Can data collectives help strengthen vulnerable cultures in the face of AI?

Ben Werdmuller

Can data collectives help strengthen vulnerable cultures in the face of AI?

"Data collectives and cooperatives, which let creators control the collection and distribution of their data, are emerging as preferred alternative...

Notable links: July 24, 2026

Ben Werdmuller

Notable links: July 24, 2026

America's AI dominance is under threat; AI vendors put us at risk; meanwhile, everyone's staying in their jobs for the health insurance.

This book is freaking great. Send a copy to your immigration skeptic friends as well as to the people in your life who already understand that migration is a source of hope. A pleaure to read. https://bookshop.org/a/7949/9781635577860

Trump seems suddenly excited to use 1950s rhetoric about communists. Mate, there aren't any significant communists in the United States. There are some people who want healthcare, equitable justice, and for poverty not to be a death sentence. Social democracy is not communism. You moron.

All snark aside, I do love America. The Declaration of Independence - 250 years ago! - was genuinely important. Most places you go, the people are kind, community-minded, and optimistic. One day, eventually, they will have an equitable government that redresses wrongs and provides real support.

Every week I gather notable links and articles that I think are worth discussing. In today's roundup: why OpenAI's offer of 5% is a bad deal, how news needs to get real about its business value, and the effect of surveillance on human rights organizations.

Ben Werdmuller

Notable links: July 3, 2026

AI, surveillance, open tech, and news as a business.

My entire information diet relies on your site having a functional RSS feed, so it would be awesome if it did.

"U.S. officials are demanding access to the health data of millions of Africans as a condition of giving billions of dollars in lifesaving aid to African countries."

ProPublica

“Digital Colonialism”: U.S. Demands to Access Africans’ Data Raise Privacy, Sovereignty Concerns

The United States is requiring access to health data as part of lifesaving aid deals with African countries. The U.S. says the data will be aggrega...

My new least favorite thing is AI sales enablement tools that read my blog to create a tailored opening. "I loved your piece about [whatever]! We sell [something tangentially related to whatever]." It makes me want to shift to blogging about penguins or something.

"We’re publishing this blog post to explain our decision to refer to Delaney Hall as a “concentration camp” and clarify the term’s meaning." This is incredibly important.

The Jersey Bee

Why we’re calling Delaney Hall a “concentration camp” – The Jersey Bee

The term describes facilities where targeted groups are held without due process under inhumane conditions.

Building pro-social tech isn't anchoring to fears rather than opportunities. It's recognizing a distinct set of opportunities that empower every person in ways that are aligned with their communities rather than centering on the needs and assumptions of a few powerful people. It's real empowerment.