Tech Mirror

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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. 

  1. Sep 21

    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

  2. Sep 7

    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 porn, 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

  3. Aug 24

    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

  4. Aug 10

    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?

  5. Jul 27

    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

  6. Jul 13

    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

  7. Jun 29

    AI Agency & Mythos 5

    With countries and tech stakeholders rapidly moving to claim AI in their interest, such as the US government’s move to restrict non-citizens' access to platforms like Claude, what does it mean for Australians to have control over their technological future? AI is becoming closely linked to Australia’s economy, security, and everyday life. It’s time to discuss what having AI Agency looks like now and into the future. In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver is joined by Tech Policy Design Institute co-founder and lead researcher Zoe Hawkins to unpack their latest report Expanding AI Sovereignty to AI Agency. Together, they explore why Australia needs to move beyond simplistic debates to uncover how Australia’s tech movement holds strategic advantages that build both leverage and resilience when global events expose geopolitical uncertainty. Links: Anthropic to disable its most advanced AI models after US order limiting foreign access | The Guardian Tech Policy Design Institute – AI Agency Report https://techpolicy.au/aiagency Tech Policy Design Institute https://techpolicy.au Australia's National AI Plan https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-capability-plan Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – AI https://oecd.ai Anthropic https://www.anthropic.com For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast

    AI Agency & Mythos 5

  8. Jun 16

    Worker Futures & Digital Dignity

    The nature of work and jobs is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. Is it the building block to a worker utopia, or a more bleak, disruptive reality? In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver sits down with Joseph Mitchell from the Australian Council of Trade Unions to unpack the opportunities, risks, and power dynamics brought on by the rollout of AI in workplaces around Australia. He argues that AI is being used increasingly to meet new efficiency benchmarks and worker surveillance. Johanna and Joseph ask, can the voice of unions, policy makers, and individuals shape what happens next, and will the future of work remain deeply human — even in an AI-driven world?   Links: Australian Council of Trade Unions: www.actu.org.au Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, of His Holiness Pope Leo XiV, on safeguarding  the human person on the time of artificial intelligence: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html    Fair Work Commission: https://www.fwc.gov.au?utm_source National Employment Standards (Fair Work Ombudsman): https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/national-employment-standards Daron Acemoglu   MIT Economics: https://economics.mit.edu/people/faculty/daron-acemoglu Building pro-worker artificial intelligence https://economics.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/Building%20Pro-Worker%20Artificial%20Intelligence.pdf    For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Worker Futures & Digital Dignity
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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. 

Information

  • Creator
    TPDi
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright TPDi
  • Show Website
    Tech Mirror

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