Ro Encarnación
@rone.bsky.social
PhD in progress at Penn HCI. I work on HCI + algorithmic justice + public sector AI policy.
roencarnacion.com
roencarnacion.com
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
Another day when the assimilation of the internet into a tiny number of hands becomes obvious. AWS (Amazon web services) goes down and takes half the internet with it!
October 20, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Another day when the assimilation of the internet into a tiny number of hands becomes obvious. AWS (Amazon web services) goes down and takes half the internet with it!
I'm convinced that many current "safety guardrails" in generative AI systems are merely financial and political risk mitigation strategies. They are meant to protect companies first, not users.
October 16, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I'm convinced that many current "safety guardrails" in generative AI systems are merely financial and political risk mitigation strategies. They are meant to protect companies first, not users.
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
When it comes to AI, ignore what Sam Altman says and instead listen to @abeba.bsky.social @timnitgebru.bsky.social @olivia.science @irisvanrooij.bsky.social @karenhao.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
When it comes to AI, ignore what Sam Altman says and instead listen to @abeba.bsky.social @timnitgebru.bsky.social @olivia.science @irisvanrooij.bsky.social @karenhao.bsky.social
Oops, $1.5 billion to Prime subscribers! Another $1 billion to the FTC.
Amazon has to pay $1.8 billion due to deceptive Prime subscription practices and change those same practices as part of an FTC settlement.
It’s time to screenshot for posterity and wait for Amazon to use the settlement to raise Prime. Penalizing customers for what they did TO them.
It’s time to screenshot for posterity and wait for Amazon to use the settlement to raise Prime. Penalizing customers for what they did TO them.
I know the FTC is already fighting this but I’m gathering more receipts for my own purposes.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
September 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Oops, $1.5 billion to Prime subscribers! Another $1 billion to the FTC.
Amazon has to pay $1.8 billion due to deceptive Prime subscription practices and change those same practices as part of an FTC settlement.
It’s time to screenshot for posterity and wait for Amazon to use the settlement to raise Prime. Penalizing customers for what they did TO them.
It’s time to screenshot for posterity and wait for Amazon to use the settlement to raise Prime. Penalizing customers for what they did TO them.
I know the FTC is already fighting this but I’m gathering more receipts for my own purposes.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Amazon is trying to trap me into a subscription after I cancelled them last month. My partner cancelled last year and just learned he’s been charged every month since.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
September 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Amazon has to pay $1.8 billion due to deceptive Prime subscription practices and change those same practices as part of an FTC settlement.
It’s time to screenshot for posterity and wait for Amazon to use the settlement to raise Prime. Penalizing customers for what they did TO them.
It’s time to screenshot for posterity and wait for Amazon to use the settlement to raise Prime. Penalizing customers for what they did TO them.
The dark patterns in abortion crisis pregnancy center websites are a special level of insidious and predatory. The "For Men" section in some of these websites goes to show how far they'll go.
This screenshot is an example. The "Your" here is not referring to the pregnant person.
This screenshot is an example. The "Your" here is not referring to the pregnant person.
September 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The dark patterns in abortion crisis pregnancy center websites are a special level of insidious and predatory. The "For Men" section in some of these websites goes to show how far they'll go.
This screenshot is an example. The "Your" here is not referring to the pregnant person.
This screenshot is an example. The "Your" here is not referring to the pregnant person.
Heavily considering replacing bedtime stories with dramatic readings of research papers. Work smarter not harder yk?
September 18, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Heavily considering replacing bedtime stories with dramatic readings of research papers. Work smarter not harder yk?
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
is your workplace trying to force ai on you? is a family member giving ai too much power in their life? are you sick of billionaires destroying the environment and making life worse for everyone? here's a list of resources 10+ pages long to help you fight back: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Questioning AI Resource List
Excellent summary of major problems with companies’ focus on AI written by expert in machine learning: https://ludic.mataroa.blog/blog/i-will-fucking-piledrive-you-if-you-mention-ai-again/ Another g...
docs.google.com
July 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
is your workplace trying to force ai on you? is a family member giving ai too much power in their life? are you sick of billionaires destroying the environment and making life worse for everyone? here's a list of resources 10+ pages long to help you fight back: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
Google is also trying to lock in schools to a particular set of ideas that it claims to be based on "learning science" with its new LearnLM/Guided learning bot. It's a *theory lock-in* to a very attenuated version of learning theory. blog.google/outreach-ini...
Guided Learning in Gemini: From answers to understanding
Guided Learning is a new mode in Gemini that helps you learn and study by building a deep understanding instead of just getting answers.
blog.google
August 8, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Google is also trying to lock in schools to a particular set of ideas that it claims to be based on "learning science" with its new LearnLM/Guided learning bot. It's a *theory lock-in* to a very attenuated version of learning theory. blog.google/outreach-ini...
