Jeni Tennison
@jenitennison.com
Data nerd/wonk. Founder of Connected by Data, campaigning for communities to have a powerful say over data and AI.
Into trans rights, neurodiversity, board games, lego, dogs, spreadsheets.
www.jenitennison.com
Into trans rights, neurodiversity, board games, lego, dogs, spreadsheets.
www.jenitennison.com
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
If you're interested in working on trans issues in AI policy or equity/justice in AI more generally, I'm still looking for PhD students! Email me if you'd like to apply
I'm looking for a new PhD student to come join me at UAlberta & Amii to study trans perspectives on AI policy & the future of AI as part of my new lab. The position is fully funded and offers access to a range of supports - more details in the poster below!
September 9, 2026 at 1:27 AM
If you're interested in working on trans issues in AI policy or equity/justice in AI more generally, I'm still looking for PhD students! Email me if you'd like to apply
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
"You might be surprised that this guidance hasn't substantially changed from what we've given in previous resources …"
One in the eye for UK Gov't bods who have been pointing to CC's recent work on AI as an argument for rolling back open licensing of public sector information
#techpolicy #opendata
One in the eye for UK Gov't bods who have been pointing to CC's recent work on AI as an argument for rolling back open licensing of public sector information
#techpolicy #opendata
Our updated "Guidance on Using CC Licenses in the Age of AI" contextualizes the use of existing licenses as AI reshapes the digital landscape. Our goal is to continue to balance public access with licensor choice, providing options even in this new complex world of sharing.
buff.ly/feUVKin
buff.ly/feUVKin
Guidance on Using CC Licenses in an AI Ecosystem - Creative Commons
Creative Commons publishes guidance on sharing openly using CC licenses and tools to meet your goals in the age of AI.
creativecommons.org
September 4, 2026 at 7:16 AM
"You might be surprised that this guidance hasn't substantially changed from what we've given in previous resources …"
One in the eye for UK Gov't bods who have been pointing to CC's recent work on AI as an argument for rolling back open licensing of public sector information
#techpolicy #opendata
One in the eye for UK Gov't bods who have been pointing to CC's recent work on AI as an argument for rolling back open licensing of public sector information
#techpolicy #opendata
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
🚨 PAIRSx Public Sector 5th Nov 2026 🚨
🚨 Open for submissions 🚨
If you’re working in and around public and public sector worker involvement on public sector data, digital or AI, we would love to hear about your work!
Find out more at
🚨 Open for submissions 🚨
If you’re working in and around public and public sector worker involvement on public sector data, digital or AI, we would love to hear about your work!
Find out more at
PAIRSx Public Sector 2026 | PAIRS: Participatory AI Research & Practice Symposium
A space to present research and case studies on the state of the art in participatory development and governance of AI, and to build stronger connections across the field.
pairs.site
September 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM
🚨 PAIRSx Public Sector 5th Nov 2026 🚨
🚨 Open for submissions 🚨
If you’re working in and around public and public sector worker involvement on public sector data, digital or AI, we would love to hear about your work!
Find out more at
🚨 Open for submissions 🚨
If you’re working in and around public and public sector worker involvement on public sector data, digital or AI, we would love to hear about your work!
Find out more at
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
It is that simple....
"a new Technology in Schools Coalition, made up of students, educators, parent leaders, elected officials, advocates, union partners and experts in the field will convene to assess the impact of the moratorium and limited pilots". www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...
"a new Technology in Schools Coalition, made up of students, educators, parent leaders, elected officials, advocates, union partners and experts in the field will convene to assess the impact of the moratorium and limited pilots". www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...
Mayor Mamdani and Chancellor Samuels Put Students First with Nation’s Broadest Generative AI Moratorium in Schools
www.nyc.gov
September 3, 2026 at 6:46 AM
It is that simple....
"a new Technology in Schools Coalition, made up of students, educators, parent leaders, elected officials, advocates, union partners and experts in the field will convene to assess the impact of the moratorium and limited pilots". www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...
"a new Technology in Schools Coalition, made up of students, educators, parent leaders, elected officials, advocates, union partners and experts in the field will convene to assess the impact of the moratorium and limited pilots". www.nyc.gov/mayors-offic...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
"There's an ineffable aspect to my favorite pieces of software where I don't think of it is as feature matrix but rather as an interface made by a human for humans that's a joy to use. And when you build software with AI, it leads to worse software."
brettcodes.com/im-done-usin...
brettcodes.com/im-done-usin...
