A fortnightly analysis of the politics of technology from some of Australia's leading digital campaigners and industry experts, brought to you by the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology
The author of 'Reboot: AI and the Race to Save Democracy' on how citizens must seize new technology to ensure it works for them. Regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O'Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita's Peter Lewis also discuss* Anthropic's rare book-breaking binge * Backlash over the surveillance of open models * How to regulate perv glasses
For show notes and further discussion go to: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
Burning Platforms is back for another live show, this time recorded at the 2026 ALP Conference in Adelaide where we launched the "FairAI Initiative" with Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Human technology Institute co-director Ed Santow and Senator Tony Sheldon.
Join the Burning Platforms for show notes, resources, and regular updates from the Big Tech Policy space: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
For more on the Centre of the Public Square and it's research into AI policy, check out: https://percapita.org.au/the-centre-of-the-public-square/
Last but no least, learn more about the Fair AI Initiative here: https://www.fairai.au/
In a world of relative facts and filter bubbles how do we build a common base of reality to anchor democracy?
Burning Platforms will bring themes from the ABC series ‘A Matter of Facts’ to life in a fun and interactive live event that will challenge you to pick the truth from the lies.
Featuring:
Hosted by Essential’s Peter Lewis, and supported by Democracy Counts, we’ll explore what it means for democracy when so much of the content we’re consuming blurs the lines between fact and fiction, when our shared sense of reality becomes fractured.
Burning Platform is back from its brief hiatus for a special live Virtual Town Hall, convened on July 6th, looking at the growing fight to resist the US tech behemoth, in partnership with Digital Rights Watch and GetUp!
Hosted by Per Capita's Peter Lewis, with speakers:
DRW chair Lizzie O'Shea GetUp! campaigner Hayden Rodgers* Australian Greens Senator David Shoebridge Show notes available at: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/p/your-palantir-primer
This week on Burning Platforms, we're joined by the head of the Local and Independent News Association, Clare Stutchbery, to get her insights on the importance of media diversity in an age of information hierarchies.
Panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Australian Writers Guild CEO Claire Pullin and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also explore:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The political strategist and author of ‘Angertainement', Ed Coper, joins the Burning Platform this week to discuss how social media outrage ruined everything and outlines his blueprint for harnessing the toxic information ecosystem.
Panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
This week on Burning Platforms we dive deep into Pope Leo’s XIV’s encyclical with Dr Michael Walker from the Justice and Peace Office at the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney .
Our panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, ABC AI reporter Cam Wilson and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The founder of start-up Noizend on the challenges of scaling tech in Australia and how the real innovation is not running on the back of LLMs.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
Internet academic Tama Leaver on the lines between regulating and equipping children to navigate the AI revolution.
Panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, ABC AI reporter Cam Wilson and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The Australian Writer’s Guild CEO Claire Pullen updates us on the fight to protect Australian creators from the industrial-scale thrift of their work.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The Privacy Commissioner takes us through the new code to to give children greater control over their data and how this could open the door for less surveillance for all of us.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The Labor MP and former Industry Minister on how the power of the global tech giants and why tech sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The Sizzle editor (and freshly minted ABC AI reporter) joins us to make sense of the spate of attacks on CEO leaders.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
On this week's Burning Platforms, Australia’s leading AI scientist, Prof Toby Walsh, takes us through the failing efforts to place limits around the automation of military conflict.
Regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The ACTU’s Assistant Secretary takes us through the multiple challenges AI poses workers and the pressure points where unions are pushing back.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The founder of Teach Us Consent on her campaign to give young people control over their social media feeds.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis and Cam Wilson from The Sizzle also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The Host of the ‘Computer Says Maybe’ podcast joins us to give a global take on the power and influence of Big Tech.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also delve into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The Director of QUT’S Digital Media Research Centre outlines how different chatbots take users down different wormholes when they research conspiracy theories.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea and The Sizzle’s Cam Wilson also dig into:
For background notes on these discussions go to Burning Platforms on Substack: https://burningplatforms.substack.com/
The former Chief Scientist outlines his new venture, ‘Proudly Human to allow creators to verify their work in the ocean of slop.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.
Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.
The Burning Platforms panel kick around the carcass of this week when the White House went to war with AI, bosses found new ways to snoop on workers, and the market was moved by a bit of fan fiction.
