First homebuyers, renters centrepiece of housing pledge
First homebuyers and renters struggling to find a home are being offered some hope in a budget that bakes in $33 billion in measures to improve affordability.
social issues (general)
Most workers feel overwhelmed by AI but bosses want it
Four out of every five Aussie workers are overwhelmed by changes at work but most executives want to use artificial intelligence to create bigger transitions.
Why the next big AI advance will not just talk but walk
Humanoid robots that can help at home or work are becoming tech firms' next big investment following breakthroughs in artificial intelligence.
Robodebt: corruption watchdog to investigate six people
Six public servants involved in the robodebt disaster will be investigated for possible corrupt conduct, offering hope to victims of the illegal welfare scheme.
business (general)
computing and information technology
economy (general)
internet
online
politics
politics (general)
science and technology
social issues (general)
technology (general)
A decade past its due date, the NBN promises to deliver
Removing copper connections from the National Broadband Network will come at a cost of more than $6 billion but tech experts say the move will be worth it.
computing and information technology
consumers
international law
internet
lifestyle and leisure
litigation and regulation
online
regulatory policy and organisation
social issues (general)
software
technology (general)
Aussie TikTok users brace as clock ticks down to US ban
An exodus to other Chinese apps, a jump in prominence but a dive in content: speculation is raging over what a US TikTok ban will mean for its Aussie users.
computing and information technology
internet
mass media
media
news media
online
science and technology
social issues (general)
technology (general)
X Corp welcomes Meta’s thumbs-down for fact-checking
Rival social network X has applauded Meta's decision to follow its lead on ditching fact-checking, with its CEO calling the move an endorsement.
Chatbot therapy: can generative AI treat loneliness?
Researchers are creating artificially intelligent companions to help people get through challenges but that does not necessarily cut humans out of the picture.
‘Treat us like humans’: rise in out-of-home care kids
A report has called for urgent change after finding one state has up to four times as many children in residential care than others.
Tech giants to be charged if they fail to pay for news
In a bid to return revenue to Australian news publishers, the government will charge tech giants if they do not pay for local journalism.
UK MPs give initial support to assisted dying bill
A bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has passed in parliament, setting up months of further debate on the issue.
Landmark plan to address ‘systemic, structural’ racism
Australians are being challenged to confront systemic racism and the enduring impacts of colonisation in a landmark report from the Human Rights Commission.
book
computing and information technology
international law
it/computer sciences
language
laws
media
patent, copyright and trademark
regulatory policy and organisation
science and technology
social issues (general)
software
standards
technology (general)
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.
children
computing and information technology
consumers
internet
online
parent and child
regulatory policy and organisation
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
survey
teen-agers
Get off the internet: more dates, chats to go offline
It is not just governments considering social media bans: a study shows more Australians plan to disconnect and spend less time online.
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.
children
computing and information technology
internet
it/computer sciences
online
politics
politics (general)
safety of citizens
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
teen-agers
Youth advocates poke holes in teen social media curbs
A lack of detail about proposed social media curbs is causing teens anxiety, young online safety and mental health representatives have told an inquiry.
Plea for action over death of six kids in protection
Six children connected to Victoria's child protection system have died in the last three months, sparking a plea for more action to protect vulnerable kids.
Women harnessing power of Indigenous matriarchy
A program re-engaging girls in school through storytelling and a 'Linkedin' for the Indigenous community have received boosts from a dedicated women's fund.
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.
children
computing and information technology
internet
laws
litigation and regulation
online
people - social issue
politics (general)
regulatory policy and organisation
safety of citizens
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
teen-agers
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.
Victims of crime stand on opposite sides of politics
Two families were torn apart when their kids were killed in car crashes but they now stand on opposite sides of politics ahead of the Queensland election.
‘Like the Opera House’: the tiny halls that loom large
Country halls remain at the heart of small towns in times of both celebration and disaster, but their longevity largely depends on the kindness of locals.
children
computing and information technology
internet
laws
online
science and technology
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
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.
Retail trade springs back after warmer weather
A hotter-than-average August and Father's Day sales has led to a spike in retail sales, with more people taking advantage of the outdoors.
internet
laws
mass media
media
online
politics
politics (general)
social issue
social issues (general)
Social media misinformation to be policed by watchdog
The communications watchdog will be given new powers to crack down on misinformation on digital platforms under proposed federal laws.
X Corp says Twitter does not exist, fines should vanish
American legal experts have taken the stand in Federal Court as lawyers for the social network known as X argue it should not have to pay Twitter's fines.
Unlikely allies gather to call full-time on betting ads
A Labor minister and a Liberal backbencher have called for a complete ban on gambling advertising as the government remains tight-lipped on its policy.
children
computing and information technology
online
parent and child
politics (general)
safety of citizens
science and technology
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Photos of Aussie kids scraped, used by popular AI tool
Child safety advocates have called for greater online privacy protections after Human Rights Watch identified photos of young Australians in an AI dataset.
computing and information technology
inquiry
internet
media
online
people - social issue
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Would you show Facebook your ID? The govt wants to know
A $6.5 million age-assurance technology trial will test whether it can prevent teens accessing social networks and whether adults are willing to use it.
computing and information technology
inquiry
internet
media
online
people - social issue
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Child abuse and online safety risks probed at inquiry
Lawmakers and experts in child protection policies are expected to appear at a federal social media inquiry following controversial claims by Meta.
Why Australian news could be banned from Facebook again
Banishing Australian news content from Facebook could devastate media outlets and disadvantage audiences, an inquiry into social media has heard.