Liz Carolan
@lizcarolan.com
I publish thebriefing.ie, & founded organisations working on tech & democracy. Tech Policy Press fellow. Political scientist, advocate, writer, knitter. DMs open
Pinned
Liz Carolan
@lizcarolan.com
· Aug 14
Liz Carolan: Why are AI firms bulk buying and pulping books? Because it’s cheaper than paying writers
Liz Carolan: Why are AI firms bulk buying and pulping books? Because it’s cheaper than paying writers
In an internal memo, an executive at AI firm Anthropic wrote that ‘Project Panama is our effort to destructively scan all the books in the world’
www.irishtimes.com
The “scan and pulp” story hit a nerve this week, but it’s only scratching the surface of what the AI industry is doing;
which is fundamentally transforming the economics of human creativity and destroying the legal infrastructure - in place since the 1700s - that makes it a viable profession
which is fundamentally transforming the economics of human creativity and destroying the legal infrastructure - in place since the 1700s - that makes it a viable profession
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Looking forward to this event at The MAC on Thursday evening, depending on how the place looks at that juncture given how the week is shaping up...
Last chance. Belfast Book Launch. Thursday 1 October, 6pm. The Mac, Exchange St. Belfast. All welcome.
The book is not arguing for or against a United Ireland. It looks at the evidence and what needs to be done to avoid the chaos of a Brexit-style referendum.
www.eventbrite.com/e/before-the...
The book is not arguing for or against a United Ireland. It looks at the evidence and what needs to be done to avoid the chaos of a Brexit-style referendum.
www.eventbrite.com/e/before-the...
September 28, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Looking forward to this event at The MAC on Thursday evening, depending on how the place looks at that juncture given how the week is shaping up...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
I am amazed that for a few years we had the ability to instantly access information through an almost perfect search engine and the makers of that search engine decided hundreds of billions wasn’t enough profit so they destroyed it
Google is now screwing with the 10 blue links in traditional search and rewriting headlines - including ours - to be the worst kind of slop. This sucks so bad www.theverge.com/tech/896490/...
March 20, 2026 at 3:34 PM
I am amazed that for a few years we had the ability to instantly access information through an almost perfect search engine and the makers of that search engine decided hundreds of billions wasn’t enough profit so they destroyed it
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Attacks on elected representatives have no place in our democracy.
We wish Michael Healy-Rae well and a swift recovery.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
We wish Michael Healy-Rae well and a swift recovery.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Michael Healy-Rae returns home to Kerry after assault
Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has returned home to Kilgarvan in Co Kerry, after he was injured during an assault in Dublin yesterday.
www.rte.ie
September 17, 2026 at 8:33 AM
Attacks on elected representatives have no place in our democracy.
We wish Michael Healy-Rae well and a swift recovery.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
We wish Michael Healy-Rae well and a swift recovery.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Online people talk about the imminenent threat of mankind’s extinction by the most powerful technology ever conceived.
In Dublin four men operate traffic lights at every second crossing
In Dublin four men operate traffic lights at every second crossing
September 14, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Online people talk about the imminenent threat of mankind’s extinction by the most powerful technology ever conceived.
In Dublin four men operate traffic lights at every second crossing
In Dublin four men operate traffic lights at every second crossing
When petulance met dignity
September 12, 2026 at 1:34 PM
When petulance met dignity
Did @rteradio1.bsky.social just go off the air for anyone else? #speirgorm
September 10, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Did @rteradio1.bsky.social just go off the air for anyone else? #speirgorm
This is a first - an article I wrote for the @irishtimes.com about my love of kids clubs has been translated for a French publication;
The new header points out that in Ireland, "the Anglo-Saxon concept of “parenthood as total self-sacrifice” prevails" www.courrierinternational.com/article/vu-d...
The new header points out that in Ireland, "the Anglo-Saxon concept of “parenthood as total self-sacrifice” prevails" www.courrierinternational.com/article/vu-d...
J’ai découvert le plaisir coupable de s’accorder du temps sans enfant, à la manière des parents français
En vacances dans l’Hexagone, cette journaliste du “Irish Times” s’étonne de constater que les parents français laissent volontiers leur progéniture dans les “cl...
www.courrierinternational.com
September 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
This is a first - an article I wrote for the @irishtimes.com about my love of kids clubs has been translated for a French publication;
The new header points out that in Ireland, "the Anglo-Saxon concept of “parenthood as total self-sacrifice” prevails" www.courrierinternational.com/article/vu-d...
The new header points out that in Ireland, "the Anglo-Saxon concept of “parenthood as total self-sacrifice” prevails" www.courrierinternational.com/article/vu-d...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Here is our draft definition of 'artificial intelligence' from 1981.
It was written by a lovely human.
It was written by a lovely human.
September 8, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Here is our draft definition of 'artificial intelligence' from 1981.
