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Europe-China AI Forum
by Yik Chan Chin 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Dear Colleagues, I will join colleagues from Europe and China to discuss the topic of Europe-China cooperation on AI at the Oxford Europe-China AI Forum, held on October 3-4, 2024, at University of Oxford https://oxgs.org/event/europe-china-ai-forum-can-europe-and-china-cooperate… This discussion is timely following the recent approval of the Global Digital Compact by the United Nations General Assembly, as it emphasizes the crucial role of international collaboration in AI development, deployment, and governance. It is also closely aligned with the work of the Policy Network on AI (PNAI) processes at the Internet Governance Forum. This event is co-organized by the Oxford Global Society <https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxford-global-society/> and Tsinghua University <https://www.linkedin.com/company/tsinghua-university/>. Online registration (for October 3): https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/ca34b3e6-ab07-40e4-8c68-1f69d3bc60… In-person event venue (for October 3 & 4): Gillis Lecture Theatre, Balliol College, Oxford University (limited capacity, please email us for attendance: oxgsociety(a)gmail.com) Thank you for your attention, and hope to see you online or onsite. Best wishes Yik Chan *Recent publications* Yik Chan Chin & Ke, Li (forthcoming) Regulating Sovereignty in Cyberspace: Contestation for Concepts and Policies*, **Communication+1*, Special Issue “Digital Sovereignty”. Chin, Yik Chan (2024) Right to Data Access in the Digital Era: the Case of China in Minna Horowitz & Hannu Nieminen; Katja Lehtisaari; Alessandro D’Arma (2024) (eds.) Epistemic Rights in the Era of Digital Disruption, Palgrave-MacMillan: London. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-45976-4_13 Marwala, Tshilidzi et al. (2024) *Recommendations on the Use of Synthetic Data to Train AI Models*, Policy reported produced by the United Nations University’s Expert Group on Synthetic Data. https://unu.edu/publication/recommendations-use-synthetic-data-train-ai-mod… Wendehorst, Christiane et al. (2024) *Academies for Global Innovation and Digital Ethics*. Policy report produced by the Austria Academy of Science, Austria. https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at/produkt/narratives-of-digital-ethics/99201018?nam… Chin, Yik-Chan, and Jingwu Zhao. 2022. Governing Cross-Border Data Flows: International Trade Agreements and Their Limits. *Laws*, 11: 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws11040063 Chin, Yik Chan, Park, Ahran, & Li, Ke (2022). A comparative study on false information governance in Chinese and American social media platforms. *Policy & Internet*, 14, 263–283. https://doi.org/10.1002/poi3.301 ----------------- Dr. Yik Chan Chin Associate Professor School of Journalism and Communication Beijing Normal University Beijing, P.R. China 215123 Email: yik-chan.chin@bnu.edu.cn；yikchanchin@gmail.com https://xwcb.bnu.edu.cn/as/ap/114761.html https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1362-7481 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Yik_Chan_Chin http://ssrn.com/author=1377946 https://bnu.academia.edu/YikChanChin https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=u41w5b4AAAAJ&hl=en

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From Cambridge Analytica to Tenet Media: What Will it Take for the US to Regulate Influence Firms?
by Dr. Emma Briant 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Dear Colleagues, I am just sharing my new opinion article which might be of interest examining the Russian influence operations targeting the US election. I outlined some steps needed to regulate the influence industry and the need to be clear, at least, about what journalism is *not*. In the article, 'From Cambridge Analytica to Tenet Media: What Will it Take for the US to Regulate Influence Firms?' I argue that "There is no speech less ‘free’ than that which is secretly paid for by an authoritarian state to meddle in a democracy." See the link below. Best wishes, Emma https://www.techpolicy.press/from-cambridge-analytica-to-tenet-media-what-w… Dr Emma L Briant Owner: Maven of Persuasion LLC Associate Professor at Monash University Fellow at Bard College, Human Rights Project Associate at University of Cambridge, Center for Financial Reporting & Accountability Speaking agent: Chartwell Speakers <https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/emma-briant/> Book agent: Inkwell Management <https://inkwellmanagement.com/> Author of: *Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global Change *from Manchester University Press Co-Author of: *Bad News for Refugees* with Prof. Greg Philo and Dr. Pauline Donald from Pluto Press. Support my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emmalbriant Website: www.emma-briant.co.uk Sign up for my Newsletter <http://emma-briant.co.uk/sign-up-for-important-updates/>! Follow me on Mastodon @emmalbriant@mastodon.online Follow me on Twitter @emmalbriant "I thought yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life but it turns out today is." - Steve Martin “Women are like teabags . We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.” - Unknown

