Polly Thompson

Bluesky hivemind - views please!

If you were writing an academic-adjacent piece and needed to include clear but accessible stuff on AI / algorithmic bias and its societal impacts, what are your go-to texts?

I have lots but want to make sure I'm not missing a classic!

RTs welcome 🙂

Thanks for giving us some practice at #ukgc26 @jacattell.bsky.social and @mikerose.co.uk
This would make a good sticker ❤️

For fans of profound wisdoms gleaned from colexifications:

A lot of languages do not make a difference between "lazy" and "tired".

The idea that data is objective and good data practice means eliminating bias has it backwards. Data is subjective, and good data practice means tracing and identifying how the biases inherent to the data we construct serve or don’t serve specific peoples and ends to which that data is put to use.

Power and participation in public tech This conference is for anyone interested in how to achieve better outcomes in the delivery of digital, data and AI work in the public sector through the involvement of the public, communities and workers. Come if you’re a public servant trying to engage or involve the public in your work on technology. Come if you’re working in civil society, in the union movement, or with grassroots groups, trying to be heard. Come to share what you’re up to, and to learn from others; leave with new insights, ideas, and connections.

We are running a conference on 'Power and participation in public tech' and registration is now open to all.

📆 Friday 6th March
🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00
🏢 Manchester, UK

🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026...

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Sorry to hear that- that sounds tough x

TransformGov Talks: January 2026 · Luma Join us at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O'Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public…

🚨 6PM, WED 28 January 🚨

At TPXImpact or online

Matt Wood-Hill, MHCLG, and Linda O’Halloran, TPXimpact on public service market-shaping.

​Patrick Diamond, Professor in Public Policy, Queen Mary, University of London, on government effectiveness

luma.com/pc7ji8sg

Please share! Thanks 🙏

Copilot doesn't really work for many of the use cases in LG for various reasons. There's definitely demand for something more specific - currently met by one product that has been widely adopted but is v expensive 👀

Also- hello! I was hoping you'd be at #ukgc26. Would be really lovely to catch up

Yes! We were in the pilot group of LAs for Minute, but it wasn't clear what was happening with it post -pilot. But the team heard my pitch and said hello 🎉

My specific option is "Transcription and structured document drafting seems to be emerging as the "killer app" of gen AI in local gov. Could we/how could we build and operate a shared product to avoid suppliers creaming off too much of the potential saving/benefit?"
Does that sound ok? #ukgc26

That's a good point! Big groups need a bit of planning so I'm a bit late for that

I'm thinking of pitching at #ukgc26
Something local gov. Is it better to go for general or specific topics/questions?

@ukgovcamp.com a gentle nudge to campers travelling from London: these travel problems are what colleagues in the regions face whenever called to meetings or office days in London. This is a great chance to understand their pain, and consider meeting start/finish times etc in future ! 😉
#ukgc26

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wants you to stop calling Al "slop" in 2026. Images of satya Nadella and MS AI logo.

Microsoft logo redone to say Microslop

Barbra Streisand

Perhaps they decided against a clock because "👁️ DELAYS ARE INEVITABLE"

A yellow sign on a grey clinic wall. Each sentence starts with an image of an eye. EMERGENCY EYE CLINIC Appointments are given dependent upon clinical symptoms. Appointment times are approximate, due to the nature of the Clinic. Clinical emergencies will ALWAYS be given priority. Wherever possible, young children and In-Patients will be given some priority. DELAYS ARE INEVITABLE. If you have any concerns with this, please speak to the Nurse. Thank you for your co-operation.

That is nice. Reminds me of (less stylish, but pleasingly whimsical): Eyes-for-bullet-points at Cardiff hospital emergency eye clinic

In which @richardpope.org shares a very personal example of the problems GDS Local could help local council's to solve. richardpope.org/2025/11/26/a...

Poets are now cybersecurity threats: Researchers used 'adversarial poetry' to trick AI into ignoring its safety guard rails and it worked 62% of the time Hacking the planet with florid verse.

"Our society might have stumbled into the most embarrassing possible cyberpunk dystopia, but—as of today—it's at least one in which wordwizards who can mesmerize the machine mind with canny verse and potent turns of phrase are now a pressing cybersecurity threat."

www.pcgamer.com/software/ai/...

Comic. [Person sitting at desk with laptop with machine labeled E-21 making “click click” noises on the floor behind] VOICE FROM LAPTOP: Hey all! Does your E-21 humidifier make an annoying clicking noise? Mine did, but I finally figured out that there’s an easy fix, so I made this video in case anyone else… PERSON AT DESK: Oh my god. Yes. *Yes.* [caption] I know there’s more important work in the world, but I feel like these people deserve, at minimum a statue.

Repair Video

xkcd.com/3163/

I want to explain a few things and then it might be clearer why UK trans people are upset.
In 2001 I married my wife, Sylvia.
In 2005 I started medical transition. (1/13)

A photo of the article in the physical edition of The House magazine

How to avoid concreting cowpats (and other AI hokem)

Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold

Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social

www.politicshome.com/news/article...

What a lovely picture of you and @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social !

I hope someone pitches a Traitors debrief session at @govcampcymru.bsky.social tomorrow. "The limits of analytical intelligence in the absence of trust: what Alan Carr, Joe Marler and David Olusoga can teach us about decision making under pressure"

Cackled is exactly the right word. Marvellous. Nick and David rushing to console Alan for his treachery ❤️

This is the best telly ever. Amazing stuff.

🚨Small boat migrants getting “private health care” while the rest of us have to use the NHS?!🚨

That’s outrageous!

Or is it?

Might the reality be a little more mundane and a little less clickbait-worthy?

Let’s take a 👀

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Building a culture of national pride on the things we’re actually good at and the things we make that people actually want would make us look like Tumblr Island and we should absolutely do it

“Britain? The Warhammer porno costume drama academia place that used to be into racism? Yeah, weird dudes?”

"...you feel like you’re reading out at best some bit of committee-written bureaucracy. There is an emotional sense of... no person is on the other end."
I think this is partly why it's so popular in (some parts of) gov. But it takes us in the wrong direction. We should be more human, not less!