@profwhw.bsky.social
Author of We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age (MIT). Polisci prof. Contrarian. Lover of dogs, family outfit matching, and tinned fish.
🗞️ ICYMI: When Big Tech systems fail, everyday life grinds to a halt. That’s not just a tech problem, it’s a governance problem.
My recent op-ed in @theglobeandmail.com offers a sneak peek at the argument in my forthcoming book, Mirrored States.
🔗
🧵5/5 This op-ed is a sneak peek at the arguments I develop more fully in Mirrored States, forthcoming.
🔗 Read the piece here: www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
🧵4/5 When those systems fail, the absence of governance is felt immediately.
In this piece, I argue that it’s time to stop treating Big Tech as simply “big business” and start recognizing it as Governance—with corresponding responsibilities, accountability, and public oversight.
🧵3/5 In the digital age, Big Tech doesn’t merely provide services. Through data-intensive platforms and cloud infrastructure, technology companies increasingly govern the conditions under which we live, work, and connect.
24.01.2026 15:04 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0🧵2/5 Last summer’s CrowdStrike outage grounded flights, froze hospitals, and disrupted everyday life worldwide. The lesson is not just about cybersecurity—it’s about governance.
24.01.2026 15:04 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
🧵1/5 I have a new op-ed in The Globe and Mail that offers a preview of my next book.
24.01.2026 15:04 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0@profwhw.bsky.social is super sharp on the state of big tech, so read her G&M piece www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti... We need to regulate the tech companies.
23.01.2026 22:52 — 👍 5 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
(Paywall): Big Tech companies govern, unelected, through data-intensive platforms. It’s time we explicitly acknowledge that, writes @profwhw.bsky.social
via @theglobeandmail.com
Over the holidays, I had the pleasure of chatting with CBC's Chris Walker on Daybreak South.
For me, the most significant development in AI in 2025 was the sensation surrounding LLMs—their promise and their limitations. Listen to the segment on CBCListen's website 🎧
This whole convo is fantastic - 1.5 hours of very informative chat on climate justice vs the gross economics of tech
Ft @naomiaklein.bsky.social @profwhw.bsky.social @profhvdv.bsky.social, hosted at @ccj-ubc.bsky.social
youtu.be/27BHQhkK52I
More Battle Rhythm!! I talk with Linna Tam-Seto about CAF personnel stuff and then @profwhw.bsky.social interviews @madisonschramm.bsky.social about her work on democracies fighting dictators. open.substack.com/pub/cdsn/p/e...
03.12.2025 14:56 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1Give a listen - I know you'll enjoy learning from @madisonschramm.bsky.social as much as I did!
04.12.2025 18:53 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🚨The video recording of the AI and the Politics of Extraction panel is now live! Watch this fascinating 1.5 hour discussion with @naomiaklein.bsky.social, @profwhw.bsky.social, @mysdick.bsky.social, and @profhvdv.bsky.social as they explore the risks of unfettered AI implementation.
03.12.2025 22:59 — 👍 96 🔁 34 💬 1 📌 5💬 Reminder to save your spot for "AI and the Politics of Extraction" at UBC's Centre for Climate Justice. I'm on a panel moderated by Carol Liao, and we will be discussing the complex political and legal issues raised by AI-enabled resource extraction.
🗓️Nov. 20
🕰️2-3:30pm
📍In-Person & Zoom
This is happening Wednesday! Come join us at UBC's School of Law, where I will be arguing that we have to move beyond “monopoly” to characterize Big Tech’s outsize influence on modern society. Details about registration at the link below 🔗
16.11.2025 23:57 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0Really looking forward to visiting UBC's School of Law! If you're interested in Big Tech and governance, come join us on November 19 (either in-person or virtually!) 👩💻
11.11.2025 20:30 — 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Don't wait to sign up! I'm excited to talking about these very important issues with my fellow panelists! Yea, I'll be talking about human rights. 😉
06.11.2025 16:52 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0But the data describe who we are - which is why need human rights more than ever in the digital age. Data have implications for autonomy, dignity, equality, and community. We can't forget that in AI governance efforts.
06.11.2025 16:50 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Just saw the article in NYT by @maxkasy.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/11/02/o... He's absolutely 💯 right about the fact data enable AI.
It's nice to see others out there with the same core arguments I advanced in We, the Data 📘 - without data, we don't have the AI systems we have today.
Read more here 👉 management.ok.ubc.ca/research/ide...
27.10.2025 19:26 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
👻 Anything spookier than unchecked #BigTech? Come hang out with me at the @ubcokanagan.bsky.social
Faculty of Management on Halloween for #IdeaFest!
🎃 In-person event: 31-Oct 12-1pm in EME 4116. Registration not required.
#bigtech #governance #wethedata
On the way home from the incredible Attention: Govern or Be Governed conference hosted by @mediatechdemocracy.bsky.social @taylorowen.bsky.social spent two days listening to hard and hopeful presentations, hanging out (in person!) with Valerie Kindarji. Thank you! Great goodies to take home too :)
24.10.2025 23:36 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Valérie Kindarji and I are in the Montreal Gazette this morning arguing that #AILiteracy ought to be a priority in Canada's leap into the AI future.
montrealgazette.com/opinion/op_e...
techcrunch.com/2025/10/16/a... yeeeeeah
18.10.2025 00:30 — 👍 173 🔁 122 💬 19 📌 49
📻 Recently, I had a great chat with Linda Morra from @ubishops.bsky.social
on her show, #GettingLitWithLinda. We talked about how #datafication reframes issues of consent, and why libraries are more important than ever.
▶️ Have a listen here:
#bigdata #wethedata #datafication #humanrights
🗣️ Calling all library workers!
I'll be talking about AI & Human Rights at the British Columbia Library Association @bcla.bsky.social!
Nov. 6 2025 @ 2-3:30pm (PT). This is a free virtual event w/ a Q&A so don't hesitate to bring your questions ☺️
Register here 👇
#humanrights #ethicalai #wethedata
The Toronto Public Library (TPL) Digital Expo is coming up on October 4. The theme is incredibly timely: Bridging the #AIDivide. I'll be speaking on a panel about #EthicalAI. Hope to see you there!
You can check out my co-panelists, and register at the link below👇
I am really looking forward to speaking @mcmasteruniversity.bsky.social Master of Public Policy Program on Sep. 22! I'll be talking about tech, rights, and the future of our digital lives.
Register here before Sep. 21st 👇
bit.ly/wethedata
#humanrights #wethedata #mcmasterevents
We ought to think about #AI as a #humanrights issue.
💬 Sep. 16, I will be back in Toronto to give the Frank W. Woods lecture at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.
Come join us! Registration and info here👇
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/we-dat...
#bigdata #humanrights #wethedata
The Toronto Public Library (TPL) annual Digital Expo is coming up in October! 🍁 This year's theme: Bridging the AI Divide. I'll be on a panel discussing #ethicalAI, and how we can achieve that delicate balance between data privacy, security, and public trust.
Program and Registration here👇
