How Certain Algorithms to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed
18th-century German forest management explains why government websites make you want to pull your hair out
Michael Reilly
Managing Editor
Reilly (everyone calls him Reilly) was Managing Editor at The Markup. He left in June 2024.
He has brought an insatiable curiosity, a desire to build, and a genuine love for his colleagues and their mission as journalists wherever he’s gone. That’s included stops at New Scientist, two startups, and MIT Technology Review, which was a two-time National Magazine Award finalist during his time as executive editor.
While at Technology Review, he pioneered the magazine’s newsletter operation, established an award-winning podcasting team, and edited countless print and online features and investigations. Reilly’s editing and reporting work has won a variety of awards, including investigative prizes by the Association of British Science Writers, the Newswomen’s Club of New York, and recognition by the American Bar Association, among others.
(Photograph by Simon Simard)
Machine Learning
He Wanted Privacy. His College Gave Him None
A Markup examination of a typical college shows how students are subject to a vast and growing array of watchful tech, including homework trackers, test-taking software, and even license plate readers
Hello World
‘Unmasking AI’ and the Fight for Algorithmic Justice
A conversation with Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Languages of Misinformation
Meet the Vietnamese Grandmother Fighting Misinformation One YouTube Video at a Time
“I don't think the Vietnamese people in the U.S. get enough credible news. And I don't know how to help them get credible news, except that I do the best I can with my videos.”
Hello World
Meet Nightshade—A Tool Empowering Artists to Fight Back Against AI
A newly released research paper outlines a tool artists can use to make their work act like “poison” if it is ingested by an AI image generator
News
‘Let Me Tell Them Goodbye Before They Get Killed’: How eSIM Cards Are Connecting Palestinian Families
As blackouts in Gaza cut communications, a crowdsourced effort by an Egyptian writer reconnects family members, one eSIM card at a time
Hello World
I Went to the Real ‘Cop Con.’ Here’s The Tech Police Are Testing.
Nearly 700 vendors showcased police tech from tracking devices disguised as Newport cigarettes to window-breaking drones
News
The Tech at ‘Cop Con’: Cigarette Carton Trackers, VR for School Shootings, and ‘Peacekeeper Batons’
The International Association of Chiefs of Police brings police leadership and tech vendors together at its annual conference, where clear trends about the future of law enforcement emerged
News
The Problems Biden’s AI Order Must Address
The Markup gives a section-by-section breakdown of the summarized executive order on artificial intelligence
LevelUp
Without a Trace: How to Take Your Phone Off the Grid
A guide on anonymizing your phone, so you can use it without it using you
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