We're hiring! We're recruiting a Research Assistant to join the @oii.ox.ac.uk team, working with @katyahe.bsky.social supporting research into the digital lives of care-experienced children in the UK. Find out more and apply today! www.oii.ox.ac.uk/people/vacan...

Want to keep up with the latest thinking on AI, digital society and internet studies? The Pulse is the @oii.ox.ac.uk newsletter, sharing our research, commentary and events straight to your inbox. Subscribe today! newsletter.admin.ox.ac.uk/k/Ouc/oii_ne...

Our #ResourceSpotlight this week is... IEEE Xplore! This database of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) publications is a great resources for @oii.ox.ac.uk students (and intrigued others)! Try out their fun 'top searches' option. Link: ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/dynho... 💻

ICYMI: Read @carlbfrey.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk @oxmartinschool.bsky.social @ox.ac.uk's latest piece for @wsj.com exploring how China’s rule‑of‑law paradox fuels unexpected dynamism: www.wsj.com/tech/move-fa...

Essay | Move Fast and Regulate Later: The Paradox of China’s Economic Dynamism

In the U.S., regulation can protect incumbents while discouraging entrepreneurs. China gives fast-moving startups room to grow before exerting state control.

wsj.com

The first official data on the effectiveness of Australia's social media ban is out. Nothing unexpected, but it's worth reading. www.esafety.gov.au/research/soc...

A research project at the OII, ‘Mapping the digital lives of care-experienced children,’ wants to hear from professionals and organisations who support care-experienced children, young people and care leavers, to navigate digital access and develop digital skills.

"The really interesting things in life are problems which have to be solved, and that requires you to be centripetal." Dr. Andrew Graham, former Acting Director and founding Chairman of the OII Advisory Board, on what the institute was built to do. #OIIat25

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-...

[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...

thinkchina.sg

In our latest episode of The Human Interface podcast, the OII's Dr Fabian Stephany and Prateek Sibal from UNESCO explore what it takes to stay competitive in a jobs market being transformed by AI. Listen to "The Skills That Win in an AI Jobs Market" here: open.spotify.com/episode/0bNJ...

"The concern is that while an AI is trained to give neutral-sounding answers, there are many places in this process to insert bias and shape the answers" @cruss.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk told @carlottad.bsky.social for @opendemocracy.net. Read the piece: www.opendemocracy.net/ai-chatbots-...

AI agents are nudging pregnant women to anti-abortion sources

Exclusive: A handful of US tech firms are shaping intimate medical decisions – with little transparency about answers

opendemocracy.net

ICYMI: New interview with Dr Fabian Stephany, @oii.ox.ac.uk speaking to @handelsblatt.bsky.social about how AI is reshaping entry-level work. He argues that instead of eliminating junior roles, AI should help us redesign them. Read the article: www.handelsblatt.com/karriere/arb...

Arbeitsmarkt: Verdrängt KI bald Einstiegsjobs und Juniorrollen?

KI übernimmt Routineaufgaben – und bedroht so besonders Juniorrollen. Unternehmen müssen Einstiegsjobs neu denken. So gehen Otto, EY oder SAP und Wirtschaftsprüfer damit um.

handelsblatt.com

🎓 SDP 2026 wrapped! Two inspiring weeks with brilliant doctoral students from around the world, hosted by @oii.ox.ac.uk with @berkeleyischool.bsky.social. From lectures and research discussions to punting, garden events, and exploring the city - a fantastic cohort and a fantastic programme!

🎓✨New doctor alert! Congratulations to @oii.ox.ac.uk DPhil student Andreas Tsamados for successfully passing his Viva! His thesis is titled 'Rethinking human control of AI systems: Toward collaboration with foundation AI systems in cybersecurity workflows'. 1/2

@socsci.ox.ac.uk @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social @blavatnikschool.bsky.social @lsepress.bsky.social @cambridgelaw.bsky.social @ucl.ac.uk

Sandra Wachter@swachter.bsky.social · last wk.

Come & work with me @oii.ox.ac.uk I am looking for 2 Teaching Assistants for my course “Internet Technologies and Regulation” – super exciting opportunity for everyone who is interested in accountable AI and tech regulation. Apply now – deadline – 10 August 2026 www.oii.ox.ac.uk/people/vacan...

We're hiring: Administrative Assistant (Job Share) at the OII, working Thursdays and Fridays. Supporting finance, facilities, H&S and events within our Governance and Resource team. Apply by 12 noon, 12 August 2026: my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...

