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Milagros Miceli

@milamiceli.bsky.social
3K followers 265 following 100 posts

Sociologist & Computer Scientist PI: @dataworkersinquiry.bsky.social Research Lead @weizenbauminstitut.bsky.social Research Lead @dairinstitute.bsky.social 🌐 milamiceli.com

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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Thrilled to announce that the De Gruyter Handbook of Critical Data Studies, co-edited by @ulises-mejias.bsky.social , @jasminemcnealy.com, and yours truly, is now out! 33 chapters, 50+ authors, and a wide range of perspectives on power, policy, methods, case studies, and resistance.
cover of the De Gruyter Handbook of Critical Data Studies, Edited by Ulises A. Mejias, Jasmine E. McNealy and Milagros Miceli
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
What a privilege it was to join @congresofuturo.bsky.social in Chile 🇨🇱! I spoke on the main stage in Santiago, traveled south to give a talk in Chillán, joined the colloquium "Pensar la IA desde el Sur," discussed AI regulation at the Ministry of Science, and even met President Boric at La Moneda!
Three images of Milagros Miceli giving a talk in Chillan, ChileMilagros Miceli dressed in a tropical-patterned blazer next to President Gabriel Boric at La MonedaAudience at the opening of Congreso Futuro at the Parliament of ChileMilagros Miceli at the main stage of Congreso Futuro
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Proud to be included in Business Insider’s AI Power List, which highlights the 25 most influential people in AI this year. This recognition reflects not only my research trajectory, but more importantly, the key role data workers play in the AI industry and the urgent need to do better by them.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Today, DWI publishes a powerful essay by @mgasia.bsky.social, who works impersonating an AI sex companion: data-workers.org/michael/ This piece offers a rare glimpse into the psychological and economic realities behind one of the fastest-growing sectors: AI-assisted intimacy.
Cover of the essay.  It depicts a Black man, visibly tired and sad, holding a bleading heart that reads The Emotional Labor Behind AI Intimacy by Michael Geoffrey Asia.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
First, we systematize Workers’ Inquiry as a Research Methodology (WIRM). We focus on its political grounding, its architecture, and its operationalization, offering a step-by-step guide, examples, and a discussion of challenges and tensions.
Table summarizing WIRM's phases and steps, linked to their respective challenges and tensions.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
📣New paper! Thrilled to share the methodological recipe for @dataworkersinquiry.bsky.social in this article co-authored with @adiod.bsky.social @krystalkauffman.bsky.social Camilla Salim Wagner, Laurenz Sachenbacher @alexhanna.bsky.social & @timnitgebru.bsky.social 👉 ojs.aaai.org/index.php/AI...
Proceedings of the Eighth AAAI/ACM Conference on AI, Ethics, and Society (AIES2025)

Methodological Considerations for Centering Workers’ Epistemic Authority in AIResearchMilagros Miceli1, 2, 3, Adio-Adet Dinika1, Krystal Kauffman1, Camilla Salim Wagner2, 3,Laurenz Sachenbacher2, 3, Alex Hanna1, Timnit Gebru11The Distributed AI Research Institute2Weizenbaum-Institute3Technische Universit ̈at Berlinmila@dair-institute.org, adio@dair-institute.org, krystal@dair-institute.org, camilla.salim.wagner@tu-berlin.de,l.sachenbacher@tu-berlin.de, alex@dair-institute.org, timnit@dair-institute.org
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
International organizations, including the UN, have since expressed concern over the repression of peaceful pro-Palestine demonstrations in Germany.
Screenshot from UN's website.  Press release: UN experts urge Germany to halt criminalisation of police violence against Palestinians solidarity activism
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
I’ve been included among the "100 Brightest Minds in Berlin's Science," a list published annually by Tagesspiegel and widely celebrated by Berlin universities.
page of the German newspaper Tagesspiegel where Milagros Miceli is feature among other scientists from Berlin
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
These past few weeks, I’ve done a lot of public engagement, and it’s reminded me how hard science communication can be!
Milagros Miceli at the Argentinian late-night-show "Otro Día Perdido"
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Starting now! Tune in: youtube.com/live/jA3wSMe...
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
I am thrilled to be recognized by TIME as one of the 100 most influential people worldwide in the field of artificial intelligence for my work with @dataworkersinquiry.bsky.social. >> #TIME100AI time.com/time100ai I want to take this opportunity to share a few reflections on this work 👇🧵
Portrait of Milagros Miceli in a frame that reads TIME100/AI 2025.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
Just casually fan-girling over my signed copy of The AI Con. And the best part? I get to chat with the brilliant @alexhanna.bsky.social about the book tomorrow at 6 PM @weizenbauminstitut.bsky.social. If you're in Berlin, come join the conversation. It's going to be a good one! 🎟️ lnkd.in/dUedwiRM
Copy of the book "The AI Con: How to fight big tech's hype and create the future we want" by Emily M. Bender & Alex Hanna on a wooden desk
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
I had a great conversation with @baratunde.com on Life with Machines about the millions of data workers worldwide who produce the data that fuels AI. We dug into the scale of this labor, its deeply human costs, and the possibilities for something better. Watch it here youtu.be/4NSWFy11E8Q?...
