Think: Digital Futures

Would you make love to a robot?

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 03:27:22 -0000

Techno-sexuality. Digi-sexuality. I-dollatry and Robophilia are new sexualities made possible by technology. So who is behind these identities? And what’s the attraction?

Featuring Dr Belinda Middleweek, Senior Lecturer in Journalism in the School of Communications at University of Technology Sydney

Music from Epidemic Sound

Produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

Musical Robots

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0000

Ya like robo-jazz?

Featured:

Dr. Richard Savery: Macquarie University Research Fellow (MQRF), Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature

Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong

Music:

Shimon Aarhus perf. Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and Shimon (provided by Dr. Richard Savery)
Faster Does It Kevin McLeod

As AI becomes more advanced and nuanced, it is inevitable that we see it entering the arts. After my conversation with Dr. Sara Oscar, I was curious to descend further down the rabbit hole of artificial creativity. Being a musician, there was no better way to challenge my beliefs of what is or isn't "music" than by exploring robot musicians. But it isn't just techno sounds and glitch, Dr. Richard Savery's robot musician Shimon can rap, sing, and play the marimba in a band.

The comeback of stem cells: why this time, they might work.

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:15:02 -0000

For decades, stem cells have been the technology that’s just around the corner. The medicine that would fix just about part of the body. But stem cell injections haven’t delivered on their advertised potential. Now, thanks to ingenuity and machine learning, they'll have a shot.

Featuring Dr Jiao Jiao Li, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney

Produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

Conscious AI and the Universe

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 05:36:00 -0000

What is 'consciousness'?

Featured:

Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama; Director of the Centre for Consciousness Studies, Director of the Centre for Sustainable AI

Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong

Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org

The nature of consciousness is an emerging philosophical question that has been pondered for centuries. Now, with the advent of advanced Artificial Intelligence, the ethics and implications of conscious AI is at the forefront of people's minds. However, delving into just what consciousness actually is on the grand scheme of the universe could provide insight into the unanswered questions of the universe.

Is AI Art, 'Art'?

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 05:26:00 -0000

Where do AI generated imagery fall in the world of art?

In September 2022, Jason M. Allen controversially won first prize in the Colorado State Fair's "digital arts/digitally-manipulated photography" competition. This event sparked a growing debate in the art world and on social media over the legitimacy of AI generated artwork. Many artists are calling foul on AI art, and are vehemently opposed to its inclusion in the arts on both creative and legal grounds. However, controversy always follows new technology, one only has to take a look at the last century to see similar fierce opposition to photography's standing as "legitimate" art.

To unpack the issue surrounding AI art, I spoke to someone with their foot in both worlds. Dr. Sara Oscar is a photographer and Senior Lecturer at UTS's School of Design. Her research specialises in the cultural impacts of AI and deep neural networks. Hopefully, she can shine some light on the question 'Is AI Art, 'art'?

Featured:

Dr. Sara Oscar: Senior Lecturer, UTS School of Design

Music:

Dances and Dames Kevin McLeod
Faster Does It Kevin McLeod

Presented and Produced by Cameron M. Furlong

Collecting Music in the Digital Age

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 05:39:00 -0000

All of us have our own relationship with music, for some it provides some background colour to the day, for others it’s an integral part of life. But technology has changed our relationship with music, both in how we consume it and how we collect it. While it’s easier than ever to access an enormous amount of music from every era, genre and country on Earth, has it become more difficult to forge meaningful relationships with artists and their songs? How do we keep track of a lifetime’s worth of music appreciation and listening, and is it even important that we do?

Featured:

- Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

- Darren Cross, Musician

Music:

Darren Cross - hONEYCOMB (10.8.5)

Darren Cross - Honeeey Pot

Darren Cross - Pump Up the Dole-Drums (INFINITE3)

Darren Cross - S u m_m e r T a p e d

(courtesy of the artist)

Preserving Video Game History

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 05:16:14 -0000

Advances in technology and art require a solid foundation of history in order to improve, progress and innovate. What happens when that history is tied up with copyright restrictions or only exists as an expensive artifact? With video games the highest earning entertainment products, can publishers be forgiven for protecting their investments by deciding what relics from the past we now get to discover, or should these long lost treasures be more accessible?

Featured: Dr Jaime Garcia Deputy Director (T&L Engagement), Faculty of Engineering and IT, Co-director UTS Games Studio

Music:

Lexica - Albatross (courtesy of Endemic Sound)

DEX - Light In Reverse (courtesy of Endemic Sound)

Ben Salter - Semi- Pro Gamer (courtesy of the artist)

Deepfakes and Social Identity

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 05:53:35 -0000

Artificial Intelligence and Beer

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 05:04:14 -0000

Do you trust a robot with your beer?

Featured:

Doctor Nick Bennett: Senior Lecturer, School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Danielle MacDonald: Brewer, Sydney Brewery

Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong

Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms; sourced from Freesound.org. Outro music Modern Compersion One Man Book.

AI will soon have a say in how you beer tastes. Researchers at UTS are developing new brewing technologies that will be able to monitor the brewing of beer at every step of the process. This could lead to more economical and cheaper brews, and the micro-analysis of the process means that brews could be cloned to twin breweries around the world. Can an AI analyst hold a candle to the experience and intuition of a human brewer, or will their own individual strengths elevate the process?

3D Printing Stem Cells

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 04:35:20 -0000

Can a printer save a life?

Featured:

Professor Majid Warkiani: Biomedical Engineer, University of Technology Sydney
Sajad Razavi Bazaz: Biomedical Engineer, PHD Candidate, UTS

Produced and Presented by: Andrew Herlinger

Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org

Stem cell research offers great promise in the treatment of Australians living with diseases, cancers or a physical disfigurement.

But with that potential comes concerns over its tendency to being labour intensive, time consuming and expensive.

As such, there is plenty of research being conducted that is looking to reduce its costs and time in a way that is both ethical and profitable for those that are investing money into this area.

Think Digital Futures' Andrew Herlinger investigates.

Robot and Human Trust

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 04:10:48 -0000

Does your robot trust you?

As research hastens to making Brain-Computer Interfaces between robots and human a reality, we ought to examine the cultural significance behind it. We must consider the definition of “trust” and how it can be applied to an interface between a robot and a human. We can easily understand how much a human trusts a robot, but have you ever considered if a robot can trust a human? Can we even consider it at all? Cameron M. Furlong investigates.

Features:

Distinguished Professor CT Lin, UTS School of Computer Science
Doctor Chris Muller, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature

Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong

Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org

Hey Google, Is That a Fact?

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 06:49:03 -0000

What happens when you ask Google to tell you the truth?

Featured:

Associate Professor Heather Ford: Head Of Discipline Digital and Social Media, UTS

Produced and Presented by: Lawrence Bull

Music: Theme for Empty Stage by Luella Gren

It’s never been so easy to access quick information – a third of Australian adults use virtual assistants. But are we getting the facts?

A Kenyan Superhero VS Wikipedia

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:12:56 -0000

Just how representative is the world’s largest encyclopedia?

