Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyBen Barclay @benbarclay.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Yet still people say “what’s the point in us acting if the rest of the world doesn’t”. The rest of the world is. It turns out Africans, Asians and South Americans also want a habitable planet. And green tech is often the cheapest option over the long term. 4/ 1177
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyJoe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Ireland: Use of AI found in key report on favourable Aughinish planning decision by top authority. 12311
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyPhilosopher Jersey Flight @jerseyflight.bsky.social · 14/06/2026Serious problem, attempts to succeed at it are only likely to increase. This should receive an automatic 25 year sentence: 032
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyAsher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 02/06/2026In Senate Budget Estimates 2026-27 this week, the department confirms human override was removed without consultation www.australianageingagenda.com.au/executive/po...australianageingagenda.com.auRemoval of IAT human override lacked consultation - Australian Ageing AgendaIn Senate Budget Estimates 2026-27 this week, the department confirms human override was removed without consultation but argues the Independent Assessment Tool process has plenty of human involvement. 1119
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyDoctora Malka Older @older.bsky.social · 22/05/2026"the evidence actually shows that cameras cluster in neighbourhoods where opposition parties organise, where protests have happened and where the press has “made trouble” for ruling regimes."globalvoices.orgHow AI is upgrading African dictatorshipA March 2026 study by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the African Digital Rights Network found that 11 African governments had collectively spent more than USD 2 billion on AI-powered s... 13527
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyKarlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Rather than trying to push thru social media bans and promoting uncritical AI use in schools, politicians in Ireland and elsewhere need to look more closely at just how complex online abuse actually is. The online world is a growing disaster in unexpected ways www.theguardian.com/technology/2...theguardian.comUK schools should remove pupils’ online photos as AI blackmail threat grows, say expertsCriminals are manipulating pictures found on school websites and social media to create sexually explicit images 185
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyIrish Council for Civil Liberties 🏳️🌈 @iccl.bsky.social · 06/05/2026We are looking for someone with significant experience to lead our policy team and work. This is an opportunity to shape and guide our policy output and have a direct impact on Ireland’s civil liberties and human rights landcape. Apply by 5pm on Sunday 31 May. lnkd.in/dZsQBMwJ 01515
Reposted by Maria Helen Murphymichael veale @michae.lv · 05/05/20262 year research postdoc at UCL @laws.ucl.ac.uk on data and democracy, public law focus — could focus on surveillance and/or AI issues www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...ucl.ac.ukUCL – University College LondonUCL is consistently ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2010-2022) and is No.2 in the UK for research power (Research Excellence Framework 2021). 22036
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyMar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 03/05/2026Chinese researchers have created a bamboo-based plastic as strong as petroleum-based plastics, which can fully biodegrade in soil in just 2 months phys.org/news/2025-10...phys.orgBamboo-based plastic can be made to biodegrade quickly, but still holds up in tough conditionsA new method to produce strong, biodegradable plastic from bamboo is reported in Nature Communications this week. The bioplastic resembles oil-based plastics in strength, shapability, and thermal stab... 287146754444
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyCarissa Véliz @carissaveliz.bsky.social · 30/04/2026#Bookreview in @science.org! “The future is not a train to wait for but rather a canvas we co-create individually and collectively” #Authors www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...science.orgAnticipating the future in an algorithmic ageMisleading predictions shape outcomes and facilitate abuses of power, but resistance is not futile 0246
Reposted by Maria Helen Murphyolgacronin.bsky.social @olgacronin.bsky.social · 23/04/2026Listen back to Ronan Murphy and @tjmcintyre.com who were excellent on @news.rte.ie's Today with David McCullagh explaining why proposals to allow gardaí access encrypted communications is so problematic from a technical, legal and human rights point of view 👇 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...rte.ieNew security watchdog warns of significant threat of ‘lone wolf’ terrorist attacksConor Lally, the Irish Times Crime Editor / Ronan Murphy, CEO of Smart Tech / TJ McIntyre, Associate professor in UCD and Chair of the Digital Rights Alliance 111
