936 tacks
Without stronger privacy laws, Australians are guinea pigs in a real-time dystopian AI experiment | Peter Lewis
Bunnings’ use of facial recognition technology highlights Australia’s unpreparedness for the AI era. Outdated privacy laws, which haven’t been updated in 40 years, are a significant barrier to protecting citizens’ data and rights. The government’s National AI Plan, which prioritises existing laws over new regulations, risks leaving citizens vulnerable to exploitation by powerful tech companies.
Why your kid is yelling “chicken banana”
The phrase “chicken banana,” originating from a Swedish techno song, has become a popular and nonsensical catchphrase among children, spreading through social media and becoming a part of their cultural lexicon. This phenomenon highlights the influence of social media on children’s culture and the growing overlap between AI-generated content and human silliness. While the meaning of “chicken banana” is unclear, its absurdity and humour resonate with children, allowing them to express themselves and create a sense of belonging within their peer group.
Australian journalism ‘sidelined’ in AI-generated news summaries on Copilot, research shows
Research by the University of Sydney found that Microsoft Copilot’s AI-generated news summaries largely favour US and European media, sidelining Australian journalism. This could lead to more news deserts, fewer independent voices, and a weakened democracy. The study suggests policy mechanisms, like the news media bargaining code, to support journalism.
The slopaganda era: 10 AI images posted by the White House – and what they teach us
The White House has embraced AI-generated images, using them for political messaging and trolling. This “slopaganda” era, characterised by easily accessible AI tools and crude content, has seen the White House create images of Trump as a king, a Jedi, and even the Pope, sparking outrage and debate. The use of AI in political communication raises concerns about misinformation and the potential for extremist messaging.
Cory Doctorow - Rescuing the internet from enshittification
Cory Doctorow explains how the internet has gotten worse due to “enshittification,” a term he coined for the way platforms degrade over time by prioritising profit over user experience. He discusses how tech giants lock in users, shift value from users to advertisers and shareholders, and argues for stronger antitrust laws, interoperability, and policy changes to rescue the internet.
The Ensh*ttification of Everything with Cory Doctorow
The internet is getting shittier. Hell, the whole world is getting shittier. The thing is, it’s no accident—it’s by design. The tech giants who run the internet have figured out how to make bank off of making our everyday experience with the internet worse, and this process is bleeding over into the physical world. This process is called “enshittification”, a term coined by the massively influential tech writer Cory Doctorow. In this episode, Adam sits with Cory to discuss where everything went so wrong as well as Cory’s new book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It.
Students are using AI apps to summarise whole books in minutes. Experts are alarmed
AI-powered book summary apps are gaining popularity among students, raising concerns about declining literacy rates and the potential impact on authors’ livelihoods. While these tools offer convenience, they often lack accuracy and may not align with academic expectations. Experts emphasise the importance of critical reading skills and the unique value of engaging with texts directly, rather than relying solely on AI-generated summaries.
Under-16s ban: how hard will it be for Australian social media users to prove their age?
Australia’s planned under-16 social media ban will rely on age-assurance technology, but trials reveal major flaws. While facial age tests can take as little as 40 seconds, some users spent up to an hour, with high error rates—especially for 14- and 15-year-olds, many of whom could slip through. Errors also varied by gender and ethnicity, raising fairness concerns. Those misidentified may face intrusive ID checks, risking privacy breaches. Smaller platforms may avoid compliance altogether, leaving uncertain outcomes when the law begins in December.
Why everyone is quitting social media
Over the past five years, social media has shifted from fostering connection to maximizing profit by exploiting user attention. Features like infinite scroll and algorithmic feeds—pioneered and perfected by TikTok—prioritize virality and outrage over genuine relationships, fueling anxiety and social comparison. Once user-centered, platforms now serve advertisers, converting attention into revenue. This has sparked rising backlash, digital detox movements, and calls for balance. Though social media remains dominant, growing disillusionment suggests people are beginning to push back.
AI Is Remixing Everything We’ve Ever Made. Here’s What That Means.
Kirby Ferguson explores how generative AI transforms creativity by remixing existing human-made content. It reframes concerns over originality in the context of remix culture—demonstrating that all innovation builds on the past. The film examines whether generative AI marks the end of human creativity or offers a new evolution.
Showing 121 to 130 of 936 results