Featured:

Associate Professor Heather Ford: Head Of Discipline Digital and Social Media, UTS

Produced and Presented by: Lawrence Bull

Music: Ha-He by Just a Band

The world’s biggest encyclopedia has a big problem. Female editors at Wikipedia are outnumbered by a factor of eight. Africans are underrepresented by a factor of 17.

The bias is built into the code, and that code is programming our future. If Wikipedia – one of the largest databases of information on the internet and now used to train neutral networks – is biased, then how can we rely on it be a source of balanced information? Think: Digital Futures’ producer Lawrence Bull investigates.

Fairness in Artificial Intelligence

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 06:08:00 -0000

Are the decisions made by AI really as unbiased as we think they are?

Featured:

Distinguished Professor Fang Chen: Executive Director of The Data Science Institute, UTS

Doctor Ben Swift: Senior Lecturer, School of Computing, ANU

Produced and Presented by: Andrew Herlinger

Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org

As AI and machine learning systems become more advanced, the more we see them enter into different aspects of our day to day lives. We may think that the mathematical functions the machine learning algorithms are trained on are free from the mortal flaw of bias human decisions are cursed by – but the unfortunate reality is that they may not be as unbiased as we want them to be. How do we ensure these digital decision makers are operating fairly? This quandary is quickly becoming a significant concern as AI driven processes become involved in choices that have far-reaching impacts on our daily lives. Think: Digital Futures’ producer Andrew Herlinger investigates.

Whiskey Sniffing Electronic Nose

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 06:13:00 -0000

For the last 5 years, Dr. Su and his team have been developing an electronic nose that can sense gas compound patterns in the air. The E-nose that they have developed has the capability to distinguish between different brands of whiskey, including smelling out counterfeits. However, the dream does not end there for Dr. Su. He sees potential uses for this e-nose as far as drug detection and food safety, and even as a part of a robot with the full suite of human sensors. But how does an e-nose work; how similar is it to a human nose; and can it beat out an eager set of human nostrils in a whiskey sniff test? Dr. Su has your answers.

The Gender Legislative Index

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 06:20:00 -0000

How can AI help in ensuring gender equality in legislation?

Featured:

Dr. Ramona Vijeyarasa: Senior Lecturer Faculty of Law, UTS; Architect of the Gender Legislative Index

The Hon. Ruth Forrest: Member of the Legislative Council of Tasmania; Independent member for Murchison

Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong

Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org

As more scrutiny is put on the type of exclusionary and gender-biased language used in legislation, law makers should be looking for ways to improve the process of creating laws. How can we know which laws need changing, and to what degree? Such a question cannot be answered by a human-powered review into every single law in existence - there is just too much to go through, and humans are inherently biased no matter how neutral they claim to be. The challenge has been set, and Dr Ramona Vijeyarasa has a solution - the Gender Legislative Index. The GLI compares legislation to global standards and gives a rating as to how biased or unbiased the law is. The GLI currently being used in 4 countries; Australia, Indonesia, The Philippines, and Sri Lanka to assess laws currently in effect. But what about future laws? Well, thanks to Ruth Forrest, the GLI may start to be directly involved in legislation passed in the Tasmanian Parliament. Hopefully, the value of the GLI is seen and its services are implemented at a Federal Level.

Being queer on dating apps

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 05:19:00 -0000

Most of our search for love and sex has been uploaded onto apps - for better or worse. What effect is this having on queer communities, and what are the experiences of queer people using these apps?

Language warning

Featuring:

Paul Byron, Postdoctoral Researcher, School of Communication, UTS

Eric, Former dating app user

Damien, Current dating app user

Producer/presenter: Josh Green

Music: Epidemic sound

Empathy in the digital world

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 23:00:00 -0000

As technology and social media algorithms evolve faster than we can monitor them, how has our ability to empathise with others been affected?

Featuring:

Joshua Krook, PhD candidate, University of Adelaide.

Dr Heather Ford, Head of Digital and Social Media, UTS.

Brennan Hatton, CTO and co-founder of Equal Reality.

Producer/presenter: Bageshri Savyasachi

Music: Epidemic sound

Navigating the fertility industry online

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:00:00 -0000

What are the experiences of women using technology to make a baby? And how are they navigating the fertility industry online?

Featuring:

Natalie Hart, donor egg recipient

Professor Anita Stuhmcke, faculty of law, UTS

Dr Lizle Oosthuizen, reproduction medicine specialist, Cape Fertility

Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic sound

Digital vaccine passports and mass data collection

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0000

In order to open up safely after two years of restricted movement, many countries are introducing COVID-19 vaccination passports. But how will this work? In this episode we look at the safety and privacy concerns of these technologies and consider how they should cater to the digitally disadvantaged.

Featuring:

Dr Manoranjan Mohanty, Lecturer in School of Mathematical and Physical Science at the University of Technology Sydney

Dr Helen Paik, Senior Lecturer the School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of News South Wales.

Dr Katie Attwell, Senior Lecturer in School of Social Sciences at University of Western Australia and Lead Researcher of Coronavax: Preparing Community and Government

Producer/Host: Sophie Ellis

Music: Epidemic Sound

Streamers go dark over hate raids

Sat, 25 Sep 2021 07:13:00 -0000

In this episode we observe how online hate speech can result in real-life consequences. How gaming and social media platforms are failing to censor dangerous content. And pushback from the community.

Featured:

DK, content creator and gamer on Youtube and Twitch

Dr Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, senior lecturer, Behavioural Data Science, University of Technology Sydney

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

With research assistance from Eamonn Culhane

Music: Epidemic Sound

Neurotechnology and the law

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 02:20:00 -0000

Technologies used to read and alter the brain are being introduced in courts around the world. But how will neuro-based evidence revolutionise the way we view criminals? Who decides who is a good citizen? And how do we create a future worth wanting and not merely inherit whatever future results from new technology?

Featured:

Dr Nicole Vincent, senior lecturer, Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation, UTS

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic Sound

3D-printed housing in the face of climate change

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:06:00 -0000

As communities become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, how are architects using 3D-printing to ensure buildings are energy efficient?

Featured:

Dr Kim Loo, western Sydney GP, NSW chair, Doctors for the Environment

Associate Professor Hank Haeusler, Director of the Bachelor of Computational Design, University of NSW

Dr Tim Schork, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic Sound, Blue Dot Sessions

A billionaire space race

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 07:40:00 -0000

Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos recently flew into space, days after billionaire Richard Branson made it into orbit. Space has always been a frontier for innovation, but what has been achieved so far, by the growing privatisation of the space industry? What risks are there?

Featured:

Kurby Ikin, Managing Director of Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants, National Space Society Australia

Iver Cairns, Professor in Space Physics, University of Sydney

Professor Anna Moore, Director, Institute for Space, Australian National University

Dr. Joshua Chou, Senior Lecturer, School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & IT, University of Technology Sydney

Producer/Presenter: Soofia Tariq

A game to support dementia diagnosis

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 06:57:00 -0000

Dementia is a confronting disease, with many barriers to early diagnosis and lengthy diagnostic processes. Researchers are developing new technologies in the hopes of easing that process.