It was written by a lovely human.
It was written by a lovely human.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
The urge became too strong.
September 7, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The urge became too strong.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Polls have closed in Saxony-Anhalt and exit polls put result on a knife edge (AfD 41 seats, others 42). First projections based on actual results due out soon. But if exit polls are right this is a rupture in the history of the federal republic.
Germany, Infratest dimap exit poll:
Saxony-Anhalt regional parliament election
AfD (ESN): 44.5% (+23.5)
CDU (EPP): 18.5% (-18.5)
LINKE (LEFT): 9.5% (-1.5)
GRÜNE (Greens/EFA): 9% (+3)
SPD (S&D): 8%
...
+/- vs. last election
Fieldwork: 06 September 2026
➤ europeelects.eu/germany
Saxony-Anhalt regional parliament election
AfD (ESN): 44.5% (+23.5)
CDU (EPP): 18.5% (-18.5)
LINKE (LEFT): 9.5% (-1.5)
GRÜNE (Greens/EFA): 9% (+3)
SPD (S&D): 8%
...
+/- vs. last election
Fieldwork: 06 September 2026
➤ europeelects.eu/germany
September 6, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Polls have closed in Saxony-Anhalt and exit polls put result on a knife edge (AfD 41 seats, others 42). First projections based on actual results due out soon. But if exit polls are right this is a rupture in the history of the federal republic.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
The moment anyone tells you you shouldn’t join a union, urgently look around for a union to join.
Opinion | Postdocs Aren’t Burger Flippers: Why Unionization Is a Bad Idea
Unionization disrupts the bespoke mentor-mentee relationships that are central to the advancement of science. By Evan D. Morris: https://bit.ly/3Sus7fa
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
Unionization disrupts the bespoke mentor-mentee relationships that are central to the advancement of science. By Evan D. Morris: https://bit.ly/3Sus7fa
#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd
August 29, 2026 at 8:05 AM
The moment anyone tells you you shouldn’t join a union, urgently look around for a union to join.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Trying to get my head around AI‘s “circular financing” & it’s so 2008 coded it reminded me of The Big Short line; if you feel bored & stupid, start worrying
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
August 28, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Trying to get my head around AI‘s “circular financing” & it’s so 2008 coded it reminded me of The Big Short line; if you feel bored & stupid, start worrying
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Trying to get my head around AI‘s “circular financing” & it’s so 2008 coded it reminded me of The Big Short line; if you feel bored & stupid, start worrying
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
August 28, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Trying to get my head around AI‘s “circular financing” & it’s so 2008 coded it reminded me of The Big Short line; if you feel bored & stupid, start worrying
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
I’m concerned our Govs aren’t worried enough; in the @irishtimes.com today:
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
In case you wanted about 3,700 words on the problems with today's "settlement" that gives Meta way more power over how the internet works than it should have.
Meta Just Paid Nearly $17 Billion To Make Sure It Gets To Write The Kid Safety Rules For Every Other Social Media Platform
By now...
https://www.techdirt.com/2026/08/26/meta-just-paid-nearly-17-billion-to-make-sure-it-gets-to-write-the-kid-safety-rules-for-every-other-social-media-platform/
By now...
https://www.techdirt.com/2026/08/26/meta-just-paid-nearly-17-billion-to-make-sure-it-gets-to-write-the-kid-safety-rules-for-every-other-social-media-platform/
Meta Just Paid Nearly $17 Billion To Make Sure It Gets To Write The Kid Safety Rules For Every Other Social Media Platform
By now you've almost certainly heard the news that Meta has settled with 52 state and local Attorneys General who had sued the company in some form or another over child safety on Meta's platforms. The headlines are all covering the basics: the years-long case these states filed against Meta ends, and Meta pays somewhere...
www.techdirt.com
August 26, 2026 at 11:40 PM
In case you wanted about 3,700 words on the problems with today's "settlement" that gives Meta way more power over how the internet works than it should have.
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Wrote about Meta's ludicrous effort to position itself as a leader in child safety after today's $17 billion settlement with state AGs www.platformer.news/meta-child-s...
August 27, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Wrote about Meta's ludicrous effort to position itself as a leader in child safety after today's $17 billion settlement with state AGs www.platformer.news/meta-child-s...
This is some bullshit
Meta settles its case for $17billion
But that is not the $200 billion sought
And its over 10 years, so $1.7billion
And its spread across 52 states / territories, is that $35m?
And its a grant for "online safety initiatives"
And no judgement of liability
Its a <1% tax
Meta settles its case for $17billion
But that is not the $200 billion sought
And its over 10 years, so $1.7billion
And its spread across 52 states / territories, is that $35m?
And its a grant for "online safety initiatives"
And no judgement of liability
Its a <1% tax
August 26, 2026 at 3:13 PM
This is some bullshit
Meta settles its case for $17billion
But that is not the $200 billion sought
And its over 10 years, so $1.7billion
And its spread across 52 states / territories, is that $35m?
