Reposted by Alex EnglerAndy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 12/10/2026There will be a lot of equivocating about all the times search warrants have been executed on members of Congress for corruption investigations and the like, and it can't be stressed enough in how many ways HSI raiding Ilhan Omar is extremely not like that. 3646641528
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 16hAs @davmicrot.bsky.social has pointed out, this is absolutely detached-from-all-reality batshit insane coverage from the @nytimes.com of an American president attempting to deport a political opponent. 142
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 10/10/2026The two biggest news stories in the U.S. media yesterday were both about executions mediabiasdetector.seas.upenn.edu 000
Reposted by Alex EnglerEliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 09/10/2026- Attacking the ICC - Palling around with Russia - Broadcasting executionsstatic.klipy.comAre We The Baddies? MemeALT: Are We The Baddies? Meme 371407385
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 09/10/2026Elated with our new website and branding that doesn't look like someone half-assedly dragged around wordpress containers while drinking wine and watching the U.S. Open (this was me, that's what I had done). Really appreciative of the work that our staff, Alexis and Fiona, did to make this happen. 040
Reposted by Alex EnglerJoe Bak-Coleman @jbakcoleman.bsky.social · 07/10/2026What truly grinds my gears is that climate scientist can spend 50 years building data-grounded models and need to frame their findings to avoid being called alarmist. At the same time x-risk cranks and CEOs can just pull P(doom) > 10% out of their ass and be taken seriously. 38719
Reposted by Alex EnglerRenee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 07/10/2026Hugo Chavez-linked PR flack Michael Shellenberger — a random guy with a Substack who rakes in donations to fight a “censorship complex” that he created — would like you to know that journalists reporting on his attempts to smear people are propagandists. 1014239
Reposted by Alex EnglerNina Jankowicz @ninajankowicz.com · 05/10/2026Shellenberger is seemingly preparing to smear a bunch of people attending a conference on disinformation this week. Ten bucks says he’s gonna claim the researchers there are cEnSoRiNg yOu!!!1 In reality they’re presenting their ideas. Talking. Debating. You know, using their speech rights. 516767
Reposted by Alex EnglerNathalie Maréchal, PhD @nathaliemarechal.net · 05/10/2026This is the Cult of AI - specifically the longtermist variant - at work: “getting to AGI” is deemed so self-evidently important that no sacrifice is too great. The future will be better, so tomorrow doesn’t matter. 612346
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Also #CJ2026 - we're hiring a Research Director! Know anyone who wants to develop tools and data analyses to help journalists and the public understand the information ecosystem? Come talk to me! mediated.upenn.edu/job-openings/mediated.upenn.eduJob Openings - Penn MEDIATED 010
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 02/10/2026@penn-mediated.bsky.social is at the #CJ2026 and would love to chat with folks. Come to our workshop where you can run your own LLM audit (today at 3:30) or I'm giving a talk tomorrow on the broader needs for scientific and longitudinal monitoring of LLM politics (in Parallel Talks 1 at 1:30). 112
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Who needs a wikipedia page when you're being targeted by your nation's chief geopolitical rival 100
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The attackers posed as former OSTP official Lynne Parker with a believable email about a new AI policy center, which was apparently oriented towards U.S. AI policymakers - be careful out there! Thanks to @proofpoint.com for the thorough technical investigation www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/thre...proofpoint.comHallucinating Credibility: China-Aligned TA419 Impersonates its Way into US AI Policy Circles | Proofpoint USKey Findings In July 2026, a China-aligned threat actor Proofpoint tracks as TA419 conducted multiple credential phishing campaigns impersonating prominent economists and artificial 042
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Totally surreal to announce I've been targeted by my first China-aligned threat actor, as an AI policy leader. Sometimes little moments of recognition like this really make you feel like you've made it www.reuters.com/legal/govern... 1113
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026I feel strongly enough about improving research communication that i hired an undergrad to make fun of me on the gram this is going to be very, very uncomfortable follow along: www.instagram.com/p/Dd4NovSAK6x/ 030
Reposted by Alex EnglerPenn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy (MEDIATED) @penn-mediated.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Do algorithms drive online polarization? A review by Duncan Watts and coauthors finds the evidence is inconclusive. What users seek out matters too, though platforms aren't off the hook. infodem.upenn.edu/research-com...infodem.upenn.eduResearch Compendium - Center on Media, Technology and DemocracyNews, announcements, and insights from the Penn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy. 177
Reposted by Alex EnglerPenn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy (MEDIATED) @penn-mediated.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Our MEDIATED research seminars are back! Syracuse Prof Emily Thorson shows that contrary to popular belief, Americans have a genuine interest in public-interest journalism! For more empirically backed optimism about the state of our media and politics, follow Emily’s work! 111
