What Happens Next?

Public opinions and attitudes shift, but the internet is forever.

In recent years, we’ve seen example after example of entertainers and comedians “cancelled” by pop culture for old tweets and bad behaviour, even if the artist themselves have evolved. 

In an all-new series of ‘What Happens Next?’, an all-star lineup of comedians discuss the future of comedy with host Dr Susan Carland. Comedy holds a mirror up to society, but what happens when society doesn’t like what it sees? Where’s the line between humour and offence? And is it really a comedian’s job to represent an entire group of people and to wake audiences up with powerful emotional breakthroughs – or is it just to make you laugh?

Our guests this episode are comedians Nazeem Hussain, Michael Shafar, Peter Helliar, Prue Blake, and Monash Faculty of Arts historian Dr Tony Moore.

* Language Warning

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If humans are the ones programming artificial intelligence, are we stuck with the human biases that inadvertently work their way into AI systems? Our guests today don’t think so.

AI is undoubtedly playing a beneficial role in society, helping us respond more effectively to medical emergencies, improving surgical procedures, and even making our buildings smarter.

There are already methods in place ensuring that society can hold AI and its designers accountable. Established ethics committees have been joined by new legislation and increasing awareness among policy-makers.

Accessible courses and casual data science meetups enable any of us to join the conversation and help shape emerging technologies, the data they use, and how they use it. As we work towards a more ethical society, we can ensure our AI is ethical, too.

Dr Susan Carland is again joined by communications and media studies expert Professor Mark Andrejevic, human-computer interaction scholar Yolande Strengers, Monash University Interim Dean of Information Technology Ann Nicholson, and Microsoft Australia’s former chief digital advisor, Rita Arrigo.

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Humans have long dreamed of artificial intelligence and smart machines that can help us make better decisions or even just cut down on our own chores. What was once a sci fi fantasy is now a reality – AI is an increasing presence in our day-to-day lives.

But AI is built by humans, and its algorithms are sometimes guided by very human biases. The more we rely on automated decision making, the more often we see examples of AI being sexist, racist or exhibiting other forms of prejudice.

How did assumptions and biases find their way into machines? Is AI helping or hurting our progress towards social equality? How do we hold technology designers accountable for their creations? And can we address these issues without overcorrecting into social engineering?

In the first ‘What Happens Next?‘ episode on bias in AI, Dr Susan Carland speaks with Communications and Media Studies Professor Mark Andrejevic, human-computer interaction scholar Yolande Strengers, Monash University Information Technology Interim Dean Ann Nicholson, and former Chief Digital Advisor at Microsoft Australia Rita Arrigo.

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The last episode of What Happens Next? explained what we learned from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADC) inquiry, why Indigenous incarceration rates remained so high in Australia, and its impacts on our society.

What needs to happen to shift the needle in this complex issue?

In this episode, Dr Susan Carland talks again with Monash University pro vice-chancellor (Indigenous) and head of its William Cooper Institute, Jacinta Elston; criminologist Kate Burns; and Meena Singh, legal director of the Human Rights Law Centre. 

These experts uncover some of the policies and initiatives needed for change to happen, and the role of localised actions as part of the solution.

‘With the last 30 years, they have been telling us, the community, what needs to be done to address this issue. So we need to be actually listening.’ Dr Kate Burns

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More than 30 years ago, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADC) was set up to investigate black deaths in custody, but in those three decades, very little has changed. Although the recommendations in the report continue to influence Australian social and criminal justice policy, many of the commission’s 339 recommendations have yet to be implemented.

Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are incarcerated at 13 times the rate of non-Indigenous people. Since the RCIADC, nearly 500 Indigenous people have died in police custody.

In this episode of ‘What Happens Next?’, host Dr Susan Carland is joined by Monash University pro vice-chancellor (Indigenous) and head of its William Cooper Institute, Jacinta Elston; criminologist Kate Burns; and Meena Singh, legal director of the Human Rights Law Centre.

These experts explain what we learned from the RCIADC inquiry, and why Indigenous incarceration rates remain so high in Australia. We’ll also learn what society could look like if we fail to re-imagine our policing and justice systems.

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Last week’s episode of ‘What Happens Next?’ investigated the downsides of hustle culture – the pervasive idea that the only way to earn respect is by using every minute of the day to be productive. This attitude, embraced by LinkedIn influencers and productivity gurus, has far-reaching consequences, affecting us physiologically, psychologically, and even spiritually.

But hustle culture’s not all bad. Some of today’s greatest success stories arose from humanity’s inherent drive to achieve. How can we ensure we’re dedicating our time and energy to the things that matter most? And what can we do to keep burnout at bay?

In today’s episode, host Dr Susan Carland sits down again with Behavioural Psychologist Joshua Wiley, Associate Professor of Management and Accounting Carly Moulang, Philosopher Jakob Hohwy, and comedian and broadcaster Meshel Laurie to take a second look at the daily grind.

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Productivity hacks and optimisation have long been buzzwords of success. Start-up founders and LinkedIn gurus are encouraging us to have side hustles rather than hobbies, telling a generation of young workers that a 24/7 work ethic is the way to achieve their dreams.

Why are we so down on downtime? Is being busy the same thing as being productive? And what happens to our brains, bodies, and social lives if we keep measuring ourselves by our output? Are we hustling ourselves to death?

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Welcome to the final instalment of our topic on the culture of Sport. Richmond Football Club CEO Brendon Gale has a unique perspective on the culture of sport. He's been a player, head of the Players Association and now a member of the executive. He talks to host Susan Carland about how the game's culture has changed, and the work clubs like his are doing to try and drive change.  We’ve also gathered the very best nuggets of wisdom from all our experts to help individuals take action and get involved.

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In this episode of the What Happens Next podcast, we look at what’s happening to change the culture in elite sport and find out why calling out sexist, racist and homophobic language is helping tackle the toxicity.

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Sport keeps hitting the headlines for what happens off the field. Experts in sport, gender and media Brett Hutchins and Ruth Jeanes explain why we idolise sporting legends, and why we’re often let down. 

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