Sherif Elsayed-Ali
LightNews LightNews
banner
sherifea.com
Sherif Elsayed-Ali
@sherifea.com
410 followers 280 following 280 posts
Tech can be better.

Helping build shared ATProto infrastructure at @eurosky.social

Senior fellow @ https://futureinstitute.tech
Posts Replies Media Videos
sherifea.com
And for good measure we also talk about how Apple nearly killed webapps because when you have so much power you can do outrageous things.
June 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
sherifea.com
Can Europe build it own AWS? John Ozbay (Crypt.ee) had a chat about this. TL;DR European cloud is a good 10-15 years behind and it will be a hard lift, but it can and must be done. #tech #European #Eurostack

Listen here open.spotify.com/episode/7h0c...

& podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...
June 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
sherifea.com
Just dropped a new ep of SYSTEM CHANGE 🎙️

talked w/ John Ozbay (Cryptee) about cloud monopolies, European tech sovereignty, and if a euro-AWS is possible?

🎧 listen: open.spotify.com/episode/7h0c...

#systemchange #cloudsovereignty #interoperability #crypty
June 4, 2025 at 4:57 PM
sherifea.com
Digital ads pays for the internet. But the system is broken, and one company - Google - is at the center of it all.

The digital ad market is monopolised, extractive, and harmful — to users and to the web itself.

I discuss with @robin.berjon.com & @coricrider.com
open.spotify.com/episode/5m7v...
May 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
sherifea.com
Here @coricrider.com talking about how Google became a convicted monopolist
May 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
sherifea.com
The question of European tech alternatives is not just about competition & innovation but also a need to tackle a fundamental national security vulnerability.

I recently spoke to @marietjeschaake.bsky.social about European alternatives for our webinar on the emerging #OpenWebEconomy. Excerpt 👇
April 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
sherifea.com
We’re publishing a new whitepaper today. Algorithmic Pluralism: Towards Competitive and Innovative Information Ecosystems.

We outline the structural case for opening up how information is discovered and curated online.

Co-authored with @robin.berjon.com

Paper drive.google.com/file/d/1DuZs...
Diagram illustrating an open, interoperable social media model This diagram presents an alternative to centralized platforms, showing how algorithmic pluralism can function. It consists of three distinct layers: 1. Computing infrastructure (bottom layer) – The foundational infrastructure, which can be operated by one or multiple entities. If controlled by a single entity, it must provide fair access to services built on top of it. 2. Social graph and content data (middle layer) – A shared data layer where users’ connections and content reside. Unlike current platforms, this layer is open and not owned by any single company. Users retain control over their connections. 3. Multiple user-facing applications (top layer) – A diverse range of services and interfaces built on top of the open social graph. These applications offer different user experiences, content moderation policies, recommender systems, and add-on services. Arrows indicate that multiple front-end applications can interact with the same social graph and infrastructure. The diagram highlights the benefits of this approach, stating that by freeing up content data and connections from the control of a single platform, a competitive ecosystem emerges where different services can coexist and innovate. Additional annotations emphasize: • The importance of open social graphs for consumer choice. • The need for fair access to the infrastructure layer if operated by a single entity. This model envisions a decentralized, user-centric social media ecosystem that promotes competition and innovation while preventing monopolistic control.
March 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
sherifea.com
Poster advert on the London tube for Landlord beer. It reads: Another one that didn't make the grade (sketch of 3 scientists taking away a malfunctioning robot on a stretcher) A.I. is too important to be left in the hands of machines The A.I. we're referring to isn't Artificial Intelligence, it's Ale Intelligence, of course. We're not technophobes, we just don't trust anything incapable of smelling, feeling or tasting to create something as delicately balanced as Landlord. That's why we have four hands-on, Heriot- Watt trained brewers involved in every step of the process, from barley delivery to filling the casks. This way, we can make sure that every sip of Taylor's is as delicious as humanly possible. Machines may one day take over the world, just be thankful you won't be around to drink their terrible beer. All for that taste of Taylor's Please drink responsibly
March 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
sherifea.com
Poster advert on the London tube for Landlord beer. It reads: Another one that didn't make the grade (sketch of 3 scientists taking away a malfunctioning robot on a stretcher) A.I. is too important to be left in the hands of machines The A.I. we're referring to isn't Artificial Intelligence, it's Ale Intelligence, of course. We're not technophobes, we just don't trust anything incapable of smelling, feeling or tasting to create something as delicately balanced as Landlord. That's why we have four hands-on, Heriot- Watt trained brewers involved in every step of the process, from barley delivery to filling the casks. This way, we can make sure that every sip of Taylor's is as delicious as humanly possible. Machines may one day take over the world, just be thankful you won't be around to drink their terrible beer. All for that taste of Taylor's Please drink responsibly
March 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
sherifea.com
Sam on the other hand
March 14, 2025 at 11:46 AM
sherifea.com
Wait what?
March 13, 2025 at 12:36 PM
sherifea.com
Little preview of our upcoming whitepaper on the Open Network Economy - w @robin.berjon.com

Join us for a discussion with @marietjeschaake.bsky.social & @emilyliu.me Friday 21 March 4pm CET / 10am EST

Event and livestream: streamyard.com/watch/uhdM7f...