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyJames Murray @james-bg.bsky.social · 08/04/2026Every sensible government will spend the coming months accelerating the deployment of solar, batteries, heat pumps, and EVs, especially for lower income households. It’ll be a hell of a lot cheaper in the long run than subsidising fossil fuels the next time prices spike, which they will. 652032476
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyDonncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 08/04/2026Isabel Hayes: Court reports can make for distressing reading. There are good reasons for that. Press Ombudsman’s recent comments on graphic language in court reports highlight an issue court reporters have been attuned to for years. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...irishtimes.comAnalysis: Court reports can be distressing reading. There’s a good reason for thatPress Ombudsman’s recent comments on graphic language in court reports highlight an issue court reporters have been attuned to for years 031
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyTJ McIntyre @tjmcintyre.com · 08/04/2026Interested in researching AI and judicial decision making? @brianbarryirl.bsky.social at Trinity College Dublin has two funded PhD vacancies (one in law, one in social sciences).tcd.iePhD Vacancies - School of Law | Trinity College Dublin 075
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyIrish Council for Civil Liberties 🏳️🌈 @iccl.bsky.social · 08/04/2026“It's our position that this incremental introduction of laws conferring extraordinary powers risks entrenching a durable surveillance architecture in Irish society" - @olgacronin.bsky.social speaking to @techpolicypress.bsky.social about the government's plans. www.techpolicy.press/irelands-new...techpolicy.pressIreland's New Surveillance Bill Opens Door to Spyware AbuseIreland is considering a new bill that would legalize the use of spyware by the police, reports Vas Panagiotopoulos. 011
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphySusan DuBose @houseofbast777.bsky.social · 07/04/2026"I grew up across the street from a public library, and it was the only place my mom would let me go on my own. It was my second home, and I read everything that I could get." ~ Tracy Chapman Chapman by Nicholas Albrecht #Booksky 199152071955
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyIrish Council for Civil Liberties 🏳️🌈 @iccl.bsky.social · 07/04/2026We're recruiting an AI expert to help us ensure supervision and enforcement of human rights in the context of AI and automated decision-making systems. The deadline to apply is next Wed 15 April but we will assess applications on a rolling basis so please apply early. www.iccl.ie/digital-data...iccl.ieEnforce is hiring: AI ExpertWork with us at ICCL Enforce. We are hiring an expert in Artificial Intelligence. 0108
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyAndrew Guthrie Ferguson @profferguson.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Life achievement unlocked. “Your Data Will Be Used Against You” in Wired. #BookSky 2147
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyRosamunde Van Brakel @rosamundevb.bsky.social · 14/03/2026A Tennessee grandmother spent nearly six months behind bars after artificial intelligence facial recognition software wrongly identified her as a suspect in a bank fraud case – in North Dakota – a state she says she had never even visited. #rhizomaticharm www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...the-independent.comGrandma jailed after AI error linked her to crime in state she never visited: lawyerThe charges were later dismissed after bank records showed she was in Tennessee at the time 042
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyKris Shrishak @krisshrishak.bsky.social · 10/03/2026@mariamurphy.bsky.social and I have written a short report on protecting the ‘Privacy’ in Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) www.iccl.ie/news/new-icc... @iccl.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ieiccl.ieNew ICCL report on Privacy-Enhancing TechnologiesPrivacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) often fall short on their promise of safeguarding privacy without limiting data use 032
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyCarissa Véliz @carissaveliz.bsky.social · 09/02/2026Thrilled to share what the great historian @timothysnyder.bsky.social has to say about #PROPHECY! To pre-order the #book: US: a.co/d/00PLNpOt UK: amzn.eu/d/01WcZ4MQ #BookRecommendation 59322
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphySeanie Byrne 🦡 @seaniebyrne.bsky.social · 11/01/2026This weeks discussion with @tjmcintyre.com & @adrianweckler.bsky.social is really worth a listen if you're in Ireland and interested in tech policy or privacy. podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...podcasts.apple.comThe Grok AI scandal — what happens now? Plus: why Ireland’s plan to link national ID to social media access is dystopianPodcast Episode · The Big Tech Show · 09/01/2026 · 34m 094