And its a grant for "online safety initiatives"
And no judgement of liability
Its a <1% tax
Meta settles its case for $17billion
But that is not the $200 billion sought
And its over 10 years, so $1.7billion
And its spread across 52 states / territories, is that $35m?
And its a grant for "online safety initiatives"
And no judgement of liability
Its a <1% tax
Myself and @elaineburke.bsky.social were talking today about Substacks downward slide into being just another social media platform... and then I get this email
August 25, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Myself and @elaineburke.bsky.social were talking today about Substacks downward slide into being just another social media platform... and then I get this email
Reposted by Liz Carolan
While algorithms reward dangerous content, regulations focus on enforcing community guidelines instead of punishing harmful design choices.
Key read by @lizcarolan.com for anyone tracking platform liability: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Key read by @lizcarolan.com for anyone tracking platform liability: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
M9 crash exposes limits of rules on social media giants when it comes to online harms
Deaths of five teenagers linked to popularity of high risk-taking for ‘likes’ and affirmation
www.irishtimes.com
August 24, 2026 at 1:23 PM
While algorithms reward dangerous content, regulations focus on enforcing community guidelines instead of punishing harmful design choices.
Key read by @lizcarolan.com for anyone tracking platform liability: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Key read by @lizcarolan.com for anyone tracking platform liability: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
In hopes of proving my credentials in both the jock & dweeb spaces, I've a piece on sporting bodies in the IT today and spoke about competitive Scrabble on Newstalk on Fri.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/are-board-games-beneficial-to-you
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/are-board-games-beneficial-to-you
The discourse around super-thin is fraught: Could we replace it?
On SkinnyTok, a TikTok subsection devoted to ‘thinspiration’, people claim extreme caloric restriction is the new mindfulness
www.irishtimes.com
August 24, 2026 at 10:26 AM
In hopes of proving my credentials in both the jock & dweeb spaces, I've a piece on sporting bodies in the IT today and spoke about competitive Scrabble on Newstalk on Fri.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/are-board-games-beneficial-to-you
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/are-board-games-beneficial-to-you
Reposted by Liz Carolan
Covering the smart glasses backlash this week - anyone got any stories or know places in Ireland where they’ve been barred or had difficulties?
August 24, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Covering the smart glasses backlash this week - anyone got any stories or know places in Ireland where they’ve been barred or had difficulties?
This comment on a LinkedIn post about my piece on Friday about the horrific M9 crash really bothered me -
I know better than to reply but I didn’t want to leave it unanswered and I thought to myself “hey, this isn’t Twitter“…
I know better than to reply but I didn’t want to leave it unanswered and I thought to myself “hey, this isn’t Twitter“…
August 24, 2026 at 10:52 AM
This comment on a LinkedIn post about my piece on Friday about the horrific M9 crash really bothered me -
I know better than to reply but I didn’t want to leave it unanswered and I thought to myself “hey, this isn’t Twitter“…
I know better than to reply but I didn’t want to leave it unanswered and I thought to myself “hey, this isn’t Twitter“…
Reposted by Liz Carolan
10 years into building the EU’s tech regulation infrastructure and we still can’t actually hold companies accountable for harms
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
M9 crash exposes limits of rules on social media giants when it comes to online harms
Deaths of five teenagers linked to popularity of high risk-taking for ‘likes’ and affirmation
www.irishtimes.com
August 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
10 years into building the EU’s tech regulation infrastructure and we still can’t actually hold companies accountable for harms
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
10 years into building the EU’s tech regulation infrastructure and we still can’t actually hold companies accountable for harms
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
M9 crash exposes limits of rules on social media giants when it comes to online harms
Deaths of five teenagers linked to popularity of high risk-taking for ‘likes’ and affirmation
www.irishtimes.com
August 21, 2026 at 8:58 AM
10 years into building the EU’s tech regulation infrastructure and we still can’t actually hold companies accountable for harms
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Maybe American litigiousness will beat us to me
Me in the @irishtimes.com today
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...
Reposted by Liz Carolan
do we know of any universities/higher ed institutions that have explicitly stated resistance/refusal of genai as their official policy
August 19, 2026 at 11:33 AM
do we know of any universities/higher ed institutions that have explicitly stated resistance/refusal of genai as their official policy
Reposted by Liz Carolan
The Oireachtas has been leaning into Microsoft for its comms, even as other European governments abandon US tech. Switching to the US big tech provider, for phone systems and more, comes at a time of fierce debate about tech sovereignty.
August 20, 2026 at 9:48 AM
The Oireachtas has been leaning into Microsoft for its comms, even as other European governments abandon US tech. Switching to the US big tech provider, for phone systems and more, comes at a time of fierce debate about tech sovereignty.