I want to see more of this! One person close to me who works as a SWE at a major company explained how bad it is right now. They are forced to have "AI goals", have full-day meetings teaching folks how to vibe code, and no one has tracked actual productivity.
despite popular beliefs, incorporating "AI" in workflows does NOT reduce time.
"when developers use AI tools, they take 19% longer than without—AI makes them slower"
metr.org/blog/2025-07...
the stark difference between forecasts and actual results in the plot is damming
"when developers use AI tools, they take 19% longer than without—AI makes them slower"
metr.org/blog/2025-07...
the stark difference between forecasts and actual results in the plot is damming
July 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I want to see more of this! One person close to me who works as a SWE at a major company explained how bad it is right now. They are forced to have "AI goals", have full-day meetings teaching folks how to vibe code, and no one has tracked actual productivity.
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
Are you an HCI researcher from or who studies the Global Majority? Reviewed research about Global Majority for HCI venues?
@farhana-shahid.bsky.social & I are conducting research on peer review experience of research by and about Global Majority.
participation form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
@farhana-shahid.bsky.social & I are conducting research on peer review experience of research by and about Global Majority.
participation form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Review Experience of Global Majority Scholars
We invite scholars who are either from the Global Majority or conduct research in the Global Majority to share their experiences of publishing in interdisciplinary venues such as CHI, CSCW, FAccT, Ubi...
docs.google.com
July 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Are you an HCI researcher from or who studies the Global Majority? Reviewed research about Global Majority for HCI venues?
@farhana-shahid.bsky.social & I are conducting research on peer review experience of research by and about Global Majority.
participation form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
@farhana-shahid.bsky.social & I are conducting research on peer review experience of research by and about Global Majority.
participation form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
How can we ensure that #AI is ACTUALLY helpful for the BIG challenges we face, like #ClimateChange and #WorldHunger? We need to listen to the experts who understand these problems best!
That's why @aspendigital.bsky.social is surveying people in #FoodSecurity: www.aspendigital.org/event/food-s...
That's why @aspendigital.bsky.social is surveying people in #FoodSecurity: www.aspendigital.org/event/food-s...
Feeding the Future
We don’t just need smarter tech, we need smarter goals. Take the survey so your insight can shape the future of AI in food security.
www.aspendigital.org
July 11, 2025 at 10:27 PM
How can we ensure that #AI is ACTUALLY helpful for the BIG challenges we face, like #ClimateChange and #WorldHunger? We need to listen to the experts who understand these problems best!
That's why @aspendigital.bsky.social is surveying people in #FoodSecurity: www.aspendigital.org/event/food-s...
That's why @aspendigital.bsky.social is surveying people in #FoodSecurity: www.aspendigital.org/event/food-s...
I'm incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with this team. Truly one of the best collaborative experiences I have had to date (special s/o to our MVP @mkgerchick.bsky.social for leading this)!
Check out Marissa's talk on our paper "auditing the audits" if you're at #FAccT2025!
⬇️
Check out Marissa's talk on our paper "auditing the audits" if you're at #FAccT2025!
⬇️
Excited to be at #FAccT2025 and honored to see our work “auditing the audits” resulting from one of the first enacted AI laws in the U.S. received an honorable mention! I’ll be presenting this work on Wednesday at 11 AM Athens time: programs.sigchi.org/facct/2025/p...
June 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I'm incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with this team. Truly one of the best collaborative experiences I have had to date (special s/o to our MVP @mkgerchick.bsky.social for leading this)!
Check out Marissa's talk on our paper "auditing the audits" if you're at #FAccT2025!
⬇️
Check out Marissa's talk on our paper "auditing the audits" if you're at #FAccT2025!
⬇️
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
The leeway permitted by "automated decision systems" alone should terrify anyone regardless of their views about "AI".
Buried in the tax bill: "no State or political subdivision thereof may enforce any law or regulation regulating artificial intelligence models, artificial intelligence systems, or automated decision systems during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act."
May 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The leeway permitted by "automated decision systems" alone should terrify anyone regardless of their views about "AI".
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
More than 700K Americans died from COVID after he wrote this. We still have not achieved herd immunity.
May 22, 2025 at 4:06 AM
More than 700K Americans died from COVID after he wrote this. We still have not achieved herd immunity.
I know the FTC is already fighting this but I’m gathering more receipts for my own purposes.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Amazon is trying to trap me into a subscription after I cancelled them last month. My partner cancelled last year and just learned he’s been charged every month since.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
May 22, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I know the FTC is already fighting this but I’m gathering more receipts for my own purposes.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Amazon did try to subscribe me again after I cancelled.
I then deleted all my payment options. So why did they try charging my card this morning??
Looks like they don’t delete your payment info either.