Reposted by Alex EnglerJameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The Knight Institute has supported the Associated Press and the New York Times in related suits, and we will support CNN, MS NOW, and Politico in court, too. knightcolumbia.org/content/knig...knightcolumbia.orgKnight Institute To Support Banned News Organizations in Court 0269
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Also, I would note politely to @jonathanvanian.bsky.social, who wrote the letter up for CNBC, that the letter does not mention the word "safety." Independent evaluations are necessary for a wide range of pro-social outcomes, far beyond a narrower "safety" framing. www.cnbc.com/2026/09/18/a...cnbc.comAnthropic and OpenAI need truly independent safety evaluators, experts say in public letterA coalition of over 100 AI experts are urging independence and transparency from Anthropic, OpenAI and other foundation model labs to conduct evaluations. 010
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026...which is infrastructure we are actively building at Penn. Also worth noting that @klonick.bsky.social managed to mock the letter (ok, maybe letters more generally) in advance of its publication, so, kudos to her and the AI Crisis Workflow bsky.app/profile/klon... 100
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Notably, I don't expect the AI companies to actually do this, so much as provide lots of lip service. Would love for them to prove me wrong. This is why Danaé and I wrote about the need for longitudinal monitoring of LLMs for the @carnegieendowment.org carnegieendowment.org/research/202...carnegieendowment.orgWe Need Ongoing Monitoring of AI and Political InformationMonitoring is essential so that policymakers and the public can understand—and have a say in—how AI systems affect politics. 101
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I am a signatory of this letter calling for researchers and evaluators to have access to AI models, with meaningful guarantees of their independence, as an essential transparency and accountability mechanism. aievaluatorforum.org/initiatives/...aievaluatorforum.orgAI Evaluator ForumThe AI Evaluator Forum advances the rigor, credibility, and impact of independent AI evaluations that serve the public interest. 120
Reposted by Alex EnglerJ. Nathan Matias @natematias.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Exciting Research Director position for someone with the (maybe impossible) combination of scientist, engineering manager, fundraiser, and administrator. If that's you, this is an amazing way to have an impact! wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/u...wd1.myworkdaysite.comResearch Director - Penn Center for Media, Technology, and DemocracyUniversity Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school co... 01515
Reposted by Alex EnglerAlex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 10/09/2026 Friends, countrymen, lend me your shares! We are hiring a *𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫* to lead a *𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦* as we build Penn MEDIATED into the first† public-facing data science institute for the information ecosystem (think the Urban Institute or CSET, but for media and information technology). 166
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The ideal candidate is an experienced data scientist or computational social scientist, with an interest in media and information technology and a passionate commitment to a healthier U.S. democracy. Salary up to $125K, great benefits, at Penn in Philly Apply! wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recrui...wd1.myworkdaysite.comResearch Director - Penn Center for Media, Technology, and DemocracyUniversity Overview The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school co... 010
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 10/09/2026This is a critical role that will hire and lead a small team (a data engineer and a data visualization specialist) to turn Penn’s cutting-edge computational research and unique media data into visual stories, tools, dashboards, and repeated analyses that support pro-democracy outcomes. 100
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 10/09/2026 Friends, countrymen, lend me your shares! We are hiring a *𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫* to lead a *𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦* as we build Penn MEDIATED into the first† public-facing data science institute for the information ecosystem (think the Urban Institute or CSET, but for media and information technology). 166
Reposted by Alex EnglerKevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 03/09/2026If the media is going to insist that politicians denounce their supporters who make extremist statements, I have a suggestion for someone a bit more important than a Twitch streamer.campaign-trails.ghost.ioDenouncing ExtremistsOne of the media's favorite activities is demanding that Democratic politicians denounce individuals on their side who have made extreme statements. This is a pattern that stretches back to the 1992 ... 7339751014
Reposted by Alex EnglerKate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 01/09/2026This new system appears to be “designed to fail.” If allowed to proceed, it’s likely to delay the distribution of ballots, cause confusion and chaos, and lead to both disenchantment and further distrust in election results. All to solve a non-existent problem of so-called “non-citizen voting.” 1221692
