AI/Machine Learning

How AI played a central role in spreading misinformation about the Bondi terrorist attack – thanks to a fake news site

- December 16, 2025 5 MIN READ

Hours after the Bondi terrorist attack, while many Australians slept, a myth was generated and laundered through artificial intelligence. The sole bright spot from Sunday’s atrocity targeting Jewish Australians that left 15 dead and 29 injured was the heroics of bystander Ahmed al-Ahmed, who was filmed fearlessly tackling and disarming one of the alleged gunmen.… Read more »

Battery, EV charger
Climate Tech

The federal government just tipped another $5 billion into its runaway home battery program, but its existing problems remain

- December 16, 2025 3 MIN READ

Over the weekend the federal government announced major changes to its A$2.3 billion home battery subsidy program. The changes include nearly $5 billion in extra funding and adjustments to the financial support provided for different-sized batteries. They follow recent reporting by The Conversation that the program is subsidising unnecessarily large home batteries and blowing out… Read more »

Fintech

Cheque-in: 6 startups banking a whopping $568.1 million two weeks before Christmas

- December 12, 2025 5 MIN READ

With 12 more sleeps to Christmas, Melbourne-born Airwallex wins the 2025 Australian capital raising stakes with a massive $498 million Series G that values the fintech at $12 billion. Meanwhile, cybersecurity startup Kasada and sole trader accounting platform Hnry also booked $30 million and $26 million raises, respectively. Keep reading to learn more about six… Read more »

AI/Machine Learning

Albanese government scraps AI advisory board plan

- December 11, 2025 3 MIN READ

Australia will not proceed with a permanent AI advisory board, after the federal government confirmed it has abandoned the plan despite growing pressure for stronger oversight of the technology. As reported by InnovationAus, recent answers to Senate estimates questions on notice show the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) will not establish the AI advisory… Read more »

AI/Machine Learning

When King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard quit Spotify, an AI rip-off turned up – and the streaming platform’s algorithm promoted it

- December 11, 2025 3 MIN READ

Imagine this: a band removes its entire music catalogue off Spotify in protest, only to discover an AI-generated impersonator has replaced it. The impersonator offers songs that sound much like the band’s originals. The imposter tops Spotify search results for the band’s music – attracting significant streams – and goes undetected for months. As incredible… Read more »

Landmine
Global tech

The u16s social media ban doesn’t solve the biggest issue for everyone – how to make online platforms safer

- December 10, 2025 4 MIN READ

The tech industry’s unofficial motto for two decades was “move fast and break things”. It was a philosophy that broke more than just taxi monopolies or hotel chains. It also constructed a digital world filled with risks for our most vulnerable. In the 2024–25 financial year alone, the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation received… Read more »

Annika Wells and Anthony Albanese
Life hacks

While the Australian government says the u16s social media ban is vital for mental health, experts and new research suggests otherwise

- December 10, 2025 4 MIN READ

Warning: this article contains mention of suicide. Ten months after Australia’s teen social media ban passed parliament, Communications Minister Anika Wells brought together 20 of the country’s top mental health groups to talk about the law at a roundtable. “Today was a useful step for mental health organisations, peaks and government to get together and… Read more »

Global tech

Australia’s social media ban is here – and the world is watching to see what happens next

- December 10, 2025 4 MIN READ

After months of anticipation and debate, Australia’s social media ban is now in force. Young Australians under 16 must now come to grips with the new reality of being unable to have an account on some social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Only time will tell whether this bold, world-first experiment will succeed.… Read more »

AI/Machine Learning

Now you’re hallucinating – OpenAI denies there are ads on ChatGPT, after users complain about seeing them

- December 8, 2025 3 MIN READ

OpenAI insists it is not running ads inside ChatGPT. However, after multiple paying users reported seeing what looked like promotions for Target and Peloton, the company has been forced to clarify what, exactly, is happening. Over the weekend, senior executives from OpenAI responded to screenshots posted on X by ChatGPT subscribers claiming they had seen… Read more »

AI/Machine Learning

Around 3 in every four Australians see AI has a threat to people, business and national security, ANU survey reveals

- December 8, 2025 2 MIN READ

Threats relating to technology, disinformation, economic security and foreign interference are overshadowing traditional security concerns in Australians’ minds, according to data released by the Australian National University National Security College. More than 12,000 people were asked across two surveys, in November last year and July this year, to rate the seriousness of 15 potential threats… Read more »