The Open Source AI Rebellion: Echoes of the Early Linux Days
From Amman, the current open-source AI wave feels uncannily familiar. The same builder energy, the same elite gatekeeping, and the same fight over who gets to shape the future o...
Crosscurrent Code
About
About Jad - Technology Blogger from the Middle East
Learn about Jad, a technology blogger from the Middle East with a passion for AI, decolonization, and the human impact of technology. Exploring the intersection of tech and society since the early 2000s.
Base Middle East
Focus Technology, culture, open systems
Format Essays, field notes, archives
Editorial Note
Welcome to jadmadi.net! I’m Jad, a blogger from the Middle East with a lifelong fascination for technology and its impact on our lives. My journey in the digital world began in the early 2000s, those halcyon days of dial-up connections, GeoCities, Mandrake Linux, Tcl, and Blogspot.
Back then, blogging was more than just a trend; it was a personal exploration, a space to share experiences, insights, and a passion for the emerging world of open-source software and Linux.
After a long hiatus, I’m returning to the blogging scene with renewed zeal. I want to engage in meaningful conversations about the profound changes reshaping our world.
While I’ve always been fascinated by technology, I’m also deeply aware of its potential for both good and harm. I’m committed to using my voice to advocate for a more just, inclusive, and equitable world where technology serves humanity.
Join me on this journey as we explore the intersection of technology, decolonization, and the human journey.
I’m always eager to hear from you! Feel free to leave comments, ask questions, or share your thoughts.
Archive
Recent writing
The Power of Jules: A New Era of Software Engineering
Working with Jules gave me a concrete look at what AI coding agents are actually good at: absorbing context, handling the tedious middle, and forcing human engineers to operate...
AI Proxies, LLMs, Arabic Language Performance, and OBSBOT Tiny2 for Podcasting
A grounded look at the AI experiments that have been occupying my evenings: private proxies, Arabic-language reality checks, and an early podcasting setup powered by equal parts...
Understanding Arabic Sentiment Analysis
Arabic sentiment analysis sounds straightforward until dialects, morphology, and limited datasets enter the picture. This piece breaks down why the problem remains both difficul...
Talking to Machines Like They Talk Back: The Enduring Legacy of the ELIZA Effect
Long before ChatGPT, ELIZA showed how quickly humans project empathy, intention, and understanding onto software. That instinct still shapes both the appeal and the risks of mod...