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Alan Winfield

@alan-winfield.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.6K following 118 posts

Engineer, roboethicist and pro-feminist. Interested in robots as working models of life, evolution, intelligence and culture. Prof Robot Ethics, Bristol Robotics Lab. Home page: people.uwe.ac.uk/Person/AlanWinfield

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Reposted by Alan Winfield
Robot Talk @robottalkpod.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
#ICYMI: Last month, I chatted to Prof. Alan Winfield (@alan-winfield.bsky.social) from @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social about #robot ethics. Catch up here 🎧 - www.robottalk.org/2026/03/13/e... or wherever you get your podcasts! #Robots #Robotics #Ethics
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Robot Talk @robottalkpod.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
📢 New Episode Alert! This week, I chatted to Prof. Alan Winfield (@alan-winfield.bsky.social) from @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social about developing new standards for ethics and transparency in robotics. 🤖 Listen now: www.robottalk.org/2026/03/13/e... #Robots #Robotics #Ethics
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Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Fascinating glimpse into everyday Roman life: This samian ware bowl was repaired with lead rivets, clear evidence that it was valued enough to mend rather than discard. The repair reflects either the practical mindset and economic realities of a Roman household, or it may have been a...🧵1/3 📷 me 🏺
A reddish Roman samian ware bowl with richly figurative and geometric decoration, its surface pierced and repaired with several lead rivets.
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Isabelle Marie @isabellemarie.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
We built a database of 290,000 English medieval soldiers—here's what it reveals. phys.org/news/2025-12...
phys.org
We built a database of 290,000 English medieval soldiers—here's what it reveals
When you picture medieval warfare, you might think of epic battles and famous monarchs. But what about the everyday soldiers who actually filled the ranks? Until recently, their stories were scattered...
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
1. Some good news at last. This week’s column is about the amazing thing a couple of us stumbled into three years ago, which we’ve now developed into a global research programme. It doesn’t change everything, of course, but it could help change quite a lot. + 🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Over a pint in Oxford, we may have stumbled upon the holy grail of agriculture | George Monbiot
I knew that a revolution in our understanding of soil could change the world. Then came a eureka moment – and the birth of the Earth Rover Program, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
Things used in everyday life are the real archaeological treasures! These sewing #needles were made from animal bone some 15,000 years ago. Some designs simply don't need to be improved, because form and functions were perfectly matched from the start. Form follows function! 🧵1/2 🏺
The picture shows six needles of different sizes. They were made of bone resemble their modern descendants with an eye at one end and a tapered end.
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Robot Talk @robottalkpod.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Chapa Sirithunge is a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests span assistive robotics, soft robots and physical human-robot interaction. Listen to our chat here: www.robottalk.org/2025/11/28/e...
A photo of Chapa looking happy, sat on top of a four-legged robot, with a forklift truck in the background.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Wonderful father-son story here www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #BristolRoboticsLab #Robot
bbc.co.uk
Bristol teen builds 'really cool' robotic hand from Lego
Jared, from Bristol, started working on the robotic Lego hand aged 14, finishing it two years later.
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Robot Talk @robottalkpod.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Researchers at Peking University have developed the world's first portable underwater exoskeleton, which assists divers' knee movement, reducing air consumption and muscle effort during dives. The tech could extend dive duration, improve safety, and reduce fatigue. 🤖 techxplore.com/news/2025-11...
techxplore.com
Innovative underwater exoskeleton boosts diving efficiency
A research team led by Professor Wang Qining from the School of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics, Peking University, has developed the world's first portable underwater exoskeleton system that assi...
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The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) @themerl.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research? We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections. Find out more: collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
Two students look at objects in the reading room at The Museum of English Rural Life.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Interesting, and good to see: Four ways #AI is being used to strengthen democracies worldwide www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... #ht @garymarcus.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Four ways AI is being used to strengthen democracies worldwide | Nathan E Sanders and Bruce Schneier
The dangers of artificial intelligence and its potential to consolidate power are clear. But used fairly, it can be a boon for good government
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
The bill proposes an AI Authority that oversees regulation of AI which delivers: safety, security and robustness; appropriate transparency and explainability; fairness; accountability and governance; contestability and redress For a nice summary see www.osborneclarke.com/insights/Reg... (2)
osborneclarke.com
Artificial intelligence | UK Regulatory Outlook March 2025
UK AI (Regulation) Bill reintroduced to Parliament | UK Government outlaws AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material | UK ICO consultation response on AI and copyright | UK DRCF case s...