RSVP:
smokesignal.events/did:plc:haqw...
Screenshot with the following text: The Open Network Economy (On Economy) is the emerging paradigm of platforms, applications and products characterized by decentralization and interoperability, which enable users to curate and choose how they experience and interact with the web. The On Economy is today most visible in its disruption of legacy social media - the centralized, top-down, platforms such as Facebook and X. These platforms, today nearly two decades old, are being challenged by new entrants like Bluesky, a social web platform built on modern decentralized principles and an open protocol. The difference between legacy social media and ON Economy platforms and products could not be starker. Whereas the old social media relied on locking users in, making it impossible to leave a platform without losing their accumulated networks, in the ON Economy, users - whether individuals or businesses - have choice among a range of providers and can move between them without losing accumulated data and networks. In the old social media, users have very limited, if any choice, in the algorithms that feed them information; in the ON Economy, users have a plethora of choice and the ability to curate their own experiences. Critically, because ON Economy platforms and products are built around interoperability and open protocols - with a sufficiently large market, monopolies and lock-in are virtually impossible, making the ON Economy the basis for an open and competitive market where innovation and new entrants can thrive. Legacy social media is known for having worked to capture the entire value chain to the point of turning social media into a no-fly zone for investors; in contrast, the ON Economy seeks to create long-term habitable ecosystems with a constant potential for innovation.
March 12, 2025 at 1:38 PM
sherifea.com
with alt text
ARTICLE 10 Freedom of expression 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. 2. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
March 11, 2025 at 1:19 PM
sherifea.com
There's also article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
March 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
sherifea.com
Now with the link. My excuse is I hadn’t had my coffee yet.

This is a terrific analysis of the current state of LLMs, their limitations, potential to reach AGI and a bit of a timeline of the years ahead. Must read.

Also can someone send this to No. 10 😁

www.lesswrong.com/posts/oKAFFv...
Screenshot with the following text: • There will be news of various important-looking breakthroughs and advancements, at a glance looking very solid even to us/experts. Digging deeper, or waiting until the practical consequences of these breakthroughs materialize, will reveal that they're 80% hot air/hype-generation. • At some point there might be massive layoffs due to ostensibly competent Al labor coming onto the scene, perhaps because OpenAl will start heavily propagandizing that these mass layoffs must happen. It will be an overreaction/mistake. The companies that act on that will crash and burn, and will be outcompeted by companies that didn't do the stupid.
March 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
sherifea.com
This is a terrific analysis of the current state of LLMs, their limitations, potential to reach AGI and a bit of a timeline of the years ahead. Must read.

Also can someone send this to No. 10 😁
Screenshot with the following text: • There will be news of various important-looking breakthroughs and advancements, at a glance looking very solid even to us/experts. Digging deeper, or waiting until the practical consequences of these breakthroughs materialize, will reveal that they're 80% hot air/hype-generation. 5) • At some point there might be massive layoffs due to ostensibly competent Al labor coming onto the scene, perhaps because OpenAl will start heavily propagandizing that these mass layoffs must happen. It will be an overreaction/mistake. The companies that act on that will crash and burn, and will be outcompeted by companies that didn't do the stupid.
March 10, 2025 at 8:05 AM
sherifea.com
Oh look. Zelensky. With the KING. And no suit and no one having a tantrum.
March 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
sherifea.com
Re LLMs that should have been open source is winning. That’s what happens when you walk this little monster and post at the same time.
March 1, 2025 at 1:31 PM
sherifea.com
I guess the message is finally sinking
February 28, 2025 at 9:43 PM
sherifea.com
Gotta be subtle
February 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
sherifea.com
Fixed it
February 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM
sherifea.com
Happy Saturday everyone. Wishing you happy dreams tonight.
February 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
sherifea.com
At Paul’s, London, at night
February 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
sherifea.com
A night in Paris
February 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM
sherifea.com
He talked about the importance of international collaboration including with the US, India and -notably - China. And he announced €109b in funding for French AI. Macron made fun of "drill baby drill", with a new nuclear-powered mantra -  "plug baby plug'.
February 12, 2025 at 6:49 PM