Featured:

Sheila and Dale

Fernanda Tavares Vasconcelos Oliveira, PhD student, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Dr Jaime Garcia, Senior Lecturer in Games Development, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic sound

A digital archive to support Indigenous repatriation

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 02:46:00 -0000

A huge repatriation effort has been ongoing for decades, in an attempt to return the ancestors and sacred objects of Indigenous people back to their homeland. We speak to two men who’ve helped develop a digital archive - to support that movement.

Featured:

Steve Hemming, associate professor, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, UTS

Daryle Rigney, a citizen of the Ngarrindjeri nation, Director of the Indigenous Nations and Collaborative Futures Research hub, Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, UTS

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic Sound, Blue Dot Sessions

How do we extract renewables minerals sustainably?

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 06:14:00 -0000

As we expand our mining of minerals for the green energy transition, we may harm the biodiversity of surrounding areas and cause other environmental consequences. How are researchers developing alternative technologies to extract metals like Lithium sustainably?

Featured:

Professor Rick Valenta, Director of the WH Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland

Dr Gayathri Naidu, researcher, Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, UTS

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic Sound

Are new surveillance laws encroaching on privacy?

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 09:39:00 -0000

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has jumped on the opportunity to expand surveillance laws following the success of Operation Ironside. But members of the cybersecurity community say new laws have been rushed and may encroach on individual privacy.

Featured:

Patrick Fair, commercial lawyer with expertise in intellectual property, competition law, telecommunications and privacy law

Eric Pinkerton, cybersecurity consultant, Trustwave

Dr Priyardarsi Nanda, senior lecturer, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, UTS

Music: Epidemic Sound

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

The ethics of genetic testing in IVF

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 11:32:00 -0000

As a parent, you would do whatever you could to ensure that your child has a good life. But what if you knew that your unborn child would have a condition that would severely impact their quality of life? What if you could, at the earliest possible stage, choose against this?

Featured:

Dr Peter Illingworth, Medical Director, IVF Australia

Professor Isabel Karpin, School of Law, University of Technology Sydney

Steph Agnew, disability and IVF advocate

Producer/Presenter: Toby Hemmings

Are digital mental health services working?

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 07:25:00 -0000

Which groups of Australians are benefiting most from digital mental health services? And how are psychologists adapting their practice to incorporate these new tools?

Featured:

Richard Mason, Batyr Lived Experience Speaker

Bethany Wootton, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, UTS

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic Sound

3D printing hearts, ears and skin

Fri, 28 May 2021 07:00:00 -0000

The technological capabilities of 3D printers continue to advance. In this episode, we explore the capability of 3D bio-printing, the printing of biological structures, such as heart tissue, bones, and skin. Could 3D printed heart tissue replace heart transplants in the future? What hurdles are there to implementing this technology in hospitals in Australia?

Featured:

Dr Carmine Gentile, lecturer at UTS School of Biomedical Engineering, group leader of the cardiovascular regeneration group at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney

Associate Professor Payal Mukherjee, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeon, ENT lead for research from Royal Prince Alfred’s Institute of Academic Surgery, Clinical Associate Professor of surgery at the University of Sydney, Adjunct Professor at the University of Wollongong and the current chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons NSW.

Dr Matthew Rimmer, Professor of intellectual property and innovation at the Queensland University of Technology.

Presenter/Producer: Marlene Even

Music: Epidemic Sound

Sound: 3D bio-printer recording, by Dr Carmine Gentile, second recording by Associate Professor Payal Mukherjee, Professor Gordon Wallace AO, Director ARC Centre for Electromaterial Science and his team.

Automation and redefining work

Sun, 23 May 2021 05:13:00 -0000

Machines are beginning to replace human judgement and other cognitive tasks, not just physical labour, seeing millions of unemployed in coming decades. What will become of the unemployed masses? Idleness and depression? Or bountiful travel and leisure? And how will we distribute welfare equally?

Featured:

Dikai Liu, Director, Robotics Institute, UTS

Benjamin Hunnicutt, historian, professor of work and leisure, Iowa University

Producer/Presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic sound

NFTs and the future of digital art

Fri, 07 May 2021 10:41:00 -0000

How are NFTs redefining the art world? Are blockchain powered marketplaces empowering artists or harming the environment?

Featured:

Craig Blackmoore, digital artist, founder House of Blackmoore

Jaysson Guerrero, senior research consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney

Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music:

Epidemic sound

Some of us, Craig Blackmoore

Google and ethical AI

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 06:55:00 -0000

Why has Google fired members of its ethical AI team? How pervasive are problematic algorithms in society? And who is holding developers of new technologies to account? We speak to leading AI researchers about current challenges facing the industry.

Featured:

Tiberio Caetano, Chief Scientist, Gradient Institute

Professor Fang Chen, Executive Director of Data Science, University of Technology Sydney

Producer/presenter: Julia Carr-Catzel

Music: Epidemic sound

Online devices and privacy

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 02:52:00 -0000

Online devices are becoming ubiquitous in our lives. Some of them are convenient, or even essential- others are just fun novelties. But many people haven’t considered the security risk of, for example, having a camera connected to the internet in their home- or a doll that records their children’s voices.

In this episode we’re looking at the risks and benefits of Internet of Things technology- and how you can make sure your devices aren’t giving away your personal information

1800-dial-a-government

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 09:13:00 -0000

They say that nothing gets things moving like a crisis.

In this episode of Think: Digital Futures, we’ll take a closer look at how your smartphone is fundamentally changing the way we interact with government services.

In today’s world of delivery food and Zoom meetings, should accessing government services be as easy as ordering a pad thai?

Or will ridding the public service of the pens and paper that have fueled their longevity simply end in one big glitch?

Sensing the future

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 06:09:00 -0000

Sensors, ever smaller and cheaper, can collect ever more nuanced sets of data. With that data, we can understand our world in ever more detail. That can mean cleaner air in our cities, more efficient water usage, or even saving a rainforest species.

Farming futures

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:46:00 -0000

As climate breakdown makes farming an evermore unstable and unpredictable industry, technology is developing ways to maximise the efficiency of agriculture. This episode we look at how internet enabled devices, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are being used to improve farming practices in Australia.

A constant drone

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 07:07:00 -0000

Drones are all around us these days... everyone seems to own one, for better or worse. But should we be more wary of these flying sentinels? While they've proven to be effective in some of our biggest challenges, like wildlife conservation, they also pose massive risks to our civil liberties, and widen the surveillance state.

The fourth industrial revolution

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 05:54:00 -0000

We're living in an era of unprecedented change... just like previous industrial revolutions, our current one (well underway) is more than the sum of its technological advances; it's the incredible social change that goes along with it.

Join former World Economic Forum advisor and author Nicholas Davis, as he discusses why we shouldn't be hands off when it comes to tech, the power of AI... and just what still makes us human in this tech age.

