This is episode 3 of a 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we make sense of the Social Media Minimum Age legislation, explaining the limits of the law and what it actually requires of social media companies, young people, parents, and the community. We also unpack how this new law interrelates with other existing online safety measures, including industry codes. We speak with Cam Wilson from Crikey, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Australia's Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, and Deputy Program Director of the Age Assurance Technology Trial Andrew Hammond. Links: Minister Wells Press Conference (16 September 2025), supplied. Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, including the explanatory memorandum and transcripts of all second reading speeches https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284 Government announces plans to introduce the minimum age legislation (8 November 2024), Minimum age for social media access to protect Australian kids https://www.pm.gov.au/media/minimum-age-social-media-access-protect-australian-kids & https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-centre/social-media-ban Social media reforms to protect our kids online pass Parliament (29 November 2024) https://alp.org.au/news/social-media-reforms-to-protect-our-kids-online-pass-parliament/ eSafety Commissioner Advice to the Minister for Communications on draft Online Safety Rules (June 2025) https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/esafety-commissioner-advice-minister-communications-draft-online-safety-rules Albanese Government protecting kids from social media harms (July 2025) https://www.pm.gov.au/media/albanese-government-protecting-kids-social-media-harms Prime Minister and Minister for Communications media conference, Canberra (July 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wellseSaeft/transcript/press-conference-parliament-house-canberra Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025 https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00889/latest/text eSafety Commissioner’s regulatory guidance https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/regulatory-guidance#social-media-minimum-age Minister for Communications and eSafety Commissioner’s media conference (September 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-sydney Privacy Guidance on Part 4A (Social Media Minimum Age) of the Online Safety Act 2021 (October 2025) https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation/related-legislation/social-media-minimum-age Platforms on notice to comply with Social Media Minimum Age, via eSafety Commissioner (November 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/platforms-on-notice-to-comply-with-social-media-minimum-age Social media minimum age platform assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/social-media-minimum-age-platform-assessments & https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-canberra-0 Press Conference: Social Media minimum Age Platform Assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9CIZK_12Zc eSafety assesses Twitch as an age restricted social media platform (November 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/twitch-assessed-as-age-restricted-social-media-platform https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/21/katherine-deves-legal-challenge-teen-social-media-ban/ Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s industry codes and standards https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes Age Assurance Technology Trial https://ageassurance.com.au/ Age Assurance Technology Trial— Final Report https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/age-assurance-technology-trial-final-report Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is episode 2 of a special 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we discuss how the issue of social media harms and the idea of a minimum age restriction became such a political hot topic in the lead up to the 2024 Federal election. We explore the political, social and media forces that lead to the law passing Parliament, notwithstanding reservations of experts. We speak to Cam Wilson, a technology reporter from Crikey, Lizzie O’Shea (founder and chair of Digital Rights Watch), Professor Amanda Third (co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University), Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and Australia's Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind. Links: Cam Wilson, Crikey https://www.crikey.com.au/author/cam-wilson/ Lizzie O’Shea https://lizzieoshea.com/ Digital Rights Watch https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/ Amanda Third https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/people/directors/amanda_third Julie Inman Grant https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/about-the-commissioner Carly Kind https://www.oaic.gov.au/ Minister Wells Speaking during Parliament House Question Time (31 July 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcLpm9SbOrk ABC News Breakfast (29 November 