Tech Mirror

TPDi

How do we ensure technology makes our lives better? Tech Mirror is the podcast of the Tech Policy Design Institute. We explore how technolgy is shaping our lives, and how we - the humans- can shape technolgy back. 

  1. 3 days ago

    Staying Human in the AI Era

    As AI becomes more embedded in our lives, how do we make sure we retain the capabilities, connections, and agency that make us human, and how do we find the courage to shape what comes next? In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Yasmin London, former professional athlete and NSW police officer, tech executive, entrepreneur, and founder of First Movers. Her new book, First Movers: Courageous Leadership for a Human Future in the Era of AI, explores what it means to step forward and act, even when the path ahead isn’t certain. Together, they explore the disproportionate impact of technology on women and girls, bias and whose voices shape our technological future, and why we all have a role to play. Yasmin also shares her three priorities for staying human in the AI era: protecting the human, preserving the mind, and powering human connection. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Links: First Movers: Courageous Leadership for a Human Future in the Era of AI | Yasmin London Victorian Women's Trust research: Gender and AI: Where's the Harm? | Victorian Women’s Trust  Latest study on chatbot use in Australia shows people are using chatbots in increasingly personal ways | YouGov World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2025 | World Economic Forum  Meta shelves fact-checking in policy reversal ahead of Trump administration | Reuters Add blood, forced smile’: how Grok’s nudification tool went viral | The Guardian A Digital Duty of Care for Australia—Developing a duty of care framework for online services used by Australians | Australian Government Australia's Social Media Minimum Age legislation | Australian Government\ Controversial Sydney data centre project pulled amid community anger | ABC News Digital Duty of Care Policy Spotlight | Tech Policy Design Institute Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence | Tech Policy Design Institute This episode includes AI-generated content.

    Staying Human in the AI Era

  2. 19 Oct

    China’s AI Rulebook

    China has been regulating artificial intelligence for years, challenging the assumption that technology is evolving too rapidly to regulate. As concerns grow over tech company accountability, what lessons (if any) can Australia and other democracies take from China? In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Professor Madeline Carr, Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity at University College London and visiting chair of technology at Schwartzman's College at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Together they explore China’s evolving approach to AI regulation. From recommender algorithms and synthetic content to generative AI and safety frameworks, Madeline shares insights from on the ground in Beijing. They unpack the differences between US and Chinese approaches to innovation, the importance of liability in holding technology companies accountable, and consider how middle powers could govern foreign technologies in a world where the best innovative tech isn’t necessarily coming from a major ally. Links US tech leaders are urgently calling for rules on AI – China already has them  | The Conversation We Must Pace the Frontier | Dario Amodei Algorithmic Recommendation Regulation (Order No. 9) | Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC)  Internet Information Synthesis Regulation | Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services | China Law Translate  AI Safety Governance Framework 3.0 (mandarin)

    China’s AI Rulebook

  3. 21 Sept

    Putting AI to Work for Australians

    “I wanted to make a difference, and I wasn’t getting that fulfilment in the private sector anymore,” says Lee Hickin. After decades at some of the world’s largest technology companies, including Amazon, Microsoft and IBM, Lee wanted to shift the impact of his work away from corporate goals towards the broader public good. Now leading Australia’s National AI Centre (NAIC), Lee’s challenge is to help position the nation to seize the opportunities of AI while giving organisations the confidence, skills and agency to navigate a rapidly evolving technology ecosystem. In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Lee on a sober perspective in the ‘race for AI’ and how the government's strategy is constantly evolving to keep pace. By taking an intergenerational approach, Lee gives a clear piece of advice: learn how to use AI, but don’t become dependent on it. Links: AI Agency Toolkit Expanding AI Sovereignty to AI Agency | Tech Policy Design Institute  ai.gov.au | National AI Centre Artificial intelligence expert Lee Hickin departs Microsoft to become National AI Centre director | Startup Daily Anthropic researcher believes more than 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans' | BBC

