Conor Purcell PhD

A New Way to Test AI for Sentience: Make It Confront Pain A new study shows that large language models make trade-offs to avoid pain, with possible implications for future AI welfare

My latest at Scientific American. A new study shows that large language models make trade-offs to avoid pain, with possible implications for what some refer to as 'AI welfare' in the future.

www.scientificamerican.com/article/coul...

Hot school meals scheme: ‘We are institutionalising consumption of ultra-processed food in our children’ Q&A with food analyst Ruth Hegarty:’There is a nutrition standard for hot school meals provided by the Government, but there is no oversight of this’

Ireland's Hot Schools Meals Scheme poses serious issues for lifelong health beginning in childhood. The scheme is set to be rolled out in every primary school.

I interviewed food policy analyst Ruth Hegarty for the Irish Times

@kosull.bsky.social @istja.ie

www.irishtimes.com/health/2025/...

No shame in solitude - the science and power of being alone Academic and author Netta Weinstein says that since the average adult spends up to a third of their time alone, it’s important to understand how solitude differs from loneliness

I interviewed academic and author @nettaweinstein.bsky.social about her book Solitude - the science and power of being alone

Since the average adult spends up to a third of their time alone, it’s important to understand how solitude differs from loneliness.

www.irishtimes.com/science/2024...

My latest at Research Professional @resprofnews.bsky.social

Insight Research Ireland Centre in “landmark collaboration to push the boundaries of AI and data science for public good in Ireland.” But will it be able to prevent harm?

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

They're so good I buy my ones 2nd hand made in 2013. Beasts.

Big changes coming to the academic publication process

Mathematicians’ Newest Assistants Are Artificially Intelligent AI-human collaboration could possibly achieve superhuman greatness in mathematics

Delighted to have interviewed some amazing people for this article @sciam.bsky.social. Is AI-human collaboration on solving math proofs set to reach superhuman capabilities?

@istja.ie @benniemols.bsky.social @kosull.bsky.social @sarahr100.bsky.social

www.scientificamerican.com/article/math...

‘A place of joy’: why scientists are joining the rush to Bluesky Researchers say the social-media platform — an alternative to X — offers more control over the content they see and the people they engage with.

"‘A place of joy’: why scientists are joining the rush to Bluesky
Researchers say the social-media platform — an alternative to X — offers more control over the content they see and the people they engage with." www.nature.com/articles/d41...

My latest @resprofnews.bsky.social looking at how student-staff activism has helped shape divestment from fossil fuels at universities across Europe - but not nearly enough @fionamcintyre.bsky.social @sarahr100.bsky.social @robinbisson.bsky.social @istja.ie

Irish election: universities call for sustained research investment - Research Professional News Irish Universities Association wants political parties to prioritise future talent and innovation

In advance of the election the Irish Universities Association calls on the government to create a research infrastructure and talent development fund + €0.5 billion over five years for a green campus fund @istja.ie @kosull.bsky.social #research

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-euro...

This is the Resistance, Comrade.