Amazon tests AI for audiobooks but new rules are coming
Amazon is testing AI-generated voices for audiobooks in the absence of guidance, its executives say, as government officials reveal AI rules are in the works.
technology (general)
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.
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.
Google maintains illegal monopoly over search: US judge
"Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," a US judge has ruled, say the search engine illegally exploits its dominance.
Why future cars will be like ‘smartphones on wheels’
Buyers might not choose their next car for its shape, power or brand, auto experts say, but based on what its software can do.
Has the latest IT outage quietly slowed the cash crash?
The CrowdStrike outage exposed vulnerabilities in digital payment systems and shows Australia is decades away from a completely cashless society, experts say.
Fake dancing premier video sparks call for tougher laws
An AI-generated social media video of the Queensland premier dancing posted by his political rivals has led to calls for stronger political advertising laws.
AI curiosity soars, but not everyone’s comfortable
More Australians are turning to artificial intelligence technology to learn new skills, a Google report shows, but others want to identify when it's being used.
IT outage ends but sparks fears of a vulnerable system
Authorities are scrambling to understand how a simple software update caused an unprecedented IT outage that crippled companies and services around the country.
Fears of ‘knock-on’ delays after global IT outage
Companies are battling the flow-on effects from the global IT outage that downed flights, media and supermarkets.
Airport delays continue in wake of global IT outage
Airports face knock-on effects from the global IT outage as airlines reschedule cancelled flights with the federal government continuing its investigations.
IT outage ‘significant’ cost to Australian economy
The global IT outage that felled companies may be the worst in history and now scammers are taking advantage of the significant incident.
Global tech outage delays ease amid questions over cost
Delays at Australian airports after the global IT outage have eased but questions remain as to the cost to the economy and possible compensation.
Doctors call for AI rules to prevent medical mistakes
Doctors and nurses are using AI tools in patient settings daily, an inquiry has heard, even though the technology falls outside regulations.
Calls for law as AI rogues plunder Australian creatives
One actor's voice was cloned after producers cancelled his contract while another's was used in a pornographic ad without her consent, an AI inquiry has heard.
Social media age limits ‘likely to make things worse’
Bringing in age restrictions for social media could make safety issues worse for young users, child protection organisations have told a parliamentary hearing.
Virtual reality tech, batteries named in safety probe
Battery-powered products and new kinds of consumer gadgets will be closely examined by Australia's consumer watchdog as a top priority.
Two in three Australian workers ‘using AI to save time’
Survey results showing rapid AI uptake in Australian workplaces come with a warning that the time-saving trend could be putting sensitive business data at risk.
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.
business (general)
business enterprises
computing and information technology
economy (general)
it/computer sciences
research
science and technology
technology (general)
Wanted: 200,000 Aussies to design, deploy and sell AI
Artificial intelligence technology will create 200,000 jobs in Australia by the end of the decade, a report has found, amid calls for greater training.
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.
breaking_news
business (general)
business enterprises
consumers
internet
it/computer sciences
mass media
media
online
technology (general)
Telstra, Optus end Google deals after watchdog warning
Internet behemoth Google paid Australia's top two telcos to be the default search engine on Android phones for seven years, the competition watchdog has found.
Watchdog warning ends Google deal with Telstra, Optus
Telstra and Optus have agreed to stop accepting payments from Google under deals to pre-install the tech giant's search software as default on their phones.
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.
Smart meters to keep the lights on, one home at a time
Some $50 million for the latest home energy tech aims to help consumers save money by controlling car charging, solar panels, batteries, hot water and aircon.
Google and CSIRO team up to solve solar surplus problem
Using more renewable energy could require faster and more reliable technology, according to Google's research arm is working with the CSIRO to create it.
Considering how to ‘force’ Meta to pay for news
Laws that would force Facebook to show and pay for Australian news, as well as tax changes, are being considered by the government, an inquiry has revealed.
Publisher warns of Meta ‘blackmail’ on news media code
Major news outlets accuse Facebook's parent company of daring the government to take action against it, and warn newspapers could close if it fails to act.
computing and information technology
consumers
internet
online
politics (general)
science and technology
social issue
social issues (general)
social problems
technology (general)
Lies, bad ads, no rules – social media under scrutiny
Academics at six universities are teaming up to create a national body to investigate online misinformation, social media risks and missing regulations.
Female AI workforce grows but few women climbing ladder
Artificial intelligence is growing its female workforce but the number of women thins higher up the ladder, prompting calls for more equitable training.