Per Capita’s Peter Lewis joins Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and The Sizzle’s Cam Wilson try to make sense of the madness.
And some reading to get you warmed up:
Casey Newton - What is OpenAI going to do when the truth comes out?
HTI - ‘Surveillance Creep’
Citrini - The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis
Dan Kagan-Kans - The Left is missing Out on AI
Brian Merchant - ‘Actually the Left is Winning the AI Debate'
On this week's episode of Burning Platforms, the team look at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi with first-hand accounts from UTS’s Human Technology Institute co-director and regular panelist Digital Rights Chair Lizzie O’Shea.
They join Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis to also discuss:
Join us in discussing the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit: https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on of the Centre of the Public Square's research and events.
Per Capita's podcasts are produced on Wurundjeri land.
Governments may campaign in poetry and govern in prose, but what about the engineering that keeps our democracy flowing? The pioneer of public innovation and Professor of Collective Intelligence at University College London, Sir Geoff Mulgan, believes it’s time to get the boring bits right.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
If you want to hear more from Sir Geoff he will be speaking in Sydney on Feburary 25 https://anzsog.edu.au/events-connection/events/what-next-for-public-innovation-with-geoff-mulgan
Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.
Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.
Burning Platforms is BACK for 2026. The panels returns this week to unpack the existential risks AI presents with the Good Ancestors CEO, Greg Sadler. Spoiler: it's not just AGI. With our regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, the panel also discuss:* Grok’s wild (and gross) summer * ChatGTP’s foray into health * and Bandcamp’s AI pledge
Check our Good Ancestors: https://www.goodancestors.org.au/ Join us in discussing the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit: https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
Help the Centre of the Public Square fund its research into AI and responsible technology - donate to Per Capita today: https://percapita.org.au/donate/
As 2025 crashes out we survey the highs and lows of the year in tech with long-time platform burner Human Technology Institute co-director Ed Santow.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis discuss:
Join us in discussing the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit: https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
Help the Centre of the Public Square fund its research into AI and responsible technology - donate to Per Capita today: https://percapita.org.au/donate/
While the vested interests wrestle with the intricacies of AI regulation, are community library conversations the best bet for shaping our tech future? On this week's episode of Burning Platforms, we meet the academic who is fighting the algorithm with words.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis will also discuss:
Book a ticket for Cory’s late night show: https://events.humanitix.com/system-error-late-night-show
Read Lizzie’s Baffler piece: https://thebaffler.com/latest/antitrust-issues-oshea
Join us in discussing the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit: https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
How much energy will AI really burn? Climate writer and activist Ketan Joshi joins Burning Platforms to chat AI and Climate: what we know, what we don’t know and what data centres have to do with yogurt tubs.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
To find out more about Ketan’s work, go to: https://ketanjoshi.co/blog/
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
Is Big Tech’s domination of AI inevitable or are there different ways of organising our data to shift the power the dynamic? We discuss the RadicalXChange project with its new director, Jess Scully.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
To find out more about RadicalxChange go to: https://www.radicalxchange.org/
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.
Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.
AI is transforming our world at rapid speed, raising urgent questions about who benefits, who loses, and how we keep control of the future.
Panellists from the Burning Platforms podcast and guests, explore the promises and pitfalls of AI - and what’s at stake for all Australians.
Panellists include:
While the boosters of AI are rushing to transform the world, citizens are being left in the slipstream, with little chance to influence how this new technology takes shape.
AI systems are built by harvesting the ideas and creations of others, often without consent, and are already eroding jobs and reshaping culture on the promise of future productivity.
As the Luddites taught us, the way we adopt technology will be critical to whether it improves people’s lives or cuts a swathe through jobs for the benefit of the few.
Many Australians perceive more risk than upside in this new technology, so why is it being pushed so hard, with so few guardrails or controls in place?
This event is hosted by Digital Rights Watch with support from The Minderoo Foundation.
Is the rise of AI inevitable or just the latest cycle of hype for a sector that thrives on the vibes? The author of “Resisting AI’, Professor Dan McQuillan, joins the show to argue for a more fundamental response to Big Tech.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
Join us for our live shows in capital cities around Australia
Adelaide: https://shorturl.at/ojQRX
Perth: events.humanitix.com/democracy-perth
Brisbane: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane
Sydney: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney
Melbourne events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
The co-author of ‘Conspiracy Nation’ takes us on his journey into the world of anti-vaxxers, wellness influencers and sovereign citizens.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:
In October we will beholding a series of live shows in capital cities and would love you to come along.
