Data breach fears grow as suspected ransom note appears
Names, email addresses and school locations are believed to have been compromised in a global data breach affecting Australian education providers.
Science and Technology
Batteries undercutting gas, keeping lid on power bills
Batteries are now the primary tool for managing evening spikes in electricity demand, a job previously falling to gas and hydro at greater expense.
US tech giant claims $25b stake in Australian AI future
The nation's artificial intelligence industry will get a $25 billion-dollar boost, from data centres to workplace training, after a major company's bet big.
Next-generation AI could be powered by Aussie chips
High-performance computer chips ready to handle AI tasks of the future could be made in Australia after a multimillion-dollar funding boost.
Aussies want electric cars to save cash, not the planet
Australians are considering electric cars as fuel prices rise, with potential buyers fuelled by the possibility of saving money rather than the environment.
AI yet to boom with Boomers but young workers trust it
Artificial intelligence is opening a generational gap in Australian businesses, with younger workers more willing to use, train and trust the technology.
Magnetic attraction to lift Aussie green iron prospects
A process that uses magnets rather than water to extract high-quality iron ore will be tested at an Australian mine to boost the nation's export potential.
Aussie dish serves up second helping for moon mission
A space dish in Australia is tracking NASA's new moon mission in a sequel to the nation's key role in televising one of humanity's biggest achievements.
Tech firms ‘taking the mickey’ on teen social media ban
Despite a compliance report saying a large share of teens are still using social media, the government has hailed its youth ban a success.
AI crocodile detection system comes with warning
A high-tech solution to deal with Australia's most ancient predators is ready for real-world trials, but comes with a warning about what lurks beneath.
Meta ordered to pay $US375m over child exploitation
A lawsuit accused tech giant Meta of allowing predators unfettered access to underage users and connecting them with victims.
Wet year brings on-land nature wins but oceans suffer
Australia's environment has enjoyed another above-average year of rainfall, though climate change has been stressing oceans and vulnerable species.
High-power pit stop: quantum batteries could rev up EVs
The next generation of batteries could power up electric cars within minutes and Australian researchers have developed a world-first proof-of-concept.
Blood moon wows in final appearance for three years
A total lunar eclipse has lit up Australian skies overnight with the moon turning bright red for nearly an hour.
Driving change: inside the autonomous car revolution
More self-driving cars will navigate streets around the world this year but some are yet to be convinced the technology is roadworthy.
Flying taxis poised to swoop down for Brisbane Olympics
Once promised in science fiction, flying taxis are expected to become reality within months and Australia is among the candidates to host them.
Earth’s doppelganger: scientists make $15m digital twin
From stress-testing crops to simulating disease outbreaks, researchers plan to create a virtual copy of Australia's agricultural landscape to test scenarios.
Ticket to rideshare: disability groups call for change
Transport subsidy schemes around Australia need urgent reform to give people with disabilities greater choice and lower costs, a report has found.
Deadly disparity for Indigenous people under restraint
A study of deaths in custody has highlighted a disturbing disparity involving the use of a potentially lethal restraint on Indigenous Australians.
Australian social media ban both a success and failure
Australian laws banning children from social media have the world talking but two months in, experts say they are far from foolproof.
Australia’s quantum leap: $20m boost for homegrown firm
Quantum technology that promises to outsmart artificial intelligence could be made in Australia after an investment in a Sydney company.
Alarm raised over vaccination rates in twin pregnancy
Pregnant women expecting twins are being encouraged to get the flu and whooping cough vaccines as they do not increase the risk of birth complications.
Taking a swing: Aussie Open serves AI insights to fans
Tennis-talking robots, virtual reality matches and an innovation to let visually impaired fans follow the action are being tested at the Australian Open.
It’s not just you: fake videos look more real than ever
Artificially intelligent image creation tools are becoming more sophisticated and easier to use but that is making it harder to tell what is real online.
One Nation soars over estranged coalition bedfellows
A big shift in conservative politics follows the coalition's dramatic split as rivals jostle for leadership and analysts wonder how permanent the move will be.
The election campaign threat that has parties worried
Labor's review of its thumping 2025 federal election victory has found the biggest threat to its future success might lie beyond the floundering opposition.
Shark safety boost after horror spate of attacks
More drones will be deployed along the NSW coast as part of a multimillion-dollar boost to shark-safety programs after the death of a 12-year-old boy.
What’s for dinner? Aussies cook up fresh uses for AI
Australians are turning to artificial intelligence tools in the kitchen as well as the office, as use of the technology weighs in on more activities.
Unions reach deal with tech giant on AI and workers
Workers will have a say in the rollout of AI through an agreement between a tech giant and unions that has been welcomed by industry and government.
Citizen scientist discovers ‘extinct’ native plant
A native plant species has been rediscovered decades after it was presumed extinct, highlighting the power of citizen science data in research and conservation.
Quietly dying: few forests spared from tree losses
Australian forests are thinning in a worrying finding for a world relying on plants to help soak up excess atmospheric carbon.