information labs

Are we solving online harms or simply moving them somewhere else? Forensic psychologist Jeffrey DeMarco argues that social media bans may create the appearance of safety without addressing the underlying causes of harm. Read more 👇 linkedin.com/pulse/jeffre... #IsABanAPlan

Part 1 with Payal Arora is now live. We discuss AI pessimism, the Global South’s relationship with tech, digital empowerment, and why conversations around AI need more nuance than fear-driven narratives. Part 2 next week. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/0d987ad6 📺 youtu.be/Ufwb6j35Xkk

Are sSMB for children addressing the real problem? The #SocialMediaBan capsule series exploring #IsABanAPlan Jeffrey DeMarco (@savechildrenuk.bsky.social) discusses why blanket bans may shift harms rather than reduce them. Watch: youtu.be/ESqWnbMQ6mg Visit: informationlabs.org/social-media...

Episode 1 of “AI: Tools or Gods?” is now live! With Maria Sukhareva, we explore: • The anatomy of AI hype • Why AI agents struggle with the “last mile” • Regulation, incentives, and the governance story behind AI 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/35b35a7a 📺 youtu.be/HyCre61JQpY #AI #TechPolicy

Something new is coming next week. AI: Tools or Gods? is a new podcast exploring the stories, myths, and assumptions shaping the public conversation around AI. Subscribe via aitoolsorgods.transistor.fm/subscribe to stay up to date and catch the first episode when it drops. #AI #Podcast

We’re launching a new capsule in our series tackling the question: #IsABanAPlan Bart Preneel (KU Leuven) on why age verification may fall short—and highlights the risks for privacy, security, and the open internet. watch: youtu.be/Ios3SQoPqbo visit: informationlabs.org/social-media...

April 2026 information labs recap 🔗 linkedin.com/pulse/april-... ⇒ NEW: Social Media Ban Repository ⇒ Expert voices: Leanda Barrington-Leach & Sonia Livingstone ⇒ Reflections on #SocialMediaBans, moral panic& more ⇒ COMING SOON: AI: Tools or Gods? podcast by Caroline De Cock

Does banning social media really work? The #SocialMediaBan capsule series exploring #IsABanAPlan @sonialivingstone.bsky.social unpacks the evidence on bans, risks, and why regulation may be more effective than restriction. Watch: youtu.be/jfmNvwpuj-I visit: informationlabs.org/social-media...

The Social Media Ban Repository is here! Last week, we launched the Social Media Ban Repository — A new platform bringing structure, evidence, and perspective to the debate. Explore the platform: 👉 informationlabs.org/social-media... #IsABanAPlan #SocialMediaBan

We’re launching the 1st #SocialMediaBan capsule in our new series tackling the question: #IsABanAPlan In this episode, Leanda Barrington-Leach (5Rights) explains why blanket bans fall short—and calls for smarter approaches. watch: youtu.be/wJFrT-INta4 visit: informationlabs.org/social-media...

March 2026 information labs recap 🔗 linkedin.com/pulse/march-... ⇒ COMING SOON: AI Tools or Gods podcast by Caroline De Cock ⇒ New interactive AI Tools, Not Gods companion ⇒ Reflections on #SocialMediaBans, #copyright, #deepfakes & EU #AI policy ⇒ Best bits from SSAI podcasts

Caroline De Cock, Head of Research at Information Labs, recently joined the She Shapes AI podcast to talk about the ideas behind her book AI Tools, Not Gods. AI isn’t magic. It isn’t a god. It’s a tool — and how we frame it shapes how we use it. 🎥 youtube.com/playlist?lis... #aitoolsnotgods #AI

Feb 2026 information labs recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/februa... ⇒ New #HumansOfAI Perspectives report from the AI lab ⇒ Reflections on #SocialMediaBans, #copyright, #WebArchives & EU #AI policy ⇒ #DigitalNetworksAct feedback open ⇒ New 3 THINGS series

From blog posts to beats Over the past months, we explored 12 ideas at information labs. Alongside each article, we released a song inspired by it. Now they’re together in one place. 🎧 suno.com/playlist/870...

