Rita Raley
@ritaraley.bsky.social
Professor of English, UC Santa Barbara
https://english.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/raley-rita/
// Like everyone, working on critical AI/machine learning; more unusually, focusing on GPT-2
https://english.ucsb.edu/people/faculty/raley-rita/
// Like everyone, working on critical AI/machine learning; more unusually, focusing on GPT-2
Reposted by Rita Raley
This is downtown Santa Barbara right now. The No Kings protest stretches for over a mile along the water. The cars who drive by are all honking in support. Probably the biggest protest this community has ever seen.
June 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
This is downtown Santa Barbara right now. The No Kings protest stretches for over a mile along the water. The cars who drive by are all honking in support. Probably the biggest protest this community has ever seen.
they were memorable conversations!
Hi Rita! So you all know Rita is the main reason I got into DH? I started at NEH just doing IT work. After conversations with Rita, I started down the path of developing grant programs at NEH to help us better address using/critiquing technology within the humanities. Thanks Rita!
June 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
they were memorable conversations!
@brettbobley.bsky.social has been one of the great humanities visionaries. In this context perhaps the highest praise would be to say his influence is incalculable. #ThanksBrett
The ODH is a true legacy
*sigh* It's too soon, but on the day of his retirement from public service, I think that it's important to recognize the contributions of Brett Bobley to the work of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the field. #ThanksBrett for your leadership, your good cheer & your home-baked goods.
June 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
@brettbobley.bsky.social has been one of the great humanities visionaries. In this context perhaps the highest praise would be to say his influence is incalculable. #ThanksBrett
Reposted by Rita Raley
OpenAI will not “embed” its tools in college life, it is already changing the nature of what it means to learn, to read or think critically. It does not embed in the world, it makes the world in its image. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/07/t...
Welcome to Campus. Here’s Your ChatGPT.
www.nytimes.com
June 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
OpenAI will not “embed” its tools in college life, it is already changing the nature of what it means to learn, to read or think critically. It does not embed in the world, it makes the world in its image. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/07/t...
The ODH is a true legacy
*sigh* It's too soon, but on the day of his retirement from public service, I think that it's important to recognize the contributions of Brett Bobley to the work of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the field. #ThanksBrett for your leadership, your good cheer & your home-baked goods.
June 13, 2025 at 6:02 PM
The ODH is a true legacy
Reposted by Rita Raley
Out today, the Academic Council of the University of California issues the following statement:
“Higher education is under direct and sustained attack.
1/
senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/repor...
“Higher education is under direct and sustained attack.
1/
senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/repor...
senate.universityofcalifornia.edu
April 9, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Out today, the Academic Council of the University of California issues the following statement:
“Higher education is under direct and sustained attack.
1/
senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/repor...
“Higher education is under direct and sustained attack.
1/
senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/repor...
These images offer a momentary reprieve from the gloom of the world, but behind them lies a great deal of collaborative work (which itself has been a reprieve). Tremendous thanks to @ryancordell.org and all who contributed passages…
In the press on a Saturday working on a project for @ritaraley.bsky.social & @alanyliu.bsky.social
April 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
These images offer a momentary reprieve from the gloom of the world, but behind them lies a great deal of collaborative work (which itself has been a reprieve). Tremendous thanks to @ryancordell.org and all who contributed passages…
Reposted by Rita Raley
In the press on a Saturday working on a project for @ritaraley.bsky.social & @alanyliu.bsky.social
April 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
In the press on a Saturday working on a project for @ritaraley.bsky.social & @alanyliu.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita Raley
The mission and values of the University of California have not changed. You matter. Your work is important. Together we will continue to make a difference in our state, our country and our world. #FiatLux ✨ www.youtube.com/watch?v=EweZ...
Federal updates: bit.ly/4b7x9Db
Federal updates: bit.ly/4b7x9Db
A Message from University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D.
YouTube video by University of California
www.youtube.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:13 AM
The mission and values of the University of California have not changed. You matter. Your work is important. Together we will continue to make a difference in our state, our country and our world. #FiatLux ✨ www.youtube.com/watch?v=EweZ...
Federal updates: bit.ly/4b7x9Db
Federal updates: bit.ly/4b7x9Db
Reposted by Rita Raley
Here are the 25 institutions that receive the most NIH funding (98% of HHS is NIH). Basically, they're large schools with large hospitals. They receive 50% of all NIH funding.
Source: ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/fede... (table 26)
(Not going to do a whole thread but thought folks might be interested.)
Source: ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/fede... (table 26)
(Not going to do a whole thread but thought folks might be interested.)
February 8, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Here are the 25 institutions that receive the most NIH funding (98% of HHS is NIH). Basically, they're large schools with large hospitals. They receive 50% of all NIH funding.
Source: ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/fede... (table 26)
(Not going to do a whole thread but thought folks might be interested.)
Source: ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/fede... (table 26)
(Not going to do a whole thread but thought folks might be interested.)
Reposted by Rita Raley
Really powerful models are getting cheaper and cheaper to build - genuinely really cheap. Universities, do not tie yourself to OpenAI. We can and should use and develop open source only. (Desperately hoping that my own uni is listening)
Article contains a shout-out to the people building truly open models at @ai2.bsky.social, and a suggestion that universities ought to look for ways to help students and faculty use open models — instead of outsourcing their core business to a closed, proprietary oracle.