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niaeYxdlvkw The Project, 10X Media Group/Network Ten (19 May 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=525CiA19WPI 36 Months campaign https://www.36months.com/ Let Them Be Kids campaign https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/topics/let-them-be-kids Social Media Summit, NSW & South Australia, October 2024 https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/social-media-summit & https://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/social-media-summit Report by Chief Justice Robert French, Legal Examination into Social Media Access for Children https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/banning-social-media-for-children Government response to the Privacy Act Review Report (September 2023) https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/publications/government-response-privacy-act-review-report eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s speech at the Royal Society of NSW, W x 3 — The World Wide Web (we weaved)! (July 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSFVrIugy3E Laws not bans can make kids safer online, Carly Kind, Privacy Commissioner (November 2024) https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/blog/laws-not-bans-can-make-kids-safer-online Prime Minister and Minister for Communications media conference (November 2024) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/speech/press-conference-parliament-house Social Media Age Limit, Office of Impact Analysis (November 2024) https://oia.pmc.gov.au/published-impact-analyses-and-reports/social-media-age-limit Social media: the good, the bad, and the ugly – Final report, from the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society (November 2024) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Social_Media_and_Australian_Society/SocialMedia Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021, led by Delia Rickard, released February 2025 https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/report-online-safety-act-review-released Environment and Communications Legislation Committee inquiry into the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 [Provisions] (November 2025) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/SocialMediaMinimumAge Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, including the explanatory memorandum and transcripts of all second reading speeches https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284 Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media, we’re exploring Australia's world first online safety experiment. Across five episodes, we’ll unpack the new social media minimum age restriction law, examine the harms it seeks to prevent, consider the controversy surrounding its passage through parliament in November 2024, and try to demystify what will happen on 10th December when it comes into effect. In this first episode, we’re going to go back to the beginning and dig into the research – and different perspectives - on the harms caused to young people by their use of social media platforms. Why are the experts divided? And does the evidence back-up the concerns of parents and young people? The series is narrated by Tech Policy Design Institute Executive Director, Johanna Weaver. This episode features expert interviews with Professor Jonathan Haidt (social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation), clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein, Professor Amanda Third (co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University), Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and Minh Hoang, member of the eSafety Youth Council. Links: Tech Policy Design Institute https://techpolicy.au Jonathan Haidt https://jonathanhaidt.com/ The Anxious Generation https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-anxious-generation-9781802063271 Danielle Einstein https://www.danielleeinstein.com/ Amanda Third https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/people/directors/amanda_third Julie Inman Grant https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/about-the-commissioner ABC News Breakfast (29 November 2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niaeYxdlvkw 'For the good of...' Australian Government Social media minimum age TV advertisement https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/campaign Australian Child Rights Taskforce open letter (October 2024) https://au.reset.tech/news/open-letter-about-social-media-bans/ Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s research findings summary: Social Media Minimum Age campaign (September 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/campaign#research-findings-summary--social-media-minimum-age-campaign YouGov poll (November 2024) Support for under-16 social media ban soars to 77% among Australians https://au.yougov.com/politics/articles/51000-support-for-under-16-social-media-ban-soars-to-77-among-australians Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmede. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Australia passed its world-first law setting a minimum age for social media, the headlines were global - but the experts were divided. In this Tech Mirror mini-series, we unpack the harms the law seeks to prevent, trace how young people’s use of social media became a flashpoint in the lead-up to the 2025 Federal Election, and explain what the legislation actually requires of social media platforms. We demystify what will happen when the law comes into force on 10 December, and explore what needs to happen next - as Australian (rightly) start to demand more from tech companies and from our politicians. Across five episodes, Tech Policy Design Institute Executive Director Johanna Weaver speaks with the people directly involved in Australia’s world first online safety experiment - from psychologists and policymakers to reporters and regulators - including Julie Inman Grant, Professor Jonathan Haidt, Dr Danielle Einstein, Professor Amanda Third, Carly Kind, Cam Wilson, Minh Hoang, Lizzie O’Shea, Andrew Hammond, and Gina Cass-Gottlieb. Listen to the trailer now and subscribe for the full series wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute.Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft.Research by Amy Denmede.Original music by Thalia Skopellos.Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Whittmann. Links Tech Policy Design Institute: https://techpolicy.au/podcast Follow us on LinkedIn: Tech Policy Design Institute See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Center for Humane Technology, Casey Mock joins Johanna for a discussion on incentives for building safer and more humane technology. Casey and Johanna discuss designing platforms for people and not just profit, how to realign incentives in tech using the well-established concept of legal liability, what to expect from a Trump administration in regards to tech policy, creative ways to overcome legal logjams, and how – contrary to popular belief – clear liability legislation empowers innovation. They also explore Australia’s under 16 social media ban, different approaches globally to tackle similar issues, and Australia’s reputation internationally on tech legislation. Key Links: Check out the Centre for Humane Technology’s ‘Framework for Incentivizing Responsible Artificial Intelligence Development and Use’ here: https://www.humanetech.com/insights/framework-for-incentivizing-responsible-artificial-intelligence Connect with Casey Mock on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseymock/ Keep up to date with the Tech Policy Design Centre:https://techpolicydesign.au/news-and-events df38c0e88ec90c97b48702fba836c2d8350d141eSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Angie Abdilla, Professor and the ANU School of Cybernetics, founder of Old Ways, New, and co-author of the Indigenous Protocols for Artificial Intelligence, joins Johanna for an exploration of Indigenous Knowledge and the lessons we can all draw from it. Angie and Johanna talk about the value of viewing technology, science, and engineering through a non-western worldview, Indigenous Knowledge systems and Deep Time technologies, Country Centred Design Practices, the Closing the Gap reforms and how they relate to Indigenous data sovereignty, and some of Angie’s recent projects around AI They explore the similarities between well managed AI and Indigenous Knowledge systems with their shared focus on trust, transparency, responsibility, and best practices. Read Out of the Black Box: Indigenous Protocols for AI: https://www.anat.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Out-of-the-Black-Box_Indigenous-protocols-for-AI.pdf Find your nearest display of Meditation on Country: https://isea2024.isea-international.org/meditation-on-country/ Old Ways, New: https://www.oldwaysnew.com/ Tech Policy Design Centre: https://techpolicydesign.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Taiwan’s inaugural Digital Minister, Audrey Tang, and author and founder of RadicalxChange Glen Weyl, join Johanna for an in-depth conversation on utilising technology to reduce division,improve governance, and regulate and the speed of innovation Audrey and Glen share their inspiring stories of grass-roots political action turned tech revolution and speak about Australia’s unique democratic inventiveness, their experiences unifying groups of people through new types of social media, opposing foreign state actors, prebunking misinformation, building bridges between diverse political positions, and making democracy quicker and more representative - all while keeping pace with rapid technological development. They share their thoughts on the future of AI, open source vs closed source, accountability, steerability, and explainability, and the value of developing technology as public infrastructure. Read Plurality: The Future of Collaborative Technology and Democracy here: https://www.plurality.net/ Connect with RadicalxChange: https://www.radicalxchange.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Brendan Dowling Australia's Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology is Johanna's guest for this episode of Tech Mirror. Join them as they unravel the complexities of cyber diplomacy and Australia’s role in shaping tech policy on the global stage. The pair explore the intricacies of international tech alliances, the challenges, and motivations of attributing cyber threats—including Australia's recently attribution of APT40 to China—and the impact of recent cyber sanctions against Russian citizens. They also discuss the implications of the CrowdStrike global tech outage, including what it might mean for the future of regulation of enterprise software. They discuss the importance of public-private partnerships, and Australia's regional efforts in cyber capacity building. Attribution of APT40: https://www.cyber.gov.au/about-us/view-all-content/alerts-and-advisories/apt40-advisory-prc-mss-tradecraft-in-action Cyber Sanctions Against Russia: https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/cyber-sanction-imposed-russian-citizen-ransomware-activity Australia Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program: https://www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/themes/cyber-affairs-and-critical-technologyinternational-cyber-and-critical-technology-capacity-buildingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carly Kind assumed her role as Privacy Commissioner in February this year. In this episode of Tech Mirror, Commissioner Kind and Johanna traverse: what motivated Carly to accept the role (hint: it’s an exciting time in privacy in Australia) how the reinstated role of Privacy Commissioner works within the broader Office of Australia Information Commissioner (OAIC) Carly’s hopes for the privacy reform package to be introduced in parliament in August the role of OAIC as privacy regulator of Digital Identify the importance of protecting biometric data, including facial recognition the process and outcome of OAIC’s TicToc inquiry, and Carly’s ongoing concerns about pixel tracking privacy and Artificial Intelligence (of course); and the importance of privacy rights as a check and balance on power. Links: Tech Policy Atlas: https://techpolicydesign.au/tech-policy-atlas Research: Cultivating Coordination: https://techpolicydesign.au/report-tending-the-tech-ecosystem See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Frances Haugen came to the world’s attention in 2021 as a whistle-blower, after filing a series of complaints about Facebook (now Meta) with the U.S. Federal Government about the harms caused by their business practices. She now works to champion accountability, transparency, and driving social media for the common good. In this new episode of Tech Mirror, TPDC Director Professor Johanna Weaver and Frances Haugen cover a lot of ground discussing topics including: - the importance of whistle-blower protections - recognising linguistic diversity in online safety - the power of collective action, amongst both communities and middle powers like Canada and Australia - mechanisms of transparency - building independent ecosystems of accountability - elections, democracy and disinformation - artificial intelligence and the limits of nuclear analogies - AND what it takes to change the world Relevant Links: Frances Haugen https://www.franceshaugen.com/ Beyond the Screen https://www.beyondthescreen.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a special episode of Tech Mirror on the imperative to protect civilians from digital threats during war. Johanna is in conversation with Dr. Cordula Droege, Chief Legal Officer and Head of the legal division of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Dr. Tilman Rodenhäuser, Thematic Legal Adviser at the ICRC. The trio discuss the work of a high-level ICRC Advisory Board, which was convened by the ICRC to develop concrete recommendations on the legal and policy challenges to protect civilians from digital threats during armed conflict. The trio also discuss the influential blog post, co-authored by Rodenhäuser, on the rules for ‘civilian hackers’ during war - and the fascinating responses the post generated from hacktivist groups and states. Relevant Links: Final report from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). 'Global Advisory Board on digital threats during conflict 2023' https://www.icrc.org/en/document/global-advisory-board-digital-threats The Geneva Conventions and their commentaries via the ICRC https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions 8 rules for “civilian hackers” during war, and 4 obligations for states to restrain them, by Tilman Rodenhäuser and Mauro Vignati, via the Humanitarian Law & Policy, hosted by the ICRC https://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2023/10/04/8-rules-civilian-hackers-war-4-obligations-states-restrain-them/ ‘Governments and hackers agree: the laws of war must apply in cyberspace’, by Johanna Weaver, via The Conversation https://theconversation.com/governments-and-hackers-agree-the-laws-of-war-must-apply-in-cyberspace-216202 ‘Frankissstein’, by Jeanette Winterson (2019) https://www.penguin.com.au/books/frankissstein-9781784709952 ‘Machines Like Me’, by Ian McEwan (2019) https://www.penguin.com.au/books/machines-like-me-9781473568020 ‘Offensive Cyber Operations: Understanding Intangible Warfare’, by Daniel Moore (2022) https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/offensive-cyber-operations/ Cyber Law Toolkit https://cyberlaw.ccdcoe.org/wiki/Main_Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Curious about the future of privacy in Australia? Join us as we delve into the world of privacy regulation in Australia. Our expert panel shares their thoughts on the Government’s response to the Privacy Act Review Report. It’s a follow-up to episode #22 ‘Privacy is Not Dead’. Returning guest Anna Johnston, founder and Principal of Salinger Privacy, is joined by Ryan Black, Head of Policy for the Tech Council of Australia, and Kate Bower, a fellow at the UTS Human Technology Institute, currently on sabbatical from CHOICE as Consumer Data Advocate. The panel discuss: - highlights and gaps in the Government’s response - the definition of ‘personal information’ - the future of the small business and political exemptions - legitimate business interests, fair and reasonable use tests, and best interest duties - interoperability with international privacy frameworks - privacy and artificial intelligence - the urgency of reform - what happens next Relevant Links: Salinger Privacy blog, including Anna Johnston’s 2015 article about the need to reform the definition of personal information https://www.salingerprivacy.com.au/2015/04/19/bradley-coopers-taxi-ride-a-lesson-in-privacy-risk/ Arvind Narayanan’s “No Silver Bullet “ paper about de-identification http://randomwalker.info/publications/no-silver-bullet-de-identification.pdf Arvind Narayanan’s AI Snake Oil Substack https://www.aisnakeoil.com This Week in Digital Trust podcast, latest episode featuring an interview with Johanna https://elevenm.com.au/podcast/episode/86-johanna-weaver-the-future-of-tech-policy/ The Future of Privacy Forum https://fpf.org/ UTS Human Technology Institute’s State of AI Governance report https://www.uts.edu.au/human-technology-institute/news/report-launch-state-ai-governance-australia DP-REG joint submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) consultation on the ‘Safe and responsible AI in Australia’ Discussion Paper https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/media/media-updates/digital-platform-regulators-make-joint-submission-on-ai US Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence | The White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/30/executive-order-on-the-safe-secure-and-trustworthy-development-and-use-of-artificial-intelligence/ UK’s consultation on a Pro-Innovation Approach to AI - A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation - amended (web-ready PDF) (publishing.service.gov.uk) The Bletchley Declaration by Countries Attending the AI Safety Summit (November 2023) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-safety-summit-2023-the-bletchley-declaration/the-bletchley-declaration-by-countries-attending-the-ai-safety-summit-1-2-november-2023 China Global AI Governance Initiative: http://gd.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zxhd_1/202310/t20231024_11167412.htm See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever wish you could sit down with a real-deal AI technologist and ask them what’s on earth is going on? In this double-episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna chats with Bill Simpson Young and Tiberio Cataneo, CEO and Chief Scientist at Gradient Institute. This independent, non-profit research institute works to build safety, ethics, accountability and transparency into AI systems. In Part One of this wide-ranging conversation, the trio: - define key terms like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, Frontier vs Foundation AI, Narrow vs General AI - chat about Bill’s biggest bugbear - talk about why Bill and Tiberio both signed the Pause Letter and - discuss if it is even possible to regulate Artificial intelligence (spoiler alert: it is) - and consider how liability could be used to incentivise improved AI safety. In Part Two, they discuss: - the benefits and perils of open-source AI models - the possibility of securing an international agreement on AI safety, US and China dynamics and the opportunity for Australian leadership - the practical work that Gradient is doing to facilitate the technical implementation of ethical AI frameworks to address AI harms today. Links - Gradient Institute: https://www.gradientinstitute.org/ - Australian Government Paper and call for submission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence: https://consult.industry.gov.au/supporting-responsible-ai - Gradient’s Submission on Responsible AI: https://www.gradientinstitute.org/posts/disr-safe-responsible-ai-submission/ - The Pause Letter: https://futureoflife.org/open-letter/pause-giant-ai-experiments/ - UK AI Safety Summit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-safety-summit-introduction - The Future of Life Institute’s recommendations for the UK AI Safety Summit: https://futureoflife.org/project/uk-ai-safety-summit/ - Gradient and National AI Centre: Implementing Australia’s AI Ethics Principles: https://www.gradientinstitute.org/posts/csiro-gradient-new-report/ - The Coming Wave: Technology, Power and the