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4.8 • 1.1K Ratings
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Download This Show is your weekly guide to the world of media, culture, and technology. From social media to gadgets, streaming services to privacy issues. Each week Marc Fennell and a team of people far smarter than him (his words, not ours) take a fun deep dive into how technology is reshaping our lives.
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Big tech call for AI regulation
Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and other big names in tech have joined a US Senate hearing to call for better regulation of AI, but they're divided on how to get there.
And Apple wants to know how you feel as part of a software update - but who does it really benefit? Meanwhile supermarket giants are increasing surveillance measures and NASA has released its UFO report.
Jack Ryan, ABC Science and Technology Reporter and Asha Barbaschow, Gizmodo Australia Editor join Rae Johnston on Download This Show. -
What's behind the EV gender gap?
In world leading regulation, AI generated child-abuse material will be removed from search results in Australia.
And new research has found a new gender-gap, this time in Electric Vehicle sales. Meanwhile, YouTube is verifying health workers in the UK and why you should update your phone right now.
Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, Future Transport Reporter at AAP and Alex Kidman, Freelance tech journalist and cohost of Vertical Hold join Rae Johnston on Download This Show. -
Netflix moves into gaming
Netflix has continued its transition into the gaming space. So is this the next frontier for the streaming giant?
And AI has defeated world champion drone pilots, while the Government has delayed trialling 'porn passports' for Australians.
Sarah Moran, co-founder and CEO of Girl Geek Academy and Jaimyn Mayer, software engineer and founder of Brisbane Makerspace join Rae Johnston on Download This Show. -
Big Tech crackdown
The EU is introducing sweeping new regulations for big tech, so could we see a similar crackdown in Australia?
And researchers have used AI to grow more 'sustainable' plants, resistant to climate change and pests. Meanwhile, streaming giant Netflix has finally killed of its legacy DVD rental service.
Josh Taylor, reporter at The Guardian and Natasha Gillezeau, editor and product lead at Missing Perspectives join Rae Johnston on Download This Show -
'Sleep-influencers' and the end of NFTs?
"Sleep-influencers" are literally making money in their sleep, by streaming themselves while they doze. But is there a darker-side to the practice?
Meanwhile new AI powered technology means 7/eleven customers will soon be able to skip the check-out entirely. And large NFT marketplace will stop collecting mandatory resale fees for artists.
Dan Van Boom, Technology Correspondent at Capital Brief and Dr Erica Mealy, Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast join Rae Johnston on Download This Show. -
Are robots taking over?
Amazon is sending a fleet of Robots to a warehouse in Melbourne, while robotaxis are set to operate 24/7 in San Francisco. So, what are the risks and the potential benefits of replacing humans with robots?
And IBM has released a prototype "brain-like" chip that promises to be more energy efficient. So, if it lives up to its claims could it make operating AI and big data-centres more environmentally friendly?
Meg Coffey, Digital Strategist and Managing Director of Coffey and Tea and Alice Clarke, award winning freelance journalist and game reviewer join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.
Customer Reviews
I look forward to this every week
Marc asked for reviews so here I am, against my will, possibly due to the chip Elon just implanted in my brain. But it’s FDA approved, so don’t worry.
Love Marc, love the topics, love the guests. It gets deep enough to be informative but is still easy to digest. I appreciate that it delves into the ethics and philosophical issues behind tech. The conversational approach keeps me company while I’m working / cleaning / knitting a jumper for my Alexa because she’s cold.
Thanks for a great podcast.
You need more technical people if you want to review AI
In a number of recent shows you have made apples vs oranges comparisons about the capabilities of AI.
This week, the drone racing example, the comparison of an AI getting a digital GPS coordinate to allow it to fly a drone is no way comparable to a human looking at screens and physical objects and manipulating a physical controller device. Unfair competition. If the AI was “better than humans” it would have only the same inputs as the humans have.
Keith Duddy
Download this show
Great show, informative and amusing but sometimes a bit too technical for me 😵💫