Predicting super bugs

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 04:36:00 -0000

Scientists have been warning the world about the rise of anti-microbial resistance for decades now- some strains of diseases like gonorrhea, tuberculosis and staph infections are almost completely resistant to even our most powerful drugs. A new project, headed up by the University of Technology Sydney, is working on tracking where this resistance develops, and predicting where resistant microbes might pop up next. We speak to some of the scientists on the project, about how it works, and who it can help.

Block to the future

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:00 -0000

Blockchain, Bitcoin... maybe you switch off when you hear those terms. But the cutting edge technology, and all the exciting possibilities it raises, can be summed up in one word: trust.

From making sure your coffee really is fair trade, to trading solar power hours with your neighbour, blockchain is taking is to the future.

Online elections

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:51:00 -0000

As more of our lives move online, could our democratic rights also be exercised on the internet? Is voting from your phone or computer as safe as popping your ballot into a cardboard box on election day? This week we look at the ins and out of electronic voting- how it's used, and how it could be expanded on in Australia.

Creeping capability

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 06:02:00 -0000

Since 2015, Australia has been developing a database of citizen's biometrics, to be fed into facial recognition software for the purpose of combating crime and identity theft. Most Australians are unaware of the scheme- but if you have a passport or state issued photo ID, your face is in this vast database. In this episode we look at the efficacy of facial recognition, and the implications of its use in Australia.

A fair fight

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0000

The world's biggest tech companies are in a big fight... with an Australian organisation. The ACCC has presented a plan that will force Facebook and Google pay more for news content shared on their sites. It could save the dying journalism industry, but so far, they're not playing ball.

How will tech affect our human rights?

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 20:00:00 -0000

In this special episode, we sit down with the Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow. How does technology stand to affect our human rights? Facial recognition, AI, predictive policing... we discuss it all ahead of the AHRC report due out later this year.

Can a hashtag save a life?

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 07:12:00 -0000

Social media has well and truly become a place of activism. With current COVID restrictions, that is now necessary, with public gatherings banned. How effective is activism online? Derided as "slacktivism", is there nonetheless real world results from our online stands?

All quiet on the regional front

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Regional news has been on the decline ever since the advent of the internet. COVID has exacerbated the decline sharply.

Without a local publication, huge swaths of regional Australia are becoming "news deserts". As we turn more and more to social media for our information, what is the future of news in a digital world?

The Gambling Bug

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 04:18:00 -0000

It doesn’t take much to realise that gambling is fast becoming part of our everyday. From the pokies, sports betting, online games and apps, gambling is everywhere and accessible at any time. While the temptations are manageable for some, for others they can be difficult to shake. In the time of the coronavirus shutdown, medical experts have aired concerns for the general public, who they say are just as vulnerable to addiction as anyone else.

Is telehealth here to stay?

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 06:24:00 -0000

Telehealth has seen a rapid expansion since March, as the government scrambled to slow the spread of coronavirus. Medical professionals have welcomed the changes, and medical associations are calling for them to stay in place after the pandemic is over. So why did it take a pandemic to bring telehealth to all patients? And is it an adequate substitute for in person health appointments.

Garden Cities

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 08:11:00 -0000

Climate breakdown is changing the way people live- in cities, already soaring temperatures are compounded by the concrete, treeless layouts of most urban centres, while extreme weather decimates crops and disrupts our food supply chains. In this week's episode, we explore the possibilities green walls and vertical agriculture present for our urban centres, and how technology could help us adapt to a worsening climate.

COVID culture

Fri, 22 May 2020 02:41:00 -0000

Even before restaurants and pubs were shut down, the bans on public gatherings essentially outlawed our artistic institutions. Along with work meetings and trivia nights, our culture, too, has migrated online. Some institutions have taken the opportunity to innovate in exciting ways, making art more interactive than ever... while others are just trying to survive. What will COVID mean for an industry already on the brink?

Looking up to you - Simon Kennedy

https://www.mixcloud.com/ben-drayton/mince-tv-ben-drayton-290320/

The Infodemic

Fri, 15 May 2020 05:08:00 -0000

Misinformation around COVID is just as dangerous as the virus itself. From injecting bleach to destroying 5G towers, myths around corona have spread online like wildfire. The tech companies have taken moves to limit such misinformation, but why now? Especially after years of refusing to remove other lies from online spaces? And will this extend to political lies in the future?

Rethinking Repair

Fri, 08 May 2020 12:51:00 -0000

Electronic waste is a mounting problem, with hundreds of thousand of tonnes of electronics going into landfill every year, in Australia alone. You're more likely to just buy a new appliance, rather than spending more time and money to get it repaired. Electronic locks on technology mean both owners and repair people struggle to do basic fixes on the things we buy. How did we end up with this throwaway culture, where it's easier to buy something new than to have it repaired? And how do we find a way out?

We Have No Choice But To Stan

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 22:22:00 -0000

Social and digital media have revolutionised what it means to be a fan. But in a connected world, passion runs on overdrive where gushing over your favourites can quickly snowball into flat out cyberwar. This week we're looking at vicious fandoms in the digital age, the rise of stan culture and what happens when fans attack.

Featuring:

Chris Comerford - Cultural Studies Researcher at the University of Technology Sydney

Jared Richards - Staff Writer at Junkee

Lauren McInroy - Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work at Ohio State University

The Digital Whistleblower

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 05:30:00 -0000

Within any organisation, professional or governmental environment there's some level of digital infrastructure enabling people with sensitive information to come forward. But as you'll hear on this episode, these systems are failing to offer adequate protection and anonymity for those courageous enough to blow the whistle.

Featuring:

Fabio Pietrosanti - President of the Hermes Centre for Transparency and Digital Human Rights

Peter Fleming - Professor of Business and Management at the University of Technology Sydney

The Truth About Digital Addictions and Detoxes

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 05:30:00 -0000

A lot of us joke around and say we're addicted to our phones, but when does the endless scrolling and hours of screen time turn into a full blown addiction? This episode we look at digital addictions, how devices are designed to be addictive but also how we're quick to demonise the tech that make our connected lives possible.

Featuring:

Luke Vu - Psychologist and Clinical Psychology Graduate from the Graduate School of Health at the University of Technology Sydney.

Raian Ali - Professor in Computing at Bournemouth University, United Kingdom.

Natasha Mauthner - Professor of Social Science Philosophy and Method at Newcastle University Business School, United Kingdom.

And I Oop!

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 04:30:00 -0000

Humour has taken on new life in the digital age and TikTok is leading the march into obscurity. This episode we dive into the world of the VSCO girl and unpack how internet trends may seem like nonsense, but dig a little deeper and you'll find they actually make complete sense.

Featuring:

Lauren Strapagiel - Breaking News Reporter at Buzzfeed

Paul Byron - Digital Cultures Researcher in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney

What Do Your Google Searches Say About You?

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 05:30:00 -0000

Google will answer somewhere between 3-5 billion searches every day. But overtime, Google has evolved into so much more than a search engine. It's become a place where we confess our deepest, darkest thoughts. This episode, we're taking a look at the data Google collects about you through your searches. But we're not addressing your privacy concerns. Instead, we're looking at how this data could help those in crisis.

