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The Australian
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TECH NEWS
  • SERIES

Change is coming faster than ever in 2020 as a global crisis forces the world to grapple with a host of issues. New vaccines. New ways to work. Entirely new industries. So how can technology help us steer through the turbulence, and perhaps even land on a fairer, safer future?

  1. EPISODE 1

    /vaccine

    When will we get a COVID-19 vaccine? There's never been a question more people around the world have asked at the same time. Those on the frontlines of this search for a cure are under enormous pressure to deliver a safe solution in record time, and they are increasingly turning to new technologies to accelerate the process. And the common enemy of this virus has transformed teams of competitors into collaborators. Has science been changed forever?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    /work

    Working from home has created a whole new dynamic at the bargaining table between employer and employee. Would you be prepared to concede some elements of your privacy in exchange for a flexible environment that puts you in charge of how you work? There are already signs that many workers feel they are getting more done at home, and that this new flexible structure could create a fairer workforce for us all. A remarkable data set sourced from workplaces who were early adopters of sensor tracking in their offices shows how important face to face contact has been in a functioning business. Can new technologies bring some of that dynamic into a digital environment?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    /hack

    The group of parties who have benefited from 2020 is an extremely exclusive club. But one clear standout has been the hackers making hay in a global crisis. Experts say they've never seen a widespread cybersecurity campaign like the one unleashed this year. Individuals, companies and governments are all under threat as general chaos and sudden shifts in working arrangements create new vulnerabilities. Is there a way for technology to protect us from ourselves?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    /buy

    Buy now, pay later companies are eating up an increasing share of the retail transaction market at a time when credit cards are on the wane. It's another example of neglected customers finding a better experience with an innovative start-up product. But is regulation keeping up with the pace of change, and should consumers be more wary of these lending systems as a historic recession rocks the world?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    /AI

    From facial recognition to predictive policing to approving a loan, AI is touted as a solution that is faster, cheaper and more effective. But it also has the potential to get it wrong, and regulators are worried. So if Artificial Intelligence is analysing everything we do, who is watching AI?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    /solar

    Solar generation is an Australian success story. We're innovators, adopters, and exporters of technology and expertise. But experts are now warning that Australia now risks being left behind, just as a tidal wave of demand appears on the horizon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    /manufacturing

    Manufacturing is often seen as a holy grail industry that provides long-term high paying jobs, imbues a country with a sense of pride (even if misplaced) and reassures the public that we are going to be self-sufficient in a crisis. But manufacturing as a share of GDP has been in decline since the 1960s and despite report after report, we never really see a resurgence.  Can we pull it off this time? And what will it take to do it?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    /blockchain

    In 2017, cryptocurrency looked like another story of tech success. Skyrocketing prices for Bitcoin and other digital currencies turned early adopters into millionaires, and a niche product quickly gained mainstream appeal. But the infrastructure around the technology simply wasn't there, and the bubble burst, leaving many investors badly burnt. Now much of the attention is around the blockchain systems that underpin cryptocurrencies. Large firms have embraced blockchain startups, convinced that this is revolution that will change the world if it can be managed maturely.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Change is coming faster than ever in 2020 as a global crisis forces the world to grapple with a host of issues. New vaccines. New ways to work. Entirely new industries. So how can technology help us steer through the turbulence, and perhaps even land on a fairer, safer future?

Information

  • Creator
    The Australian
  • Episodes
    20
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 News Corp Australia
  • Show Website
    Forward Slash