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Tens of thousands marched in Berlin yesterday against the genocide in Gaza. We owe this day in no small part to the students who never stopped protesting apartheid and colonialism, despite being beaten, expelled, and severely criminalized by German politicians and media.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Caught up this week with @krystalkauffman.bsky.social and @adiod.bsky.social to plot what’s next for @dataworkersinquiry.bsky.social: new inquiries, new events, and some big ideas in the works. More soon!
Krystal Kauffman, Adio Dinika and Milagros Miceli take a selfie outdoors
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
One year ago, on #LaborDay, we launched Data Workers' Inquiry. The process was messy and uncertain, but driven by the need to do research differently. I wrote a reflection on what this first year taught us: data-workers.org/about/how-to... Thanks for reading and for supporting this work.
Screenshot of the blogpost:
How We Made Data Workers' Inquiry, by Milagros Miceli, DWI’s Principal Investigator and Project Lead.
This piece traces how Data Workers' Inquiry came to life: not as a project with clear answers, but as a messy, stubborn attempt to put research in the hands of the people living the realities researchers usually write about
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
💫Tomorrow is the launch event of the Data Labelers Association, and everyone is invited to watch it live on Twitch: twitch.tv/dair_institu... I’ll be moderating a panel with association members and couldn’t be more excited to support this incredible group!
Event's flyer that reads "data labelers association.  Empowering people powering AI.  Event Presenters, Introducing the Data Labellers Association.  Eric Mwaura, Dorcas Maundu.  Panelists. Upclose and Candid: Organize, Collaborate, Advocate, and Transform.  Joan Kinyua, Ephantus Kanyugi, Michael Asia, Krystal Kauffman. Supported by DAIR, AINow, Turkopticon, Data Workers' Inquiry.  February 13, 2025, 18h. CET / 12PM ET / 20h. Kenya. Join us on: twitch.tv/dair_institute"
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
📢We're proud to support the launch of the Data Labelers Association of Kenya with an online event! Join to meet and support the workers: 📅Feb 13 ⏰8pm Kenya/ 6pm EU/ 12pm ET ✅Watch and submit your questions to the speakers: twitch.tv/dair_institute
Event's flyer that reads "data labelers association.  Empowering people powering AI.  Event Presenters, Introducing the Data Labellers Association.  Eric Mwaura, Dorcas Maundu.  Panelists. Upclose and Candid: Organize, Collaborate, Advocate, and Transform.  Joan Kinyua, Ephantus Kanyugi, Michael Asia, Krystal Kauffman. Supported by DAIR, AINow, Turkopticon, Data Workers' Inquiry.  February 13, 2025, 18h. CET / 12PM ET / 20h. Kenya. Join us on: twitch.tv/dair_institute"
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
📢 This Thursday, I’ll be speaking at the European Parliament alongside MEP Leïla Chaibi & Prof. Antonio Casilli. We’ll be joined by data workers from 🇪🇸🇨🇴🇮🇹🇺🇸🇸🇾 to discuss the labor behind AI and what worker-centric regulation could look like. 🎥 Watch live, 2:30pm CET: www.youtube.com/live/U4692yg...
Event's flyer.  It reads:
The Left in the European Parliament.  Save the Date.  (Un)artificial Intelligence: Workers behind the machine.  21.11.24. 2:30 - 5:30 pm. Organised by MEP Leïla Chaibi.  European Parliament-Brussels. Room ASP 1G2.  Interpretation: FR-EN-IT-ES-DE.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 09/11/2024
MONDAY! Closing out the year with a powerful panel on how we’re all data workers—and how we can resist. W/an incredible lineup: Oscar Araya (@arteesetica.bsky.social), Alex Minschall, John Lopez, @grohmannrafael.bsky.social, and the great @alexhanna.bsky.social RSVP events.zoom.us/ev/AoEkvePmT...
Flyer for the event.  Data Workers' Inquiry talk series.  11/11. data-workers.org/events.  
Who else does data work? Speakers: John López (wga), Alex Minshall (Guerrilla Media Collective), Oscar Araya (Arte es Ètica), Rafael Grohmann (University of Toronto), Alex Hanna (DAIR).  Moderation: Milagros Miceli.  English with captions.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 23/09/2024
Data workers are often silenced by NDAs and strict codes of conduct, keeping their work shrouded in secrecy. Speaking out leads to retaliation and legal consequences. We've seen this before at Telus! This is why it's important to support these brave workers on Monday: tinyurl.com/DWI-Telus
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 23/09/2024
These workers have formed a workers' council to advocate for better conditions, especially for the many migrant workers who rely on their jobs to maintain their visas.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 23/09/2024
Data workers at Telus in Germany make little more than minimum wage at a job that leaves many of them with severe mental health scars. The question is how many billions is Meta making on the content these workers moderate?