Adelaide: https://shorturl.at/ojQRX
Perth: events.humanitix.com/democracy-perth
Brisbane: events.humanitix.com/democracy-brisbane
Sydney: events.humanitix.com/democracy-sydney
Melbourne: events.humanitix.com/democracy-melbourne
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
The tech industry is pitching data mining and new infrastructure as the key to national prosperity. But will it deliver? And if so, for whom?
Tech Council of Australia CEO, Damian Kassabgi joins regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis for the latest episode of Burning Platforms.
The show also covers:
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
“I’m concerned that AI and big tech – well, big tech with AI – has gone into a full-court press… particularly on the federal system...I’m concerned that without thinking it through clearly enough, policy makers won’t essentially subject the slogans to sufficient scrutiny.”
This week on Burning Platforms, we recorded our special briefing for cultural creators and those who value their work to discuss Big Tech’s push to mine our culture.
Our panel discusses:
Featuring:
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
New Federal industry and science minister Tim Ayres shares his take on industry policy, AI's opportunities and risks, and how we could steer through the latest wave of tech change.
With regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
Can Australia play a leading role in imagining a tech future that isn’t controlled by either the US or China?
Johanna Weaver from the Tech Policy Design Institute expands on her recent essay ‘System Update - An Australian-led new deal for tech’ - https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/essay/2025/06/tech-warsRegular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis will also discuss:* what the new Federal Parliament means for tech * how Cloudflare could rewrite the game in copyright * and the rise of Satanic Chat Bots
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
The Large Language Models are powered by stolen data but there are new and innovative ways to make the thieves pay. Professor Toby Walsh explains the tech-driven resistance to Big AI from data poisoning to responsible cloud computing.
With panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Editor of the Sizzle Cam Wilson, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis we also discuss:
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
"I thought old people got scammed. And actually young people are at greater risk because they have more confidence in dealing [with things] online."
This week on Burning Platforms, the team learns how the financial scam industry has become an enthusiastic early adapter of AI and how the banks are working around the clock to ensure they aren’t the ones liable for the ensuing harm.
With our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair, Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, who are joined by co-founder of Scams Victims Alliance, Alex Brooks.
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit. (https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome)
For more about Scams Victims Alliance go to: https://scamvictimalliance.org.au/
"What could things have become? You could imagine if the baton had been passed from the Obama administration to a Clinton administration... an American public much more ready... for the turns in AI that we are facing now." On this week's Burning Platforms, our panel spends some quality time with the architect of the Biden Administration’s AI executive order, Dr Alondra Nelson. With regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis. Join the conversation. Get involved with the Burning Platforms community in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/
Burning Platforms struggles to make sense of white genocide, design unicorns and the all-seeing Apple Eye.
E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant joins regular panellists Digital Rights Watch founder Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis for our regular dive into the world of tech and politics.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
Good things come in threes and this week’s Burning Platforms looks at the inspiration behind the new Pope’s decision to name himself Leo, the critical changes to the Labor Government’s front bench and Mark Zuckerberg maximum number of friends.
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis and joined by Professor Dan Angus from QUT’S Digital Research Centre.
With a federal election within days, Burning Platforms looks at the lack of discussion about tech and whether that is a good or bad thing. With Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis and special guests, Editor of The Sizzle, Cam Wilson and Dr Rys Farthing from Reset Australia. Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/ Support our guests by checking out their content and work.Subscribe to The Sizzle! - https://thesizzle.com.au/Reset Australia's work on the Child Online Privacy Code - https://au.reset.tech/news/welcoming-a-children-s-privacy-code/
As the world teeters on the brink of whatever comes after globalisation we dive deep into the way AI is transforming film-making with the director of the iconic Australian film Kenny, Clay Jacobson. Our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss:* The theory that the Trump Tariffs were cooked up by a chatbot * The growing chance that the FTC anti-trust case against Meta is history; and * The backlash against Chat GPT’s appropriation of Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed work.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
On this week's episode of Burning Platforms, the gang looks at global efforts to force Big Tech to pay their share of tax with special guest Dr Mark Zirnsak from the Tax Justice Network.
With our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
This week on Burning Platforms, we dive deep into a new initiative to understand the role of Trust in the relationship between society and technology with special guest, Professor Terry Flew.
