dair_institute - Twitch Twitch account for The Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR).

Chatbots for therapy: Worst idea ever or a good way to drive people into psychosis?

On the next Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 live stream, @mharrisondupre.bsky.social‬ will join @alexhanna.bsky.social and me to process the hype:

Monday, August 18, noon Pacific
twitch.tv/dair_institute

Loved writing this - thank you to the wonderful @sbradstreet.bsky.social . And I got to squeeze in a mention of The AI Con from @alexhanna.bsky.social and @emilymbender.bsky.social The joy of writing after PhDone!

"Peer support has to start with meeting people where they are, not where systems expect them to be." - Isaac Samuels

"I learned that those who had been where I was could transmit life-saving hope in the darkest moments." - Mel Ball

🗣️ "Peer support has to start with meeting people where they are, not where systems expect them to be...It’s not just about ticking a box for inclusion, it’s about making sure people truly feel seen, heard and valued. " - @coproisaac.bsky.social @mentalhealthpru.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/rmfcc7u9

Watchdog inquiry after detained man dies in police van near A&E The man died in a police vehicle after being taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital, the IOPC says.

Correct bbc link - www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Government quietly releases multiple disability research reports on the same day… eight days too late for MPs The government has quietly published 12 detailed research reports, nearly all related to disability employment, disability poverty and the benefits system, all on the same day, just eight days afte…

The government has quietly published 12 research reports, nearly all related to disability employment, disability poverty and the benefits system, all on the same day, just 8 days after MPs voted to impose £2 billion-a-year cuts to disability benefits.
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-q...

Graphic: More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a considered amendment to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. It declines to give a second reading to the bill, citing lack of formal consultation with Disabled people, the absence of key impact assessments, and concerns that the changes will push 250,000 people into poverty.

It is immensely encouraging to see that 100+ Labour MPs have tabled a considered amendment to upcoming cuts to #DisabilityBenefits.

If the Speaker selects it to be voted on, and it passes, the bill would fall entirely.

A significant moment for holding the Government to account.

🔗 buff.ly/8Il0Ohh

Infographic titled "Stages of Mania in Bipolar I-II" summarizing phases: Euthymia, Hypomania, Mania (Manic & Mixed Episodes), and Psychosis, with symptoms and brief descriptions for each stage. Icons visually represent each phase. Full alt text available free on Gumroad through link on site due to length.

Infographic titled "Mood Stages in Bipolar I-II" outlining various stages from Psychosis and Mixed Episode to Mania, Hypomania, Euthymia, and several forms of depression. Icons and text visually explain symptoms associated with each stage. Comparison bars show conditions overlapping with Bipolar. Full alt text available free on Gumroad due to length.

Infographic titled "Terminology in Bipolar I-II" listing terms associated with bipolar disorder, such as Alogia, Mania, Depersonalization, Cyclothymia, and more. Each term is defined in brief. Color-coded boxes group related terms. Full alt text available free on Gumroad due to length

Once a month I like to highlight the bipolar community here. It's been huge for me, and I hope for others.

Attached are the two newest (and original!) infographics. I made a hub at the link with feeds, groups, the crisis bot, more. Check it, use it, help find people and share. ❤️

assisted.space/bp

'just upload a photo' - without dimensions? its not going to show how it looks on me. I'd doubt the colour accuracy too. so what's the point?

I noticed someone else here suggesting it was an artwork about bureaucracy. I could believe it. Good luck all

Especially when it was closed for maintenance over the weekend - Reminder: This weekend our application portal, Grantium, is closed for maintenance from 10pm Fri 9 May until 10pm Sun 11 May, and back online Mon 12 May

Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' would create 'unfettered abuse' of AI, 141 high-profile orgs warn in letter to Congress The signatories include Georgetown Law's Center on Privacy and Technology, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Alphabet Workers Union, and more.

“This moratorium would mean that even if a company deliberately designs an algorithm that causes foreseeable harm — regardless of how intentional or egregious the misconduct or how devastating the consequences — the company making that bad tech would be unaccountable to lawmakers and the public…”

This ‘age detection’ tech is developed in the context of healthcare. But the UK government immigration white paper, announced today, states that they’re looking at “age assessment technology” for visa decisions, so you can see where it’s heading.