Featuring:

Patrick Berlinquette - Search Engine Marketer

Dr Ofer Mintz - Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Technology Sydney Business School

Print Your Next Meal

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 03:08:00 -0000

What is 3D food printing and why are we doing it?

Featuring:

Professor Bronwyn Hemsley - Head of Speech Pathology at the University of Technology Sydney.

Jonathan Blutinger PhD Student in the School of Engineering at Columbia University.

Viral Scarelore

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 03:07:00 -0000

What is a viral scare and where do they come from? This episode we look at internet urban legends and how hoaxes spread in the age of online misinformation.

Featuring:

Marcella Tambuscio - Postdoctoral Fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Giovanni Luca Ciampaglia - Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Florida.

Anne Kruger - Bureau Editor of First Draft Australia, University of Technology Sydney.

Produced by Jake Morcom and Victor Petrovic.

What Happens To Your Opal Card Data

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 06:30:00 -0000

And why it's not being used to improve the public transport system.

Featuring:

Claudine Moutou - Transport Sociologist at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney.

Mat Hounsell - Senior Research Consultant at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney.

Your Digital Life and Death

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 06:30:00 -0000

What happens to your digital life when you die?

Featuring:

James Meese - Senior Lecturer in the School of Communication at the University of Technology Sydney.

Megan Yip - Estate Planning and Post Death Admin Attorney in California.

Video Game Nostalgia

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 06:30:00 -0000

What makes video games such a nostalgic medium? This episode we look at the uniquely nostalgic qualities of video games and how the gaming industry is profiting off your nostalgia.

Featuring:

George Mitri - Avid Gamer and Graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Games Development degree at the University of Technology Sydney.

Aaron Chetcuti - Avid Gamer and Graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Games Development degree at the University of Technology Sydney.

James Sweeting - PhD Researcher and Associate Lecturer, Transtechnology Research at the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom.

Intellectual Disability and the Gig Economy

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 04:30:00 -0000

The rate of unemployment for those with intellectual disability is more than four times that of the non-disabled population. Stigma and ableism continue to widen this gap. On this episode, you'll hear about a program tackling this divide and how the online world is helping make career goals a reality.

Featuring:

Jonathan and Annette - Participants of Start Up.

Katie Butler - Program Director for Start Up at Challenge Community Services.

Beth Innes - Grants Coordinator at Challenge Community Services.

Bronwyn Hemsley - Head of Speech Pathology at the University of Technology Sydney and Researcher on the Start Up program.

Full episode transcript available here: https://bit.ly/2YpiSyy

The Modders

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 04:59:00 -0000

The video gaming world is full of digital geniuses, but this isn't limited to those designing the games. The Modders are an international community of gamers reengineering the code and backend of video games to alter the in-game universe. Many do it for fun, some for prestige, but others are more politically driven.

Featuring:

Karl Munstedt - Digital Artist and Technologist, Creator of Grand Theft Homo.

Dr William Raffe - Codiretor of the Game Studio Research Group and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Technology Sydney.

The Mental Health Crisis in the Adult Industry

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 23:57:00 -0000

Porn performers and sex workers face heavy stigma. This stigma is pervasive and socially excludes in multiple ways. In this episode, we look at how many mental health services are discriminating against those working in the adult industry and the online networks offering support for performers.

Featuring:

Max Arion - Sex Worker and Porn Performer.

Leya Tanit - President and Founder of Pineapple Support.

Paul Byron - Researcher in the School of Communication at the University of Technology Sydney.

Why Space Travel is a Colonial Crisis

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 03:59:00 -0000

With Earth's natural resources diminishing at a rapid rate, many tech giants are dubbing space as our salvation. Billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are pumping out extravagant technologies intended to establish human life on space bodies with unlimited resources. But what's wrong with these aspirations? And what does having billionaires at the fore of these conversations say about our space goals?

Featuring:

Damien Williams - PhD Researcher in the Department of Science, Tech and Society at Virginia Tech.

Amy Thomas - Researcher in the Indigenous Land and Justice Research Hub at the University of Technology Sydney.

Full transcript of the episode available here: https://bit.ly/326FHpU

Technology and Inspiration Porn

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 03:30:00 -0000

The stories we tell about technology are mostly positive, they connect our world and make the impossible possible. But when it comes to the technologies used by disabled people, these stories are often lazy and reinforce damaging stereotypes. In this episode, Ashley Shew (Virginia Tech) explores what these stereotypes are and how technology isn't always the fix it's promised to be. Simon Darcy (University of Technology Sydney) unpacks the ableism in disability research while Josh Halstead (UC Berkeley Extension, Disability Designer) advocates for disability inclusion in technology design.

Producer / Presenter: Jake Morcom.

Full transcript of the episode available here: https://bit.ly/2MTgf3I

Introducing Uniform - A new season of All Things Equal

Thu, 09 May 2019 07:14:00 -0000

Waiting for your next Think: Digital Futures fix? We’ve got something else for you in the meantime. Introducing a new season of All Things Equal. This series will take you into the school yard and beyond, where kids learn that things aren't always fair. Through the stories of real students and staff, Uniform will change the way you think about education; because when it comes to learning, one size does not fit all.

Subscribe to All Things Equal in your favourite podcast app, or listen to the show here:

https://www.whooshkaa.com/shows/after-metoo-stories-of-social-change

Automating CPR

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 06:30:00 -0000

The survival rate of CPR is incredibly low and hasn't changed in more than 25 years. While a compulsory skill for health professionals, research shows CPR performance drastically declines just weeks after receiving training. So why is a skill that helps save lives failing so many?

In this episode we look at how feedback devices could help boost the survival rate of CPR. Nursing student Bec Karslake (University of Technology Sydney) explains what it's like to use these devices firsthand, while registered nurse Felicity Dick-Smith (University of Technology Sydney) tosses up the automation of resuscitation.

Why Online Privacy Isn't a Priority

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 06:30:00 -0000

Smart devices have connected our world, but not without a price. The rise of the internet of things, an interconnected ecosystem of smart devices, raises concerns about the security and privacy of your personal data. But in the digital age, are security and privacy a myth?

This episode, hardware security blogger Limited Results explains how IoT tech is failing to keep your information secure. IoT Security expert Imran Makhdoom (University of Technology Sydney) calls out the manufacturers and Pardis Emami (Carnegie Mellon University) argues while privacy isn't dead, it could be without stronger security.

The War on Piracy

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 05:30:00 -0000

The narrative of the pirate is a potent one. The pirate is a devious, morally corrupt criminal who doesn't care about you or the law. But where does this narrative come from? And just how accurate is it?

This episode, James Meese (University of Technology Sydney) introduces us to the original pirates and runs through the timeline of copyright law. Tom MacDonald (Queens University) pleads the case for the political digital pirate, articulating how piracy pushes back against the control of copyright holders.

The Adult Industry Goes Crypto

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 05:30:00 -0000

The adult industry continues to face heavy stigma. Not only are they demoralised for what they do, they're excluded from the financial institutions that many of us take for granted. This makes it extremely difficult to secure a loan, get insurance and keep their business afloat.