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Tenure Track position in Organizational and/or Strategic Communication at the University of Puget Sound
by Nick Brody 26 Sep '24

26 Sep '24

The Communication Studies department at the University of Puget Sound is seeking a new tenure track faculty member in Organizational and/or Strategic Communication. We are especially interested in candidates with an expertise in digital media and those who can contribute to institutional interdisciplinary efforts in data analytics and AI. Please see details about the position below, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Link to Position <https://www2.pugetsound.jobs/psp/HR92PRD/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG…> Nicholas Brody, Ph.D. Professor Department of Communication Studies University of Puget Sound nbrody(a)pugetsound.edu https://www.pugetsound.edu/directory/nicholas-brody *Appointment:* Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Communication Studies to begin fall 2025. The Department of Communication Studies at the University of Puget Sound is seeking a full-time tenure-track faculty member with a passion for teaching and an interest in working at a liberal arts institution. We encourage applications from teacher-scholars dedicated to undergraduate education in Communication with an emphasis in Organizational and/or Strategic Communication. *Responsibilities: * The Department of Communication Studies is especially interested in strong teachers who are excited about developing a novel curriculum. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in research and teaching. We welcome applicants from a variety of methodological backgrounds. The ideal candidate will be able to teach courses that complement existing strengths in the department and university and will be committed to contributing to a diverse and inclusive academic community. Candidates with a focus on digital media are especially encouraged to apply, as are candidates with an interest in contributing to University interdisciplinary efforts in Data Analytics and AI. The successful candidate's primary teaching responsibilities will include: 1) an introductory communication course in their area of expertise, 2) a 200-level communication theory course, 3) 300-level methods courses 4) upper division electives stemming from the candidate's specific area of expertise, including but not limited to advanced organizational communication courses and/or strategic communication courses such as digital marketing communication, public relations, and other related areas, and 5) a 400-level senior seminar for graduating majors. The ideal candidate will also contribute to the University core curriculum at the intro and upper levels. The standard teaching load is three units per semester. Additional duties include professional development, student advising, and participation in departmental service and university governance. *Qualifications:* Ph.D. in the field of Communication at the time of appointment. Applicants must demonstrate potential for excellence in teaching and research with particular commitment to undergraduate teaching and liberal arts education. *Application Instructions & Deadline: * Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been identified. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit online application materials no later than October 25, 2024, to ensure consideration. Materials can be addressed to the Department Chair, Department of Communication Studies, University of Puget Sound. *Required Documents:* Please upload the following applications materials for full consideration: - Application Letter (Please be sure to address your interest and capacity to contribute to our curriculum in a liberal arts environment committed to teaching excellence, active scholarship, and inclusive learning.) - Curriculum Vitae (In the online application system, please submit curriculum vitae when prompted to submit a resume.) - One-page Teaching Philosophy - One-page Description of Research Program - Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness - Unofficial Graduate Transcripts, if coursework not detailed on CV - Diversity Statement (See details below) - Three Letters of References (You will be asked to specify the email addresses of reference providers at the time of application and the system will email these providers on the next business day.) Note: Applications submitted without the required attachments will not be considered. Additional documents can be attached within the application. If you need assistance applying or have inquiries about this position, please contact University of Puget Sound Human Resources, hr(a)pugetsound.edu or 253-879-3369. *Applicant's Diversity Statement:* As a department and university, we are strongly committed to creating an inclusive and effective teaching, learning, and working environment for all. In the applicant's diversity statement, applicants should comment on their ability to contribute meaningfully to our on-going commitment to be informed and competent with regard to issues of diversity, equity, and individual differences. We encourage applicants to reference the University of Puget Sound's current Diversity Strategic Plan (DSP) at http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/diversity-at-puget-sound/diversity-strategi… prior to writing this statement. While not an exhaustive list, the following are some ways candidates can express their qualification: - Your lived experiences and/or identities that speak to the department and university's commitment to inclusion and diversity; - Demonstration of your awareness of inequities for underrepresented student populations in education, research experience, and other opportunities; - Brief insights on why diversity is important at institutions like the University of Puget Sound; - Infusion of diversity and diversity-related issues into your research, pedagogy, and/or service; - Previous and/or current activities involving mentoring underrepresented student populations; - Creative ideas or strategies you could enact as a member of the University of Puget Sound campus community to support the university's DSP; - Brief insights on how cultural competency increases one's effectiveness as an educator and department/university colleague. *Compensation and Benefits**:* Rank: Assistant Professor. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Faculty salaries at the University of Puget Sound are based on a common salary scale based on experience. Assistant Professor salaries begin at $72,765 annualized for an Assistant Professor with a terminal degree in their field in their first year of full-time postdoctoral teaching through $81,428 annualized based on experience. Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package. For more information, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/sites/default/files/2023-12/2024%20Benefits%20fo… . *About the University of Puget Sound: * Located in a vibrant port city in the Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound is a leading national liberal arts and sciences university preparing students for success since 1888. In an ever-evolving world, we believe that the best preparation for the future is an education that exposes you to multiple perspectives, engages you in work that makes a difference in the world, and helps you discover who you are and what you have to offer. It's an education that transcends boundaries, teaches you to adapt to changing circumstances, and prepare for careers that might not yet exist. Our beautiful 97-acre campus supports connections with the world it serves, from the tide flats and urban energy of the entrepreneurial city of Tacoma, Washington to nearby Seattle, the Pacific Rim and beyond. A Puget Sound education is rooted in an inspiring confluence of histories and cultures and ideas, and centered on 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students who are open-minded, outward-reaching, and actively put their educations to work. Puget Sound is a member of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC), Greater Washington State https://www.hercjobs.org/greater_washington_state/. Puget Sound also has a well-established Shared Faculty Appointments Policy. For more information, visit: https://www.pugetsound.edu/gateways/faculty-staff/faculty-policies/shared-f… . *University Diversity Statement:* *We acknowledge* the richness of commonalities and differences we share as a university community; the intrinsic worth of all who work and study here; that education is enhanced by investigation of and reflection upon multiple perspectives. *We aspire* to create respect for and appreciation of all persons as a key characteristic of our campus community; to increase the diversity of all parts of our University community through commitment to diversity in our recruitment and retention efforts; to foster a spirit of openness to active engagement among all members of our campus community. *We act* to achieve an environment that welcomes and supports diversity; to ensure full educational opportunity for all who teach and learn here; to prepare effectively citizen-leaders for a pluralistic world. Puget Sound is committed to an environment that welcomes and supports diversity. We seek diversity of identity, thought, perspective, and background in our students, faculty, and staff. To learn more please visit: http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/diversity-at-puget-sound/ All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a background inquiry. The University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer.

