Think: Digital Futures

2SER 107.3

Each episode explores how today’s technology is transforming tomorrow — from our biology, habits, relationships, spaces to our place in the universe.

  1. 14/03/2023

    Would you make love to a robot?

    Techno-sexuality. Digi-sexuality. I-dollatry and Robophilia are new sexualities made possible by technology. So who is behind these identities? And what’s the attraction?   Featuring Dr Belinda Middleweek, Senior Lecturer in Journalism in the School of Communications at University of Technology Sydney   Music from Epidemic Sound   Produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

    27 min

  2. 27/01/2023

    Musical Robots

    Ya like robo-jazz? Featured:   Dr. Richard Savery: Macquarie University Research Fellow (MQRF), Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong Music: Shimon Aarhus perf. Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and Shimon (provided by Dr. Richard Savery) Faster Does It Kevin McLeod   As AI becomes more advanced and nuanced, it is inevitable that we see it entering the arts. After my conversation with Dr. Sara Oscar, I was curious to descend further down the rabbit hole of artificial creativity. Being a musician, there was no better way to challenge my beliefs of what is or isn't "music" than by exploring robot musicians. But it isn't just techno sounds and glitch, Dr. Richard Savery's robot musician Shimon can rap, sing, and play the marimba in a band.

    15 min

  3. 20/01/2023

    The comeback of stem cells: why this time, they might work.

    For decades, stem cells have been the technology that’s just around the corner. The medicine that would fix just about part of the body. But stem cell injections haven’t delivered on their advertised potential. Now, thanks to ingenuity and machine learning, they'll have a shot. Featuring Dr Jiao Jiao Li, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney Produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

    16 min

  4. 23/12/2022

    Conscious AI and the Universe

    What is 'consciousness'? Featured: Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama; Director of the Centre for Consciousness Studies, Director of the Centre for Sustainable AI Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org The nature of consciousness is an emerging philosophical question that has been pondered for centuries. Now, with the advent of advanced Artificial Intelligence, the ethics and implications of conscious AI is at the forefront of people's minds. However, delving into just what consciousness actually is on the grand scheme of the universe could provide insight into the unanswered questions of the universe.

    14 min

  5. 16/12/2022

    Is AI Art, 'Art'?

    Where do AI generated imagery fall in the world of art? In September 2022, Jason M. Allen controversially won first prize in the Colorado State Fair's "digital arts/digitally-manipulated photography" competition. This event sparked a growing debate in the art world and on social media over the legitimacy of AI generated artwork. Many artists are calling foul on AI art, and are vehemently opposed to its inclusion in the arts on both creative and legal grounds. However, controversy always follows new technology, one only has to take a look at the last century to see similar fierce opposition to photography's standing as "legitimate" art. To unpack the issue surrounding AI art, I spoke to someone with their foot in both worlds. Dr. Sara Oscar is a photographer and Senior Lecturer at UTS's School of Design. Her research specialises in the cultural impacts of AI and deep neural networks. Hopefully, she can shine some light on the question 'Is AI Art, 'art'? Featured: Dr. Sara Oscar: Senior Lecturer, UTS School of Design Music: Dances and Dames Kevin McLeod Faster Does It Kevin McLeod Presented and Produced by Cameron M. Furlong

    17 min

  6. 09/12/2022

    Collecting Music in the Digital Age

    All of us have our own relationship with music, for some it provides some background colour to the day, for others it’s an integral part of life. But technology has changed our relationship with music, both in how we consume it and how we collect it. While it’s easier than ever to access an enormous amount of music from every era, genre and country on Earth, has it become more difficult to forge meaningful relationships with artists and their songs? How do we keep track of a lifetime’s worth of music appreciation and listening, and is it even important that we do? Featured:  - Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - Darren Cross, Musician Music:  Darren Cross - hONEYCOMB (10.8.5) Darren Cross - Honeeey Pot Darren Cross - Pump Up the Dole-Drums (INFINITE3) Darren Cross - S u m_m e r T a p e d (courtesy of the artist)

    17 min

  7. 01/12/2022

    Preserving Video Game History

    Advances in technology and art require a solid foundation of history in order to improve, progress and innovate. What happens when that history is tied up with copyright restrictions or only exists as an expensive artifact? With video games the highest earning entertainment products, can publishers be forgiven for protecting their investments by deciding what relics from the past we now get to discover, or should these long lost treasures be more accessible? Featured: Dr Jaime Garcia Deputy Director (T&L Engagement), Faculty of Engineering and IT, Co-director UTS Games Studio   Music:  Lexica - Albatross (courtesy of Endemic Sound) DEX - Light In Reverse (courtesy of Endemic Sound) Ben Salter - Semi- Pro Gamer (courtesy of the artist)

    22 min

  8. 28/11/2022

    Deepfakes and Social Identity

    Think: Digital Futures

    16 min
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About

Each episode explores how today’s technology is transforming tomorrow — from our biology, habits, relationships, spaces to our place in the universe.

Information

  • Creator
    2SER 107.3
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2023
  • Episodes
    172
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved