on.ft.com/3OPwSKI
The department of flags: Syrian rebels lay bare Assad’s corrupt state
Transitional authorities grapple with bureaucracy filled with phantom jobs, pervasive graft and culture of obedience
on.ft.com
December 11, 2024 at 8:47 PM
Syrian events just amaze. FT journalists in Damascus say it took just 15 mins to be accredited by the new govt. one of the HTS leaders in Damascus from Idlib points out they introduced an ID card system there that takes just 5 mins for a digital Id. Coming soon to Damascus. on.ft.com/3OPwSKI
Read the McFadden speech: www.gov.uk/government/s...
Underrated by (excellent) commentary so far: Cab Office is *exactly* the right place for this agenda, because fundamentally it’s about how government works, not just what it does. And it needs to work differently because the world is different 1/
Underrated by (excellent) commentary so far: Cab Office is *exactly* the right place for this agenda, because fundamentally it’s about how government works, not just what it does. And it needs to work differently because the world is different 1/
Reform of the state has to deliver for people
Speech on reforming the public sector delivered by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden at University College London, Stratford.
www.gov.uk
December 9, 2024 at 6:48 PM
Read the McFadden speech: www.gov.uk/government/s...
Underrated by (excellent) commentary so far: Cab Office is *exactly* the right place for this agenda, because fundamentally it’s about how government works, not just what it does. And it needs to work differently because the world is different 1/
Underrated by (excellent) commentary so far: Cab Office is *exactly* the right place for this agenda, because fundamentally it’s about how government works, not just what it does. And it needs to work differently because the world is different 1/
Every tool of this kind is a failure of good government.
If you’re applying for PIP, the charity Turn2Us has launched The PIP Tool: a free guide to navigate the benefits process.
Their goal “is to make sure you know your rights and can afford what you need to enjoy life fully.”
Share widely! pip.turn2us.org.uk
Their goal “is to make sure you know your rights and can afford what you need to enjoy life fully.”
Share widely! pip.turn2us.org.uk
Turn2us PIP Helper
Use the Turn2us PIP Helper to learn how to manage each stage of your PIP (personal independence payment) application process.
pip.turn2us.org.uk
December 9, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Every tool of this kind is a failure of good government.
This is directionally absolutely right, and really quite exciting: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
To get out of the current doom loop, we need a different operating model of government. Luckily, the tools to make it work are here. How government organises itself to use them matters!
To get out of the current doom loop, we need a different operating model of government. Luckily, the tools to make it work are here. How government organises itself to use them matters!
https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
December 9, 2024 at 9:42 AM
This is directionally absolutely right, and really quite exciting: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
To get out of the current doom loop, we need a different operating model of government. Luckily, the tools to make it work are here. How government organises itself to use them matters!
To get out of the current doom loop, we need a different operating model of government. Luckily, the tools to make it work are here. How government organises itself to use them matters!
An absolute masterclass in how to write (and think) about Musk’s DoGE from @pahlkadot.bsky.social: open.substack.com/pub/eatingpo...
The DOGE strategy is a cop-out
Elon and Vivek's workforce plans would backfire terribly. There's a welcome alternative.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2024 at 9:12 PM
An absolute masterclass in how to write (and think) about Musk’s DoGE from @pahlkadot.bsky.social: open.substack.com/pub/eatingpo...
Two reports out on AI & public services today (this + @smfthinktank.bsky.social, read both)
More thoughts to come, but what I genuinely love is the expanded scope for different models of public service reform that AI makes feasible.
No magic dust – just a very different set of constraints.
More thoughts to come, but what I genuinely love is the expanded scope for different models of public service reform that AI makes feasible.
No magic dust – just a very different set of constraints.
"AI will not save our public services, but it can be used to support the kind of radical change our public services desperately need."
It's finally up! Please go read it 😊
It's finally up! Please go read it 😊
Tech that Liberates: A new vision for embedding AI in public service reform
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
November 27, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Two reports out on AI & public services today (this + @smfthinktank.bsky.social, read both)
More thoughts to come, but what I genuinely love is the expanded scope for different models of public service reform that AI makes feasible.
No magic dust – just a very different set of constraints.
More thoughts to come, but what I genuinely love is the expanded scope for different models of public service reform that AI makes feasible.