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
Would say “these systems don’t work” but the actual work of these systems is to more fully embed and perpetuate the racism of carceral systems, and thus they work exactly as intended.
UK creating ‘murder prediction’ tool to identify people most likely to kill
Exclusive: Algorithms allegedly being used to study data of thousands of people, in project critics say is ‘chilling and dystopian’
www.theguardian.com
April 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Would say “these systems don’t work” but the actual work of these systems is to more fully embed and perpetuate the racism of carceral systems, and thus they work exactly as intended.
Amazon is trying to trap me into a subscription after I cancelled them last month. My partner cancelled last year and just learned he’s been charged every month since.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
April 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Amazon is trying to trap me into a subscription after I cancelled them last month. My partner cancelled last year and just learned he’s been charged every month since.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
I tried deleting all my payment methods just now and I can’t for another 2 hours.
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
This is what we mean when we talk about racism being baked/coded into technological systems.
Wait until you learn how the mere existence of "aliases" in a police database is used as evidence of criminality. Coupled with databases that don't handle Hispanic naming conventions well at all, it's more or less automatic for that to happen.
Consider: "Miguel Fernandez Lopez Ortiz"
This is...
Consider: "Miguel Fernandez Lopez Ortiz"
This is...
March 31, 2025 at 12:52 AM
This is what we mean when we talk about racism being baked/coded into technological systems.
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
This is an expansion of methods/infrastructure that have been going on for +-10 years. Not in a "this isn't new!" way, but in a "they are maximizing existing systems" way. Ruha Benjamin and Dorothy Roberts have laid it out well.
psmag.com/social-justi...
psmag.com/social-justi...
Gang Databases Are a Life Sentence for Black and Latino Communities
Ending up on a gang database if you're brown or black is easy—you only have to be suspected of association. Getting off a gang database? That's much harder.
psmag.com
March 30, 2025 at 11:29 PM
This is an expansion of methods/infrastructure that have been going on for +-10 years. Not in a "this isn't new!" way, but in a "they are maximizing existing systems" way. Ruha Benjamin and Dorothy Roberts have laid it out well.
psmag.com/social-justi...
psmag.com/social-justi...
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
🤐 Have you ever wanted a simple webpage that displays the so-called "woke" and "DEI-related" words that the current administration wants to censor, one at a time, in random order? I did, so I created ForbiddenWordsUSA.com. Enjoy! 🤐
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Banned in the USA
ForbiddenWordsUSA.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
🤐 Have you ever wanted a simple webpage that displays the so-called "woke" and "DEI-related" words that the current administration wants to censor, one at a time, in random order? I did, so I created ForbiddenWordsUSA.com. Enjoy! 🤐
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Source: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
The DOGE firings have nothing to do with “efficiency” or “cutting waste.” They’re a direct push to weaken federal agencies perceived as liberal. This was evident from the start, and now the data confirms it: targeted agencies overwhelmingly those seen as more left-leaning. 🧵⬇️
February 20, 2025 at 2:18 AM
The DOGE firings have nothing to do with “efficiency” or “cutting waste.” They’re a direct push to weaken federal agencies perceived as liberal. This was evident from the start, and now the data confirms it: targeted agencies overwhelmingly those seen as more left-leaning. 🧵⬇️
Reposted by Ro Encarnación
I was in Paris last week for the #AIActionSummit & was honoured to participate in the “AI in public interest” panel.
👇🏾 my thoughts & reflections on what AI in public interest is/isn’t & some concrete steps/initiatives for `bending the arc of AI towards the public interest' aial.ie/pages/aiparis/
👇🏾 my thoughts & reflections on what AI in public interest is/isn’t & some concrete steps/initiatives for `bending the arc of AI towards the public interest' aial.ie/pages/aiparis/
Bending the arc of AI towards the public interest
By Abeba Birhane, 18/02/2025
Following the first in Bletchley Park in 2023 and the second in Seoul in 2024, the third AI Action Summit took place in February 2025 in Paris. In the context of previous ...
aial.ie
February 18, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I was in Paris last week for the #AIActionSummit & was honoured to participate in the “AI in public interest” panel.
👇🏾 my thoughts & reflections on what AI in public interest is/isn’t & some concrete steps/initiatives for `bending the arc of AI towards the public interest' aial.ie/pages/aiparis/
👇🏾 my thoughts & reflections on what AI in public interest is/isn’t & some concrete steps/initiatives for `bending the arc of AI towards the public interest' aial.ie/pages/aiparis/
In less important news: I had a brief out of body experience when I heard myself saying “we have food at home” to my mom.
We’ve come full circle.
We’ve come full circle.
February 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
In less important news: I had a brief out of body experience when I heard myself saying “we have food at home” to my mom.
We’ve come full circle.
We’ve come full circle.