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyJustin @ediparolev.bsky.social · 10/01/2026“Uruguay did what most nations still call impossible: it built a power grid that runs almost entirely on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. The physicist who led that transformation says the same playbook could work anywhere—if governments have the courage to change the rules.”forbes.comUruguay’s Renewable Charge: A Small Nation, A Big Lesson For The WorldUruguay built a power grid that runs 99% on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. Here’s how its bold energy overhaul became a global model. 208114534677
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyFrank Pasquale @frankpasquale.bsky.social · 25/11/2025I'm very happy to have published a chapter in this excellent, open-access collection, "Being Human in the Digital World:" www.cambridge.org/core/service... Kudos to expert editors Beate Roessler and Valerie Steeves, as well as fellow authors Julie Cohen, David Lyon, Helen Nissenbaum, & more!cambridge.org 12110
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyREVEL Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence @reveljmce.bsky.social · 10/11/2025Delighted to announce that we are the REVEL Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence @maynoothuniversity.ie. We will be organising a host of activities over the next 3 years on "Realising European Values and European Law" (REVEL). Stay tuned (follow us) for more. www.maynoothuniversity.ie/news-events/...maynoothuniversity.ieSchool of Law and Criminology awarded Jean Monnet Centre of ExcellenceMaynooth University’s School of Law and Criminology has just opened the new Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, entitled “Realising European Values through European Law” (REVEL). Following a 284
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyCarissa Véliz @carissaveliz.bsky.social · 18/11/2025It's great to see #PROPHECY gathering friends. Thank you so much for everyone who has pre-ordered. It matters. It gets noticed. It's part of being in the conversation. THANK YOU! #Book www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/759692... 4166
Maria Helen Murphy @mariamurphy.bsky.social · 10/11/2025Delighted to be a part of this Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence focused on Realising European Values and European Law @maynoothlaw.bsky.social! Excited to lead the work package on digital enforcement! 🇪🇺 011
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyTobias Lock @tobiaslock.bsky.social · 10/11/2025Delighted to be part of a wonderful team and leading the new @reveljmce.bsky.social. Lots to come in terms of activities (please follow us!) - for now: thanks to our wonderful colleagues @maynoothlaw.bsky.social; @muresearch.bsky.social for their invaluable support! 286
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyTobias Lock @tobiaslock.bsky.social · 10/11/2025And a bit shout out to our wonderful team (who will be doing all the substantive work): Dr Derek Barter, Dr Ollie Bartlett; Dr David Mangan; @orlakelleher.bsky.social; @mariamurphy.bsky.social; @hubertsmekal.bsky.social; @oscharles.bsky.social. 021
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyPaul Bernal @paulbernal.bsky.social · 06/11/2025In a similar vein, the Orkney Islands produce an excess of electricity from wind, wave and tide power. 44213
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyDr Abeba Birhane @abeba.blacksky.app · 30/10/2025📣 I am hiring a postdoc! aial.ie/hiring/postd... applications from suitable candidates that are passionate about investigating the use of genAI in public service operations with the aim of keeping governments transparent and accountable are welcome pls share with your networksaial.iePostdoctoral Researcher on GenAI in Public ServicePost Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher, generative AI in public services Post Duration: 24 months Salary Scale: Post-Doctoral Researcher, PD2 Point 1 - 4 (54,850 - 59,654) Location: AI Accountability La... 3147160
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphySteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 29/10/2025The "don't worry about facial recognition tech" arguments are not faring well... 820087
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyAndrew Guthrie Ferguson @profferguson.bsky.social · 28/10/2025denverite.com/2025/10/27/b...denverite.comPolice used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence"Like I said, nothing gets in or out of the town without us knowing." 026
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphySteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 24/10/2025EU Big Tech law EU Commission - preliminary finding that Meta and TikTok have breached the Digital Services Act ec.europa.eu/commission/p... concerns content moderation appeals, notice of illegal material, researchers' access to data NB not a final decision (possibly with fines) yetec.europa.euCommission preliminarily finds TikTok and Meta in breach of their transparency obligations under the Digital Services ActToday, the European Commission preliminarily found both TikTok and Meta in breach of their obligation to grant researchers adequate access to public data under the Digital Services Act (DSA). 16332
