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mtschaefer.bsky.social
Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
@mtschaefer.bsky.social
510 followers 540 following 68 posts
Ass. Prof. AI, Data & Society @utrechtuniversity.bsky.social | Sciences Lead at @dataschool.nl | Visiting Professor @helsinkiuni.bsky.social | Teamplayer | Critical Data & AI Studies | #AIEthics | Governance of AI | Action Research | ENG NL GER |
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
melaniemitchell.bsky.social
Depressing but important article on how GenAI is destroying the publishing industry.

www.theatlantic.com/technology/a...
The End of Publishing as We Know It
Inside Silicon Valley’s assault on the media
www.theatlantic.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:49 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
Just out our paper on realities, politics & economics of so-called digital twins, and how the imaginary of "digital twins" is stifling dissemination & implementation.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
August 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
buehling.bsky.social
I might be late to the party, given the citation count, but:
I really enjoyed this exceptional piece on deplatformization and core-periphery dynamics of (far right) platform ecosystems.

By José Van Dijk, Tim de Winkel and @mtschaefer.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1177/1461...
July 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
Here is another example why organisations should team up when procuring software & services. This example is about universities but we have seen similar when municipalities are procuring data, dat products & services.
themarkup.org/artificial-i...
Turnitin charged colleges vastly different amounts to detect plagarism – The Markup
Purchasing records show some colleges are paying three times more than others.
themarkup.org
July 20, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
anneapplebaum.bsky.social
Trump is slowly, quietly, lifting sanctions on Russia. And halting previously allocated munitions too.
Without an announcement, US policy is beginning to favor not a ceasefire, but Russian success
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/u...
Lack of New U.S. Sanctions Allows Restricted Goods and Funds Into Russia
www.nytimes.com
July 2, 2025 at 11:29 AM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
I like the sound of Rammstein, but what I absolutely dislike are their infantile lyrics, the stupidity and banality is just unbearable. Aren't there any good covers in other languages?
June 29, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dataschool.nl
The Austrian @derstandard.at features @mtschaefer.bsky.social and our work on data & AI ethics (e.g. Fundamental Rights & Algorithms Impact Assessment) & how the Netherlands try to develop good governance for algorithms & AI. #Dighum2025

www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
Steuert KI die Verwaltung, kann das mitunter gefährlich werden
In den Niederlanden regeln Algorithmen soziale Dienste und lösten einen beispiellosen Skandal aus. Um solche Fälle zu vermeiden, braucht es ethische Grenzen
www.derstandard.at
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dataschool.nl
Fascinating to see how our Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA) is spreading internationally & through different domains of application. We're currently working on a DEDA for media organisations, and are also developing one for robotic systems.
#AI #Ethics #Governance
cdh.uu.nl/2025/06/02/d...
DPG Media and Utrecht University’s Data School develop tool to support ethical use of data and AI in the media sector | Centre for Digital Humanities
DPG Media and the Utrecht University Data School are jointly developing a ‘Data Ethics Decision Aid for Media (DEDA for Media)’. Starting in 2026, this analogue model will help media companies in reco...
cdh.uu.nl
June 12, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
mdelange.bsky.social
How can #urbanAI be conceptualized around #civic values?

Attend our "Governing the Digital Society" expert meeting June 19 2025 @utrechtuniversity.bsky.social w/ @ernaruijer.bsky.social & Stephan Grimmelikhuijsen

www.uu.nl/en/events/ci...

Speakers: Esther Keymolen & @mtschaefer.bsky.social
Civic Urban AI Expert Meeting 2025
How can urban AI be conceptualized and designed with civic aims and values like inclusiveness, accountability, and transparency in mind?
www.uu.nl
June 10, 2025 at 9:28 AM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
On route to Germany by train, border police is carrying out symbolic politics of Germany's legendary political failure Alexander Dobrindt: all passengers have to show their passports. I'm so busy reading that the officer skips me. I am the only one in this coach who enjoys harrassment-free travel.
June 8, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dataschool.nl
"Generative AI, Media & Society" by Katalin Feher We are very proud to appear as one of the case studies, highlighting our work on responsible data practices & AI governance, featuring our Fundamental Rights & Algorithms Impact Assesment (FRAIA) and our Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA).
May 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
berthubert.bsky.social
Our societies and governments now largely run on American proprietary big-tech platforms. Many of us want to decrease this dependency, or even end it altogether. Here I wrote up a bunch of things we are doing wrong, and what the open world could do better: berthub.eu/articles/pos...
What we in the open world are messing up in trying to compete with big tech - Bert Hubert
Our societies and governments now largely run on American proprietary big-tech platforms. Many of us want to decrease this dependency, or even end it altogether. Everyone in the open tech scene is ful...
berthub.eu
May 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
ingridrobeyns.bsky.social
Duitse journalisten gaan de AfD niet meer klakkeloos aan het woord laten in hun berichtgeving, maar benadrukken dat hun simplistische antwoorden op complexe problemen het publieke debat vergiftigen.