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Call for abstracts - Special Issue on Alt Tech Platforms - New Media and Society
by Eugenia Siapera 26 Sep '24

26 Sep '24

Dear all, We are delighted to announce a call for abstracts for a Special Issue on Alt Tech platforms for New Media and Society. More details below and in this link <https://digitalpolicy.ie/call-for-abstracts-sp-on-alt-tech-platforms/>. We look forward to receiving your abstracts! Warmly, Eugenia and Marc ---------------- *Alt Tech Platforms: Into the Mirror Worlds of Reactionary Digital Media* *Deadline for abstract submission: November 30th* *Guest editors: * *Eugenia Siapera, University College Dublin* *Marc Tuters, University of Amsterdam* *Please send your abstracts to **AltTechNMS(a)gmail.com* <AltTechNMS(a)gmail.com> While much scholarly attention in recent years has been focussed on giant social media platforms' responsibility to police their content, a potentially more consequential development has been less well noticed: the systematic creation of a whole set of parallel, though much less regulated, online worlds. As platforms have taken a more aggressive stance towards content moderation, following successive misinformation scandals, ‘deplatformed’ content producers have migrated to 'Alt-Tech' platforms (Rogers, 2020), that have emerged as a critical infrastructure for reactionary movements from the alt-right to anti-vaxers (Donovan et al., 2019, Birchall & Knight 2023), whose politics are driven less by politicians than by ‘media-of-one’ creators (DiResta 2024) and ‘ideological entrepreneurs’ (Finlayson, 2023). In order to theorize these dynamics and accurately track them in a fluid and changeable informational ecosystem, we see the need for conceptual and methodological innovation. Drawing from Naomi Klein's (2023) study of online political realignment in the aftermath of the pandemic, this Special Issue uses the metaphor of ‘mirror worlds’ to consider how Alt Tech platforms seem to offer complete worldviews, ranging from health and wellness to cultural criticism, films, games and sport. Moreover, it is not uncommon to encounter modes of argument in these mirror worlds that reappropriate aspects of ‘left theory’ (Di Leo & McClennan 2023) — despite their political objectives usually being diametrically opposed. We propose the metaphor as a way to think about specific Alt Tech platforms (including Gab, Rumble, 4Chan, Bitchute and Telegram), to consider the dynamics that connect them to mainstream media, to rethink the relationship between the fringe and mainstream (as with the seeming transformation of Twitter/X into an Alt Tech platform following its acquisition by Elon Musk) and to address new and understudied developments (such as the weaponization of AI by extremists).[1] <#_ftn1> At its core, the call responds to the challenge to ‘rethink’ and ‘re-contextualize’ political communication studies’ ‘functionalist’ legacy of concepts to empirically study 'disrupted’ 21st C media environments characterised by 'complexity and communication abundance' (Bennett & Pfetsch 2018). To go beyond the linear transmission model of 20th C ‘legacy media’, how do we rethink these disrupted public spheres in more multi-directional, symbolic, ritualistic and above all materialist terms? How do Alt Tech platforms mirror and distort the idealised Habermasian rational public sphere? How are they reflecting back mainstream/liberal and progressive idea(l)s, values, and forms of communication? How are the technologies and infrastructures of Alt Tech constructed, mobilised and used? What are the contours of the ‘mirror worlds’ they generate? What tools, conceptual and empirical, do we need to capture these worlds? And what may be the socio-political repercussions of these ‘mirror-worlds’? We invite contributions that address (but which are not necessarily limited) to: ● Theoretical approaches to Alt Tech, disrupted public spheres and mirror worlds ● Methodologies for tracing narrative flows within and between Alt Tech ● Alt Tech platform walkthroughs and comparative studies ● Alt Tech algorithms, users and publics ● Cross platform ethnographies ● Event-based case studies (e.g. Alt Tech & the 2024 UK anti-migration riots) ● Ideological entrepreneurs and new reactionary digital politics ● ‘Follow the money’: political economic perspectives. ● ‘Do your own research’: amateur, populist social theory ● Alt narratives, beyond mis/disinformation, propaganda & FIMI ● Alt Tech oppositional readings and debunking of mainstream media ● Generative AI development and deployment in Alt Tech platforms *Timeline* ● November 30, 2024: Deadline for submissions ● December 20, 2024: 10-12 abstracts selected for full submission ● April 30, 2025: Deadline for full manuscript submission *References* Bennett, W. L., & Pfetsch, B. (2018). Rethinking political communication in a time of disrupted public spheres. *Journal of communication*, *68*(2), 243-253. Birchall, C. & P. Knight (2023). *Conspiracy Theories in the Time of Covid-19*. Routledge Di Leo, J & S. A. McClennen. (2023) *Left Theory and the Alt-Right*. Routledge DiResta, R. (2024) *Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality*. Public Affairs Donovan J, Lewis B, Friedberg B (2019) Parallel ports: Sociotechnical change from the Alt-Right to Alt-Tech. In: Fielitz M, Thurston N (eds) *Post-Digital Cultures of the Far Right: Online Actions and Offline Consequences in Europe and the US*. Bielefeld, Germany, Transcript, 49–65. Finlayson, A. (2023). This is not a critique: Reactionary digital politics in the age of ideological entrepreneurship. *Media Theory*, *7*(1), 28-48. Klein, N. (2023). *Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World*. Knopf Canada. Rogers, R. (2020). Deplatforming: Following extreme Internet celebrities to Telegram and alternative social media. *European Journal of Communication*, *35*(3), 213-229. ------------------------------ [1] <#_ftnref1> See for example https://www.wired.com/story/neo-nazis-are-all-in-on-ai/