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyKris Shrishak @krisshrishak.bsky.social · 22/10/2025It was great to be back at the Irish Parliament yesterday at the Joint Committee on AI. Joe O'Brien and I @iccl.bsky.social are grateful for the invitation from the Committee. Video: IHREC at minute 20 and ICCL from 1 hr 40 min. www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachta...oireachtas.ieOireachtas committees video archiveTopic: Artificial Intelligence and The State 122
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphySteve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 18/10/2025Tory MP reports deepfake video to police www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTory MP George Freeman reports deepfake defection video to policeSuch political disinformation has the potential to corrupt democracy, says the Mid Norfolk MP. 54626
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyRobin Berjon @robin.berjon.com · 14/10/2025Infrastructure x Democracy — what could be more interesting? I'm very excited to be moderating this panel! 0185
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyJessica Shurson @jessicashurson.bsky.social · 13/10/2025This event looks incredible. Really sad I can’t make it to London that evening. Congrats @nniloideain.bsky.social on the book-it’s next in my to read pile! 242
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyJacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 08/10/2025🚨🚨 #Denmark aims to ban #socialmedia for children under 15. PM Mette Frederiksen says "We have unleashed a monster" to Danish lawmakers. 🧵https://www.politico.eu/article/denmark-mette-frederiksen-partially-ban-social-media-children-under-15/politico.euDenmark aims to ban social media for children under 15, PM says“We have unleashed a monster,” Mette Frederiksen tells Danish lawmakers. 29398135
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyDanny Deraney @dannyderaney.bsky.social · 01/10/2025"Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved." "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Jane Goodall was the best of us. 20995252
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyDr. Lucky Tran @luckytran.com · 01/10/2025"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Rest in power, Dr. Jane Goodall 10647208
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyD. Earl Stephens @dearlstephens.bsky.social · 01/10/2025🕊️ The world has lost a revered conservationist -- a colossal power for what is truly good. 🕊️ Jane Goodall is a legend who helped open the door to science to the best humans among us: woman. 🕊️ She was brave, brilliant and introduced us to the best things among us: animals. 🕊️ I grieve her passing. 34803183
Maria Helen Murphy @mariamurphy.bsky.social · 29/09/2025New article out with Katie Nolan (@katieanolan.bsky.social) and Orla Lynskey in the Cambridge Yearbook of European Legal Studies: 'Digital Empire or Digital Fiefdoms? Institutional Tensions and the EU Right to Data Protection'. Open access at: doi.org/10.1017/cel.... @cambup-law.cambridge.org 053
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyColin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 23/09/2025Hobbyhorse: at university, lectures remain an incredible format. They introduce & explore a huge amount of content in a short period of time. They scaffold further reading, with a personal twist. Workshops, etc, do their own thing, but don't replace effective lectures: share.google/AyFxBwYh5BYM...share.googleTo save in-person lectures, unis need to provide lessons worth showing up forIn-person lectures have been a staple of university learning for centuries. But they are going out of style in an age of TED Talks and Tiktoks. 88018
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyProf Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 21/09/2025Oh this is BAD. The new TOC from academia dot edu. You grant us a worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable license, permission, and consent to use your Member Content and your personal information (including, but not limited to, your name, voice, signature, photograph, likeness…academia.eduAcademia.edu - Find Research Papers, Topics, ResearchersAcademia.edu is the platform to share, find, and explore 50 Million research papers. Join us to accelerate your research needs & academic interests. 77449
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyAlan Greene @alangreene.bsky.social · 12/09/2025Conor Gearty was, without hesitation, the best academic writer I’ve read. He was also a thoroughly decent and kind human being who fearlessly used his position speak truth to power. Conor did law, politics and academia the right way and he will be sorely missed. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann. 510120
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyTJ McIntyre @tjmcintyre.com · 12/09/2025Very sad to hear of the untimely death of Conor Gearty, a lovely individual, one of our finest legal academics, and a central figure in promoting human rights worldwide. 24611
Reposted by Maria Helen MurphyLukasz Olejnik @lukaszolejnik.bsky.social · 29/08/2025📣AI propaganda factories🏭 are now operational. My study shows how small, open-weight models can run as fully automatic generators in influence campaigns. mechanising personas, engagement, cadence. Possible for State, non-state, and micro-actors, including and bedroom ones. 10278149