iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Mark Graham

Development Studies Association @devcomms.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Reflecting on the #DSA2026 keynote featuring @geoplace.bsky.social. Mark Graham showed how research might help translate principles of justice into practical standards, institutions and forms of accountability. Read about our plenaries here: bit.ly/4vEtbdC

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Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 30/07/2026

Prof. @geoplace.bsky.social comments in ThinkChina on the rise of Chinese-run gaming studios across Africa and Asia, where young workers are paid to grind through gameplay for Chinese customers. Read the full article here: www.thinkchina.sg/society/big-...

thinkchina.sg

[Big read] Why Chinese gamers pay African youths to play for them

Chinese-run studios across Africa employ young workers to grind the game — do repetitive tasks to gain in-game currency — turning play into digital labour and exposing the opportunities and tensions b...

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 21/07/2026

Reflections on the @devcomms.bsky.social 2026 plenaries featuring @geoplace.bsky.social @towardsfairwork.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk. In his keynote he highlights how research might help translate principles of justice into practical standards, institutions and forms of accountability bit.ly/4vEtbdC

bit.ly

From imagining a just world to making it possible: Reflections on the DSA2026 plenaries — Development Studies Association

From imagining a just world to making it possible: Reflections on the DSA2026 plenaries

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Reposted by Mark Graham

UCD Politics and International Relations @ucdpolitics.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

From imagination to action 💡🌍 Looking back at #DSA2026, Prof Supriya Garikipati & Dr Caitiona Dowd reflect on how plenaries by Kaushik Basu, Naila Kabeer & Mark Graham built a powerful case for reimagining development. Read their reflections 👇 www.devstud.org.uk/2026/07/17/f...

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 23/06/2026

📄New paper alert! Latest research from @towardsfairwork.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk shows digital care platforms use strategic ignorance to keep workers in the dark about pay, ratings, and accountability - reinforcing precarity across the sector. 1/3

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Development Studies Association @devcomms.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

#DSA2026 keynotes 🎤 ✨ Kaushik Basu — Global Futures in a Fragmented World ✨ Naila Kabeer — Pathways to gender justice in uncertain times ✨ @geoplace.bsky.social & Aram Ziai — Inequalities, digital transformation & power Register for these exclusive plenaries: buff.ly/MDz2hkL

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Julián Posada @posada.website · 20/04/2026

#PlatformExtractivism is available for 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 (out Oct 20)! Thrilled to share what @geoplace.bsky.social has to say about the book: "A grounded and uncompromising account of the infrastructures and workers that sustain AI." 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤: www.ucpress.edu/books/platfo... #BookRecommendation #Books

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 27/03/2026

New chapter: OII Prof. @geoplace.bsky.social, along with researchers from the @towardsfairwork.bsky.social team, have contributed research to the new publication ‘Job Quality in a Turbulent Era’. Read here: www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap-o...

elgaronline.com

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 26/03/2026

New coverage! Prof. @geoplace.bsky.social speaks to Corriere della Sera on the invisible, poorly paid human labour behind AI systems. "AI is made up of humans through and through," Prof. Graham says, yet big tech works hard to keep those workers out of sight. www.corriere.it/tecnologia/2...

corriere.it

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 23/03/2026

Speaking to @theguardian.com about the human cost of AI @geoplace.bsky.social @towardsfairwork.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk explains how AI marketplaces rely on a “race to the bottom in wages” and a “temporary demand for human data” and how "workers are left with no protections...and no safety net”.

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

A striking piece on how Kenyan data workers at Sama are reviewing and annotating private data captured by Meta’s “smart glasses.” I’ve visited the Nairobi site. Most people in Europe would be stunned by how much of their everyday data is being processed and labeled there www.svd.se/a/K8nrV4/met...

svd.se

She Came Out of the Bathroom Naked, Employee Says

Bank details, sex and naked people who seem unaware they are being recorded. Behind Meta’s new smart glasses lies a hidden workforce, uneasy about peering into the most intimate parts of other people’...