Een voorbeeld voor Nederlandse journalisten om te volgen? Want dit geldt ook voor PVV, FvD, ...
djv.de Deutscher Journalisten-Verband (DJV) @djv.de · May 2
Das Bundesamt für #Verfassungsschutz stuft die AfD als gesichert #rechtsextremistisch ein. DJV-Bundesvorsitzende @mikabeuster.bsky.social: "Beiträge der AfD dürfen in politischen Debatten nicht unkommentiert neben jene von demokratischen Parteien gestellt werden".

Mehr👉 www.djv.de/news/pressem...
In weißer Schrift auf orangefarbenem Hintergrund steht: „DJV fordert“. Darunter steht in orangefarbener Schrift auf weißem Hintergrund: „Umgang der Medien mit AfD muss sich ändern“. Im Hintergrund ist ein Zeitungsstapel mit orangefarbenen Schatten abgebildet. Fotoquelle: canva.com/billion-images.
May 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
"Cop, Code and Conduct" by Isabelle Donatz-Fest is a deep-dive into the discourses and practices of technological change at the Dutch National Police, and a sharp analysis of an institution grappling with ethics, capacities and governance.
#AI #Policing

research-portal.uu.nl/en/publicati...
May 18, 2025 at 2:12 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
The World is Watching" — the theme of #CPDP2025 could not be more fitting. As the EU moves toward implementing the AI Act, the question is: can we make it truly work? Will we close the loopholes, resist the pressure from tech lobbies, and ensure real accountability?
cpdpconferences.bsky.social CPDPconferences @cpdpconferences.bsky.social · May 2
"AI Act in Action: Compliance, Oversight, and Enforcement"

Organised by @dataschool.nl with @mtschaefer.bsky.social (moderator), Angela Müller, @arnikazinke.bsky.social, Katja Mayer, Rob Heyman

More information: cpdp.be/4657

#CPDP.ai #CPDP2025 #TheWorldisWatching #CPDP #AiAct #Oversight
"AI Act in Action: Compliance, Oversight, and Enforcement" As the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) approaches implementation, we discuss how this landmark legislation will be effectively upheld in practice and through enforcement. This panel will explore the practices for compliance and critical steps needed to ensure that the AI Act goes from a legislative framework into a practical tool for governing AI use across Europe. We will focus on practical solutions and key mechanisms for ensuring compliance: practices for compliances, the role of oversight bodies and supervisory authorities in monitoring AI systems, to the contributions of NGOs and civil society in holding organizations accountable, and the challenges policymakers face in translating regulation into actionable enforcement on the ground. Arguing against the notion of trickle-down policy, the panel will highlight the collective efforts necessary to transform the AI Act into an impactful and enforceable reality. Questions to be answered: - How to translate policy into action? - What is the role of journalism and media in holding AI systems accountable? - What are best practices for complying with AI Act? - Is the AI Act sufficient or can and must we do better? Organised by Utrecht University with Mirko Tobias Schäfer (moderator), Angela Müller, Arnika Zinke, Katja Mayer, Rob Heyman
May 8, 2025 at 8:07 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
How to proceed with an #AIAct full of loopholes, lack of effective enforcement & oversight, and the rapid sidelining of public values & fundamental rights? Looking forward to speak with this stellar panel at #CPDP about enabling oversight and critical scrutiny for contesting AI systems.
cpdpconferences.bsky.social CPDPconferences @cpdpconferences.bsky.social · May 2
"AI Act in Action: Compliance, Oversight, and Enforcement"

Organised by @dataschool.nl with @mtschaefer.bsky.social (moderator), Angela Müller, @arnikazinke.bsky.social, Katja Mayer, Rob Heyman

