Brushes with death in the bush as digital gap persists
Towns have been left without power and mobile service during major disasters, with an independent review urging the government to bolster rural connectivity.
science and technology
Meteor shower set to dazzle stargazers across country
One of the biggest annual meteor showers is set to light up skies across the country and dazzle stargazers.
Apple launches its big AI push but is it too late?
Features launching on Apple devices will write a story, draw an image and summarise articles but the AI push helped by ChatGPT arrives after those of rivals.
AI used to target election fraud and criminal deepfakes
Government agencies are teaming up with Microsoft to track disinformation and criminal acts, with plans to use AI to detect attempts to interfere in elections.
Wanted: one million Aussies, Kiwis to learn AI skills
Microsoft wants to train at least one million Australians and New Zealanders in how to use AI tools over the next two years as part of a worldwide push.
An AI cop could help keep tech in check, inquiry hears
The government should appoint an artificial intelligence commissioner to oversee the technology, an inquiry has heard, amid concerns over unfair uses.
Smartphones still driving professionals to distraction
Calls, messages and apps are even getting the best of paid drivers, a study has found, amid a call to introduce surveillance and safety alerts behind the wheel.
New routes to secure internet for Australia, Pacific
New cables will entrench Australia's role as a state-of-the-art connection point for large volumes of data in a global digital ecosystem, project partners say.
Australia needs an AI law to stop copyright ‘pirates’
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots from Google, Amazon and OpenAI, need to be regulated by law in Australia, an inquiry recommends.
Hold the phone calls: digital services may save time
Australians could spend less time on the phone and the government could save money with a greater investment in digital services, a report says.
Why your words and photos might already be training AI
More tech companies are introducing AI features to their services, and authors and experts warn it can be hard – if not impossible – to opt out.
Australians urged not to walk but to work on the moon
Australian astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg is urging local researchers to look to space for answers to some of earth's biggest challenges.
Why Aussie school students are being given an AI grade
An artificial intelligence tool developed in Australia is being tested in classrooms and early results suggest it is helping students improve their answers.
Carbon credits scheme missing threatened species mark
Australia's carbon projects are doing little to conserve the nation's most threatened species whose habitat is mostly on privately owned agricultural land.
Govt agencies urged to consider the cost of AI failures
The cost of repaying those harmed by AI decisions should be considered before government departments deploy the technology, an inquiry has heard.
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.
Major Australian university launches ‘AI first’ policy
University students will be encouraged to use artificial intelligence programs to complete assignments and research projects under a bold policy change.
Mission to inspire generation of Indigenous pharmacists
Yuwi pharmacist and academic Dr Jared Miles has made it his mission to address the under-representation of Indigenous people in his field.
Technology making change amid quad bike crash spike
Accidents on quad bikes are a major cause of death and injury on Australian farms, but GPS technology is helping change bad habits and reduce harm.
What the US election tells us about deepfake politics
Australian MPs are weighing how to curtail deepfake election advertisements, but a prominent artificial intelligence expert says a ban might be unnecessary.
Roll out the solar: $6.8m facility to print solar cells
Thousands of flexible solar cells are expected to be printed by the ream in a $6.8 million facility established by Australia's leading science organisation.
Ancient variant clue to Indigenous respiratory illness
A previously unknown gene variant unique to the Oceanic region could help improve disease prevention for Indigenous people, researchers say.
Warnings of deadly consequences over rural black spots
Rural residents have revealed difficulties in reaching triple-zero in moments of crisis, as the federal government reviews regional telecommunications.
Telcos to block phones that don’t link to triple zero
The 3G network switch-off will begin on Monday, with a new law enforcing the telcos to disconnect phones that cannot call the emergency line on 4G.
Women still face barriers to entering the tech industry
Australia's digital industry is crying out for female workers but research shows they are still finding it tough to get in the door.
Future AI chatbots may secretly dob on their users
Subtle changes in the words used by generative AI tools could act as a virtual watermark for the text they produce to tip off readers, research has found.
Deepfake images harming Aussie kids and businesses
Australia is being warned to bring in urgent laws and education to tackle AI-generated deepfake images that put companies and children at risk.
Want to quit work an hour earlier? Deploy a robot or AI
Research shows more Australian workers are willing to ask for help from AI and robots at work, and experts say the trend could elevate human jobs.
AI deepfake ads set to screen during federal election
An inquiry into AI technology has recommended laws be introduced to stop deepfake political ads, but not in time for the next federal election.
No steering wheel, pedals: ready to ride in a Cybercab?
Tesla has unveiled its vision for self-driving taxis in a vehicle that has no manual driving controls. Experts say they are cautious but optimistic.
One ring to track all? Wearable tech extends its reach
Would you trust a ring to track your sleep? It is a question more Australians may ask this Christmas as smart jewellery vies for attention.