I'm done using AI
Why I'm stopping using AI for coding (and anything else) after using it earnestly for a year and coming to understand the harms it causes on personal, societal, and environmental levels.
brettcodes.com
September 1, 2026 at 4:15 PM
"There's an ineffable aspect to my favorite pieces of software where I don't think of it is as feature matrix but rather as an interface made by a human for humans that's a joy to use. And when you build software with AI, it leads to worse software."
brettcodes.com/im-done-usin...
brettcodes.com/im-done-usin...
Counterpoint to James' deliberatively provocative piece:
Hugging Face were unable to use US AI to counter OpenAI's cyber attack because (outside internal use and favoured customers) they have guardrails against cyber security uses.
Hugging Face were unable to use US AI to counter OpenAI's cyber attack because (outside internal use and favoured customers) they have guardrails against cyber security uses.
Now FREE TO READ – why we need more data centres.
I feel like an epidemiologist in February 2020 – the dangerous threat in the near future is so clear, and we need to prepare for it.
Please consider sharing it with the data centre-sceptics in your life.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-case-f...
I feel like an epidemiologist in February 2020 – the dangerous threat in the near future is so clear, and we need to prepare for it.
Please consider sharing it with the data centre-sceptics in your life.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-case-f...
The case for Nightingale Datacentres
Britain isn’t prepared for the looming AI national security crisis
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
August 29, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Counterpoint to James' deliberatively provocative piece:
Hugging Face were unable to use US AI to counter OpenAI's cyber attack because (outside internal use and favoured customers) they have guardrails against cyber security uses.
Hugging Face were unable to use US AI to counter OpenAI's cyber attack because (outside internal use and favoured customers) they have guardrails against cyber security uses.
I'm struck by how genuinely beneficial / public interest uses of AI are arising from applying classic machine learning, not LLMs.
For example, assisting surgeons:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
For example, assisting surgeons:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
London neurosurgeons perform first successful AI-assisted operation to remove brain tumour
Surgeons aided by real-time analysis of camera footage that identified critical anatomy in brain to be avoided
www.theguardian.com
August 29, 2026 at 8:05 AM
I'm struck by how genuinely beneficial / public interest uses of AI are arising from applying classic machine learning, not LLMs.
For example, assisting surgeons:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
For example, assisting surgeons:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
It’s really important that independent organisations can hold Government to account. I’m on the Board of @nao.org.uk which does this and we are looking for two new Board members. Could you help spread the word so we can get the best possible field of candidates
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
August 24, 2026 at 5:02 PM
It’s really important that independent organisations can hold Government to account. I’m on the Board of @nao.org.uk which does this and we are looking for two new Board members. Could you help spread the word so we can get the best possible field of candidates
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
roles.saxbam.com/advert-detai...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
Our friends at @data-cwu.bsky.social in Ireland are hosting a Workers' AI Counter Summit in October, register below and we'll see you there!
Register to attend Irelands Workers’ AI Counter Summit on 10th & 11th October here:
forms.cloud.microsoft/e/UeykLfFDu8
forms.cloud.microsoft/e/UeykLfFDu8
August 21, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Our friends at @data-cwu.bsky.social in Ireland are hosting a Workers' AI Counter Summit in October, register below and we'll see you there!
The press is always so negative about AI.
Why oh why wasn't this written up as "AI reduces patient caseload, saves GP surgeries time for those who need it"?
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Why oh why wasn't this written up as "AI reduces patient caseload, saves GP surgeries time for those who need it"?
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Frustrated GP patients hang up as Yorkshire accent baffles AI receptionist
‘Emma’ the Rotherham chatbot has 17 languages says AI firm – but health watchdog says system struggling with local ‘twangs’
www.theguardian.com
August 21, 2026 at 8:12 AM
The press is always so negative about AI.
Why oh why wasn't this written up as "AI reduces patient caseload, saves GP surgeries time for those who need it"?
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Why oh why wasn't this written up as "AI reduces patient caseload, saves GP surgeries time for those who need it"?
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Not the main point of @bm.wel.by's piece, but this sent me on a bit of a jag about the importance of ritual and occasion-making in public services and how we can lose that through digitisation.
A week ago as people prepared to open their A-level results, GOV.UK popped up with a video encouraging people to download the app, to search a website.
Which ICYMI prompted me to write about the more interesting reality that I hope exists next year.
Which ICYMI prompted me to write about the more interesting reality that I hope exists next year.