More information: cpdp.be/4657

#CPDP.ai #CPDP2025 #TheWorldisWatching #CPDP #AiAct #Oversight
"AI Act in Action: Compliance, Oversight, and Enforcement" As the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) approaches implementation, we discuss how this landmark legislation will be effectively upheld in practice and through enforcement. This panel will explore the practices for compliance and critical steps needed to ensure that the AI Act goes from a legislative framework into a practical tool for governing AI use across Europe. We will focus on practical solutions and key mechanisms for ensuring compliance: practices for compliances, the role of oversight bodies and supervisory authorities in monitoring AI systems, to the contributions of NGOs and civil society in holding organizations accountable, and the challenges policymakers face in translating regulation into actionable enforcement on the ground. Arguing against the notion of trickle-down policy, the panel will highlight the collective efforts necessary to transform the AI Act into an impactful and enforceable reality. Questions to be answered: - How to translate policy into action? - What is the role of journalism and media in holding AI systems accountable? - What are best practices for complying with AI Act? - Is the AI Act sufficient or can and must we do better? Organised by Utrecht University with Mirko Tobias Schäfer (moderator), Angela Müller, Arnika Zinke, Katja Mayer, Rob Heyman
May 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dataschool.nl
Our conference on collaborative research and societal impact was a fantastic experience. If you missed it, here is a recap with a summary of the keynotes, panels and workshops. Thanks to our great workshop hosts and participants; we really want to do this next year again!

cdh.uu.nl/2025/04/14/r...
Recap of Data School’s Impact Conference | Centre for Digital Humanities
Two Days of Collaboration, Knowledge Exchange, and Difference Making How can scholars and practitioners join forces to bridge the gap between academic inquiry and urgent societal challenges? What road...
cdh.uu.nl
May 6, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dataschool.nl
Here is a paper looking at how government organisations are using our Fundamental Rights & Algorithms Impact Assessment (FRAIA) and how it informs awareness to AI ethics & governance, affects organisational capacities & collaboration. Open Access: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
April 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dataschool.nl
📣 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁
Universities and funding organizations are increasingly calling for research that drives societal impact and effective knowledge transfer. But how do we reliably measure impact?
April 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
ubisurv.net
Great piece on the use of generative #AI by criminals and actors in the shadow economy... it's not a surprise to see this, but it is very interesting how #LLMs are being used.
April 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
datum.at
Er hat ein Jahr lang die Satellitenschüsseln auf der russischen Botschaft in Wien beobachtet und kommt zum Schluss: Nicht nur vom Boden, sondern auch im All wird spioniert. Kreml-Satelliten kommen denen des Westens gefährlich nahe (+) ›
Von @harkank.bsky.social
Im Satellitenkrieg – DATUM
Die russische UN-Botschaft in der Wiener Donaustadt ist eine der größten Spionage­stationen Europas. Unser Autor beobachtet sie seit Jahren und hat dabei dokumentiert: Die Satelliten des Kreml kommen jenen des Westens gefährlich nahe. Die Manöver könnten zur Vorbereitung eines Angriffs dienen.
datum.at
March 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
roofjoke.netzpolitik.org
Wir haben das Verhandlungspapier von Union und SPD zur Innen- und Migrationspolitik analysiert und veröffentlichen es hier in Gänze. Um es kurz zu machen: Es ist eine Katastrophe für Menschen- und Bürgerrechte. netzpolitik.org/2025/koaliti...
Koalitionsverhandlungen: Gruselprogramm für Grund- und Freiheitsrechte
Union und SPD wollen Überwachungen aller Art ausbauen und das Migrationsrecht drastisch einschränken. Bei manchen Punkten sind sich die zukünftigen Koalitionäre noch nicht einig. Wir veröffentlichen u...
netzpolitik.org
March 25, 2025 at 9:17 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
There are few seats left at this workshop conference on societal impact through collaborative research. Register now & join us for two days of sharing good practices, developing skills & capacities, and for building networks of action researchers, practitioners & stakeholders

impact.dataschool.nl
Making a Difference: Societal Impact through Collaborative Research | Impact Conference
Making a Difference: Societal Impact through Collaborative Research Two-day workshopping conference for those who want to get into the collaborative research game! Dates: April 7–8, 2025Location: De Z...
impact.dataschool.nl
March 18, 2025 at 9:27 PM
mtschaefer.bsky.social
📢 Conference programme now online
🎯Making a Difference. Societal Impact through Collaborative Research, 7-8 April, Utrecht (NL)
🔥Keynote speakers: Rob Kitchin, Payal Arora and Minna Ruckenstein.
🚧Workshops on good practices, skill development, & challenges of action research
impact.dataschool.nl
March 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Mirko Tobias Schäfer 🇪🇺
dubnieuws.bsky.social
De bezuinigingen van dit kabinet zijn zeker niet de enige of belangrijkste reden voor de financiële malaise van de Nederlandse universiteiten, zo vertelde hoogleraar Barend van der Meulen aan onze collega's van @utoday.bsky.social
‘Minister Dijkgraaf gaf een vergiftigd geschenk aan de universiteiten’
Dreigende overheidsbezuinigingen? Dat is zeker niet de allesbepalende factor waarom universiteiten in de financiële problemen zitten. De Twentse hoogleraar Institutionele aspecten van het hoger onderw...
dub.uu.nl
March 7, 2025 at 10:40 AM