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International Workshop on 'Data Centres for AI: Global Expansion and the Environment'
by Aakansha Natani 26 Sep '24

26 Sep '24

Dear All, We are pleased to announce an online *International Workshop* on *“Data Centres for AI: Global Expansion and the Environment**"*, organized by Human Sciences Research Centre, *IIIT Hyderabad, India* in collaboration with Global Digital Cultures Research Group,* King’s College London, UK.* The workshop will take place virtually from IIIT on *October 9th and October 23rd, 2024, *from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM IST. The focus of this workshop is to address the pressing environmental challenges that have arisen in various parts of the world, particularly in the Global South, due to the rapid proliferation of data centres. Our goal, through this workshop, is to provoke meaningful conversations on this critical theme and to set new research agendas that highlight the intersection of data infrastructure and environmental sustainability. We are excited to host leading experts from across the globe to share their perspectives. *For more details, please refer to the poster <https://drive.google.com/file/d/16UhHeextbKv5bbzlUorDpOxgA19aio8q/view?usp=…>* . Please note that *registration* is required for participation, please fill this form <https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=vDsaA3zPK06W7IZ1VVQKHEe…> by 30th September 2024 to sign-up for the workshop. Also, please share this information with researchers, organizations, or anyone who may be interested in this topic. Looking forward to your participation. Thanks and regards Dr Aakansha Natani Assistant Professor, IIIT Hyderabad, India

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Research launch event - Online Violence Targeting Women of Color Candidates in the 2024 US Election - Oct 2, 9:30am - 11am ET
by Dhanaraj Thakur 25 Sep '24

25 Sep '24

Hi everyone, Next week Wednesday (October 2) at 9:30am ET, we will launch a new research report examining the levels of offensive speech and hate speech targeting women of color Congressional candidates on Twitter/X. We also include analysis of tweets targeting Vice President Kamala Harris. The research was done as part of a collaboration between the Online Violence Against Women in Politics Working Group at the Ford Institute for Human Security, University of Pittsburgh and the Center for Democracy & Technology. Please join us online for the presentation and discussion, and feel free to share this with your networks. https://cdt.org/event/report-launch-offensive-speech-and-hate-speech-target… Speakers: Dr. Carissa Slotterback, Dean, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. Kristina Wilfore, Co-Founder and Co-Director of #ShePersisted Dr. Müge Finkel, Director, Ford Institute for Human Security, University of Pittsburgh Dhanaraj Thakur, Research Director, Center for Democracy & Technology thanks, Dhanaraj -- *Dhanaraj Thakur* (he/him) | Research Director Center for Democracy & Technology |*cdt.org <https://cdt.org/>* **dthakur(a)cdt.org | **+1 202 407 8849

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[Announcement] TT Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and AI
by Alexis de Coning 25 Sep '24