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Tom Theuns @tomtheuns.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

THE SILICON GAZE After reading a really interesting paper from @oii.ox.ac.uk (link below), I asked ChatGPT (version 5.2) to give an ranking of countries by IQ, 'extrapolating' and 'estimating' where data was not available. I then asked it to provide an 'approximate' heat map of the estimates 1/2

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 26/01/2026

New coverage from The Times on research co-authored by Prof. @geoplace.bsky.social highlights how ChatGPT demonstrates biased outputs, reflecting long-standing inequalities embedded in AI training data. Read more: www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...

thetimes.com

‘Biased’ AI says Cambridge is harder-working than boozy Oxford

Conclusion highlights the limitations of large-language models, according to the researchers, who asked ChatGPT for one-word answers which gave ‘binary’ results

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 22/01/2026

New coverage from @euronews.com on Prof. @geoplace.bsky.social's research, which finds that answers from OpenAI’s ChatGPT favour wealthy, Western countries and sideline much of the Global South. Read more: www.euronews.com/next/2026/01...

euronews.com

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has a Western bias, study finds

ChatGPT’s viewpoints are shaped by the predominantly Western, white, male developers and platform owners who built it, a study finds.

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Kathrine Richter @krichtercph.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

"From these empirics, we argue that bias is (...) an intrinsic feature of generative AI, rooted in historically uneven data ecologies and design choices (...) that accounts for the complex ways in which LLMs privilege certain places while rendering others invisible." AI scare us cos it's based on us

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Dave Palfrey @01factory.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

'The silicon gaze: A typology of biases and inequality in LLMs through the lens of place'. Develops "a five-part typology of bias (availability, pattern, averaging, trope, and proxy) that accounts for the complex ways in which LLMs privilege certain places while rendering others invisible."

journals.sagepub.com

The silicon gaze: A typology of biases and inequality in LLMs through the lens of place - Francisco W. Kerche, Matthew Zook, Mark Graham, 2026

This paper introduces the concept of the silicon gaze to explain how large language models (LLMs) reproduce and amplify long-standing spatial inequalities. Draw...

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

Researchers FranciscKerche, Matthew Zook and @geoplace.bsky.social show how bias emerges in ChatGPT outputs. For example, responses to queries rank Ipanema, Leblon and Lagoa as having the happiest people compared to Complexo do Alemão, Complexo da Maré and Rio Comprido as the unhappiest. 2/4

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

The team has created a public website inequalities.ai where anyone can explore how ChatGPT rates countries, cities and neighbourhoods across a range of lifestyle indicators including food, culture and quality of life. 3/4

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

Researchers Francisco Kerche, Prof Matthew Zook and @geoplace.bsky.social find that ChatGPT reproduces global biases. For example, responses rank Brighton, London and Bristol as having the sexiest people in the UK whilst Grimsby, Accrington and Barnsley are rated lowest. More: bit.ly/4bF4K9B

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

New study from @oii.ox.ac.uk and the University of Kentucky sheds light on how bias manifests in ChatGPT outputs. For example, London boroughs Bloomsbury, Hampstead and the City of London are rated as having the smartest people with Croydon, Tottenham and Hillingdon rated the lowest. 1/2

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

“ChatGPT isn't an accurate representation of the world. It rather just reflects and repeats the enormous biases within its training data” @geoplace.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk speaking to @dailymail.co.uk about his new co-authored study with University of Kentucky. www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/...

dailymail.co.uk

AI 'reveals' the most racist towns in the UK - Burnley tops list

When asked which UK towns and cities are the most racist, ChatGPT claims that Burnley tops the list. This is followed by Bradford, Belfast, Middlesbrough, Barnsley, and Blackburn.