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
I am *very* pleased that the UK Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill is now in its 3rd reading in the @houseoflords.parliament.uk after which it should become law. See bills.parliament.uk/bills/3519 (1)
bills.parliament.uk
Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Current version of Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Yep, it's a Prof thing🤔
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Tadonic the Flautulent @tadonic.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
@smithsonianmag.bsky.social The Only Recording of Woody Guthrie Singing the Protest Song ‘Deportee’ Has Been Released for the First Time www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/t... #music #WoodyGuthrie #protest #Deportee #recording #folk #FolkMusic #folksong #AI #artificialintelligence #restoration
smithsonianmag.com
The Only Recording of Woody Guthrie Singing the Protest Song 'Deportee' Has Been Released for the First Time
The singer-songwriter recorded the audio on a reel-to-reel tape machine in his apartment in the 1950s. Now, the previously unheard song has been restored using A.I. audio technology
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Robot Talk @robottalkpod.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
What would you love to know about #robot ethics? 🤖 Later this season, I'll be chatting to Prof. Alan Winfield (@alan-winfield.bsky.social) from @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social about developing new standards for ethics and transparency in robotics. Send me your questions for Alan in the comments!
A photo of Alan looking happy, wearing a beige t-shirt and glasses.
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kinesinmotors.bsky.social @kinesinmotors.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
🥀 🧪 Jane Goodall 1934-2025
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
We cannot rely on crowd sourced reporting such as the AI Incidents database incidentdatabase.ai, which is excellent but based on press reports and therefore reflects only the tip of the iceberg of AI harms. 2/2
incidentdatabase.ai
Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Incident Database
The starting point for information about the AI Incident Database
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Very good. I'm especially pleased to read that the Act includes 'a new mechanism for companies and the public to report “potential critical safety incidents”'. We badly need AI accident and incident (near miss) reporting and investigation. #AI #AISafety #AIRegulation 1/2
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Good luck Laura👍 Wonderful city, wonderful university.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
My much bigger concern is accident investigation. I very much hope the South Korean robots are equipped with event data recorders (which we call ethical back boxes), so that when accidents or near miss incidents happen, they can be properly investigated. www.theguardian.com/science/2017...
theguardian.com
Give robots an 'ethical black box' to track and explain decisions, say scientists
As robots start to enter public spaces and work alongside humans, the need for safety measures has become more pressing, argue academics
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
To the best of my knowledge the Starship delivery robots that operated for 5 years in Milton Keynes, UK, were not accorded any 'pedestrian' rights. They were regarded a great success, especially during Covid lockdown, see www.mkfm.com/news/local-n... 1/2
mkfm.com
Milton Keynes celebrates 5 years of delivery robots
Starship Technologies is celebrating five years of delivery robots in Milton Keynes.
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Noelle Sullivan Ph.D @noellesullivan.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
If you need some levity in these trying times, here's what's fresh out of Paris.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUE...
youtube.com
The most INSANE Bohemian Rhapsody Flashmob you will ever see!!
YouTube video by Julien Cohen
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Wonderful - thank you Joanna! These are important archival images. #Robotics
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
Er, why @bsky.app..?
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Wonderful! I've been in Aarhus several times for the excellent RoboPhilosopy conference. It's a really great city.
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Russ Newell @mrfreeze-ak.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
#AI From Scientific American: www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
scientificamerican.com
How AI Echo Chambers May Be Fueling Psychotic Episodes
A new wave of delusional thinking fueled by artificial intelligence has researchers investigating the dark side of AI companionship
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Margaret Morgan 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇦🇺 @margaretmorgan.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
This, by @birmo.bsky.social, is the most hopeful thing I've ever read about LLMs. open.substack.com/pub/aliensid...
But this vast, ultimately unknowable alien machine mind we’re building to replace us as a species need not answer solely to Space Karen and the Zuckerborg or the murderous old clams of the CCP. As in so many things—sovereign wealth funds, taxing fossil fuel companies, and nudie runs from the sauna to the ice bath—Norway shows us how.