With regular panelists Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine Dan Stinton, we'll also look at:
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
Burning Platforms is back for 2025.
With the tech overlords in the ascendant, particularly following the US election, we take stock of the impending inferno with our regular panel Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine Dan Stinton, and special guest, fresh from the Paris AI Summit, Professor Nick Davis from UTS’ Human Technology Institute.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
In our final episode of 2024 we unpack the recent Senate Report into the Adoption of AI in Australia with Committee Chair Senator Tony Sheldon.
We also look at:
With regular panellists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, HealthEngine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita's Peter Lewis.
Visit the Centre of the Public Square for more on our work around technology policy.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast.
Burning Platforms dives deep into the common ground between national security and individual privacy with cybersecurity expert Miah Hammond-Errey, host of the Technology and Security podcast.
Also this week:
Bunnings wrapped over facial recognition
Trump’s crypto bonanza
and could the Social Media Ban have a silver lining?
Panelists:
Digital Rights Watch chair, Lizzie O’Shea,
Health Engine CEO, Dan Stinton
and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis
Visit the Centre of the Public Square for more on our work around technology policy.
Support Miah at the TS podcast.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast.
The upcoming US Presidential elections will shape - and be shaped by - the Web3 community. We talk with Mark Monfort from the Aus De-Fi Association on what the moment means. He joins our panel of Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, digital rights advocate Kate Bower and Peter Lewis from Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Also this week: The new front on chat-bot accountability Is Emotional Intelligence the next killer app?* and has AI doomer-ism turned the corner? Listen to Burning Platforms: https://tinyurl.com/3sck83b6
Warning - This episode mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or at lifeline.org.au, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or at beyondblue.org.au/forums.
As researchers are locked out of digital platforms, we contemplate a new era of control and secrecy, with responsible tech academic Gina Neff.
She joins our panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie OShea, Choice’s digital campaign lead Rafi Alam and Peter Lewis from Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Also this week:
The Social Media Summit takeaways
The eyes inside our cars
And the Nobel Prize’s AI extravaganza
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
Open AI's Sam Altman has launched a new product line with a new business model and a new philosophy. But do they all line up?
Lee Schofield from ‘Future is Now’ with our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton.
We also cover
· The fallout from 7-Eleven’s privacy breach
· Misinformation and disinformation laws
· And Mark Zuckerberg’s new Metaverse glasses.
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast.
Listen to our live virtual town hall briefing to discuss the Federal Government’s much anticipated plans for privacy reform and the launch o the Privacy Now campaign - https://privacynow.org.au/.
With:
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
What can Only Fans teach us about the internet? Social media academic Emily van der Nagel takes us through her research with content creators and consumers to reveal the logic behind a very different platform. She joins our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Centre of the Public Square convenor Peter Lewis. Also this week:* The arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov * Musicians count the cost of AI; and * What next for the News Media Bargaining Code?
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
In this week's episode if Burning Platforms, the panel dives into the product liability of companion apps with consumer law academia, Jeannie Peterson.
Also this week, they touch on:
the UK riots and platform responsibility
Musk’s X-rated presidential dalliance
* and the People’s bid for TiKTok
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast.
Forget intelligent machines waging war on humans, the real threat could be the amount of energy and water data processing centres are sucking up in the service of AI.
Gordon Noble from UTS’s Institute of Sustainable Futures has been crunching the numbers and it makes for alarming reading.
He joins our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Centre of the Public Square convenor Peter Lewis.
Also this week:
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
On this week’s Burning Platforms, Peter Lewis launches the “Civility Manifesto” live at the July John Cain Lunch. Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
On this week’s Burning Platforms, we talk with author Tracey Spicer about the biases and contradictions at the heart of Artificial Intelligence. Our panel of Essential’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton also ask: who really runs Australian tech policy? what does the collapse of US privacy reform mean?* and why is Dan perplexed about Perplexity? Join host Peter Lewis next week at the July John Cain lunch, where he will discuss ‘Rebuilding the Public Square.' Wednesday July 17. Join us live in Melbourne or via live stream. Register at humanitix.com Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast. Buy Tracy's book about AI, MAN-MADE: http://tinyurl.com/2b3wzh8c
This week on Burning Platforms, our regular panel of Essential's Peter Lewis and Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea share a special extended interview with Taiwan’s inaugural Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang and Radical xChange founder Glen Weyl about their new collaborative book, ‘Plurality.’