25 Sep '24

Hi AoIR folks, Just sharing a job posting from my university. We are looking for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and AI. I'm happy to answer whatever questions I can about the college, the area, etc. Best regards, Lexi _______________________________ West Virginia Wesleyan College is seeking a visionary Assistant Professor to spearhead a new undergraduate program in Cybersecurity and AI. This tenure-track position offers a unique opportunity to build cutting-edge curricula, preparing the next generation of tech leaders in a rapidly evolving field. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in cybersecurity and AI, with a passion for undergraduate education and a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop innovative courses, engage in impactful research, and collaborate with industry partners to ensure our programs remain at the forefront of technological advancement. Founded in 1890, West Virginia Wesleyan is a private residential college located in the foothills of Appalachia in Buckhannon, WV, which was named one of the “100 Best Small Towns in America.” The College has over 40 undergraduate academic majors, six graduate programs, 22 NCAA Division II sports, comprehensive student life, community engagement, and outdoor recreational programs. Wesleyan’s liberal arts foundation, combined with a focus on practical skills and ethical considerations, provides the perfect backdrop for nurturing well-rounded professionals in cybersecurity and AI. Qualifications: A successful candidate will hold a PhD or Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or a related field. We welcome candidates with equivalent experience in the private sector or national laboratories/institutes. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. To apply, e-mail a single PDF containing a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts (can be unofficial), and contact information for three references. Application materials should be sent to Dr. Lynn M. Linder, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, at academicaffairs(a)wvwc.edu. Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background check. -- Assistant Professor of Communication Legal Studies Minor Coordinator Student Senate Faculty Representative Assistant Dean for Governor's School for the Arts 2024 - 2026 she/her/hers

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CFP AAG 2025: AI and the global climate crisis
by Ryan Burns 25 Sep '24