February 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Really powerful models are getting cheaper and cheaper to build - genuinely really cheap. Universities, do not tie yourself to OpenAI. We can and should use and develop open source only. (Desperately hoping that my own uni is listening)
Reposted by Rita Raley
Now reading a paper for a promotion case and Adobe Acrobat popup keeps asking me ‘Short on Time? Ask for a Quick Summary!’ There’s a ‘Hide for this Session’ button but it does nothing. So here is unwanted, uninvited AI repeatedly telling me to half-ass my job, one that someone’s career depends upon
January 30, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Now reading a paper for a promotion case and Adobe Acrobat popup keeps asking me ‘Short on Time? Ask for a Quick Summary!’ There’s a ‘Hide for this Session’ button but it does nothing. So here is unwanted, uninvited AI repeatedly telling me to half-ass my job, one that someone’s career depends upon
Reposted by Rita Raley
I appreciate all the people recommending the Shock Doctrine. I've been thinking about what makes Trump's use of these tactics a little different.
In recent decades, shock tactics were used mainly to rapidly impose neoliberal economic policies. But what Trump is doing goes way beyond that.
a 🧵
In recent decades, shock tactics were used mainly to rapidly impose neoliberal economic policies. But what Trump is doing goes way beyond that.
a 🧵
Chaos and confusion. Somebody read @naomiaklein.bsky.social The Shock Doctrine as a manual, it seems. Time for people to read it again for countermeasures also.
White House pauses all federal grants, sparking confusion
Trillions of dollars could be on hold, according to an Office of Management and Budget memo
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trillions of dollars could be on hold, according to an Office of Management and Budget memo
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
January 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I appreciate all the people recommending the Shock Doctrine. I've been thinking about what makes Trump's use of these tactics a little different.
In recent decades, shock tactics were used mainly to rapidly impose neoliberal economic policies. But what Trump is doing goes way beyond that.
a 🧵
In recent decades, shock tactics were used mainly to rapidly impose neoliberal economic policies. But what Trump is doing goes way beyond that.
a 🧵
Reposted by Rita Raley
Brilliant talk today by Hannes Bajohr (@hannesbajohr.de) on “Surface Reading LLMs: Synthetic Text & its Styles” at launch of UCSB Center for the Humanities & Machine Learning (huml.ucsb.edu/events). Bajohr is 2nd from left with (L to R) @zentralwerkstatt.org, Rita Raley, & @owenleonard.bsky.social.
January 25, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Brilliant talk today by Hannes Bajohr (@hannesbajohr.de) on “Surface Reading LLMs: Synthetic Text & its Styles” at launch of UCSB Center for the Humanities & Machine Learning (huml.ucsb.edu/events). Bajohr is 2nd from left with (L to R) @zentralwerkstatt.org, Rita Raley, & @owenleonard.bsky.social.
Reposted by Rita Raley
Absolutely fantastic panel on “Rereading Generative AI” at #MLA2025. One of the best conversations I’ve heard about AI, copyright, language, & the future of the humanities and university.
Highly recommend you check out all their essays in this PMLA special issue: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Highly recommend you check out all their essays in this PMLA special issue: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
PMLA: Volume 139 - Issue 3 | Cambridge Core
Cambridge Core - PMLA - Volume 139 - Issue 3
www.cambridge.org
January 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Absolutely fantastic panel on “Rereading Generative AI” at #MLA2025. One of the best conversations I’ve heard about AI, copyright, language, & the future of the humanities and university.
Highly recommend you check out all their essays in this PMLA special issue: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Highly recommend you check out all their essays in this PMLA special issue: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
what, I forgot “fabulous”
well as long as I am here: let’s add “frenzied”, “innumerable”, and “included in present classification.” Not “embalmed” because not dead yet. Etc
November 11, 2024 at 10:19 PM
what, I forgot “fabulous”
Reposted by Rita Raley
New work: The post-election period may be volatile, esp if the outcome is disputed. Platforms will be scrutinized for handling of rumors & disinfo, early claims of victory, & potential incitements to violence. We analyzed scenarios & key policies to be aware of: www.techpolicy.press/a-guide-to-s...
A Guide to Social Media Moderation Policies for the Post-Election Period | TechPolicy.Press
If there is unrest following the 2024 US elections, will major platforms be prepared to deliver on their stated policies?
www.techpolicy.press
November 2, 2024 at 2:29 PM
New work: The post-election period may be volatile, esp if the outcome is disputed. Platforms will be scrutinized for handling of rumors & disinfo, early claims of victory, & potential incitements to violence. We analyzed scenarios & key policies to be aware of: www.techpolicy.press/a-guide-to-s...
www.chronicle.com/article/ai-m...
many an existential threat on the horizon I guess; take a number and get in line
many an existential threat on the horizon I guess; take a number and get in line
Opinion | AI May Ruin the University as We Know It
The existential threat of the newest wave of ed-tech.
www.chronicle.com
October 31, 2024 at 6:55 PM
www.chronicle.com/article/ai-m...
many an existential threat on the horizon I guess; take a number and get in line
many an existential threat on the horizon I guess; take a number and get in line
Reposted by Rita Raley
Reposted by Rita Raley
Full TOC for the PMLA cluster on #criticalAI edited by @ritaraley.bsky.social and me. Essays are alphabetical by title, but our piece is intended as the frame and Katherine Elkins’ as the endcap. They’re all bangers— check out Eduardo Ledesma’s, for example. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
October 13, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Full TOC for the PMLA cluster on #criticalAI edited by @ritaraley.bsky.social and me. Essays are alphabetical by title, but our piece is intended as the frame and Katherine Elkins’ as the endcap. They’re all bangers— check out Eduardo Ledesma’s, for example. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Rita Raley
🔥 🔥 Two great sentences on how universities are responding to AI 🔥 🔥
October 12, 2024 at 8:04 PM
🔥 🔥 Two great sentences on how universities are responding to AI 🔥 🔥