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Elke Schwarz

@elkeschwarz.bsky.social
5K followers 2K following 883 posts

Professor of Political Theory. Technology, politics, ethics and war are my main preoccupations. Lately also the Apocalypse.

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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 3h
In the current landscape of Responsible AI we're moving further away from the crucial ethical questions. Some thoughts from me on the occasion of the 2026 Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs Global Ethics Day www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/online-exclu...
ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org
The Ethics of Responsibility in a World of Military AI
Responsibility in warfare remains a human affair. Rather than ask “what is required to make instruments of violence legally compliant?,” we should ask “is what we are doing right now likely to propel ...
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Reposted by Elke Schwarz
Scott Horton @robertscotthorton.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
No matter how hard they try brain scientists and cognitive psychologists will never find a copy of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the brain—or copies of words, pictures, grammatical rules or any other kinds of environmental stimuli. The human brain isn’t really empty, of course. But it does not contain
aeon.co
Your brain does not process information and it is not a computer | Aeon Essays
Your brain does not process information, retrieve knowledge or store memories. In short: your brain is not a computer
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Sean Martin McDonald @seanmartinmcdonald.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Limitations are also how one gets deep permissions, whether a power of attorney or plumbers. We allow strangers to materially alter our homes with virtually no oversight, in no small part, because they don't also try to sell you insurance or offer home decorating tips.
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Frank Pasquale @frankpasquale.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
“Part of recognising our humanity is accepting with humility and wisdom the ways that our power is limited and the ways that we should limit ourselves. A limitation is not always the same as an impediment to advancing and flourishing.” www.ft.com/content/3404...
ft.com
When humility is proof of our humanity
Self-imposed limits need not be impediments to a fulfilling life
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This is such a good example for why the Silicon Valley 'do first, fix / ask for permission later' approach is poison in a social context.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Hegseth: "Project Meridian will be co-led by 3 of our nation’s best minds, Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich...its purpose is to identify... the capabilities we must master ... Their work will be focused on discovering, developing and fielding weapons ... without any creative limitations"
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
For the avoidance of doubt: "morally binding" self regulation is an utterly meaningless jumble of words and this was a piece of theatre designed to further erode the meaning of terms and the possibility of actually meaningful regulation. www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
reuters.com
Trump, tech executives sign 'morally binding' AI document
US President Donald Trump said ​he signed an artificial intelligence-related document on Tuesday ‌with top tech executives in Washington.
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Alondra Nelson @alondra.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Yes! I try to address some of what you rightly describe here www.nae.edu/337896/disru...
nae.edu
NAE Website - Disrupting the Disruption Narrative: Policy Innovation in AI Governance
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Precisely this 👇. The reason governments "lag behind" with tech industry regulation is because of industry having worked actively against regulation and the wrong people were listened to. Not because of unwieldy bureaucratic processes or tech just moving too fast. It's time we adjust our lens.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"We must not grow indifferent to wars and human suffering, but instead channel our efforts into preventing conflicts ..." The UNSC speech by the Finnish president was refreshing in our war-focused present www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJas...
youtube.com
Finland’s President Delivers Must-Watch UN Lecture to Understand Today’s World Disorder | AC1G
YouTube video by DRM News
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Yesterday's Axel Springer award to Peter Thiel makes for quite some viewing. In particular, his Palantir co-founder's comments were bewildering (and confused) in typical fashion, "Peter", he proclaimed, "is quite simply the last standing German" ... ok. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUJn...
youtube.com
axel springer award 2026
YouTube video by Axel Springer SE
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I'm looking forward to this!
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Given the extremely hyperbolic discourse that accompanies the Anthropic and (now postponed) OpenAI IPOs, I shudder to think what might happen in the run up to Anduril going public.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I was just thinking about how Anthropic’s call for regulation or oversight is a very selective affair www.ft.com/content/560e...
ft.com
Anthropic withheld latest AI model from UK testing agency
Decision to exclude Aisi has prompted fears inside British government of protectionist shift among tech groups
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Just because statements are delivered with utmost confidence does not mean that they are fact. Here is a prime example. The notion that you have to 'win' the AI race in order to make AI less harmful is, plainly, ridiculous and betrays clear business priorities. www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Anthropic policy chief says winning AI race key for safety
Sarah Heck underscored the need for new rules governing existential risk but said the U.S. must stay in the lead on AI.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Precisely this 👇
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Impunity 101: a blatantly obvious violation of norms occurs. The only tool available is the 'demand for answers'. No answers are forthcoming, at least none that would serve as the ground for serious consequences. The next 'scandal' happens, rinse & repeat. www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
House Dems demand answers to Trump Jr.’s ties with Russian oligarch
The request follows a recent report that Umar Kremlev bankrolled Trump Jr.’s wedding celebrations.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I often wonder what actually useful technological invention was short changed in the manic pursuit of AI in the last decade
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I'm slightly late to the party but found this avery useful counterpoint to the AI agents gone rogue hype here by @eryk.bsky.social "If you optimize a model to find exploits, you should expect it to find them — and prepare for that." mail.cyberneticforests.com/models-dont-...
mail.cyberneticforests.com
Models Don't Go Rogue
Stochastic Flocks & Cybersecurity 'Pandemonium' 💡This essay was drafted from my appearance on Mél Hogan's podcast, The Data Fix, discussing the OpenAI / Hugging Face hack. Embedded below or find it o...
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Stop Killer Robots @stopkillerrobots.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"Clear, binding rules would help ensure that increasingly #AutonomousWarfare does not make violence easier to unleash and harder to control." ❗A key message to states as the #CCWUN in Geneva concludes today. @elkeschwarz.bsky.social @jessicadorsey.bsky.social theconversation.com/autonomous-w...
theconversation.com
Autonomous weapons can select targets without human help – now is the time for binding rules
