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Dónal Mulligan

@donalmulligan.com
509 followers 377 following 237 posts

Lecturer in Media, Design, Data Comms, etc., at DCU in #Dublin. Interested in digital research & ethics, educational tech & #GenAI, politics, and formerly #Eurovision Podcast: EnoughAboutAI.com More: www.donalmulligan.com

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Reposted by Dónal Mulligan
Dublin City University @dublincityuni.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
DCU has been ranked in the world’s 300 top universities for the first time! The @timeshighered.bsky.social (THE) World University Ranking for 2027 places DCU in 284 for 2027, climbing 24 places since 2026. DCU is also ranked first in Ireland for Research Quality. Read more: launch.dcu.ie/4z6hajA
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 21/09/2026
The Irish Government continues to provide for the interests of US tech companies…
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Shaun O’Boyle @shaunoboyle.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I genuinely hate this. Using AI for science communication tells me that no creativity, craft, or thought went into it. Might as well not bother.
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Johnny Ryan @johnnyryan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This is insanity. Irish Presidency's draft text of amendments to the GDPR allows training & operation of any AI without safeguards & tough legal basis (under "legitimate interest" a company claims what it is doing is OK. Up to you to find out and challenge in court). This is a free pass for US Tech.
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Max Read @maxread.info · 15/09/2026
i would like to have a lot fewer high-breathlessness low-details confessional letters/essays/tweets/resignations from big ai and a lot more specificity & transparency
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 14/09/2026
Trump: "The only control or 'guardrails' that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!"
The only control or “guardrails” that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades! The Trump Administration has stopped AI “people” from doing bad, or potentially bad, “things,“ like Dario (Anthropic!), who is now pretending to be a “perfect little angel” - and we will continue to do so! We already have tremendous CRIMINAL and REGULATORY power over these companies! There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China. WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS! We are leading China, and all others, and will continue to do so. Conspiracy Theorists, Treasonists, Traitors, and Leakers, BEWARE! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
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404 Media @404media.co · 14/09/2026
EXCLUSIVE: Humans are reading ChatGPT users’ prompts to improve OpenAI’s models, and those chats can include sensitive, personal information, according to leaked internal documents and real prompts seen by 404 Media.
404media.co
Inside ‘Project Lily’: The Humans Reading Your ChatGPT Chats
Humans are reading ChatGPT users’ prompts to improve OpenAI’s models, and those chats can include sensitive, personal information, according to leaked internal documents and real prompts seen by 404 M...
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Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
when you work at the BPAF but you’re beginning to realize there’s not going to be a successful IPO
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Enough About AI Podcast @enoughaboutai.com · 11/09/2026
Dónal and Ciarán return in time for the new school and college terms to help you get back to learning about GenAI. Here, they bring you up to speed on the mounting political backlash to data centres in Ireland. #genai #technology #artificialintelligence #openai #anthropic #datacentres
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 08/09/2026
Latest @enoughaboutai.com quarterly with @ciaranoconnor.bsky.social is out and covering the investigation of the #HuggingFace attack, AI safety culture (or lack of it), data centre politics, open letters, predictions, and hideous AI posters...
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Ashmolean Museum, Oxford @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
This intricate vase was created by Namikawa Yasuyuki, perhaps one of the most celebrated enamellers of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
A blue enamelled vase with detail of a waterfall hitting rocks at the base.
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Elaine Burke @elaineburke.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I've never heard anyone discuss Dolly Parton's success, influence or contributions to the world in terms of her net worth. I'm sure it was substantial, but I am blissfully unaware of it. Cos it doesn't fucking matter. What's important is not what you earned but what you *gave* to the world.
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The Journal @thejournal.ie · 24/08/2026
The Netherlands will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, with its broadcaster saying the event can "no longer be considered neutral" given divisions over the Gaza war. The contest has recently been hit by a wave of boycotts over Israel's participation. jrnl.ie/7139814
jrnl.ie
Netherlands to continue Eurovision boycott and says event can ‘no longer be considered neutral’
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said it will not participate in next year’s song contest as ‘one of the participating countries is still involved in a large-scale military conflict’.
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Off the Beaten Path, painting by Padraig McCaul, Irish artist.
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Evan @enyamorricone.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