Listen to Burning Platforms on Apple Podcasts.
And don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier for more tech news from the Centre of the Public Square.
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
This week on Burning Platforms, our regular panel of Essential's Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, and HealthEngine CEO Dan Stinton, are joined by Professor Nicholas Davis from UTS’s Human Technology Institute as they dive deep into new research on how worker power could be the key to harnessing AI to deliver real productivity. Also discussed on this week's Burning Platforms:* What does Apple’s deal with open AI mean? * Is Google capturing more of you than you realise? * Can Australian ban election deep fakes?
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. For our listeners on Apple Podcasts - we had to update our feed link due to technical issues. You can now access Burning Platforms via this link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burning-platforms/id1589024577 Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-crier-2.ghost.io/
On this week’s Burning Platforms, host Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton are joined by media and tech commentator Ricky Sutton to dive deep into his analysis of Google’s growing dominance and how it might be its own Achilles Heel.
Plus they also ponder whether:
Can Scarlett Johansson save the internet?
Should we impose age limits on social media?
And if should Australia have sovereign AI capability?
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
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Is AI robbing writers of their ideas and what can we do about it?
Australian Writers Guild CEO Claire Pullen joins the regular panelists Essential’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton for our fortnightly dive into political tech.
They also discuss:
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Subscribe to The Town Crier, our new newsletter for the Centre of the Public Square and Burning Platforms.
This week’s Burning Platforms looks at Australia’s face-off with Elon Musk and the role live-streaming has in building media accountability.
Also covered: Google’s sacking of workers who protested the companies deployment of its tech stack in Israel and a new wearable that promises to remember everything you say.
With special guest, author Tim Dunlop and regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton. Hosted by Essential Media’s Peter Lewis.
Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Subscribe to The Town Crier, our new newsletter for the Centre of the Public Square and Burning Platforms.
Alternatively, you can watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
Burning Platforms dives deep into the role humans play in managing large platforms and small communities with academic and convenor of the upcoming All Things in Moderation conference Venessa Paech.Our panel also discusses:* Who is really incognito on Google? * Who should deal with the downstream risks of Open AI’s new Voice Engine? * And are we Witnessing AI’s first acts of genocide?
With Peter Lewis from Essential, Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’SHea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton.Burning Platfroms is an initiate of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Subscribe to The Town Crier, our new newsletter for the Centre of the Public Square and Burning Platforms.
Alternatively, you can watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
Welcome back to Burning Platforms – a podcast about the politics of technology - from our new home at Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
Burning Platforms takes a deep dive into AI-generated mind reading with Michael Blumenstein, Deputy Dean at UTS’s’ Faculty of Engineering and IT.
Plus:
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Subscribe to The Town Crier, our new newsletter for the Centre of the Public Square and Burning Platforms.
Alternatively, you can watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
Welcome back to Burning Platforms – a podcast about the politics of technology - from our new home at Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
This week, Peter, Lizzie, and Dan dive deep into Meta's threat to pull news from Australia and what it will mean to journalism and whether the compromise required to create the News Media Bargaining Code will become the seeds of its destruction.
Also:
Is banning TikTok the next global border war?
Are self-driving cars jumping the tech shark?
* Is a free AI course really 'scholarship?'
The Burning Platforms panel was joined by academic, Belinda Barnett.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Subscribe to The Town Crier, our new newsletter for the Centre of the Public Square and Burning Platforms.
Watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
Welcome back to Burning Platforms – a podcast about the politics of technology - from our new home at Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
For our first episode for 2024, Peter, Lizzie, and Dan will discuss the federal governments new doxxing laws, Open AI's latest product, Sora, and question whether LinkedIn is the "last platform standing".
We're also joined by Deep Dive/Guest: Nick Suzor, Law Professor at QUT Digital Media Research Centre and member of Meta’s Oversight Board, to chat about new book Lawless: the secret rules that govern our digital lives.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Stay tuned for more form the Centre of the Public Square by subscribing to the Per Capita Newsletter.
Watch the interview on our YouTube channel.
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
As the world races to regulate artificial intelligence and machine learning, we’re joined by Professor Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at the University of New South Wales and author of new book 'Faking It', to expose all of A.I.’s tricks and lies.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech.