This episode we unpack how cryptocurrency offers financial autonomy for the adult industry. Mattias Hulting (Ramblin' Brands) walks us through his journey with the vibrator line, Smile Makers. Leah Callon-Butler (intimate.io) introduces us to their plan to cut out the financial gatekeepers, while Adrian Lee (University of Technology Sydney) weighs up the positives and negatives of cryptocurrency.

Why are we Gendering Artificial Intelligence?

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 05:30:00 -0000

Virtual assistants have become core to smartphones and speakers, but why are they all women? In this episode, feminist AI researcher Josie Young explains that a series of research projects in the 90s set a problematic baseline for gendering technology. While Josie illustrates how narrow minded design can be damaging, data scientist Theresa Anderson (Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation - University of Technology Sydney) makes the case for an ethical AI framework.

STEMM-INISM

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 05:30:00 -0000

When it comes to the workplace, nowhere are the barriers of gender-based discrimination felt more keenly than in the STEMM fields. This episode we explore where the lines are drawn when it comes to "getting ahead" in male-dominated workplaces, and what we can all do to challenge this hierarchy.

Producer Cheyne Anderson chats to Meredith Nash (University of Tasmania) about why the dominant "lean in" philosophy just doesn't cut it. Karen O'Connell (University of Technology Sydney) explains the invisible dimensions of workplace discrimination. And finally we join geologist and science communicator Kathleen Patrick on a trip to Antartica that may just hold the answer.

The Race Filter

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 05:30:00 -0000

As the world's pre-eminent gay networking service and the first gay geosocial app to launch on iTunes, Grindr offers its users a filter heavy experience where they can refine the selection of men around them to connect with those they find the most attractive. However, for as long as the app has been running, Grindr has been awash with criticism that one particular filter fosters a culture of racism - an ethnicity filter.

This episode, you'll hear from Sinakhone Keodara who not only denounces the app for offering this filter, but is suing Grindr for perpetuating a racist culture. Web developer Trever Faden unpacks why Grindr is so filter heavy, while cyber racism expert Andrew Jakubowicz explains the internet has become a breeding ground for racist behaviour.

Producer: Jake Morcom.

Anorexia and Algorithms

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 05:01:00 -0000

Across all mental illnesses, anorexia nervosa has the highest rate of mortality.

But pro-eating disorder websites on social media platforms like Instagram and Tumblr host communities of individuals who promote disordered eating as a choice, not as an illness, and use the internet to share tips and discuss their food restrictions.

We spoke with author Dr June Alexander, Dr Ysabel Gerrard, Lecturer in Digital Media and Society at The University of Sheffield, and Rachel Cohen, psychologist at the Black Dog Institute and PHD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney.

Enforcing Apprehended Violence Orders Online

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 05:01:00 -0000

Digital technology is increasingly used in domestic and family violence. Research from the University of Queensland shows that almost any technology, including social media and GPS-trackers, can be used for abusive purposes.

The rise of digital technologies in our everyday life have raised a whole new set of questions concerning preventing domestic violence and enforcing apprehended violence orders.

We spoke with Professor Heather Douglas from the TC Beirne School of Law at the University of Queensland and Dr Jane Wangmann from the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology Sydney.

Why NAPLAN is Widening The Education Gap

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 06:09:00 -0000

Earlier this year students in years three, five, seven, and nine were assessed on their reading, writing, language and numeracy as part of the National Assessment program, or NAPLAN. The data obtained from the NAPLAN tests are collated and used to show all schools' average performance against other schools in the country on the Government MySchool website.

Just last month students and parents all over the country received their NAPLAN results admits growing national controversy surrounding the comparability of online and pen-and-paper test results and the validity of the assessment.

But is it the technology used to implement the exam, or the assessment itself that is widening the education gap?

We spoke with Dr Simon Knight, Lecturer in the Faculty of Transdisciplinary Innovation and Lynda Pascoe, Principal of the Ngukurr Community Education Centre in the Katherine Region of the Northern Territory.

Automating Inequality

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 23:13:00 -0000

The rise of artificial intelligence has as many anxious as it does excited, with people concerned that autonomous technologies could automate them out of a job. But as technology continues to make huge leaps forward, there’s very little in the way of policy to ensure these innovations don’t disrupt people's working lives and contribute to a more unequal society.

Producer Cheyne Anderson teams up with Think: Sustainability's Jake Morcom to offer two perspectives on the possible impacts of growing automation. Cheyne chats to Nicholas Davis, Head of Society and Innovation at the World Economic Forum, while Jake meets with Nik Dawson, PhD student in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies at the University of Technology Sydney.

The Digital Divide in Australian Detention Centres

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 05:53:00 -0000

Journalist and novelist Behrouz Boochani has been detained on Manus Island since 2013.

And despite living in a highly controlled environment designed to prevent access to digital technologies allowing him access to the outside world, Behrouz has been our eyes and ears in to the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre for the last 5 years.

We chat with Behrouz from Manus over Whatsapp and we speak with Associate Professor Linda Leung, from the University of Technology Sydney.

The Rise of 3D Printed Guns

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 19:30:00 -0000

In 2013, Texan crypto-anarchist Cody Wilson uploaded blueprints for The Liberator, the world's first 3D printed gun. What followed was a fiery debate over whether or not 3D printed guns should be legal.

Producer Cheyne Anderson explores how the 3D printed gun taps into deep anxieties playing out in the United States. She chats to Tim Lytton from the Georgia State University College of Law about the historical context of the debate. Then she chats to Aaron Seymour (University of Technology Sydney) about unpacking the utopian promises of 3D printing and Richard Matthews (University of Adelaide) about the practical challenges getting in the way of their widespread use.

For more information head to 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

How You Were "Nudged" by My Health Record

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 06:55:00 -0000

Australians have until the 15th of November to opt out of having a My Health Record.

This episode, producer Joe Koning explores why "opting out" is a problematic way of drawing users into a system.

We meet Lisa, a 31 year old woman living in Sydney who discovered she had a My Health Record created for her, without even knowing about it.

We also chat to Jane Hall (University of Technology Sydney) and Joshua Badge (Deakin University) about the economic and ethical "Nudge" theory behind the My Health Record.

A Life Online

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 06:31:00 -0000

Would you spend hours watching someone you’ve never met play computer games? What about watching them hang out in the living room with their dog or baking cookies?

This episode tackles ideas about digital identity and friendship in live streaming communities and how it’s changing the way we approach our emotional wellbeing. We chat to streamer ThisNancy, IRL streamer and TV Presenter Angharad Yeo, and researcher Rob Gallagher (King’s College London).

EXTRA: Algorithms, Aesthetics and ASMR

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 06:30:00 -0000

A conversation with Rob Gallagher from King's College London on identity, aesthetics and the ASMR community. He wrote the article Eliciting Euphoria Online which you can read here.

The video you heard was from ASMR-tist Heather Feather and you can find the online community on Reddit.