NEW PODCAST EPISODE: The Skills That Win in an AI Jobs Market The OII's Dr Fabian Stephany and Prateek Sibal (UNESCO) discuss which skills matter as AI reshapes work, the risk to entry-level jobs, and why institutions need to lead on AI guidance and training. open.spotify.com/episode/0bNJ...

thank you @ox.ac.uk for featuring my latest work with @stratiss.bsky.social Kai Rawal @cruss.bsky.social and @bmittelstadt.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk @socsci.ox.ac.uk

University of Oxford@ox.ac.uk · 2w ago

A new study led by @oii.ox.ac.uk has found that AI tools used to write, edit and contextualise social media posts can subtly steer public opinion - a form of influence that current regulation does not yet address. Read more ⬇️

A new study led by @oii.ox.ac.uk has found that AI tools used to write, edit and contextualise social media posts can subtly steer public opinion - a form of influence that current regulation does not yet address. Read more ⬇️

📚 New blog alert! Contract generators, platforms, and AI are reshaping consumer contracts. Luka Nenadic explains how and highlights the potential pitfalls and policy implications. Read the full piece: www.oii.ox.ac.uk/the-new-era-...

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

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

bit.ly

New @oii.ox.ac.uk led study reveals how AI-powered social media can manipulate public opinion. Authors: @stratiss.bsky.social, Kaivalya Rawal, @cruss.bsky.social @bmittelstadt.bsky.social @swachter.bsky.social. Thanks for sharing @ox.ac.uk. www.ox.ac.uk/news/2026-07...

@oii.ox.ac.uk @socsci.ox.ac.uk @univie.ac.at @weizenbauminstitut.bsky.social @hertieschool.bsky.social @hiigberlin.bsky.social

Sandra Wachter@swachter.bsky.social · 3w ago

Huge thank you @financialtimes.com @johnthornhill.bsky.social for featuring our latest work “AI-Mediated Communication Can Steer Collective Opinion” w/ @stratiss.bsky.social Kai Rawal @bmittelstadt.bsky.social @cruss.bsky.social tinyurl.com/mrpat7x8 paper: tinyurl.com/53udbckj

The Summer Doctoral Programme, hosted by the OII with @berkeleyischool.bsky.social, is underway! Week one saw participants presenting their doctoral research, exploring Oxford on walking tours, listening to presentations and lectures from OII faculty, and enjoying a sunny garden party.

"There are loads of AI institutes springing up everywhere, but the OII remains rather unique." - Professor @helenmargetts.bsky.social at the OII's 25th Anniversary Founding Stories Panel.

New blog! 📣 Social networking interoperability can give users real choice - but new analysis from @phipz.com @oii.ox.ac.uk shows it only works when regulators get the details right. Read his blog: www.oii.ox.ac.uk/how-social-m... 1/2

@socsci.ox.ac.uk @oii.ox.ac.uk @univie.ac.at @hiigberlin.bsky.social @weizenbauminstitut.bsky.social @wzb.bsky.social @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social @hertieschool.bsky.social

Sandra Wachter@swachter.bsky.social · 3w ago

I am so excited to see my latest paper “AI-Mediated Communication Can Steer Collective Opinion” w/ @stratiss.bsky.social Kai Rawal @bmittelstadt.bsky.social @cruss.bsky.social feat @theguardian.com tinyurl.com/mpxsdc9x full paper: tinyurl.com/53udbckj

🎉 Congratulations to @sophiebt.bsky.social, @oii.ox.ac.uk named as a winner of the 2025 Early Career Researcher Award for publications by the Surveillance Studies Network. A fantastic and much‑deserved achievement!

Sophie Bennani-Taylor@sophiebt.bsky.social · 4w ago

Super proud to have won this award among such excellent early career scholars! A huge thanks to my research participants who shared their stories with me. May we always fight for a more just environment for asylum seekers and migrants.

ICYMI: Study: 38% open up to AI about relationships, finds new research from @oii.ox.ac.uk. Lead author Dr Florence Enock. Co-author @helenmargetts.bsky.social. Read the piece: www.thedeepview.com/articles/stu...

Study: 38% open up to AI about relationships

Emotional support and advice have long been difficult to come by, prompting a growing number of people to turn to AI for more help. The Oxford Internet Institu...

thedeepview.com

ICYMI: Latest interview with @swachter.bsky.social @oii.ox.ac.uk speaking to @johnthornhill.bsky.social @financialtimes.com about her new research which finds AI-powered social media can subtly manipulate public opinion at scale: www.ft.com/content/806d...

How much is AI hacking your emotions?

Disinformation and deepfakes are known risks but biased LLMs could also be used to influence public opinion

ft.com

My Op-ed: The public is in all but name a shareholder of AI companies. It is time that the public receives socially beneficial technology in return for its investment. @computerweekly.bsky.social tinyurl.com/3r4cckmv Paper: Optimising for Happiness in EU Tech Policy tinyurl.com/44cv5kd8

The public deserves socially beneficial technology in return for its AI investment | Computer Weekly

It is important to understand that AI companies would not be successful without the public’s support. Our data, our land, our electricity, our water and our weakened fundamental and individual rights ...

tinyurl.com