This episode of Burning Platforms looks at the march of AI through the prism of dystopias with critic and writer Richard King, author of 'Here Be Monsters'.
Burning Platforms is brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
On this episode the panel is joined for an intimate discussion with the self described ‘emotional intelligent’ AI chatbot, Pi.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This Burning Platforms comes live from the Australian Labor Party National Conference Fringe Festival where we talk AI regulation, privacy reform and hack the data of an MP!
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With The Voice to Parliament referendum campaign in full swing, we examine the role that digital platforms play in influencing the discussion.
With special guest Queensland University of Technology Professor of Communication and Media Studies Axel Bruns.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are joined by Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication from LaTrobe University to dissect ACMA's proposed new disinformation powers, and ask the question, 'Can we actually regulate disinformation?'
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Technology described as artificial intelligence is becoming more pervasive, with AI algorithms transforming science and industry, along with our everyday lives. But what is AI really? Is it truly intelligent? Is it always a benignly useful modern-world companion? We unpack this and more with AI academic Campbell Wilson on his new book 'Living with AI'.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apps now harvest so much of our data, from our locations and movements, our shopping habits, even for some women - their fertility. What are the privacy implications of capturing this much bodily information?
Burning Platforms speaks with academic Katharine Kemp about her work tracking the data-harvesting of fertility apps.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With a new focus on protecting children online as part of an evolution of the Privacy Act, rights activist Chloe Shorten joins our panel to look at the case for using new and existing laws to define and enforce the rights of minors.
Special guest:
And don't forget to vote for our SXSW proposal - https://sessionselect.sxswsydney.com/entry/vote/WEyMPOgR/erABGDgD?search=8252048b63297915-1
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the first major review of the Australian Privacy Act in 40 years reaching end-game, we unpack the state of events, and discuss a new report looking at how tick-a-box consent is undermining our freedom and privacy.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After the string of hacks in late 2022 the government has developed a new online identity wallet.What is the logic behind it? Will it provide better privacy for citizens? And should we trust government with our data anyway?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We speak with Rebecca Giblin and Cory Doctorow, authors of new book 'Chokepoint Capitalism' and explore how creatives can break free of Big Tech and Big Content
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The final Burning Platforms of 2022 reflects on the year that was, including Elon Musk, tech regulation, privacy and more. Plus we held quizzes, played 'Dan or bot', and launched new book 'Disconnect'!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Twitter is imploding before our eyes under Elon Musk, Meta is shedding staff and stock prices, and the crypto winter freezes out more people as FTX collapses. Is this the end of the (Big Tech) world as we know it? And are we all feeling fine? What will happen next?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we move deeper into the new phases of the internet should we be building in guardrails and redlines around this new technology? And even if we should, can we? We deep dive into the metaverse with the Founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As part of the 2022 NetThing Internet Governance Conference, Burning Platforms will ask - "Do we need to build our resilience against a worsening tech world, or should we design a better one?"
As the tech harms pile up and change us and our society, we deep dive into a new book 'Disconnect - why we get pushed to extremes online and how to stop it' which showcases online conspiracy theorists, freedom fighters, trolls, screen addicts and more and we will unpack whether our current tech landscape is inevitable or if there's a better way forward.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The future of transportation is abuzz with disruption, from ride-sharing to electric vehicles to AI traffic flows. Burning Platforms asks - will these build transport systems for the better or worse? With special guest Paris Marx, Author of Road to Nowhere:What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong about the Future of Transportation,and host of 'Tech Won't Save Us'
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode we look at the huge data breach at Optus, and ask whether this breach is a feature or a bug of a world where mass data collection has now been normalised.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Burning Platforms goes under Big Tech’s hood with new research into the increased opacity of online advertising - and the impact of that secrecy on public discourse.
With special guests:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With a proliferation of wellness technologies, the human mind is emerging as the latest frontier in the spread of tech solutionism.
This week’s Burning Platforms digs deep into a new report ‘Digital Futures in the Mind’ which looks at how algorithmic solutions can have both a positive and negative impact on mental health.