25 Sep '24

Dear colleagues, Please see below our call for papers for the 2025 AAG. We look forward to seeing your submissions! CFP American Association of Geographers 2025 (Detroit, MI) AI and the global climate crisis Organizers: Ryan Burns (University of Washington Bothell and University of Calgary) and Katherine Harrington (National Science Foundation) The advent of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has undeniable environmental impacts. In training Chat GPT-3, its parent company, OpenAI, used as much water as an average family uses in almost 2 years (DeGeurin 2023) for server cooling and electricity generation, and each 100 words it generates consumes an average of 3 bottles of water (Verma and Tan 2024). Quantifying carbon emissions produced by AI is difficult, but some estimates show that training a transformer model such as GPT-3 emits as much carbon as a single airplane flight from San Francisco to New York City (Patterson et al 2021), and the cumulative use of such models emits as much as 25 times this amount each year (Chien et al 2023). As of 2022, data centers accounted for about 2% of all global energy use, and the raw amount of energy consumed by data centers doubles roughly every 4-8 years (International Energy Agency 2022), leading some tech companies to secure sole access to energy infrastructure such as rebooting Three Mile Island nuclear reactor (Wade and Bass 2024). These staggering figures underscore the potentially dire impacts of AI on the environment in general (Hogan 2024) and, particularly, undermine global attemps to reduce carbon emissions under "net zero" schemes. To invoke Jevon's paradox, the remarkable growth of generative AI and its future evolutions could offset any gains from efficiency innovations. The effects of AI's environmental implications, of course, go beyond the natural-physical spheres, as communities can be dispossessed of their access to water (Tironi and Albornoz, forthcoming), indigenous groups' livelihoods can be disrupted (Lally, Kay, and Thatcher 2019), and labor laws and safety norms can be undermined at sites where key technological component materials like silicon and lithium are mined (Arboleda 2020). Taken together, this means that scientists, policymakers, humanists, and climate activists need to take a broad perspective to contend with AI's growing environmental costs. At the same time, there are many who maintain that AI is the key to addressing the massively complex "wicked problem" of global climate change (Masterson 2024). Many of the most important tasks rely heavily on mathematical and computational decision-making, such as climate modeling and prediction and optimizing resource management, which AI is better suited to do than human cognition alone. There is also the possibility that AI can reduce greenhouse gas emissions of energy production and consumption (Kaack et al 2022) - particularly within urban settings (Townsend 2018) – and some have even suggested that futher research can reduce the water requirements of AI (Li et al 2023). This panel seeks to facilitate the growing, increasingly broad-ranging dialogue on the socio-natural, political-ecological, and environmental implications of AI. We seek to advance geographers' understanding of the new spatial configurations of politics, resources, knowledge, and economy with which emerging AI trajectories are aligning. And we hope to deepen this conversation in order to work in small ways toward climate justice in this more deeply compromised context. Among other related questions, we encourage submissions of paper abstracts asking: * Is averting the climate crisis, let alone achieving global climate justice, even possible in a world with increasingly resource-intensive AI models and services? How do we conceive of climate justice within this emergent context? * In what ways are the energy, water, minerals, and manufacturing needs of AI reconfiguring spatial political-economies? * How are researchers measuring, qualifying, and theorizing the socio-natural, political-ecological, and environmental impacts of AI development and use? * Do our theorizations of AI's ecological implications sufficiently adapt to different use cases (e.g., smart cities or medical imaging), models (e.g., generative AI or climate modeling), and sociospatial context? * How is the growth of AI shifting spatial labor relations, particularly with regard to its need for minerals, manufacturing, domestic and caring labor in the tech industry, maintenance and repair, and workplace norms? * What are the intersections of AI's environmental implications with other forms of sociospatial difference such as gender, race, indigeneity, social class, state-sanctioned labor regimes, and