Officials are meeting in Geneva to negotiate urgent controls on autonomous weapons.
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Important call from @qmulsse.bsky.social's @elkeschwarz.bsky.social and Utrecht's @jessicadorsey.bsky.social.
theconversation.com
Autonomous weapons can select targets without human help – now is the time for binding rules
Officials are meeting in Geneva to negotiate urgent controls on autonomous weapons.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
This is key to the entire (re-)industrialisation push. Billions of $$$ are invested in (aka wagered) on automation tech in industry. The (already dystopian) notion of a more employment for more labourers is a red herring
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
This is all the more troubling against a recent report by @republik.ch about a conservative libertarian power grab facilitated under the cover of ostensible scientific neutrality. The example here is Switzerland, but this happens across democratic countries in Europe www.republik.ch/2026/08/28/d...
republik.ch
Der Lobbyist im Professoren-Jackett
Christoph Schaltegger strebt im Namen der Wissenschaft nach mehr politischem Einfluss.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My thoughts on why Günther Anders remains one of the most relevant thinkers for our time politicaltheology.com/technologica...
politicaltheology.com
Technological Totalitarianism | Political Theology Network
For Anders, the problem is not that humans have created a world of artifice. Rather, the problem is that in the modern technological environment we make products that are not measured on the basis of…
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
On the topic of 'someone dead did it better than you', I have written a short piece on why Günther Anders is the most prescient thinker we have for our times. Read my short piece on technological totalitarianism here: politicaltheology.com/technologica...
politicaltheology.com
Technological Totalitarianism | Political Theology Network
For Anders, the problem is not that humans have created a world of artifice. Rather, the problem is that in the modern technological environment we make products that are not measured on the basis of…
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
What a strange article to run about a very accomplished economist. The charge is that he is "unadventurous". What kind of measure is that?? Where is the article with the sub-title: "Elon Musk is revered. Why?" www.economist.com/finance-and-...
economist.com
The world’s most influential economist is oddly unconvincing
Daron Acemoglu is revered. Why?
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Bleddyn Bowen @bleddb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Ridiculously sized satellite given it’s about 3/4 the length of the International Space Station. And Musk wants hundreds of these in orbit. The scale is staggering for so little energy (only 210kw worth of power!) compared to terrestrial data centres. www.ft.com/content/41e6...
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Speechless. This feels more like a Beckett play than a tech news item
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Looking forward to this! I‘ll have the chance to present some early work on war and waste with Nils Peters.
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Jacobin Magazin @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Wenn Risikokapital in die Verteidigungsindustrie strömt, verändert sich, wie über Kriegsführung gesprochen wird. Denn »Gewinnen« bedeutet im Silicon Valley schlicht Profit machen.
jacobin.de
Das Silicon Valley sieht im Krieg einen Wachstumsmarkt
Venture Capital flutet die Verteidigungsindustrie und damit durchdringt die Sprache des Silicon Valley immer häufiger die Kriegsführung. Wer hier »gewinnen« will, möchte Profit machen – auch auf Kosten des Friedens.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Fact
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
In einer Gegenwart des immerwährenden Konflikts gehen Freiheit & Demokratie schleichend verloren. Steigende Investitionen in neue Waffensysteme & Startups riskieren das zu normalisieren. Mein @techpolicypress.bsky.social Artikel bei @jacobinmagazin.bsky.social. jacobin.de/silicon-vall...
jacobin.de
Das Silicon Valley sieht im Krieg einen Wachstumsmarkt
Venture Capital flutet die Verteidigungsindustrie und damit durchdringt die Sprache des Silicon Valley immer häufiger die Kriegsführung. Wer hier »gewinnen« will, möchte Profit machen – auch auf Koste...
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
I 💯 agree and would suggest that this extends to other sectors, including government. Restructuring everything along the lines of „how else could we use AI“, thereby weaving it deep into praxis before anyone knows the actual use or benefit for the sector.
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Amin Samman @aminsamman.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Another review has come in for Currency of Nihilism, this time in Theory, Culture & Society. Thanks to Fabien Muller for his thoughtful engagement with the book (and for bringing back “Kapitalmystifikation”). Read his full review below, it's open access!
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Why is @economist.com offering free PR to bolster Palantir's profile in Britain? Two on the same day ... is this a Special Section?
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Surely we all remember the UK limiting Huawei networks, at the behest of Trump, and classifying the firm as “high risk vendor” …
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
You know that whenever any of the AI company CEOs tell us how AI gives intelligence / creativity / abundance etc. to all the tacit message is that there was no creativity / intelligence etc. otherwise. It writes out of existence all that came before AI. That is perhaps the worst crime.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
This week it’s Zuck’s turn www.404media.co/mark-zuckerb...
404media.co
Mark Zuckerberg Posts Deranged 6,500-Word Essay About Giving Everyone AI Superintelligence
"The future is for everyone," Zuckerberg says, describing future that is primarily good for Meta.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
This is perhaps more of a form of theology rather than philosophy if the premise on which the thinking rests derives from an unquestionable belief. observer.com/2026/06/anth...
observer.com
Anthropic Philosopher Amanda Askell Says Claude May Replace Her Job One Day
Amanda Askell, Anthropic’s resident philosopher who’s working to shape Claude’s “personality,” says advanced A.I. could eventually take over even deeply human jobs like her …
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
AI labs urgently need ethicists / political philosophers to point out to them their moral responsibility for developing something with a high likelihood of producing harm / become co-opted into biological warfare etc. I mean, even a brief glance across history would do. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Artificial Intelligence used to design brand new viruses
Scientists made 16 successful viruses that had their genetic code designed by artificial intelligence.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I am sorry but anyone who took even a slight peak at the Space X S-1 form would have understood that Musk is overselling investors on future prospects. Surely investors are not so naive as to believe Musk's multifarious claims at this point.
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Josef Mühlbauer @josefmuehlbauer.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Es gehört zu den eigentümlichen Zügen unserer Gegenwart, dass die Frage nach dem Frieden wieder gestellt werden muss - und zwar so, als hätte die Menschheit die Antworten, die sich nach 1945 mühsam erarbeitet hat, wieder vergessen.
Es gehört zu den eigentümlichen Zügen unserer Gegenwart, dass die Frage nach dem Frieden wieder gestellt werden muss - und zwar so, als hätte die Menschheit die Antworten, die sich nach 1945 mühsam erarbeitet hat, wieder vergessen. Nicht das Fehlen von Antworten kennzeichnet dieses Phänomen, sindern dessen tiefere Struktur: die schleichende Pathologisierung des normativen Bewusstsein,..