Putting Culture at the Heart of AI: our new report explores AI across Europe’s cultural heritage sector — from libraries & museums to archives & digital platforms. 📥Report: informationlabs.org/wp-content/u... 🎬Videos: youtube.com/playlist?lis... #culturalheritage #GLAM #artificialintelligence

What if AI could help us explore the web’s past, not just store it? Kai Jauslin joins Humans of AI to discuss how AI-powered, #opensource tools are transforming web archives into public, interactive experiences. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/8c3fbd54 📺 youtu.be/CDRvArkmVNE #culturalheritage

Jan 2026 information labs recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/januar... ⇒ Get a free digital copy of “AI Tools, Not Gods” & join the 10 Feb online book talk ⇒ internet lab reflections on #DigitalNetworksAct & #SocialMediaBans ⇒ new #HumansofAI episodes ⇒ AI lab reflection on #PublicDomain

What if AI could help humanity make better climate decisions? @derasmus.bsky.social, founder of Climate GPT, discusses open, science-grounded AI for climate policy, risk awareness, and a faster path to a carbon-neutral future. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/cb960d76 📺 youtu.be/kcKB1WPD3L4

How can Europe build ethical AI rooted in culture, not code? In this Humans of AI episode, Harry Verwayen of @europeana.bsky.social calls for public AI infrastructure built on Europe’s cultural heritage. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/e38a583f 📺 youtu.be/wHnuBH_2lek

Can AI show us how people really experience art? @thebowesmuseum.bsky.social “goggles” project tracks visitors’ gaze with AI-powered glasses, revealing how paintings and labels shape engagement & enjoyment. 🎧 Listen: share.transistor.fm/s/3e201a99 📺 Watch: youtu.be/wYIX3kq3zm8

Dec 2025 information labs recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/decemb... ⇒ 15 Jan #AI book launch ⇒ #5thFreedom perspectives report ⇒ Australia's #SocialMediaBan: internet lab Hot Item with Amanda Third ⇒ Labelling: AI lab TL;DR with @joanbarata.bsky.social ⇒ 2 new #HumansofAI episodes ⇒ Reflections

Information Labs — 2025 Wrapped What a year… Grateful for our guests, collaborators, and community — thank you for thinking, listening, and building with us. On to more meaningful conversations and responsible innovation in 2026. #wrapped2025

🔥 Hot Item: Social Media Bans—Fix or False Promise? 🔥 Insights from Amanda Third on Australia’s under-16 social media ban, which is being watched worldwide—but is it the right model? 📺 youtu.be/zfC6ZcZRYWY 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/7a734e14 #socialmediaban #digitalpolicy #techpolicy #australia

The case for a #5thFreedom is clear! Treat knowledge as a strategic asset & make mobility frictionless across the EU. Key insights from experts on openness, researcher mobility & modernising Europe’s knowledge systems. 📥 informationlabs.org/wp-content/u... 🎬 youtube.com/playlist?lis...

What does real transparency under Article 50 of the EU AI Act look like? In our latest TL;DR podcast, @joanbarata.bsky.social explains why labeling everything “AI-generated” can mislead users as much as it informs them. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/13d2ab8d 📺 youtu.be/kJ30hMlLpDg #AIPolicy #AIAct

How can AI bring classical theatre to life for new generations? In our latest HoAI episode, Anna Pappa of Litte_bot shows how models let audiences talk with Molière — turning cultural memory into something alive & interactive. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/8fcd9a0e 📺 youtu.be/CUIFP8afCgo #culturalheritage

Nov 2025 info labs recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/novemb... ⇒ #5thFreedom with Enrico Letta (@delorsinstitute.bsky.social) & Stephen Wyber (@knowledgerights21.org - @ifla.org) ⇒ AI lab TL;DR with Dr. Aline Larroyed ⇒ First 4 Humans of #AI episodes ⇒ Reflections on #WDPD2025, #EUIPO & “Munich Mirage”

1/2 Why is the “memorisation” metaphor steering EU AI policy in the wrong direction? In our latest TL;DR podcast, Dr. Aline Larroyed explains why AI training = pattern learning, not storing copyrighted works. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/cc80694e 📺 youtu.be/GsZ6oNCOdxo #AI #EUpolicy

How can AI help preserve the memories that shape us? In our new Humans of AI episode, Airí Dordas and Pau Aleikum from Synthetic Memories (Domestic Data Streamers) talk about using generative AI for identity, healing, and human connection. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/e3d0513d 📺 youtu.be/xkIJmvVoG6s

Can national libraries shape AI? Javier de la Rosa shows how Norway’s National Library uses 20 years of digitisation to power Norwegian language models, speech tech and privacy-centric public-interest AI. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/1fbc85ee 📺 youtu.be/_ou1wT5XkLE

Can libraries & museums shape the future of AI? @danielvanstrien.bsky.social of @hf.co bridges the gap between GLAM & AI, showing how cultural institutions can power a more open, human-centred future. 🎧 Listen: share.transistor.fm/s/1f17ef1f 📺 Watch: youtu.be/0ZsYp7cIqG8