No magic dust – just a very different set of constraints.
It’s not that Malthus was wrong, it’s just that his analysis couldn’t foresee the long-run impact of the Industrial Revolution on food production – which outpaced population growth as a result.
It’s not that Baumol was wrong about the cost of services, it’s just that his analysis…
It’s not that Baumol was wrong about the cost of services, it’s just that his analysis…
The world population grew fast over the last 60 years, but farmers grew fruits and vegetables even faster
This is my @ourworldindata.org Data Insight today: ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
This is my @ourworldindata.org Data Insight today: ourworldindata.org/data-insight...
November 25, 2024 at 9:44 PM
It’s not that Malthus was wrong, it’s just that his analysis couldn’t foresee the long-run impact of the Industrial Revolution on food production – which outpaced population growth as a result.
It’s not that Baumol was wrong about the cost of services, it’s just that his analysis…
It’s not that Baumol was wrong about the cost of services, it’s just that his analysis…
Absolutely *brutal* shade thrown by the legend to this chart in Ben Evans’ 2025 presentation.
!["A line graph titled 'Software eats cars?' showing monthly 'robotaxi' trips in California from August 2023 to August 2024. While the legend includes three companies - Tesla, Cruise, and Waymo - the data tells a striking story: Waymo (in red) shows dramatic growth from about 20,000 to over 300,000 trips, Cruise (light pink) shows minimal activity in early months before disappearing, and Tesla (dark gray), despite being in the legend, shows zero activity throughout the entire period. This absence of Tesla data, juxtaposed with its inclusion in the legend, makes a pointed statement about the gap between promises and reality in autonomous driving. The subtitle reads 'After a decade of promises and tens of billions of dollars, autonomy might be starting to work.' Source: California Public Utilities Commission." [Alt-text by Claude]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:i6nqsw7nq6wa5x3gv3o2no4d/bafkreihazpszx7mff2jm33pnkxw5hlzgvdpjgirp7dijs2l7vknncqnaq4@jpeg)
November 25, 2024 at 12:01 PM
Absolutely *brutal* shade thrown by the legend to this chart in Ben Evans’ 2025 presentation.
Reposted by Alexander Iosad
This is a very striking juxtaposition in Eric Berger’s latest newsletter.
America is building something and Europe is… doing a study.
America is building something and Europe is… doing a study.
November 23, 2024 at 11:13 AM
This is a very striking juxtaposition in Eric Berger’s latest newsletter.
America is building something and Europe is… doing a study.
America is building something and Europe is… doing a study.
One chart (from @policyinpractice.bsky.social) to summarise a big problem with our current public service delivery model.
November 23, 2024 at 12:22 PM
One chart (from @policyinpractice.bsky.social) to summarise a big problem with our current public service delivery model.
As a bafflingly devoted if not always attentive New Zealand cricket fan, sad to find out Tim Southee is about to retire after a career spanning 17 years. Somewhat more complex feelings about the fact I actually remember his debut Test all those years ago…
November 22, 2024 at 11:03 PM
As a bafflingly devoted if not always attentive New Zealand cricket fan, sad to find out Tim Southee is about to retire after a career spanning 17 years. Somewhat more complex feelings about the fact I actually remember his debut Test all those years ago…
The qt thread from @jwestjourno.bsky.social covers an important problem with Ofsted; my other response to @stephenkb.bsky.social (who also mentions TBI proposals in the column) is that in the abstract, parents think Ofsted reports are useful – but they don’t actually use them all that much!
A lot of really useful responses to today’s newsletter on here and by email. Very kind and helpful corrective thread by John here.
I can recommend @stephenkb.bsky.social’s FT newsletter on UK politics - an essential daily read. And he usually has his head screwed on. Which is why it’s pleasing to see him slip up and be wrong about something, as he is today with overbaked concerns on Ofsted reform. 1/n www.ft.com/content/4d8a...
September 3, 2024 at 3:49 PM
The qt thread from @jwestjourno.bsky.social covers an important problem with Ofsted; my other response to @stephenkb.bsky.social (who also mentions TBI proposals in the column) is that in the abstract, parents think Ofsted reports are useful – but they don’t actually use them all that much!