dis/ability? * How do we reimagine and rearticulate glimmers of hope in this anxiety-riddled contemporary context? How is resistance being enacted? Where are the limits of AI's ecological harms? How do we collectively act in strategic ways to end AI's contributions to climate genocide and the unfolding climate crisis? We encourage submissions of 250-word paper abstracts by October 17, 2024 sent to Ryan Burns (ryan.burns1(a)ucalgary.ca<mailto:ryan.burns1@ucalgary.ca>) and Katherine Harrington (katherine_harrington(a)alumni.brown.edu<mailto:katherine_harrington@alumni.brown.edu>). We will notify of acceptances within a week, and please then be prepared to submit your abstract to the AAG's system by October 31. Works Cited Arboleda, Martín. Planetary Mine: Territories of Extraction under Late Capitalism. Brooklyn, New York: Verso Books, 2020. Chien, A., L. Lin, H. Nguyen, V. Rao, T. Sharma, & R. Wijayawardana. 2023. Reducing the Carbon Impact of Generative AI Inference (today and in 2035). In Proceedings of the 2nd Workshop on Sustainable Computer Systems (1-7). dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3604930.3605705<https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/3604930.3605705> (Last accessed 5/3/2024). DeGeurin, M. 2023. 'Thirsty' AI: Training ChatGPT Required Enough Water to Fill a Nuclear Reactor's Cooling Tower, Study Finds. Gizmodo. gizmodo.com/...<https://gizmodo.com/chatgpt-ai-water-185000-gallons-training-nuclear-185032…> (Last accessed 5/3/2024). Hogan, M. 2024. AI Is a Hot Mess. Training the Archive, 33–54. International Energy Agency. 2022. Electricity 2024: Analysis and forecast to 2026 (Revised version). iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/...<https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/6b2fd954-2017-408e-bf08-952fdd6211…> (Last accessed 5/3/2024). Kaack, L.H., P. Donti, E. Strubell, G. Kamiya, F. Creutzig & D. Rolnick. 2022. Aligning Artificial Intelligence with Climate Change Mitigation. Nature Climate Change 12, 518–527. doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01377-7<https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01377-7> (Last accessed 5/5/2024). Lally, N., K. Kay, & J. Thatcher. Computational Parasites and Hydropower: A Political Ecology of Bitcoin Mining on the Columbia River. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 2019, 1–21. <https://doi.org/10.1177/2514848619867608> doi.org/10.1177/2514848619867608<https://doi.org/10.1177/2514848619867608>. Li, P., J. Yang, M. Islam, S. Ren. 2023. Making AI Less "Thirsty": Uncovering and Addressing the Secret Water Footprint of AI Models. arXiv preprint. arxiv.org/abs/2304.03271<https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.03271> (last accessed 9/20/2024) Masterson, Victoria. 2024. 9 Ways AI is Helping Tackle Climate Change. World Economic Forum: Emerging Technologies. www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/02/ai-combat-climate-change<https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/02/ai-combat-climate-change/> (last accessed 5/5/2024). Patterson, D., J. Gonzalez, Q. Le, C. Liang, L.-M. Munguia, D. Rothchild, D. So, M. Texier, and J. Dean. 2021. Carbon Emissions and Large Neural Network Training. ArXiv. arxiv.org/pdf/2104.10350<https://arxiv.org/pdf/2104.10350> (last accessed 5/3/2024). Tironi, M., & C. Albornoz. Forthcoming. Divergent futures in a damaged territory: The rise of data centers and water controversies in Santiago de Chile. Journal of Urban Technology. Verma, P., & S. Tan. 2024. A bottle of water per email: the hidden environmental costs of using AI chatbots. Washington Post. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/...<https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/09/18/energy-ai-use-electric…> (last accessed 9/20/2024). Wade, W., and D. Bass. 2024. Microsoft AI Needs So Much Power It's Restarting Site of US Nuclear Meltdown. Bloomberg News. www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-20/...<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-09-20/microsoft-s-ai-power-nee…> (last accessed 9/20/2024). Best, Ryan -- Ryan Burns, PhD, FRCGS Department of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences University of Washington Bothell University of Calgary Associate Editor, GeoJournal Vice-chair, Digital Geographies Specialty Group of the AAG https://burnsr77.github.io/ He/his pronouns The University of Calgary is located in southern Alberta on the traditional territories of the the Treaty 7 peoples--Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Metis Nation, Region 3. I am privileged, grateful, and indebted to be allowed to work within these lands. <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>