Reposted by Alex EnglerJake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026At the beginning of this campaign, I made a pledge to hold a free, public, in-person town hall meeting in each of the 21 counties in our district, never prescreening any audience members or their questions. Today, I fulfilled that promise, holding #21 in West Concord, Dodge County. 721087
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Congratulations Ethan! That’s fantastic! Also, yeah, I get it. 020
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 27/08/2026I just finished this and definitely recommend the essay. A compelling narrative of information ecosystem developments since 2020, and a call for more serious reform proposals (which I strongly agree with, more to come soon). Here's the two paragraph conclusion, which I found thought provoking 053
Reposted by Alex EnglerTech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Join Tech Policy Press for a live podcast recording via ZOOM webinar on the Meta settlement on Thursday at 11 am EDT. Featuring Knight-Georgetown Institute's Alissa Cooper, Tech Justice Law's Meetali Jain, and Emory Law's Matthew Lawrence. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... 11411
Reposted by Alex EnglerJameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · 25/08/2026We're hiring legal fellows to work on cutting-edge cases relating to free speech, press freedom, and new technology. Please send good people our way! knightcolumbia.org/page/legal-f...knightcolumbia.org | Knight First Amendment Institute 03422
Reposted by Alex EnglerAlex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 20/08/2026In my first piece in 3 years (!), Danaé Metaxa and I write for @carnegieendowment.org on why we need a new paradigm of scientific research for AI—longitudinal monitoring—to ensure the public has a meaningful say in the societal role of LLMs. carnegieendowment.org/research/202...carnegieendowment.orgWe Need Ongoing Monitoring of AI and Political InformationMonitoring is essential so that policymakers and the public can understand—and have a say in—how AI systems affect politics. 274
Reposted by Alex EnglerJake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Some coverage in CBS News www.cbsnews.com/news/dei-pol...cbsnews.comDEI policies brought no financial penalty for companies that kept them, study findsCompanies that stood by their diversity efforts faced no detectable impact from investors or shoppers, researchers found. 621350
Reposted by Alex EnglerSoumaya Keynes @soumayakeynes.ft.com · 21/08/2026The Economist has published @dacemoglumit.bsky.social's response to their critical column and it is spiky www.economist.com/letters/2026... 1329155
Reposted by Alex EnglerJake Johnson @jakejohnsonmn.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Data centers are part of a larger story of extracting value from our communities and sending it into the pockets of billionaires who don’t even live here. 33213
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 21/08/2026The 'Google Zero' developments in recent months demonstrates the urgency too. Radically reduced traffic from Google to publishers makes the walling-off of high quality information ever-more likely. www.niemanlab.org/2026/07/sear... 001
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 21/08/2026I learned a lot from @bankston.bsky.social's long post on the debate over the AI Preferences technical standard, and strongly recommend it. It is among the most essential issues for the future of the internet and access to information. cdt.org/insights/wil... 223
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 20/08/2026We also review findings from Danaé's ongoing longitudinal monitoring system, AI Watchman (see below). This research warrants government funding (i.e., NSF SBE), safe harbor protections for researchers, and should be part of any new tech agency. 000
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 20/08/2026We discuss in-depth the evidence about the scope and influence of LLMs on the information ecosystem; and then relay four key technical features of LLMs (that they are Dynamic, Ephemeral, Embedded, and Personalized) which necessitate longitudinal monitoring, rather than one-off AI audits. 100
Alex Engler @alexengler.bsky.social · 20/08/2026In my first piece in 3 years (!), Danaé Metaxa and I write for @carnegieendowment.org on why we need a new paradigm of scientific research for AI—longitudinal monitoring—to ensure the public has a meaningful say in the societal role of LLMs. carnegieendowment.org/research/202...carnegieendowment.orgWe Need Ongoing Monitoring of AI and Political InformationMonitoring is essential so that policymakers and the public can understand—and have a say in—how AI systems affect politics. 274
Reposted by Alex EnglerFactCheck.org @factcheck.org · 19/08/2026RFK Jr. Falsely Claims New Evidence Supports Splitting MMR Vaccine www.factcheck.org/2026/08/rfk-... 5157
Reposted by Alex EnglerPenn Center on Media, Technology, and Democracy (MEDIATED) @penn-mediated.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Check out this amazing 2-year postdoc position with rockstars Danaé Metaxa and @friedler.net to work on public interest audits of AI here at UPenn! metaxa.net/postdoc 143
Reposted by Alex EnglerDeen Freelon @dfreelon.bsky.social · 16/07/2026My lab @ UPenn is hiring a postdoc to start in early 2027. I'm looking for someone with expertise in social identities, computational methods, and political communication: www.asc.upenn.edu/news-events/...asc.upenn.eduCall for applications: Postdoctoral researcher in social identity, politics, and computational methods 12228