Herausgegeben von Prof. Sabine Zelger, Prof Doros Lindner, Dr. Julia Köhler & Josef Mühlbauer

#buchbesprechung #buchtipp #buchverrückt #buchblogger #Buch Es gehört zu den eigentümlichen Zügen unserer Gegenwart, dass die Frage nach dem Frieden wieder gestellt werden muss - und zwar so, als hätte die Menschheit die Antworten, die sich nach 1945 mühsam erarbeitet hat, wieder vergessen. Nicht das Fehlen von Antworten kennzeichnet dieses Phänomen, sindern dessen tiefere Struktur: die schleichende Pathologisierung des normativen Bewusstsein,..

Herausgegeben von Prof. Sabine Zelger, Prof Doros Lindner, Dr. Julia Köhler & Josef Mühlbauer

#buchbesprechung #buchtipp #buchverrückt #buchblogger #Buch
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
"We must trust in the promise of AI" (various state AI policies rn)
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
We have an exciting new MA in Political Theory! We live in times where critical thinking, ethical reasoning and an understanding of people and politics is crucial. Come study with us all this and more.
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
In 2024, Eric Schmidt said that he does "a weekly call with the heads of all the AI companies" in which they "rank the problems" affecting the industry. One of the biggest problems was energy and the second one is Washington, that is to say, regulation. You never guess what happened next ...
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Periodically, one of the CEOs of an AI companies pops up & proclaims that we're nearing the Singularity / AI consciousness is achieved / AI salvation for humanity is imminent. Last week it was Musk, this week it is Sam Altman. Other times it is Demis Hassabis, or Dario Amodei, or Eric Schmidt. 1/
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I am not sure this is still a thing, but I am trying to access this article and can't. Does anyone happen to have a gift link? www.thetimes.com/business/com....
thetimes.com
The venture capital model is wasteful, chaotic — and essential
I have been reading the business plans of new ventures for more than 30 years, and while the presentations have become a lot slicker, I’m not sure the underlying propositions have improved much. Power...
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
100% all of this "I don’t for a minute think AI needs a new metaphysics [...]. But there was resistance to my efforts to change the subject. I worried that behind this wish to draw attention to Claude’s “status” there was a hope for a kind of baptism, a moral and intellectual credit note"
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Elke Schwarz @elkeschwarz.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
It is troublesome when the policy for a thing is built on a faith in the thing.
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