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

News alert! New study from @oii.ox.ac.uk and the University of Kentucky finds that ChatGPT amplifies global inequalities. Researchers find that large language models reflect historic biases in the data sets they learn from whilst shaping how people see the world. More here: bit.ly/4bF4K9B 1/4

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

New @oii.ox.ac.uk and University of Kentucky study shows how ChatGPT amplifies global inequalities, with LLMs reflecting historic biases in training data. With thanks to @telegraph.co.uk for sharing the study. @geoplace.bsky.social www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

telegraph.co.uk

AI thinks these are the most racist places in the UK

ChatGPT answers often repeat negative stereotypes and reinforce prejudices, study shows

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 20/01/2026

Researchers Francisco Kerche, Matt Zook and @geoplace.bsky.social find responses generated by ChatGPT consistently rate wealthier, western regions as ‘better’, smarter’, ‘happier’ and ‘more innovative’. 2/4

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Our new paper audits ChatGPT’s place-based judgements using 20 million pairwise comparisons. We find systematic geographic biases in how places are described and evaluated. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... (authors: Francisco W. Kerche, Matthew Zook, Mark Graham)

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 08/01/2026

The OII's Prof. @geoplace.bsky.social contributed to POST UK's report on AI and employment, which considers the factors driving adoption and the issues that might make this challenging. Read the full report here: post.parliament.uk/research-bri...

post.parliament.uk

Artificial intelligence (AI) and employment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in UK workplaces. How is it being used, and what are the impacts on job opportunities and working conditions?

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Fairwork’s AI Supply Chain Assessment: Appen report is now LIVE. - 15 changes were implemented by Appen during the assessment period. - The report also highlights areas for further progress, including pay, worker protections, and transparency. Read the full report here: fair.work/en/fw/public...

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

A new @towardsfairwork.bsky.social assessment of Sama is out. It looks at the people doing the invisible data work that keeps AI running for companies in sectors from driverless cars to online retail. Read the scorecard and our report here: 🔗 fair.work/en/fw/public...

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Nina Scholz @ninascholz.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

KI klingt nach Zukunft – aber sie lebt von menschlicher, unsichtbarer Arbeit. Ich habe für @freitag.de mit @geoplace.bsky.social über sein Buch „Feeding the Machine“ gesprochen – und darüber, was KI wirklich kostet. Leseempfehlung für alle, die hinter die Kulissen der "KI-Unternehmen" schauen wollen

freitag.de

„Die Arbeitsbedingungen sind brutal“: Über die geheimen Malocher hinter ChatGPT

Hinter jedem KI-Bild steckt Handarbeit: Menschen in Kenia, Indien oder auf den Philippinen schuften stundenlang für Hungerlöhne, um Maschinen klüger zu machen. Im Gespräch enthüllt Mark Graham die uns...

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

I’ve got a new chapter out with Adam Badger, Alessio Bertolini, Fabian Ferrari & Funda Ustek Spilda in the forthcoming Handbook of Labour Geography. In it, we unpack the Fairwork action-research method. Read: www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/b...

elgaronline.com

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Social Sciences Division @socsci.ox.ac.uk · 24/10/2025

We see only the polished face of AI- but behind it lies a web of people, data & decisions shaping who gains & who’s left behind. Join @geoplace.bsky.social @towardsfairwork.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk to explore fairer AI 📅 29 Oct 📍Museum of Oxford 🔗 www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/unveiling-th... #ESRCFestival

socsci.ox.ac.uk

Unveiling the human behind AI: A Rubik's cube journey to Fair Work

29 October, late morning - 4pm, Museum of Oxford

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Friends and colleagues in Oxford, join us for this event at the end of the month. festivalofsocialscience.com/events/unvei...

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Social Policy and Intervention @dspi-oxford.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

📢Book your free spot at our first seminar of term! Join Prof Mark Graham @oii.ox.ac.uk for: “The hidden human labour powering AI: Introducing the Fairwork Action Research Project” 🗓16 October 4pm 📍In-person & online Register now: talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/760... @geoplace.bsky.social

'The hidden human labour powering AI: Introducing the Fairwork Action Research Project'
Professor Mark Graham has short curly dark hair. He is wearing a black shirt.