John Birmingham, Defeating the fanboys of the Torment Nexus
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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Lovely story from the brilliant @britishwildlife.bsky.social magazine. This mag is endlessly fascinating – recommend if you're not a subscriber already. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Tourist discovers ‘extinct’ jellyfish while rock-pooling in Outer Hebrides
Thistle-shaped Depastrum cyathiforme was last seen in France in 1976, but has now been found on South Uist
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rémi @okremiok.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
implemented midi
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Simon Knott @simonknott.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Hull Minster, early evening in spring. #YorkshireDay #GodsOwnCounty
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/07/2025
A wonderful appointment - congratulations🍾🍾🍾
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Amanda J. McGee @amcgeewrites.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
There is someone out there who wants your weird little book. Even if you doubt yourself sometimes, don't doubt their earnest enthusiasm.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Earlier today I searched for #ethical generative #AI, and found this @wired.com article: I’m Not Convinced Ethical Generative AI Currently Exists www.wired.com/story/the-pr... Short answer: no.
wired.com
I’m Not Convinced Ethical Generative AI Currently Exists
WIRED’s advice columnist considers whether some AI tools are more ethical than others, and if developers can make AI wiser.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
AI and why we should all be worried. A recent talk for the Swindon Science Cafe alanwinfield.blogspot.com/2025/06/ai-a... #AI #AIethics #sustainability #exploitation
alanwinfield.blogspot.com
AI and why we should all be worried - AI's dirty secrets
I gave a new talk on AI for the Swindon Science Cafe on 3rd June. Here below are the slides. This talk is an updated version of a short t...
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
'Rising Tides' by contemporary US painter Samantha French #WomensArt
Painting featuring a Black woman, head and shoulders, floating under turquoise water with eyes closed smiling and with bubbles coming out of her nose
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Gary Wing @garywingart.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
A portrait presented to a good chum for his 60th birthday present today.
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
US painter Maria Oakey Dewing, A Bed of Poppies, (c.1909) #WomensArt
Painting of red pink and whiteflowers in a grassy meadow
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Eerke Boiten @eerkeboiten.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
LLM reveals all the situations where you need text, but you don't really want to write it and you're not sure anybody is going to read it.
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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Natalie Rak, also known as Rak, is a Poland based street artist #WomensArt #Monday
Photo of the side of a building with a large mural of a girl tipping a watering can, beside the building a real small tree grows, giving the impression the girl in the image is watering it
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
The truth is that generative #AI cannot be safely used for anything consequential let alone critical.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Sadly the Bar Associations, like many professionals, have drunk the #AI kool aid. The big AI companies, aided and abetted by vast numbers of AI consultancies, and governments too, need the world to believe that the eye watering investment and resources have not been wasted.
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Mary Oz @maryoz.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
#BlueMonday views from St Ives #Cornwall
Looking up the front of the white modernist Tate Gallery, with blue sky above. All elegant curves and straight lines.Intensely turquoise rocky inlet viewed from a grassy headland with blue sea and sky beyond.The bottom quarter of this picture is the tidally exposed golden sand of the harbour, with buildings beyond. The rest is blue blue sky.Intensely turquoise sea viewed from behind pink campion flowers, with blue sea and sky beyond.
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 26/05/2025
Ancient Incas recorded information by tying knots into long cords they called khipus. Sam Kean reports from the Peruvian Andes, where scholars hope to unlock one of the most important lost writing systems in history.
bit.ly
The Scholars Deciphering a Lost Writing System
Ancient Incas recorded information by tying knots into long cords. Will we ever be able to read them?
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Nope. Cheaper electrolytic capacitors often have a gel electrolyte that decomposes generating gasses, hence the bloating.
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Congratulations! A great paper. 100% agree that existential risks are a dangerous distraction from real and very serious safety harms right now.
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Atoosa Kasirzadeh @atoosakz.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Our paper "AI safety for everyone" with Balint Gyevnar is out at Nature Machine Intelligence: www.nature.com/articles/s42... We challenge the narrative that AI safety is primarily about minimizing existential risks from AI. Why does this matter?
nature.com
AI safety for everyone - Nature Machine Intelligence
A systematic review of peer-reviewed AI safety research reveals extensive work on practical and immediate concerns. The findings advocate for an inclusive approach to AI safety that embraces diverse m...
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
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Alan Winfield @alan-winfield.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Remarkable performance of Elgar’s choral work The Dream of Gerontius last night at Steam in Swindon. It is a complex work, but performed brilliantly by non auditioned singers and orchestral players plus 3 professional soloists, after only the day to practice. #classicalmusic @marstrina.bsky.social
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