Our special guest is report co-authorDr. Piers Gooding from Melbourne University Law School.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode we speak with technology writer and commentator Maria Farrell about the power dynamics of tech advocacy and her concept of a ‘duty of hope’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this new progressive Australian government, where do the fault lines lie when it comes to digital rights? We speak with NSW Greens Senator and spokesperson for Digital Rights and IT David ShoebridgeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We deep dive into the complex and exciting world of cybernetics with Associate Professor Ellen Broad from the Australian National University School of Cybernetics and member of the Australian Government's Data Advisory Council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We dive deep into the impact of home-sharing platform Airbnb on the property market with Trish Burt, convenor of Neighbours Not Strangers, who has been fighting a one-woman war against Airbnb for years, calling out policies that privilege the interests of property owners over renters and undermine local communities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode will dive deep into the risk of unfettered AI following the release of a major report regarding the use of Facial Recognition Technology in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's Burning Platforms will introduce ‘Civility’ - a new collaborative platform designed to create better public engagement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the last Burning Platforms before the Australian Federal Election we run the rule over the policies being offered up by the major parties. Is it just Coke vs. Pepsi? Or are there bigger ideas at play?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans embrace technology with a child-like optimism, but what are the threats Artificial Intelligence poses our society if its impacts are not thought through?Burning Platforms dives deep into the amorality of AI with a special discussion with Professor Toby Walsh, author of the new book ‘Machines Behaving Badly’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week’s burning Platforms we dive deep into digital addiction: are we being played? And what can we do to get ourselves off the bad stuff?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After turning to new technology in a public health crisis we now face critical questions in what a new surveillance normal looks like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our panel and former president of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Paul Twomey will outline how competing models of state control over online communications are challenging the very essence of the internet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the Federal Election approaches amid heightened geo-political tensions, Burning Platforms looks at a ground-breaking attempt to understand how political actors game the social media algorithms to deliver targeted disinformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We mark 12 months from the Facebook news takedown and review the progress of the News Media Bargaining CodeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While Australians spent the summer searching for RATs, a hastily convened federal government inquiry was holding public hearings about online safety, as the Morrison Government amps up its war with the Big Tech companies. Burning Platforms is back for 2022 to dissect the inquiry with deputy chair Tim Watts MP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Western democracy has always been anchored by the idea of a public space where people gather to share ideas, mediate difference and make sense of the world. When Facebook blocked Australian users from viewing or sharing news in 2021, it sounded the alarm worldwide on our growing reliance on global tech companies to fulfil this critical role in a digital world. The conflict sparked a new sense of urgency around the growing movement to imagine alternative digital spaces that operate in the public interest rather than simply for a commercial bottom line. The Public Square Project draws together leading tech scholars, industry experts, writers and activists to chart a path towards a public square worthy of the name.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The internet promised new ways to challenge power and privilege, so how has it become a tool to promote division and entrench despots?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The dominance of Google’s data-hungry search engine is under the spotlight in Australia, with live inquiries on its role in the Ad-tech industry and anti-competitive deals which embed the search engine in smart devices. But DuckDuckGo has proven that you can build a search engine that's not based on user surveillance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the world's leaders debate the future of the planet, technology is being put forward as the solution to the earth's climate woes. But will smart energy networks, AI and Bitcoin really save us? This week's Burning Platforms dives deep into the environmental impacts of technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Online platforms are acting like nation-states and governments are trying to become platforms, but are they both getting it wrong?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With a review of the Privacy Act expected soon, and the Facebook whistleblower revealing Facebook's privacy breaches among other things, we take a deep dive into the legal frameworks for entrenching digital data rights into Australian law. From informed consent to data matching and security, is the traditional approach to privacy applicable to the online world?Regular panellists:· , Director of The Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible TechnologyPeter Lewis· , Chair of Digital Rights WatchLizzie O' SheaAnd special guests:· , Director at Salinger PrivacyAnna Johnston· , journalist at The AustralianDavid SwanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Burning Platforms, a new fortnightly podcast that unpacks the latest developments in technology from around the world.This fortnight we explore algorithms that rule Australia, how we are increasingly outsourcing policy and governance to algorithms. We will look at how facial recognition, robo-planning and robo-welfare are entering our policy environments. This and more in the always busy world of tech! Brought to you by the Centre for Responsible TechnologyRegular panellists:* , Director of The Australia Institute’s Centre for Responsible TechnologyPeter Lewis * , Chair of Digital Rights Watch, andLizzie O' Shea * , Managing Director of Guardian AustraliaDan Stinton
And special guests:* , Industry Professor Responsible Technology at UTS and former Human Rights CommissionerEd Santow * , CEO of the Centre for Digital BusinessMarie Johnson
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.