It’s a love story: how Taylor Swift bested Donald Trump
The personalities, topics and major news events that dominated Australian internet searches in 2024 have been revealed by Google.
Science and Technology
Workers are using AI but worry it makes them look lazy
More Australian white collar workers are using artificial intelligence tools to do their jobs but research shows many feel guilty about telling the boss.
Plug in, get paid: EV drivers to tap into batteries
Electric vehicle drivers could plug their cars into the electricity grid and earn money next year following a partnership between two manufacturers.
Labor still ‘in box seat’ despite latest poll results
The latest opinion polling shows the coalition leads the government, but experts say Labor is still on track to be re-elected at the next federal poll.
One-third of referred telco complaints unresolved
One in three complaints made by telco consumers to the sector's ombudsman remained unresolved at the end of the latest reporting period.
Social media duty of care to users ‘a game changer’
Social media giants will need to take proactive steps to protect users and improve safety features under a digital duty of care introduced by the government.
Baby Shark won’t bite: YouTube entertainers issue plea
Prominent Australian children's entertainers are urging the federal government to pardon YouTube from its proposed social media ban to save an industry.
Mental health taking a hit as climate crisis worsens
Poor health outcomes are being attributed to extreme heat events, rapid rain bursts and worsening fire season as part of a growing climate crisis.
Adults only: online codes to limit porn, gaming access
Australian internet users will have their age tested before they can access some gaming and pornographic websites under wide-ranging online safety proposals.
Locked out of your business account? Log in and tell us
Small businesses are fighting with tech giants after being locked out of accounts or waiting for payment and want a reboot on how their complaints are handled.
Doctor dedicated to Indigenous people’s ‘genetic story’
An Indigenous genomics researcher has been recognised with a fellowship with the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
Banning kids from social media could cause greater harm
Mental health experts don't support proposals to ban children from accessing social media and are warning it could have unintended consequences.
Children would lie about their age to evade YouTube ban
A teenage media proprietor says young Australians need to know more about a proposed social media ban as it could impact their education.
Australia’s first solar garden prepares for its harvest
Solar gardens could be a solution for people locked out of the booming renewable energy market, experts say, as the first of its kind prepares to pay investors.
Researchers deploy AI to track secret lives of whales
Researchers at Google and an Australian university have teamed up to track whales along the east coast and use AI to uncover what they are really up to.
Hydrogen could do the heavy lifting on Aussie roads
A leading Australian transport company says hydrogen trucks, not electric options, will revolutionise long-haul freight in Australia.
AI-powered satellites to search for Aussie bushfires
A satellite constellation powered by artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology will launch from next year, watching the world for small fires.
Court’s landmark ‘trans women are women’ verdict lauded
The founder of a women-only app has been ordered to pay compensation for unlawfully discriminating against a transgender user as a landmark case concluded.
Sweet side of waste: sugarcane turned into packaging
A team of Australian scientists has developed bio-packaging from agricultural waste that preserves the shelf life of food while reducing plastic pollution.
Croc culling not the answer for stopping attacks: study
Scientists say education, awareness and removal of problem saltwater crocodiles are a more effective way to reduce the number of attacks than culling programs.
Hitting the wrong note: musicians say AI will take jobs
Thousands of musicians say they will no longer be able to support themselves due to the impact of Artificial Intelligence, according to a major survey.
Snapchat rejects Aussie calls to raise social media age
Lifting the age limit for children on social media platforms would leave existing users adrift, Snapchat's safety head says, and should be a family decision.
Earth science satellite to track methane from space
Major sources of an environmentally damaging gas will be scrutinised from above when a group of climate experts launches a satellite with SpaceX.
Scientists make ‘miracle material’ from microplastic
Microplastics can be transformed into a "miracle" material prized by industries around the world using a technique discovered by Australian scientists.
Dancing the story of the celestial emu for science week
A new film will be shown at the Sydney Observatory, representing the story of the Indigenous emu constellation for National Science Week.
Cybersecurity worker shortage could put Aussies at risk
Australia does not have enough cybersecurity specialists to protect consumers from further data breaches, a report warns, amid calls for greater training.
Kids get a taste of one of universe’s biggest mysteries
Scientists on the National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip to remote and regional schools want to inspire budding physicists, including Indigenous children.
Cottoning on to how sustainability is helping growers
Cotton growers have been told they must continue to cultivate sustainable cropping systems to ensure success, at their annual conference on the Gold Coast.
Urgent call to pass deepfake sexual image sharing laws
Laws that crack down on the creation and sharing of non-consensual sexual images, including digitally altered deepfakes, should pass with haste, senators say.
Aussie firms urged to deploy AI but limit its emissions
Artificial intelligence technology is being blamed for rising greenhouse gas emissions but a report has identified ways to reduce its environmental impact.
Cracking coffee code may lead to new Australian brew
A team of international scientists including an Australian professor has cracked the genomic sequencing of Arabica coffee, which could lead to a new brew.