    Putting AI to Work for Australians

  4. 7 Sept

    OnlyFans

    OnlyFans is often immediately recognised as an adult content platform. Yet, according to digital culture scholar Dr. Emily van der Nagel, the company sidesteps embracing the kinds of explicit material that define it. What does this mean for the creators who make their living on the platform, and for its and governments' responsibilities? In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver and Emily explore how the OnlyFans platform design and corporate strategy shape the experiences of its creators and users. Their conversation examines questions of worker agency, platform power and regulation, copyright, the blurry line between art and p**n, and what making a living through platform work can reveal about the broader digital economy and our society.  This podcast episode does include adult themes, so exercise your judgement as to if and when you listen to this episode. Links OnlyFans | Emily van der Nagel Why OnlyFans had second thoughts on banning sexually explicit content | The Guardian Competing platform imaginaries of NSFW content creation on OnlyFans | Emily van der Nagel Digital Economy Strategy | Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, and Resources

    OnlyFans

  5. 24 Aug

    AI’s Diversity Problem

    Many believe that Artificial Intelligence will soon be embedded in nearly every aspect of the modern world. But how diverse are the people shaping this technology? In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver is joined by Dr. Gemma Killen and Professor Rashina Hoda to explore how a lack of diversity in AI development is amplifying harms towards women as well as marginalised and vulnerable groups. From biased recruitment, renter prejudices and healthcare systems to deepfakes, they acknowledge the existing challenges with AI’s track record on diversity and suggest some practical steps to improve inclusion and instead use AI to reduce bias and, just maybe, even smash the patriarchy! Links: AI has a woman problem. It could cost us dearly | The Financial Review What Does a Software Engineer Look Like? Exploring Societal Stereotypes in LLMs | Monash University ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and Women's Health | Working with Women Alliance ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, Gender and Equality Economics| Working with Women Alliance AI Safety Forum: Session Videos

    AI’s Diversity Problem

  6. 10 Aug

    Can Industrial AI Rebuild Australia's Economy?

    Is Australia getting AI strategy right? Following the PM’s “AI In Australia’s Interests” speech on 15 July, much of the conversation has focused on data centres and ‘national standards’. But according to industrial AI leader Cori Stewart, that's not where Australia's biggest opportunity lies. In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Cori, the CEO of ARM Hub, about why Australia should focus on industrial AI, how Australian AI is already transforming manufacturing, healthcare, mining and agriculture, and what it will take to build the high-value industries that can power Australia's future prosperity. From steel mills and medical devices to South Korea’s manufacturing success, this is a conversation about moving beyond hype and putting AI to work in the industries that will create Australia’s future jobs, capability and prosperity. Links Cori’s article in Innovation Aus: Australia is chasing the wrong link of AI.  AI In Australia’s Interests | Prime Minister of Australia ARM Hub Tech Policy AI Agency Report | TPDI For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast

    Can Industrial AI Rebuild Australia's Economy?

  7. 27 Jul

    Building Matilda

    What would it take for Australia to build its own AI future? The Australian Prime Minister made a landmark speech on 15  July declaring that his government would shape Artificial Intelligence rather than be shaped by it. Just days before the speech, Australian AI company Maincode beta launched Matilda, an Australian-built AI platform. Johanna Weaver sits down with Maincode CEO Dave Lemphers to discuss Matilda, Australian-made AI, and the hard realities of creating a world-class technology company from Melbourne. From compute clusters to copyright, to national ambition, this is a conversation about building capability that lasts. Links AI In Australia’s Interests | Prime Minister of Australia Meet Matilda, Australia’s answer to ChatGPT | Financial Review Maincode Maincode Builds An AI Factory for Australia with AMD | AMD For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast

    Building Matilda

  8. 13 Jul

    Human Choice and the Ethics of AI

    In a world of AI, what does it mean to be human? In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver speaks with one of Australia’s foremost ethicists, Simon Longstaff, from the Ethics Centre. Together, they make the case for ethics in the wider AI discourse. They discuss why Simon urges Australians to demand more than a social licence for AI arguing instead for a social compact. Johanna and Simon explore how concepts like purpose, trust, and accountability can help guide the responsible development of AI while confronting “just because we can do something with AI, should we?” Links Will AI be the risk we chose not to see? | The Ethics Centre The Ethics Centre https://ethics.org.au/ Australia’s AI Ethics Principles | Department of Industry, Science, and Resources https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/australias-ai-ethics-principles?utm_source=chatgpt.com For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast

    Human Choice and the Ethics of AI
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How do we ensure technology makes our lives better? Tech Mirror is the podcast of the Tech Policy Design Institute. We explore how technolgy is shaping our lives, and how we - the humans- can shape technolgy back. 

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  • Creator
    TPDi
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright TPDi
  • Show Website
    Tech Mirror

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