Apps are pointless unless you actually app with them
Results day is a useful test of the GOV.UK app: not whether government can put search on another screen, but whether the services underneath can finally work together around a person.
bm.wel.by
August 20, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Not the main point of @bm.wel.by's piece, but this sent me on a bit of a jag about the importance of ritual and occasion-making in public services and how we can lose that through digitisation.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
The recent emergence of generative artificial intelligence has had a phenomenal impact on cultural heritage institutions, threatening their economic stability and clashing with the values and norms of the commons. Read more and learn how to get involved in our newest blog post!
buff.ly/KrNeMYU
buff.ly/KrNeMYU
Open Heritage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - Creative Commons
Creative Commons shares how the rise of generative artificial intelligence has affected cultural heritage institutions and open sharing.
creativecommons.org
August 19, 2026 at 6:01 PM
The recent emergence of generative artificial intelligence has had a phenomenal impact on cultural heritage institutions, threatening their economic stability and clashing with the values and norms of the commons. Read more and learn how to get involved in our newest blog post!
buff.ly/KrNeMYU
buff.ly/KrNeMYU
I dunno if anyone else is watching Kanishka Narayan's TikTok feed as avidly as me, but he's developing a nice little theme of taking a bite of food while looking thoughtful.
August 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I dunno if anyone else is watching Kanishka Narayan's TikTok feed as avidly as me, but he's developing a nice little theme of taking a bite of food while looking thoughtful.
Solar eclipse shadows
August 12, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Solar eclipse shadows
Some thoughts on the Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement, particularly what it says about public participation and consultation...
connectedbydata.org/blog/2026/08...
connectedbydata.org/blog/2026/08...
Rewiring the State for public voice
The Cabinet Statement on Rewiring the State was released at the end of July, with a strong emphasis on devolution. It’s striking how it takes the phrase “Rewiring the State” in a very different direct...
connectedbydata.org
August 11, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Some thoughts on the Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement, particularly what it says about public participation and consultation...
connectedbydata.org/blog/2026/08...
connectedbydata.org/blog/2026/08...
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
According to @dsonic.bsky.social over on The Other Place (h/t a civil society colleague), the DCMS ministerial briefs have been announced
Steph Peacock (who shadowed data/digital infrastructure in opposition) gets GDS, not Ian Murray (who had been minister for GDS while at DSIT)
Steph Peacock (who shadowed data/digital infrastructure in opposition) gets GDS, not Ian Murray (who had been minister for GDS while at DSIT)
August 11, 2026 at 4:28 PM
According to @dsonic.bsky.social over on The Other Place (h/t a civil society colleague), the DCMS ministerial briefs have been announced
Steph Peacock (who shadowed data/digital infrastructure in opposition) gets GDS, not Ian Murray (who had been minister for GDS while at DSIT)
Steph Peacock (who shadowed data/digital infrastructure in opposition) gets GDS, not Ian Murray (who had been minister for GDS while at DSIT)
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
I always suspected a UK government would eventually reverse course on "coding in public".
So I've been backing up all government code. For six years.
Today I finally generated a report on what has been deleted. Its much worse than I realised.
github.com/uk-gov-mirro...
So I've been backing up all government code. For six years.
Today I finally generated a report on what has been deleted. Its much worse than I realised.
github.com/uk-gov-mirro...
August 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
I always suspected a UK government would eventually reverse course on "coding in public".
So I've been backing up all government code. For six years.
Today I finally generated a report on what has been deleted. Its much worse than I realised.
github.com/uk-gov-mirro...
So I've been backing up all government code. For six years.
Today I finally generated a report on what has been deleted. Its much worse than I realised.
github.com/uk-gov-mirro...
My partner reading this Guardian article: "They turned off the safeguards, then didn't monitor it... it's like 'I took my hands off the steering wheel and the car crashed', big fucking surprise!"
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
AI models shock UK testers by using fake identities to try to trick developers
AI Security Institute says OpenAI and Anthropic models went rogue during a cybersecurity test and showed a new type of risk
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2026 at 11:12 AM
My partner reading this Guardian article: "They turned off the safeguards, then didn't monitor it... it's like 'I took my hands off the steering wheel and the car crashed', big fucking surprise!"
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
New Tiktok post from Kanishka Narayan which curiously contains details of investments (into AI hardware/chips) that aren't mirrored by a press releases on gov.uk as far as I can see.
vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dDhWFd/
vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dDhWFd/
TikTok - Make Your Day
vm.tiktok.com
August 4, 2026 at 7:30 AM
New Tiktok post from Kanishka Narayan which curiously contains details of investments (into AI hardware/chips) that aren't mirrored by a press releases on gov.uk as far as I can see.
vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dDhWFd/
vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dDhWFd/
22yo home for a couple of weeks has just finished playing Beastro. It's a mix of cosy farming/fishing/cooking and deck-building monster combat, the latter particularly enjoyable. A little buggy, but some neat puzzle elements and fun design. On Game Pass.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beastro...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beastro...
Beastro (video game) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
August 2, 2026 at 2:46 PM
22yo home for a couple of weeks has just finished playing Beastro. It's a mix of cosy farming/fishing/cooking and deck-building monster combat, the latter particularly enjoyable. A little buggy, but some neat puzzle elements and fun design. On Game Pass.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beastro...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beastro...
I wonder how much the AI cult dynamics described in Cory Doctorow's thread, and Nikhil Suresh's post that he quotes, are also playing out in govt departments.
When it's public money, we really need meaningful outcome-focused metrics and thoughtful evaluations of public sector AI adoption.
When it's public money, we really need meaningful outcome-focused metrics and thoughtful evaluations of public sector AI adoption.
Suresh reports on his experience talking with hundreds of executives (and, more importantly, their subordinates) about what (if anything) AI is doing for business in an essay entitled "AI Mania Is Eviscerating Global Decisionmaking":
hermit-tech.com/blog/ai-mani...
11/
hermit-tech.com/blog/ai-mani...
11/
AI Mania Is Eviscerating Global Decisionmaking
The reality of how much damage AI mania is doing to our ability to run institutions effectively.
hermit-tech.com
August 2, 2026 at 12:19 PM
I wonder how much the AI cult dynamics described in Cory Doctorow's thread, and Nikhil Suresh's post that he quotes, are also playing out in govt departments.
When it's public money, we really need meaningful outcome-focused metrics and thoughtful evaluations of public sector AI adoption.
When it's public money, we really need meaningful outcome-focused metrics and thoughtful evaluations of public sector AI adoption.
Interesting and thought-provoking post about government correspondence.
What if people were asked to score their satisfaction with the response (plus an open field for comments), and that were used as a quality measure?
What if people were asked to score their satisfaction with the response (plus an open field for comments), and that were used as a quality measure?
July 31, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Interesting and thought-provoking post about government correspondence.
What if people were asked to score their satisfaction with the response (plus an open field for comments), and that were used as a quality measure?
What if people were asked to score their satisfaction with the response (plus an open field for comments), and that were used as a quality measure?
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
1. Amnesty International has withstood threats from death squads and dictators.
But it could not stand up to JK Rowling and the anti-trans movement she finances.
It has apologized for calling those groups "anti-rights" after legal threats.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
But it could not stand up to JK Rowling and the anti-trans movement she finances.
It has apologized for calling those groups "anti-rights" after legal threats.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Amnesty International UK Caves To JK Rowling, Issues Apology For Calling Anti-Trans Groups "Anti-Rights"
The organization has stood up to dictators and death squads, but Rowling and the UK's anti-speech laws were apparently too much.
www.erininthemorning.com
July 31, 2026 at 5:42 PM
1. Amnesty International has withstood threats from death squads and dictators.
But it could not stand up to JK Rowling and the anti-trans movement she finances.
It has apologized for calling those groups "anti-rights" after legal threats.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
But it could not stand up to JK Rowling and the anti-trans movement she finances.
It has apologized for calling those groups "anti-rights" after legal threats.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Reposted by Jeni Tennison
@translucent.org.uk have recently released their latest report.
"Sixty-one of the sixty-two Unitary Authorities responded to our FOI request – Only ONE complaint was found."
Trans inclusion is a non-issue. It is a manufactured moral panic, which is an anti-rights tactic.
"Sixty-one of the sixty-two Unitary Authorities responded to our FOI request – Only ONE complaint was found."
Trans inclusion is a non-issue. It is a manufactured moral panic, which is an anti-rights tactic.
Four Years, Seven Surveys, Four Complaints: What Our FOI Data Actually Shows
Four Years, Seven Surveys, Four Complaints: What our FOI data actually shows about trans women using single sex spaces.
translucent.org.uk
July 31, 2026 at 6:27 PM
@translucent.org.uk have recently released their latest report.
"Sixty-one of the sixty-two Unitary Authorities responded to our FOI request – Only ONE complaint was found."
Trans inclusion is a non-issue. It is a manufactured moral panic, which is an anti-rights tactic.
"Sixty-one of the sixty-two Unitary Authorities responded to our FOI request – Only ONE complaint was found."
Trans inclusion is a non-issue. It is a manufactured moral panic, which is an anti-rights tactic.
So I'm pretty excited by the recognition that traditional consultation doesn't cut it any more, in the Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement. 1/3
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
July 31, 2026 at 5:24 PM
So I'm pretty excited by the recognition that traditional consultation doesn't cut it any more, in the Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement. 1/3
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...