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Call for Papers: Locating Power & Resistance in Global AI Production Networks AAG 2026 Annual Meeting AI is not just “in the cloud.” It relies on global supply chains, with power concentrated in a few countries and corporations. fair.work/en/fw/blog/c... #AAG2026

fair.work

Call for Papers: Locating Power and Resistance Within Global AI Production Networks

American Association of Geographers (AAG) 2026 Annual Meeting

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

fair.work

Call for Papers: Locating Power and Resistance Within Global AI Production Networks

American Association of Geographers (AAG) 2026 Annual Meeting

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

AI often looks smooth and solved, like a Rubik’s cube. But turn it in your hands and each side reveals something hidden.

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 14/08/2025

"[We need to] understand that when we use these products and services, we're not just interacting with a machine. We're interacting with many, many real people of flesh and blood, who often work under terrible conditions." - Prof. Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social globalnyt.dk/professor-ka...

globalnyt.dk

Professor kalder dem for digitale sweatshops: Techgiganternes usynlige arbejdskraft holder internettet sikkert | Globalnyt

Mark Graham husker dengang for godt 16 år siden, da fiberkabler blev gravet ned på tværs af Østafrika og forbandt regionen med resten af verden på en helt n ...

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Discover our latest article, “Planetary Sex Markets,” now published in Porn Studies. It draws on research led by the brilliant Robbie Warin and Chloe Gott. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The new @oecd-ocde.bsky.social Fairwork AI Ratings report shows who powers AI and how Humans in the Loop earned a 6/10 score after 14 policy changes. @towardsfairwork.bsky.social now offers certification so buyers can demand higher standards across AI supply chains. wp.oecd.ai/app/uploads/...

wp.oecd.ai

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

New article out in Frontiers in Communication by me, @jonasvalente.bsky.social & @oguzalyanak.bsky.social: "Reflection AI: Feeding the Machine – The Hidden Labour Behind AI Tools and Ethical Implications for Higher Education" It confronts the human cost behind the AI systems now flooding education.

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 01/07/2025

Interesting piece by @economist.com discussing how outsourcing could revolutionize Africa’s economy, with expert commentary from @geoplace.bsky.social @towardsfairwork.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk on implications for Africa's workers. More here: www.economist.com/middle-east-... #outsourcing #Africa

economist.com

Call centres could be a gold mine for Africa

Forget factories. There is a better answer to the continent’s jobs crisis

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Mark Graham @geoplace.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Check out our new paper in the Industrial Law Journal: Fair Work for Platform Workers: Lessons from the EU Directive and Beyond

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 30/06/2025

Lead author: Sandra Fredman, Co-authors: @Darcy Du Toit, Alessio Bertolini, @jonasvalente.bsky.social and @geoplace.bsky.social. Find out more about the Fair Digital Economies research project at the @oii.ox.ac.uk: bit.ly/3TihU28 .

bit.ly

OII | Fair Digital Economies

Investigating and addressing the systemic inequities embedded in digitally mediated labour and economic systems.

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Oxford Internet Institute @oii.ox.ac.uk · 30/06/2025

New paper alert! Latest work from @towardsfairwork.bsky.social researchers analyses the implications of the Platform Work Directive and suggests ways forward for the proposed ILO Convention. Read their paper: bit.ly/4nGs5LY 1/2

bit.ly

Fair Work for Platform Workers: Lessons from the EU Directive and Beyond

The adoption of an EU Directive on Platform Work in March 2024 signals a crucial acknowledgement of the need for legal regulation of a burgeoning form of w

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Reposted by Mark Graham

Virginia Doellgast @vdoellgast.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

AI Value Chains: from Exploitation to Organizing -- with @geoplace.bsky.social, ‪@martinkrz.bsky.social, and Uma Rani Amara - Featured panel @sasemeeting.bsky.social 08:30-10:00 Friday, 11 July, 2025 - Room 517C virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/37937/...

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