Twenty-first Century’s greatest dilemma: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/90590134See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever wish you could sit down with a real-deal AI technologist and ask them what’s on earth is going on? In this double-episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna chats with Bill Simpson Young and Tiberio Cataneo, CEO and Chief Scientist at Gradient Institute. This independent, non-profit research institute works to build safety, ethics, accountability and transparency into AI systems. In Part One of this wide-ranging conversation, the trio: - define key terms like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, Frontier vs Foundation AI, Narrow vs General AI - chat about Bill’s biggest bugbear - talk about why Bill and Tiberio both signed the Pause Letter and - discuss if it is even possible to regulate Artificial intelligence (spoiler alert: it is) - and consider how liability could be used to incentivise improved AI safety. In Part Two, they discuss: - the benefits and perils of open-source AI models - the possibility of securing an international agreement on AI safety, US and China dynamics and the opportunity for Australian leadership - the practical work that Gradient is doing to facilitate the technical implementation of ethical AI frameworks to address AI harms today. Links - Gradient Institute: https://www.gradientinstitute.org/ - Australian Government Paper and call for submission on Responsible Artificial Intelligence: https://consult.industry.gov.au/supporting-responsible-ai - Gradient’s Submission on Responsible AI: https://www.gradientinstitute.org/posts/disr-safe-responsible-ai-submission/ - The Pause Letter: https://futureoflife.org/open-letter/pause-giant-ai-experiments/ - UK AI Safety Summit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-safety-summit-introduction - The Future of Life Institute’s recommendations for the UK AI Safety Summit: https://futureoflife.org/project/uk-ai-safety-summit/ - Gradient and National AI Centre: Implementing Australia’s AI Ethics Principles: https://www.gradientinstitute.org/posts/csiro-gradient-new-report/ - The Coming Wave: Technology, Power and the Twenty-first Century’s greatest dilemma: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/90590134See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this joint episode of Tech Mirror and the National Security Podcast, Anu Bradford and Johanna Weaver join Jennifer Jackett to discuss the global impact of technological advances, the challenges and opportunities they bring, and the evolving landscape of tech regulation. Anu Bradford is a Henry L. Moses Professor of Law and International Organization at the Columbia Law School. She is also the author of ‘Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology’. Jennifer Jackett is a Sir Roland Wilson Scholar at the ANU National Security College. Professor Johanna Weaver is host of Tech Mirror, the founding Director of the Tech Policy Design Centre (TPDC) at the Australian National University and a regular guest lecturer at the ANU National Security College. Links: ANU National Security College academic programs: find out more National Security Podcast: find out more Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology by Anu Bradford 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy: find out more Quad Tech Network: an address by the Hon Clare O’Neil MP: watch the video See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re excited to announce that the Tech Mirror Podcast will be returning to its regular scheduling very soon - we’re cooking up a great season with an all-star line-up of guests, so stay tuned! In the interim, here’s a quick update on what TPDC has been doing for the past few months. In particular, we’re especially excited to tell you about our brand new education program aimed at upskilling existing tech policy professionals and establishing a career pathway into the field. As part of the program’s co-design process, we’re asking you, our listeners, for your input. Whether you’re an expert in tech policy or aspiring to become one, your insights will be invaluable in shaping our curriculum. Please take a listen, get involved and follow the link below to complete the questionnaire! Relevant Link: Tech Policy Education Program Design Survey: https://anu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5B90gNHjniuhCiaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Recorded on location in the margins of NetThing and the Asia Pacific Internet Governance Forum. Johanna, and guest co-host Tanvi Nair, canvass how the internet actually works, and what the internet of the future might look like, with a stella line up of guests, including: Jordan Carter, Head of Policy at au.DA Senator Jana Stewart, Senator for Victoria Brendan Dowling, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology Alex Caples, Director of Cyber Tech and Security at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Jenna Fung and Luke Teoh, representatives of the Youth Internet Governance Forum Pablo from Asia Pacific Network Information Centre. Relevant Links: NetThing: https://netthing.org.au/ Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum: https://www.aprigf.au/ AuDA Internet Governance Roadmap: https://www.auda.org.au/about-auda/internet-governance-and-public-policy/audas-internet-governance-roadmap-2023-2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johanna speaks with Alice Dawkins, Executive Director of Reset.Tech Australia, an independent, non-partisan policy initiative wrestling with questions about online harms & safety, digital information markets, democracy and tech accountability. In a wide-ranging conversation, the pair discuss topics including: Alice’s experience in Myanmar working with public interest lawyers involved in that country’s pro-democracy movement Reset’s research on young people and privacy online in Australia Social media platform monitoring during the Voice referendum campaign Truth in political advertising The federal government’s plans to introduce new laws to provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with powers to combat online misinformation and disinformation The limitation of co-regulatory approaches to tech policymaking Tech exceptionalism and accountability The importance of securing access to platform data for researchers and civil society experts Relevant Links: Reset.Tech Australia https://au.reset.tech/ Reset’s report on Young People and Online Privacy https://au.reset.tech/news/report-realising-young-people-s-rights-in-the-digital-environment/ Exposure draft of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/communications-legislation-amendment-combatting-misinformation-and-disinformation-bill-2023 John Naughton’s columns (professor of the public understanding of technology at the Open University and author of From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: What You Really Need to Know About the Internet) https://www.theguardian.com/profile/johnnaughton Logic(s) magazine https://logicmag.io/ Follow: Alice Dawkins Twitter https://twitter.com/adawko Alice Dawkins Linkedin https://au.linkedin.com/in/alicedawkinsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johanna speaks with Evelyn Douek, assistant Professor at Stanford Law School (and former corporate lawyer in Australia), about the public and private regulation of speech online. The pair discusses: the private and public regulation of speech online why 'everything is content moderation' and what it might mean to take a systems thinking approach the importance of platform transparency the history, significance, and politics of Section 230 institutional competence and the role of courts the state of trust and safety the value of a functioning parliament and the differences between Australia and the U.S. in making tech policy At 21:11, Johanna refers to the Foreign Interference Committee. For clarification, this reference was made in relation to the Big Tech Inquiry of the Senate Economics References Committee, chaired by Senator Bragg (colloquially referred to as the social media foreign interference committee). This is not to be confused with the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, chaired by Senator Paterson. Relevant Links: Evelyn Douek: https://www.evelyndouek.com/ Moderated Content podcast: https://law.stanford.edu/directory/evelyn-douek/moderated-content/ Content Moderation as Systems Thinking, by Evelyn Douek, Harvard Law Review: https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-136/content-moderation-as-systems-thinking/ Casey Newton’s Platformer newsletter: https://www.platformer.news/ The Washington Post’s technology newsletter: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-202-newsletters/the-technology-202/ Rest of World: https://restofworld.org/ Follow: Evelyn Douek on Twitter: @evelyndouek Stanford Law School on Twitter: @StanfordLaw Stanford Law School on LinkedIn: Stanford Law School (SLS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode Johanna speaks with author and journalist Tracey Spicer about her new book, Man-made: how the bias of the past is being built into the future. The book explores the history of discrimination in technology and the importance of diversity and inclusion in today's tech ecosystem. Spicer makes a case for a new social contract, one that would see people holding the power over machines. Relevant Links: Tracey Spicer website: https://traceyspicer.com.au/ Tracey Spicer new book, Man-made: https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Man-Made/Tracey-Spicer/9781761106378 Dr. Joy Buolamwini: https://www.poetofcode.com/ Dr. Joy Buolamwini TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/joy_buolamwini_how_i_m_fighting_bias_in_algorithms Algorithmic Justice League: https://www.ajl.org/ Coded Bias, Netflix documentary: https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81328723 Professor Yolande Strengers: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/yolande-strengers Follow: Tracey Spicer on Twitter: @TraceySpicer Tracey Spicer on LinkedIn: Tracey Spicer AM GAICD Dr. Joy Buolamwini on Twitter: @jovialjoy Yolande Strengers on Twitter: @YolandeStrengSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.