EXTRA: How to Spot the Celestial Emu

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 06:36:00 -0000

Wiradjuri physics and astronomy student Kirsten Banks chats to Myles Houlbrook-Walk about what she sees when she looks up at the stars

Do It Yourself Internet

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 07:31:00 -0000

The NBN rollout is nearly complete across rural and regional Australia and with it the promise to shrink the digital divide. But it still doesn’t feel that way for many regional Australians still struggling with poor internet speeds and connectivity.

This episode we meet the people building independent internet networks for their local community. We meet John Sinclair from the Kangaroo Valley Broadband Network and Tim and Aaron from rural SA and Tassie respectively. We also chat to Robin Braun (University of Technology Sydney) and Nicole Sutton (UTS) about whether the technology will work, and how the NBN became a political football.

Data of Disregard

Sun, 08 Jul 2018 18:31:00 -0000

Whoever controls the data controls the story. Across the globe, Indigenous peoples are coming together to take control of the data collected “about” them but not “for” them. How can data be used to help rather than problematise?

We chat to Maggie Walter (University of Tasmania) about the perceived threat of sovereignty and Bhiamie Williamson (Australian National University) about just saying "no" to data collection.

I Was Here

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 06:30:00 -0000

A reflection on time, and how we mediate it through digital technology. Thanks to Tara and Andrew McLennan.

The Carbon Footprint of Data

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:00:32 -0000

How are your Facebook posts impacting the health of the planet? It might sound like a contradiction in terms but this episode from Think: Sustainability’s Jake Morcom explores the environmental impact of online data.

Jake chats to Ella Barclay, an artist and graduate student at the University of Technology Sydney; Senior Analyst Rodney Getta; and Lecturer Tanya Notley from the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University.

The Internet and Radicalised Misogyny

Mon, 28 May 2018 09:12:43 -0000

On April 25th 2018, 25 year old Alex Minassian drove a passenger van into pedestrians on a crowded Toronto footpath, killing 10 people and injuring 16 others. Moments before the attack Minassian posted a message on his facebook shedding light on his motive. The message voiced admiration for a man who killed six college students in California in 2014, and announced his allegiance to a internet hate group called the incels, short for “involuntary celibate”.

In this episode we hear from Heidi Matthews who teaches in international criminal law (Osgoode Hall Law School), we look at the history of online misogyny with former journalist and researcher Emma A. Jane (University of New South Wales), and talk about the problematic nature of letting incels define themselves with Dr Ramona Vijeyarasa (University of Technology Sydney).

Producer: Miles Herbert and Cheyne Anderson.

Is China a Surveillance State?

Mon, 21 May 2018 05:32:25 -0000

If you’ve tuned in to news from China over the past couple of months you’d be forgiven for thinking Xi Jinping spent the Summer reading Orwell and is now trying to convince 1.3 billion people how rad it is. From AI facial recognition tech to the nightmarish social credit system, surveillance tech in China is on the rise.

This episode we hear two perspectives on the state of surveillance tech in the Middle Kingdom. We look into the historical roots of the social credit system with Wanning Sun (University of Technology Sydney). Then we head to the “laboratory of surveillance tech” Xinjiang province with Wall Street Journal reporter Josh Chin.

Is Your Algorithm Broken?

Mon, 14 May 2018 05:59:01 -0000

If your toddler is accidentally watching gory videos on Youtube Kids, or your Facebook feed won’t stop recommending you ads for formal track pants - you might be the victim of a broken algorithm. Algorithms are often cited as the architects of our digital lives, but how much do they actually influence what we consume online?

We watch Youtube with James Meese (University of Technology Sydney), understand the ecosystem with social media researcher Babak Abedin (UTS), and dissect algorithmic culture with Ted Striphas (University of Colorado, Boulder).

Backpage and Moral Outrage

Mon, 07 May 2018 06:15:59 -0000

The recent anti-sex trafficking bill SESTA-FOSTA sent shock waves through sex industries around the world. But it’s not just income sex workers are losing when their business is forced offline.

We chat to Cameron Cox, CEO of Sex Worker Outreach Project; Andre Shakti, sex worker, activist and journalist; Eurydice Aroney (University of Technology Sydney); and John Scott (Queensland University of Technology).

WARNING: Explicit Content

Further links:

The Lysistrada Emergency Fund

Third Wave Fund Sex Workers Giving Circle

Engineering for Humanity

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 07:29:33 -0000

Behind every major technological innovation is an engineer. Whether inventing, planning, or building, engineers are instrumental to stuff getting done. They’ve built the world around us, but do they have what it takes to save it to?

We meet Scott McKeon (From the Ground Up), a student pushing for a human centred approach in engineering. We then chat to Abbas El-Zein (Sydney University) and Sam Perkins (Engineers Without Borders) about what this means for the discipline. Finally, we meet a classroom of students at the University of Technology Sydney who want to make change happen.

Wide World of Esports

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 01:27:06 -0000

With five times more viewers than the NRL Grand Final, and a higher prize money than Wimbledon, the world of competitive video gaming has flown curiously under the radar in Australia.

Producer Myles Houlbrook-Walk takes us into the growing Australian Esports scene. First, we delve into the underground culture with Alex Walker (editor Kotaku). Next, we meet some of the players who have gone pro, like FIFA eLeague player Mark Brijeski, Overwatch player Connie Ko, and train alongside Australia’s top League of Legends squad. Finally, we chat to sport scientist Job Fransen (University of Technology Sydney) about the physical demands of professional play!

Why Don’t We Want to Eat Future Foods?

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 05:35:36 -0000

Thanks to overpopulation and man made climate change, global food stocks are running low. Enter the “future foods” - the gross, weird and wonderful things clickbait articles tell us will be on our dinner plate in ten years time. But there’s more to this debate than just eating worms.

We talk to the colonial gastronomer Jacqui Newling (Sydney Living Museums) about how we didn’t use to be so squeamish. Then we meet researchers Janice McCauley (University of Technology Sydney) and insect farmer Olympia Yarger (GoTerra) about how hard it is to change our tastes. Finally, we speak to Judy Friedlander (University of Technology Sydney) about the mess we’re in.

The Algae products we tried were made by Venus Shell Systems based in Nowra, NSW.

EXTRA: What really happened to Scott Kelly's DNA in space?

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 05:58:52 -0000

You might have seen the headlines proclaiming astronaut Scott Kelly has returned from a year on the International Space Station with a whopping 7% change in his DNA. That was when compared to his identical twin, Mark Kelly, back on earth.

Space travel affects our bodies in ways we still don’t quite understand, but there’s more to this headline than meets the eye.

We go behind the news with Digital Futures regular Joshua Chou, Director of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney.

To find out more about the terrifying things that happen to your body in space, check out our episode on space health.

Can You Build a Society on the Blockchain?

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 05:58:21 -0000

When you think about Puerto Rico—decimated by Hurricane Maria, a debt crisis and the longest power blackout in US history—most people see destruction. To a small group of cryptocurrency millionaires, it’s a chance to build a new type of society from scratch. A society built on blockchain technologies.

