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Download This Show

ABC (Australia)

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.

Location:

Sydney, NSW

Description:

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.

Twitter:

@DownloadABC

Language:

English

Contact:

Radio National GPO Box 9994 Sydney 02-8333 2821


Episodes

Is your myGov account safe?

11/22/2023
Thousands of myGov accounts are suspended following threats of cybercrime, and YouTube is in breach European users from viewing its content if they have an ad blocker enabled.

Duration:00:28:36

How one network outage caused national chaos

11/15/2023
Explore the latest in technology, social media, consumer electronics, digital culture and more.

Duration:00:28:38

Can artificial intelligence be regulated?

11/8/2023
Biden attempts to regulate artificial intelligence, the Canadian government bans WeChat for employees and why robotaxi is in hot water.

Duration:00:28:37

The new solution to uncover online deep fakes

11/1/2023
Explore the latest in technology, social media, consumer electronics, digital culture and more.

Duration:00:28:37

Say hello to your robot co-worker!

10/25/2023
One US tech company is set to bring in robots to work alongside humans, X will be trialling a $1 fee to use the platform and does Australia need a disinformation watchdog?

Duration:00:28:37

Is your data really that private?

10/18/2023
Australia is set to get new data privacy laws, the growing concern of disinformation and fake images spread during a conflict and the carbon footprint of the gaming industry.

Duration:00:28:36

Spotting AI images and chatbots with 'personalities'

10/11/2023
As AI images become increasingly commonplace, how do you spot them? And Sam Kerr, Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner are just some of the celebrities who have lent their 'personalities' to Meta's new range of AI Chatbots. Meanwhile, ChatGPT owner, OpenAI has confirmed users can now scan the internet, an update from the viral chatbots previous 2021 limit. And TikTok's new e-commerce wing TikTok Shop has already been banned in Indonesia. Jessica Sier, Technology Reporter at the Australia Financial Review and Sarah Moran, co-founder of PatientNotes join Marc Fennell on Download This Show.

Duration:00:28:37

Would a digital ID really work?

10/4/2023
The government is proposing a national digital identity scheme that will let people prove their identity, without having to use their passport, drivers license or Medicare card. But will it work? And X - formerly known as Twitter - has removed a feature that allows users to report disinformation on the platform. Meanwhile, New York City has banned facial recognition in schools. Dr Erica Mealy, Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Josh Taylor, Guardian Reporter join Marc Fennell on Download This Show.

Duration:00:56:59

How AI now plays a big role in recruiting

9/27/2023
AI could play a big role in the recruitment process for your next job, so could the technology help to mitigate unconscious bias in the hiring process? And the creator of Game of Thrones is suing CHATGPT's owner Open AI for copyright, and he isn’t the only famous author to do so. Meanwhile Google is on trial for allegedly rigging search. And is Elon Musk’s brain chip company Neuralink really ready to seek candidates for human trials? Meg Coffey, Digital Strategist and Managing Director of Coffey and Tea and Seamus Byrne, Head of Content at Byteside join Marc Fennell on Download This Show.

Duration:00:28:37

Big tech call for AI regulation

9/20/2023
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.

Duration:00:28:36

What's behind the EV gender gap?

9/13/2023
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.

Duration:00:28:36

Netflix moves into gaming

9/6/2023
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.

Duration:00:28:36

Big Tech crackdown

8/30/2023
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

Duration:00:28:36

'Sleep-influencers' and the end of NFTs?

8/23/2023
“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.

Duration:00:28:36

Are robots taking over?

8/16/2023
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.

Duration:00:28:36

Worldcoin wants to scan your eyeballs, should you let it?

8/9/2023
Worldcoin aims to provide its users with a verified digital identity, by scanning their eyeballs. The project is offering free cryptocurrency in exchange for an individuals biometric data, but it's been banned in Kenya amid privacy concerns. And China has proposed screentime limits for kids, so will they work? Meanwhile AI is being used to detect bushfires in Australia. Seamus Byrne, Head of Content at Byteside and Chris Berg, Director of the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.

Duration:00:28:34

Social media echo chambers and UFO hearings

8/2/2023
Do social media echo chambers really exist? 17 academics dove into Facebook’s data to find out. And there are reports that Telsa hired a ‘diversion team’ to suppress complaints about the vehicles driving range. So, what repercussions could this have for the Tesla brand? Meanwhile, a whistleblower has made claims about alien bodies and UFO crash sites in a US Congress hearing. It comes as NASA is set to hand down its own report into UAPs, so what's going on? Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, Future Transport Reporter at AAP and Cam Wilson, Deputy Editor at Crikey join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.

Duration:00:29:07

Twitter rebrands to X and actors strike against AI

7/26/2023
Apple has threatened to remove FaceTime and iMessage services in the UK, if the Government goes ahead with planned changes to surveillance laws. They’ve flagged privacy concerns, but would the proposed adjustments actually endanger message encryption? And actors and writers in Hollywood are striking, stating that AI represents an “existential threat” to the industry. So what is it exactly that they’re worried about? And are Neopets making a comeback? Alex Kidman, Freelance Tech Journo and Co-Host of Vertical Hold and Sarah Moran, Co-founder and CEO Girl Geek Academy join host Rad Yeo on Download This Show.

Duration:00:28:37

Elon vs Zuckerberg: Has Threads killed Twitter?

7/19/2023
It’s been a few weeks since Meta launched its new App, and direct Twitter rival Threads. So with over 100 million users, what do we know about it so far? And has Mark Zuckerberg actually created a "Twitter killer"? And while Twitter may be struggling, billionaire Elon Musk has launched a new AI company called xAI. The Tesla owner has previously been critical of AI, including the hugely popular ChatGPT for being "too woke", so how will his offering differ?

Duration:00:29:05

Cash is no longer king. Will crypto take the crown?

7/12/2023
The cheque has been handed an official death notice, while the end of cash is looming. So, as money becomes increasingly digitised, how exactly are our payment habits changing? From blockchain, to cryptocurrency and everything in between, Download Show takes a look at the opportunities and the risks, and explores how people can retain their security and privacy in this new world of money. Chris Berg, Director of The Blockchain Innovation hub at RMIT University and Jessie Hughes, Creative Technologist join Marc Fennell on Download This Show.

Duration:00:28:35