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Special Issue - Beyond Rainbows and Unicorns (English/French)
by Myles, David 24 Sep '24

24 Sep '24

Bonjour/Hi, My colleague Christopher Dietzel and I are pleased to announce that our special issue Beyond Rainbows and Unicorns: Revisiting the Promises and Challenges of Digital Media for LGBTQ+ Communities has just been published in the Canadian Journal of Communication. You can access it by clicking here<https://cjc.utpjournals.press/toc/cjc/49/3>. Best regards, ****************************** Mon collègue Christopher Dietzel et moi avons le plaisir de vous annoncer que notre numéro spécial Au-delà des arcs-en-ciel et des licornes : revisiter les promesses et les défis des médias numériques pour les communautés LGBTQ+ vient de paraître dans la Revue canadienne de communication. Vous pouvez y accéder en cliquant ici<https://cjc.utpjournals.press/toc/cjc/49/3>. Bien cordialement, David Myles, Ph.D. Professeur adjoint (il/lui, he/him) Centre Urbanisation Culture Société Institut national de la recherche scientifique

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Data Workers' Inquiry Talk Series
by Adio-Adet Tichafara Dinika | Universitaet Bremen 24 Sep '24

24 Sep '24

Dear Colleagues I'm writing to invite you to an exciting series of talks organized by the Data Workers' Inquiry project, which explores critical issues in digital labour and AI ethics. Our upcoming talks promise to shed light on some of the most pressing questions in our field: 1. SEPTEMBER 30: "DATA WORK AS A CAREER? PROFESSIONALIZING CONTENT MODERATION IN GERMANY" Speakers: 3 Anonymous Data Workers, Dr. Barbara Orth, Laurenz Sachenbacher Moderation: Camilla Wagner Language: German with simultaneous English translation 2. OCTOBER 21: "WHAT IMPACT DOES CONTENT MODERATION HAVE ON WORKERS' MENTAL HEALTH?" Speakers: Fasica Gebrekidan, Botlhokwa Ranta, Kauna Malgwi, Krystal Kauffman Moderation: Dr. Timnit Gebru Language: English with captioning 3. NOVEMBER 11: "WHO ELSE DOES DATA WORK?" Speakers: John López (WGA), Alex Minshall (Guerrilla Media Collective), Oscar Araya (Arte es Ética), Dr. Alex Hanna (DAIR) Moderation: Dr. Milagros Miceli Language: English with captioning All talks will be held online from 8-10:30 am PT / 11 am-12:30 pm ET / 5-6:30 pm CET. To register, please visit: https://data-workers.org/events/ Please feel free to share this invitation with other colleagues who might be interested. Best regards, DWI Team (Mila Miceli, Adio Dinika, Krystal Kauffman, Camilla Wagner and Laurenz Sachenbacher) Adio-Adet Tichafara Dinika Universität Bremen

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