ABC News Daily

Could artificial intelligence be key to improving Australia’s living standards?

A Productivity Commission report suggests the roll out of the technology could inject more than a hundred billion dollars into the economy over the next decade. 

But there’s a catch. If AI can take over from workers on some tasks, are swathes of humans set to lose their jobs? 

Today, Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales, on whether it's time for the government to step in. 

First published 1 September, 2025

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Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at UNSW.ai, the AI Institute of University of New South Wales Sydney

In the month of April, China installed more solar power than Australia ever has. 

China is also now home to half of the world’s wind power and half of the world’s electric cars.

Despite this, China remains the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.

So, is it a climate hero or villain and how has the Chinese Communist Party managed to roll out green energy tech so quickly?

Today, climate reporter Jo Lauder on why China is becoming the world’s first ‘electrostate’. 

First published 18 August, 2025

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Jo Lauder, ABC climate reporter

Why have so many hand car wash services replaced automatic machines?

It has to do with immigration policies and there are implications for Australia’s productivity which is among the worst in the developed world. 

Economists insist boosting productivity is the only way to improve our living standards, but could delivering higher wages first actually help to fix the problem?

Today, chief business correspondent Ian Verrender on the key factors left off the agenda at the economic round table in Canberra - population and property. 

First published 21 August, 2025

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Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent

It was a decision driven by spite for Sydney man Peter Anderson. 

He was determined to buy a solar battery for his home so he could take money away from the big power companies, while never receiving a hefty power bill again. 

But his plan came unstuck after agreeing to participate in a so-called virtual power plant. 

Today, energy reporter David Mercer on Peter’s dilemma, how giving back to the grid really works and whether it’s worth it. 

First published 26 May, 2025

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Dan Mercer, ABC energy reporter

Sarah Ferguson's interviews illuminate the biggest issues of our times and reveal insights from the most interesting people in public life.

How did she stop US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee from "flooding the zone" when grilling him on US support for Israel's war in Gaza? What did she learn about compassion in politics when speaking with New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern? 

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Sarah Ferguson, host of ABC's 7.30 program, shares her insights from her big name interviews.

Some stories are best told first-hand by those at the centre of the action. 

It's how the ABC's Australian Story has brought us so many compelling personal narratives and it's a format that's captivated the program's host Leigh Sales.

So which episodes stick in her mind? There's a dramatic rescue on the Franklin River, the widows who found love again, Jelena Dokic's family anguish and the adventures of missing sausage dog, Valerie. 

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Leigh Sales on the tales she can't forget.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this conversation included a reference to a past episode of Australian Story about football coach Wayne Bennett and his son’s disability. In the 2018 Australian Story episode Trish Bennett says her son Justin suffered brain damage after a triple-antigen vaccine caused seizures. 

The US President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with colourful and controversial characters. 

From Steve Witkoff, who once bought Trump a sandwich and is now taking the lead on peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, to Howard Lutnick, the tariff tsar.

How did they secure their key roles and what effect are they having on the policies of the most powerful nation on Earth?

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Matt Bevan, host of the ABC's If You’re Listening podcast, on the cast of characters in Donald Trump’s orbit.

ABC foreign correspondent Stephanie March has explored the tensions between elephant tourism in Botswana and the destruction the creatures bring to local communities. 

She's brought us a glimpse of Gaza, where children live in tents and she's walked the streets of Georgia, as fears grow about the influence of Russia and a slide towards autocracy. 

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from 2025.

Today, Stephanie March from the ABC’s Foreign Correspondent program on her heart warming and heart breaking global stories.

The continuing rise of artificial intelligence was one of the big stories of 2025. But how long until humanoid robots, with an AI brain, step into the limelight and take our jobs?

This week, Sam Hawley is joined by ABC presenters and journalists to discuss their best stories and interviews from the past year. 

Today, ABC finance presenter and commentator, Alan Kohler, looks at Elon Musk's robot ambitions, how robots could be the new slaves, and what it could mean for all of us.

Do we need a Universal Basic Income, can we tax robot and AI companies to pay for it and why professional sports player may be one job that's safe for a while yet. 

What actually works to prevent terrorist attacks and is Australia up to challenge in a complex threat environment?

The Prime Minister says new laws to tackle antisemitism will include powers to deport so-called hate preachers and a new criminal charge for those advocating "racial supremacy".

He’s also been pressured into adopting in-full the recommendations from the Special Envoy's Plan to Combat Antisemitism.

Today, the Lowy Institute's Lydia Khalil on how to stop the next terror attack.

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Lydia Khalil, extremism and counter terrorism expert and the director of the transnational challenges program at the Lowy Institute