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Maura Conway @galwaygrrl.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
(All other many issues aside). Eh, yes, you are defintely deciding because only STEM researchers included; humanities and social science researchers omitted from scheme --->"Our strategy is not to decide which scientific problems deserve attention..." www.axios.com/2026/07/29/o...
axios.com
OpenAI launches free AI access program for academic researchers
The program will provide selected researchers access to advanced models through 2027.
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 20/07/2026
Saw The Odyssey and it’s enjoyable and definitely merits a cinema where the intense soundtrack bass can fully shudder your bones. (Though Nolan having Odysseus solemnly say “Our Age of Bronze is collapsing” also does that at one point!) Overall certainly worth seeing - and on a very big screen.
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ceej @ceej.online · 16/07/2026
gonna start talking like this to my boss
screenshot where claude is saying "Good catch -- I fabricated that figure."
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DCU FuJo @fujomedia.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
📢 #CallForPapers: Are you a PhD researcher with ideas on Media, Democracy, and Society? If so, you have until ⏳ 2 August 2026 ⏳ to submit your abstract for the 3rd FuJo PhD Conference 2026! 👉 Link for submission: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Call for Papers: Media, Democracy, and Society: 3rd FuJo PhD Conference 2026
Call for Papers: Media, Democracy, and Society The 3rd FuJo PhD Conference welcomes submissions from PhD researchers working across the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities and related discipline...
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Olivia Guest · Ολίβια Γκεστ @olivia.science · 12/09/2025
"We are told that AI is inevitable, that we must adapt or be left behind. But universities are not tech companies. Our role is to foster critical thinking, not to follow industry trends uncritically." www.ru.nl/en/research/...
ru.nl
‘Opposing the inevitability of AI at universities is possible and necessary’ | Radboud University
Since the widespread release of ChatGPT in December of 2022, AI has taken over much of the world by storm – including academia. Most of this happened with very little pushback, despite a myriad of iss...
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Global Museum @globalmuseum.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Vogelkop Super Paradise, found in the rainforests of Papua, is only found in Indonesia's Papua province. Its clove-black feathers absorb 99.5% of light, which makes its blue eyes and chest appear like a digital illusion. www.allaboutbirds.org/news/new-vog... #globalmuseum #birds
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RTÉ Brainstorm @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
How 'Freed from Desire' became soccer's favourite anthem. @donalmulligan.com @dublincityuni.bsky.social tells the story of how a 1990s' Eurodance hit inspired by Buddhism became the soundtrack to happy stadiums and terraces years later www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
rte.ie
How 'Freed from Desire' became soccer's favourite anthem
The story of how a 1990s' Eurodance hit inspired by Buddhism became the soundtrack to happy stadiums and terraces years later
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Brett "Solidarity 2026" Banditelli @banditelli.org · 08/07/2026
WAIT FOR IT WAIT. FOR. IT! 🪶 🐣
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mtsw @mtsw.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
The story here is not this stupid movie – which will never get made and never come out – but how the Tilly Norwood people keep getting these credulous articles placed in national news sources despite zero demonstration of any success or demand for this.
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DCU FuJo @fujomedia.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
📢 Applications are now open for the #ChangingTIDE Media Literacy Incubator in Dublin! Are you aged 18–30 and resident in an EU/CERV country? Join us to explore media literacy, disinformation, and more with young people from across Europe. Apply now 👇 fujomedia.eu/news/call-fo...
fujomedia.eu
FuJo | Call for Applicants: Media Literac
Dublin City University is the Irish partner in ChangingTIDE, an EU-funded project that aims ...
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 19/06/2026
youtu.be/qABA0X6IzxU?...
youtu.be
Don't Change Horses
YouTube video by carinder06
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Enough About AI Podcast @enoughaboutai.com · 16/06/2026
Dónal and Ciarán are back to discuss some of the various costs of AI. Here, they discuss Pope Leo’s recent papal encyclical on AI and humanity, which the pope called for AI to be “disarmed” and to be prevented “from dominating humanity” through “monopolistic control.” #genai #artificialintelligence
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Ed Zitron @edzitron.com · 16/06/2026
Exclusive: I have seen OpenAI's audited financials for 2024 and 2025. In 2025, OpenAI had $13.07 billion in revenue and $34 billion in costs. $867 million of its revenue came from SoftBank, and $303 million came from Microsoft. www.wheresyoured.at/exclusive-op...
wheresyoured.at
Exclusive: OpenAI Losses Increased Nearly 8X in 2025, With Spending Hitting $34 Billion
Soundtrack: In Flames - Colony To further support my independent journalism, please subscribe to my premium newsletter. It’s $7 a month or $70 a year. If you’re subscribed to the free newsletter and ...
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Elaine Burke @elaineburke.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Yep, same guy. Mere days apart.
Screenshot of a Futurism headline accompanied by a photo of Keir Starmer:

Prime Minister of the UK Vows to Unleash AI Tutors on 450,000 Poor Children
Look how much your government cares for you, kids.
By Frank Landymore
Published Jun 12, 2026 3:10 PM EDTScreenshot of a headline from TheJournal.ie, accompanied by an image of Keir Starmer:

Keir Starmer announces forthcoming ban on social media for under-16s
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Starmer said that it is hoped the regulation will pass by Christmas and come into effect early next year.
8.39am, 15 Jun 2026
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Alan Kelly @akellyucc.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Remembering the time I asked an Aer Lingus AI a very simple question and it became determined to cancel my flight so I ended up shouting at it in ALL CAPS
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Enough About AI Podcast @enoughaboutai.com · 10/06/2026
In the latest episode, @donalmulligan.com & @ciaranoconnor.bsky.social discuss "The Costs of AI", including Ireland's data centres, environmental costs, AI labour effects, token-based billing, and the costs for truth, knowledge, and our shared humanity. podcast.enoughaboutai.com/2421061/epis...
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Johnny Ryan @johnnyryan.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Posted without comment
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 12/04/2026
What’s the Hungarian for “good riddance”?
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The Foggy Jew @hmcevansoneya.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Speaking of, please enjoy this deranged AI slop 1916 banner from the blockade that just gets worse and worse the more you look at it
A vaguely Easter rising themed AI slop banner attached to the back of a truck cab. The image on the banner is so mad I genuinely don't know how to describe it I'm so sorry
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Ruth Mottram @ruthmottram.eurosky.social · 27/02/2026
Criminally funny, but also I'm crying inside Norway comes for the #TechBros www.forbrukerradet.no/breakingfree vimeo.com/1168468796?f...
vimeo.com
The Enshittificator
Digital products and services keep getting worse. In the new report Breaking Free: Pathways to a fair technological future, the Norwegian Consumer Council has delved…
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 21/02/2026
New year - new hype, new harms, new nefarious things Meta is up to... First 2026 @enoughaboutai.com ep is out and to be found wherever podcasts are. @ciaranoconnor.bsky.social & I talk about Grok, OpenClaw, Safer Internet Day, and taking a deep breath. podcast.enoughaboutai.com/2421061/epis...
podcast.enoughaboutai.com
Hype, Hazards, Harms, and Help - Enough About AI
Dónal and Ciarán return for a new year of new updates and new concerns in the world of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Again for 2026, the podcast will provide roughly quarterly updates on major t...
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Shamim Malekmian @shamimmalekmian.eurosky.social · 14/02/2026
this video lives rent-free in my head
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 06/02/2026
Glorious bygone days, stamping out Sister Miriam Godwinson.
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Katie Martin @katie0martin.ft.com · 05/02/2026
Please, my magic bean, it is very sick
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
‘Novice workers who rely heavily on AI to complete unfamiliar tasks may compromise their own skill acquisition… We find that AI use impairs conceptual understanding, code reading, and debugging abilities, without delivering significant efficiency gains on average.’ arxiv.org/pdf/2601.20245
Abstract
Al assistance produces significant productivity gains across professional domains, particularly for novice workers. Yet how this assistance affects the development of skills required to effectively supervise AI remains unclear. Novice workers who rely heavily on AI to complete unfamiliar tasks may compromise their own skill acquisition in the process. We conduct randomized experiments to study how developers gained mastery of a new asynchronous programming library with and without the assistance of Al.
We find that AI use impairs conceptual understanding, code reading, and debugging abilities, without delivering significant efficiency gains on average. Participants who fully delegated coding tasks showed some productivity improvements, but at the cost of learning the library. We identify six distinct AI interaction patterns, three of which involve cognitive engagement and preserve learning outcomes even when participants receive AI assistance. Our findings suggest that Al-enhanced productivity is not a shortcut to competence and AI assistance should be carefully adopted into workflows to preserve skill formation - particularly in safety-critical domains.
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Dr Lindsey Fitzharris @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Need a distraction from the 24-hour news cycle? Check out "Balloon Dog Anatomy" by the great Jason Freeny.
A balloon dog, but transparent so you can see the "skeleton" within.
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 29/01/2026
Hmm, I'm not sure there are enough letters in there and I would prefer that any acronym was derived from the initials of the name in French for maximum EU-ness. Perhaps le "Service Claude Chappe de Messagerie Numérique TransEuropéen des Citoyens"? Find me on SCCMNTEC...
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Elaine Burke @elaineburke.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A thorough, and entertaining, review of the UK government's AI Skills Hub. TLDR: The state of this yoke.
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Usili (Talia) 🏳️‍⚧️ @usili.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Bilbo looking at his phone top

on bottom is ChatGPT

After all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?

You're absolutely right — you found it, it's been with you a long while, and it's only natural to feel fond of something that's served you so well, especially when someone like Gandalf suddenly seems to want it for himself.
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Stella Sacco @antlervel.vet · 23/01/2026
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step. 1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish. 2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
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Jay Roszman @jayroszman.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
NPR Tiny Desk concerts rarely disappoint – this is another absolute banger of a band I would never have otherwise come across.
npr.org
Guitarricadelafuente: Tiny Desk Concert
Álvaro Lafuente's calming voice and steady rhythms feel like a lullaby with a fiesta tilt. At the Desk, the Spanish singer transports us to a club in Barcelona or a beach on Costa Brava.
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Dónal Mulligan @donalmulligan.com · 08/01/2026
I’m tired of being constantly embarrassed by witless government inaction on the most flagrant of tech issues.
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Andrew Stroehlein @andrewstroehlein.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
"Why is the government posting on a deepfake child porn site?" That's the question to ask them, journalist friends.
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