We’re thrilled to launch our new Humans of AI podcast! Prof. @melissaterras.bsky.social of @transkribus.bsky.social — a cooperative AI platform transforming how libraries, archives, and museums bring history to life. 🎧 share.transistor.fm/s/ce0399b5 📺 youtu.be/qK5x4j7jiuQ #AI #CulturalHeritage

Oct 2025 information labs recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/octobe... ⇒ #5thFreedom with @eesc.bsky.social's Dr Paul Rübig & @communia.bsky.social's @justusdreyling.bsky.social ⇒ #DigitalSovereignty reflections ⇒ 3-part post on #GenAI, copyright & #TDM ⇒ ‘F’ for EC #DigitalNetworksAct impact assessment

information labs August-September 2025 recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/august... AI LAB - Reflections on: • The Danish Presidency’s #AI conference • #Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement • #Cloudflare’s “pay-per-crawl” plan • The #Gikii2025 conference & more!

1/ 🗞️ information labs June-July 2025 recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/june-j... ☀️ Summer: We're back in late August 📢 Our Future Memory campaign: Learn about this initiative by the @internetarchive.eu & our take on why libraries need a #DigitalFairnessAc to #ProtectOurFutureMemory

1/ 🗞️ info labs April-May 2025 recap 🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/april-... 🧠 NEW: innovation lab 🔸 Discover the first capsule of our #5thFreedom project, in collaboration with @knowledgerights21.org, featuring none other than Janez Potočnik, a true pioneer of the freedom of knowledge!

🎨📼🎧 From "Home Taping Is Killing Music" to "AI Is Killing Creativity" — the panic script doesn’t change, just the tech. The creative sector’s history? Fear, fight, then flourish. Will #AI be any different? 👉 www.linkedin.com/pulse/spinni... #MakeItFair #creativity #Copyright

1/2 🧠 Should we use the word “hallucination” about AI? 🔍 In our latest TL;DR episode, @annamillsoer.bsky.social & @xolotl.org argue it misleads—AI isn’t conscious and doesn’t “believe”. 💡 They propose a better metaphor: “AI Mirage.” 🎧 ailab.transistor.fm/episodes/ai-... 📄 youtu.be/wgt5L9SF6-w

/2 🚀 Can Europe lead in open-source AI? 🔍 In our latest TL;DR podcast, we explore why the EU’s edge may lie in values, infrastructure & trust; not just scale. 📺 youtu.be/RC-x3Dem2hs 🎧 ailab.transistor.fm/episodes/ai-...

🔥Hot Item: Fighting for Net Neutrality – Our Chat with @socialhack.bsky.social from the Netzbremse Coalition About Their Complaint Against Deutsche Telekom 🔥 📢 "Access is no longer universal." 📺 Watch now:: youtu.be/b8JWQ19s988 #NetNeutrality #IPinterconnection #FairShare #NetworkFees

🔥 #Netzbremse coalition files 237-page complaint with @bnetza.bsky.social against DT for #NetNeutrality violations! More details on the effort by @epicenterworks.bsky.social, @freiheitsrechte.org, #vzbv & Prof. Barbara @vanschewick.bsky.social 👉 www.linkedin.com/posts/inform... #DigitalNetworksAct

1/2 🔥 Is AI policy missing the point? 🔍 In our latest TL;DR podcast, Milton Mueller explains why we’re misdiagnosing the AI “problem”—and why broad controls on AI could backfire. 🎧 ailab.transistor.fm/episodes/ai-... 📺 youtu.be/tVRskzjoDj8 #AI #DigitalGovernance

🔥 Timely input for the #DigitalNetworksAct debate: joint statement from 6 EU competition authorities! Preserving competition and achieving scale are not mutually exclusive, but significant consolidation within Member States requires thorough scrutiny. 🔗 www.bwb.gv.at/en/news/news...

🔥 EC's #AIOffice consults on guidelines for general-purpose AI models to clarify #AIAct rules: reply by 22 May! Working document hints at publication of guidelines & #AICodeofPractice in May-June, potentially delaying the Code past its 2 May deadline. ↪️ digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/comm...

🐣Crack Open the Debate (Again!): AI & Copyright⚖️ Perfect time to revisit 2 egg-cellent reports on how genAI is reshaping creativity, authorship & copyright. 📄Should AI works be copyrightable? 🧩What about training data? 💡Rethink licensing? Read Reports👇 informationlabs.org/reports/