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para6 graph (2), no State or political subdivision thereof 7 may enforce any law or regulation regulating artifi8 cial intelligence models, artificial intelligence sys9 tems, or automated decision systems during the 10- 10 year period beginning on the date of the enactment 11 of this Act.

This is insane. Republicans have inserted language into the budget reconciliation bill that would ban states from regulating AI in any capacity for 10 years.

from @404media.co

www.404media.co/republicans-...

Not so much let him cook as let them roast

aerial photo of mixed housing with railway track to bottom left of image

SRN is recruiting a lived experience advisory group for LSE research on role of local support and amenities for people aged 65+ with care and support needs. It's a paid opportunity. Further information and application link on our website: survivorresearcher.net/local-social...

From the changemyview community on Reddit Explore this post and more from the changemyview community

The mods of r/ChangeMyView shared the sub was the subject of a study to test the persuasiveness of LLMs & that they didn't consent. There’s a lot that went wrong, so here’s a 🧵 unpacking it, along with some ideas for how to do research with online communities ethically. tinyurl.com/59tpt988

Pope Francis' last public homily - What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of our world! How much violence we see, often even within families, directed at women and children! How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized, and migrants! On this day, I would like all of us to hope anew and to revive our trust in others, including those who are different than ourselves, or who come from distant lands, bringing unfamiliar customs, ways of life and ideas! For all of us are children of God

A bleet from Donald Trump. I'm not going to type it all. Let's just say he's made his Easter message into a screed against migrants.

Pope Francis' final Easter message vs POTUS Easter message.

A lot to be sad about today, but also some clarity. If you ever doubt it matters who your leaders are, re-read these two.

(PDF) IMPACTS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM ON CLAIMANTS' MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING, AND HOW MIGHT HARMS BE MITIGATED: NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit Report PDF | This report was written by the NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit for the Department of Health and Social Care in July 2022. It summarises... | Find, read and cite all the research you need...

"Policies of more generous support delivered improvements in mental health, while those with stricter eligibility or reduced support worsened mental health and inequalities." Plenty of evidence from research done for them - www.researchgate.net/publication/...

Such a kind offer! I’d be interested

The Supreme Court sided with FWS.

But it didn’t hear from a single trans person.
This ruling sets a dangerous precedent and erases trans women from protections. It puts trans rights back 20 years.

We won't stop fighting for trans rights 🏳️‍⚧️

8.8 million people in the UK experience anxiety or depression each week. Just 361,000 get PIP for it. PIP isn’t for the ‘worried well’—it’s for those with serious, disabling illness. Labour knows this. They’re counting on the public not to. #WelfareNotWarfare #DisabilityBenefits

Always good to read how the values of #PeerSupport can be applied across contexts. Link is worth a read for anyone handling difficult conversations including #AcademicSky

Number crunching: Cuts to health and disability benefit, and reduction in financial support for carers v unpaid care carried out every year.

From the new Private Eye, out now.

From Private Eye…..

Have you asked your participants? Your university - if they've accepted you for a study that requires involvement they might have some small pot of money you could apply for? I was told to ask my professional organisation for funds - not an option for me but maybe it is for you?

Labour's Disability benefit reforms will push 340,000 people into poverty, exacerbating the harms of a welfare system that is already killing people.

NSUN is appalled by these proposals (1/3).

exciting - looking forward to following where it all heads next. Congratulations to you both

What Is Skin Camouflage For Disfigurement? | Changing Faces Find out how Changing Faces’ Skin Camouflage Service could help you manage your visible difference or disfigurement, and learn how to register your interest.

Not saying you should cover up in any way but just checking you’re aware of these folks who do amazing camouflage work - www.changing-faces.org.uk/services-sup...

#WelfareNotWarfare

Useful stats and figures to use in interviews when speaking to the media

dpac.uk.net/2025/03/disa...

Image is a screenshot of the Government’s Green Paper on welfare reform. ‘A highlighted section reads: We have published this paper ahead of the accessible versions to put detailed information about the matters subject to consultation in the public domain at the earliest opportunity.’

If you want a clear illustration of the Government’s disregard for really engaging with disabled people, they have produced NO accessible versions of their plans today.