AI is transforming our world at rapid speed, raising urgent questions about who benefits, who loses, and how we keep control of the future. 

Panellists from the Burning Platforms podcast and guests, explore the promises and pitfalls of AI - and what’s at stake for all Australians.

Panellists include:

While the boosters of AI are rushing to transform the world, citizens are being left in the slipstream, with little chance to influence how this new technology takes shape.

AI systems are built by harvesting the ideas and creations of others, often without consent, and are already eroding jobs and reshaping culture on the promise of future productivity.

As the Luddites taught us, the way we adopt technology will be critical to whether it improves people’s lives or cuts a swathe through jobs for the benefit of the few.

Many Australians perceive more risk than upside in this new technology, so why is it being pushed so hard, with so few guardrails or controls in place?

This event is hosted by Digital Rights Watch with support from The Minderoo Foundation.

Is the rise of AI inevitable or just the latest cycle of hype for a sector that thrives on the vibes? The author of “Resisting AI’, Professor Dan McQuillan, joins the show to argue for a more fundamental response to Big Tech.

Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:

the launch of AI’s new Sora video product

the push to sell advertising inside GPTs

and how consultants are embracing work slop

Join us for our live shows in capital cities around Australia

Adelaide: https://shorturl.at/ojQRX

Perth: events.humanitix.com/democracy-perth

Brisbane: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane

Sydney: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney

Melbourne events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

The co-author of ‘Conspiracy Nation’ takes us on his journey into the world of anti-vaxxers, wellness influencers and sovereign citizens.

Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:

The call for AI Red Lines

The rise of Work Slop

And Murdoch’s Tik-Tok play.

In October we will beholding a series of live shows in capital cities and would love you to come along.

Adelaide: https://shorturl.at/ojQRX

Perth: events.humanitix.com/democracy-perth

Brisbane: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane

Sydney: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney

Melbourne: events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

The tech industry is pitching data mining and new infrastructure as the key to national prosperity. But will it deliver? And if so, for whom?

Tech Council of Australia CEO, Damian Kassabgi joins regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis for the latest episode of Burning Platforms.

The show also covers:

fresh concerns over age verification

the creepy rise of intimate AI companions

And Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa’s address to the National Press Club

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

“I’m concerned that AI and big tech – well, big tech with AI – has gone into a full-court press… particularly on the federal system...I’m concerned that without thinking it through clearly enough, policy makers won’t essentially subject the slogans to sufficient scrutiny.”

This week on Burning Platforms, we recorded our special briefing for cultural creators and those who value their work to discuss Big Tech’s push to mine our culture.

Our panel discusses:

How AI large language models have been built on the theft of the work of musicians, writers journalists and artists.

What the productivity Commission’s proposal to give AI companies a ‘right to mine data’ will do to Australian performers

How creatives and citizens can resist the attacks from AI

Featuring:

AI expert and author Professor Toby Walsh

Midnight Oil front man Peter Garrett

Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea

Australian Writers Guild CEO Claire Pullen

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

New Federal industry and science minister Tim Ayres shares his take on industry policy, AI's opportunities and risks, and how we could steer through the latest wave of tech change.

With regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

The Large Language Models are powered by stolen data but there are new and innovative ways to make the thieves pay. Professor Toby Walsh explains the tech-driven resistance to Big AI from data poisoning to responsible cloud computing.

With panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Editor of the Sizzle Cam Wilson, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis we also discuss:

Qantas’ big data hack

Victoria’s foray into AI policing

and how Velvet Sunset’s fake music is bringing tears to Peter’s eyes

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

"I thought old people got scammed. And actually young people are at greater risk because they have more confidence in dealing [with things] online."

This week on Burning Platforms, the team learns how the financial scam industry has become an enthusiastic early adapter of AI and how the banks are working around the clock to ensure they aren’t the ones liable for the ensuing harm. 

With our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair, Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, who are joined by co-founder of Scams Victims Alliance, Alex Brooks. 

To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit. (https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome)

For more about Scams Victims Alliance go to: https://scamvictimalliance.org.au/