Back-to-school chaos comes with mental load for parents
Parents welcoming the start of the school year are also set to be bombarded with more than 1200 tasks related to home, school and extra-curricular activities.
technology (general)
DeepSeek surge could lead to Australian AI boom: expert
The lowering of the cost of artificial intelligence, as demonstrated by DeepSeek, could see Australia play more of a role in the industry, an expert says.
AI pioneers look to douse bushfires before they happen
Machine-learning technology could become the next weapon against bushfires with researchers developing a prototype delivering more accurate predictions.
Diet time: why a watch may tell if you’re eating greens
Health sensors could track even more vital signs from your skin in future, including your blood sugar levels and vegetable intake.
US Supreme Court upholds Congress law banning TikTok
The US Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a federal law banning TikTok unless it is sold by its China-based parent company ByteDance.
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.
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.
TikTok says it ‘is back’ in the United States
President-elect Donald Trump says he plans to issue an executive order extending the period of time that TikTok can remain accessible in the United States.
Artificial intelligence ‘secret weapon’ for landing job
From writing cover letters to brainstorming interview questions, Australian jobseekers are using artificial intelligence tools to help land their next role.
Aussies beating America and Europe in AI race: study
Almost half of all Australians are using artificial intelligence technology, a Google study has shown, even though many still have concerns about its impact.
Friendly robots, AI litter boxes: the new tech frontier
Wild, weird and unexpected gadgets have been shown in Las Vegas as part of an annual tech fest, with AI powering some household devices for the first time.
Meta shelves US fact checking in major policy reversal
Meta is ending its fact-checking program with third parties in the United States, saying fact checkers have their own biases.
Australians warned: Meta to stop muzzling false claims
Australians are likely to see more false content and abuse on their Facebook, Instagram and Threads feeds when Meta ditches fact-checking problematic posts.
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.
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Tiny Tassie town dreams big with SimCity plans
Tasmania's Fingal is proposing a world-first "town twinning" partnership with the digital game SimCity, with hopes it can revitalise the 400-strong community.
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.
All ahead AI: fresh risk, different rules, new features
Generative AI tools have already changed the way Australians work, communicate and study. Experts say more changes are coming in 2025.
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.
Voters urged to be vigilant about AI disinformation
Experts say artificial intelligence-enabled political disinformation is a growing risk for Australian voters but vigilance is still the best defence.
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.
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.
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.
Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same
As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. If left unchallenged, political deep fake videos could have profound impacts on Australian elections.
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.
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.