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 23/09/2024
📢 Data Workers' Inquiry online panel on Monday, Sept. 30! Three data workers with Telus International in Essen, Germany will speak about having a career in content moderation. The speakers remain anonymous because they fear retaliation. Register here: tinyurl.com/DWI-Telus
Event's flyer: Data Workers' Inquiry Talk Series.  Sept 30, 8-10:30 am PT, 11am - 12:30 pm ET, 5-6:30 pm CET.  
data-workers.org/events
Data work as a career?  Professionalizing content moderation in Germany.
Speakers:  Anonymous, Data, Worker, Laurenz Sachenbacher, Milagros Miceli.
MOderation: Camilla Salim Wagner.
Germanwith simultaneous English interpretation
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 07/09/2024
Fasica Gebrekidan's report is a must-read for anyone looking to learn more about content moderation. On Monday, she will present it and discuss deceitful recruitment and training in the tech industry. Don't miss it! RSVP: tinyurl.com/data-workers... Read the report: data-workers.org/fasica/
Cover or the report "Content Moderation: The Harrowing, Traumatizing Job that Leaves Many African Data Workers with Mental Health Issues and Drug Dependency" Fasica Berhane Gebrekidan, Data Workers' InquiryPage of the report that reads: False Promises, The Misleading Training Phase.  However, their exhilaration and feelings of vitality were short-lived, as after a few months, they started to feel the heat.  As days went by, the effects of the job became overwhelming and it started to take a serious mental and emotional toll on the data workers.Page of the report that reads: What we saw at the training was just the tip of the iceberg, it didn't seem scary or gore at first.  Once we started working on production was where we started seeing the actual videos, from child porn to human slaughter, mutilated videos, to pictures and videos of suicide and self-harm, all types of disturbing stuff started to come without warning.
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
Adrienne Williams is an organizer, a research fellow at DAIR and Just Tech, a former Amazon delivery driver, and a teacher. In her piece “Zombie Trainers”, she describes how refugees, children, prisoners, and consumers perform unpaid data work. Read it here: data-workers.org/adrienne/
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
Fasica Gebrekidan is a content moderator from Ethiopia. She will present the report she developed for the Data Workers' Inquiry project and discuss the training Meta provides to content moderators in Kenya. You can download and read the report here: data-workers.org/fasica/
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Milagros Miceli @milamiceli.bsky.social · 29/06/2024
📢Thrilled to finally introduce ✨the Data Workers' Inquiry ✨the talk series ✨and the repository data-workers.org We'll be launching on July 8, 5 pm CET/11 am EST, with an event that will challenge what you think you know about data work. Register to attend: data-workers.org/events/
A flyer of the Launch Event for the Data Workers Inquiry. At 8 am PT / 11 am EST / 5 pm CET there is the firt panel, called "What is the Data Workers' Inquiry +Q&A". 45 minutes later the data workers will be introduces and at last panel 2 called "How to do data workers organize in the face of exploitation + Q&A" will take place at 12 pm EST. It will be held online on zoom on the 8th of July. RSVP  at https://tinyurl.com/data-workers.A flyer outlining the talk series (part 1): - All online. 8 - 10:30 am PT, 11am - 12:30 pm ET, 5-6:30 pm CET. - More info and registration: data-workers.org/events Talk series: - July 8. Online. English with captioning. How do data workers organize in the face of exploitation? Speakers: Mophat Okinyi, Richard Mathenge, Krystal Kauffman Moderation: Adio Dinika - July 22. Online. English with captioning What does precarity look like for data workers? Speakers: Yasser Alrayes, Roukaya Al Hammada, Wilington Shitawa, Adio Dinika Moderation: Krystal Kauffman - August 26. Online. Spanish with simultaneous English translation What grievances are specific to data work in Latin America? Speakers: Oskarina Fuentes, Alex Chávez, Camilla Salim Wagner Moderation: Milagros Miceli - Sept. 9. Online. English with captioning What training do data workers need and what do they get instead? Speakers: Fasica Gebrekidan, Anonymous Worker, Yasser Alrayes, Laurenz Sachenbacher Moderation: Krystal KauffmanA flyer outlining the talk series: - All online. 8 - 10:30 am PT, 11am - 12:30 pm ET, 5-6:30 pm CET. - More info and registration: data-workers.org/events Talk series: - Sept. 23. Online. English with captioning What impact does content moderation have on workers’ mental health? Speakers: Sakine Bozorg, Fasica Gebrekidan, Botlhokwa Ranta, Krystal Kauffman Moderation: Milagros Miceli - Oct. 7. Online. German with simultaneous English translation Data work as a career? Professionalizing content moderation in Germany. Speakers: Anonymous, Data, Worker, Milagros Miceli Moderation: Laurenz Sachenbacher - Nov. 4. Online. English with captioning.  Who else does data work? Speakers: John López (WGA), Tadhg Mac Eoghain (Guerrilla Media Collective), Arte es Ética, Alex Hanna Moderation: Milagros Miceli
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