Alan Winfield
@alan-winfield.bsky.social
Engineer, roboethicist and pro-feminist. Interested in robots as working models of life, evolution, intelligence and culture. Prof Robot Ethics, Bristol Robotics Lab. Home page: https://people.uwe.ac.uk/Person/AlanWinfield
#ICYMI: Last month, I chatted to Prof. Alan Winfield (@alan-winfield.bsky.social) from @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social about #robot ethics. Catch up here 🎧 - www.robottalk.org/2026/03/13/e... or wherever you get your podcasts! #Robots #Robotics #Ethics
📢 New Episode Alert! This week, I chatted to Prof. Alan Winfield (@alan-winfield.bsky.social) from @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social about developing new standards for ethics and transparency in robotics. 🤖 Listen now: www.robottalk.org/2026/03/13/e... #Robots #Robotics #Ethics
Fascinating glimpse into everyday Roman life: This samian ware bowl was repaired with lead rivets, clear evidence that it was valued enough to mend rather than discard. The repair reflects either the practical mindset and economic realities of a Roman household, or it may have been a...🧵1/3 📷 me 🏺
We built a database of 290,000 English medieval soldiers—here's what it reveals. phys.org/news/2025-12...
We built a database of 290,000 English medieval soldiers—here's what it reveals
When you picture medieval warfare, you might think of epic battles and famous monarchs. But what about the everyday soldiers who actually filled the ranks? Until recently, their stories were scattered...
phys.org
1. Some good news at last. This week’s column is about the amazing thing a couple of us stumbled into three years ago, which we’ve now developed into a global research programme. It doesn’t change everything, of course, but it could help change quite a lot. + 🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Over a pint in Oxford, we may have stumbled upon the holy grail of agriculture | George Monbiot
I knew that a revolution in our understanding of soil could change the world. Then came a eureka moment – and the birth of the Earth Rover Program, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
theguardian.com
Things used in everyday life are the real archaeological treasures! These sewing #needles were made from animal bone some 15,000 years ago. Some designs simply don't need to be improved, because form and functions were perfectly matched from the start. Form follows function! 🧵1/2 🏺
Chapa Sirithunge is a Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests span assistive robotics, soft robots and physical human-robot interaction. Listen to our chat here: www.robottalk.org/2025/11/28/e...
Researchers at Peking University have developed the world's first portable underwater exoskeleton, which assists divers' knee movement, reducing air consumption and muscle effort during dives. The tech could extend dive duration, improve safety, and reduce fatigue. 🤖 techxplore.com/news/2025-11...
Innovative underwater exoskeleton boosts diving efficiency
A research team led by Professor Wang Qining from the School of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics, Peking University, has developed the world's first portable underwater exoskeleton system that assi...
techxplore.com
Are you a PhD student & interested in using museum collections in your teaching or research? We're running a *free* doctoral training programme for students at any institution to learn about working with collections. Find out more: collections.reading.ac.uk/whats-on/
Interesting, and good to see: Four ways #AI is being used to strengthen democracies worldwide www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... #ht @garymarcus.bsky.social
Four ways AI is being used to strengthen democracies worldwide | Nathan E Sanders and Bruce Schneier
The dangers of artificial intelligence and its potential to consolidate power are clear. But used fairly, it can be a boon for good government
theguardian.com
I am *very* pleased that the UK Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill is now in its 3rd reading in the @houseoflords.parliament.uk after which it should become law. See bills.parliament.uk/bills/3519 (1)
Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Current version of Artificial Intelligence (Regulation) Bill [HL] with latest news, sponsors, and progress through Houses
bills.parliament.uk
@smithsonianmag.bsky.social The Only Recording of Woody Guthrie Singing the Protest Song ‘Deportee’ Has Been Released for the First Time www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/t... #music #WoodyGuthrie #protest #Deportee #recording #folk #FolkMusic #folksong #AI #artificialintelligence #restoration
The Only Recording of Woody Guthrie Singing the Protest Song 'Deportee' Has Been Released for the First Time
The singer-songwriter recorded the audio on a reel-to-reel tape machine in his apartment in the 1950s. Now, the previously unheard song has been restored using A.I. audio technology
smithsonianmag.com
What would you love to know about #robot ethics? 🤖 Later this season, I'll be chatting to Prof. Alan Winfield (@alan-winfield.bsky.social) from @uwebristolofficial.bsky.social about developing new standards for ethics and transparency in robotics. Send me your questions for Alan in the comments!
Very good. I'm especially pleased to read that the Act includes 'a new mechanism for companies and the public to report “potential critical safety incidents”'. We badly need AI accident and incident (near miss) reporting and investigation. #AI #AISafety #AIRegulation 1/2
Winbuzzer@winbuzzer.com · 10mo agoCalifornia Signs Nation’s First Major AI Safety Law, Forcing Transparency on Tech Giants #AI #AIRegulation #AISafety #California #SB53 #TechPolicy winbuzzer.com/2025/09/30/c...
To the best of my knowledge the Starship delivery robots that operated for 5 years in Milton Keynes, UK, were not accorded any 'pedestrian' rights. They were regarded a great success, especially during Covid lockdown, see www.mkfm.com/news/local-n... 1/2
Milton Keynes celebrates 5 years of delivery robots
Starship Technologies is celebrating five years of delivery robots in Milton Keynes.
mkfm.com
Joanna Bryson@j2bryson.bsky.social · 11mo agoDoes anyone have a better, legal piece on this, framed with who is using the sidewalks to run robots on? Does South Korea really not care who built, paid for, and benefits from the robots running around? You can't deinstrumentalise products, but you can dehumanise citizens, residents, and tourists.
If you need some levity in these trying times, here's what's fresh out of Paris.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUE...
The most INSANE Bohemian Rhapsody Flashmob you will ever see!!
YouTube video by Julien Cohen
youtube.com
This, by @birmo.bsky.social, is the most hopeful thing I've ever read about LLMs. open.substack.com/pub/aliensid...
Lovely story from the brilliant @britishwildlife.bsky.social magazine. This mag is endlessly fascinating – recommend if you're not a subscriber already. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Tourist discovers ‘extinct’ jellyfish while rock-pooling in Outer Hebrides
Thistle-shaped Depastrum cyathiforme was last seen in France in 1976, but has now been found on South Uist
theguardian.com
There is someone out there who wants your weird little book. Even if you doubt yourself sometimes, don't doubt their earnest enthusiasm.
Earlier today I searched for #ethical generative #AI, and found this @wired.com article: I’m Not Convinced Ethical Generative AI Currently Exists www.wired.com/story/the-pr... Short answer: no.
I’m Not Convinced Ethical Generative AI Currently Exists
WIRED’s advice columnist considers whether some AI tools are more ethical than others, and if developers can make AI wiser.
wired.com
AI and why we should all be worried. A recent talk for the Swindon Science Cafe alanwinfield.blogspot.com/2025/06/ai-a... #AI #AIethics #sustainability #exploitation
AI and why we should all be worried - AI's dirty secrets
I gave a new talk on AI for the Swindon Science Cafe on 3rd June. Here below are the slides. This talk is an updated version of a short t...
alanwinfield.blogspot.com
A portrait presented to a good chum for his 60th birthday present today.