We chat to Dr Pip Ryan (University of Technology Sydney) and Nathan Waters (founder of Peerism) about what a blockchain based society might look like. Then we speak to journalist Antony Loewenstein about whether this is just a case of disaster capitalism in disguise.

Simulating the Universe

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 05:26:00 -0000

The first episode of 2018 tackles the biggest question of our time: does anyone actually care whether or not we’re living in a computer simulation?

As our understanding of the universe expands, the question of whether we’re living in a computer simulation has shifted from the domain of philosophers into a problem for astrophysics. Because at their astonishingly fast rate of discovery, astrophysicists will be the first ones to know.

We chat to astrophysicists Martin Bell (University of Technology Sydney) and Geraint Lewis (Sydney University) about just how close we are to simulating the world.

You can find more information about the Millennium Simulation here.

How An Algorithm Learns To Be Racist

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:26:34 -0000

A recent report revealed the NSW Police Force are using an algorithm based on the idea of "predictive policing". It's aim is to trawl through police records spotting potential re-offending criminals before they've committed a crime. It's called the Suspect Target Management Plan and it's designed to reduce violence in the community. So why is it targeting Aboriginal children? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Lotte, Social Worker Jo Travaglia, Professor of Health Services and Management in the Faculty of Health at the University of Technology Sydney Sophie Parker, Redfern Legal Centre Vicki Sentas, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of New South Wales, co-author of Policing Young People in NSW Megan Williams, Graduate School of Health at the University of Technology Sydney Special Thanks to Karrah Ceissman For the full statement from the NSW Police Force head to 2ser.com/think-digital-futures

Why Is The Internet So Slow In Australia?

Sun, 26 Nov 2017 12:11:04 -0000

Australia's internet speeds are notoriously poor. This is backed up by a recent report ranking us 51st in the world when it comes to connection speeds. But what does a ranking like this actually mean and can the much-maligned National Broadband Network lift us back up? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Robin Braun, Professor of Telecommunications Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney Alice & Jason

How Much Can Machines Tell Us About The Brain?

Sun, 19 Nov 2017 18:22:34 -0000

When it comes to what we don't know about the human brain...well, there's a lot we don't know. So when it comes to melding our brains with computers, there's a lot of sticky questions we need to answer. Brain Machine Interfaces (BCI's) have the potential to change the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. So should they be used for commercial, recreational or medical purposes? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson, Ellen Leabeater, Miles Herbert Speakers: CT Lin, Professor in the School of Software at the University of Technology Sydney Tim Chen, Lecturer in the School of Software at the University of Technology Sydney Julie Layfelt Eran Klein, Neurologist and Philosopher at BCI Centre Fred Gilbert, ARC Decra Fellow at the University of Tasmania

Why We Need A Sociology Of Big Data

Sun, 12 Nov 2017 12:50:52 -0000

Knowledge is power. So when we tick 'yes' on the terms and conditions and volunteer information about the minuscule details of our online lives, what are we actually giving corporations the power to do? The invisible processes of big data collection are starting to seep out into our offline lives. It's changing everything from healthcare to criminal justice. This episode features a conversation with two researchers calling for a sociology of data. We need to take a closer look at the social consequences of big data collection, and question why it's often shrouded in secrecy. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Jo Travaglia, University of Technology Sydney Hamish Robertson, University of New South Wales

Can Virtual Environments Help Us Save The Real One?

Sun, 05 Nov 2017 11:44:19 -0000

Virtual reality immerses us in artificial experiences of the real world. It has the power to give equal access to the hidden corners of the natural world, and allow us to see nature from a new perspective. Research also shows VR can create empathy with the environment you're experiencing. But how far does this empathy go? This is the second half of our exploration of the relationship between technology and the environment. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Ryan Watson, Head of Community Engagement at New Horizons Catherine Maree Smith, Ambassador for Parallel Parks Glenn Albrecht, Retired Lecturer in Sustainability at Murdoch University Jeremy Walker, Lecturer in Environment, Culture and Society at the University of Technology Sydney Parallel Parks are raising money to expand the VR to make Australia's national parks accessible to everyone. Follow this link to donate: http://go.newhorizons.org.au/2SER

What Happens When You Email Nature

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 16:42:22 -0000

When City of Melbourne launched the Urban Forest Visual strategy to gather data on the city's 77,000 trees, something happened they didn't plan for. In an attempt to engage the community in the data collection process, they added an email function so residents could notify the council if a tree needed help. Instead, the council received an outpouring of love letters, drawings and tributes to the urban environment. So they decided to write back... This is the first half of a two-part episode viewing nature through the digital lens. How is technology changing our understanding of the world around us? Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Producer: Miles P Herbert Speakers: Councillor Cathy Oke, City of Melbourne Jeremy Walker, Lecturer in Environment, Culture and Society at the University of Technology Sydney http://melbourneurbanforestvisual.com.au/

Can Tech Raise Our Children Better Than We Can?

Sun, 22 Oct 2017 12:14:39 -0000

From robots in the classroom to apps that track your pre-schooler's every move, this episode explores the ways technology is integrating into the school environment. What role can tech take on in the classroom, and could they one day do a better job than humans? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Jason L'Ecuyer Speakers: Mark Woodland, CEO of Xplor Nour Azar, new parent Damien Maher, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education at University of Technology Sydney Muneeb Ahmad, PhD student at Western Sydney University Kiera (year 5) & Desharn (year 7), test subjects

REBROADCAST: Is Technology Killing Democracy?

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 13:28:25 -0000

It's 2SER's Supporter Drive so we're replaying some of our favourite stories from this season. We're also asking our listeners to call us on 95149500 or head to 2ser.com/donate to support independent journalism and help keep us on air. Traditionally, democracy and technological innovation went hand in hand. In the 19th century, the printing press let the public share their views for the first time. In the 20th century, television and radio helped news spread across the globe. But in the 21st century, social media is opening the floodgates for an age of information overload. Can a healthy democracy still operate in 140 characters or less? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Miles P Herbert Speakers: Emma Balfour, Honours student at the University of Sydney Carl Rhodes, Professor of Organizational Studies at the University of Technology Sydney Jonathan Marshall, Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney Daya Thussu, Professor of International Communication at the University of Westminster

REBROADCAST: What Will The Future Sound Like?

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:16:02 -0000

It's 2SER's Supporter Drive so for the next two weeks you'll be hearing some of our highlights from the year so far. In the meantime, we're asking listeners to make a donation to keep us on air. Go to 2ser.com/donate to support community radio. Close your eyes. What can you hear? Our sense of hearing is often overlooked but our ears are capable of communicating information to us in ways we don't even realise are happening. The growing field of sonification is all about harnessing our sense of hearing. An increasing number of artists, researchers and storytellers are using sonification to challenge the ways we imagine our future. Originally aired: 14/8/2017 Presenter/Producer: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Gail Priest, Sound Artist Mark O'Connor, Learning Technologist at the University of Technology Sydney Leah Borromeo, co-founder Climate Symphony Katherin Round, co-founder Climate Symphony Jamie Perera, co-founder Climate Symphony Martin Keary, Youtuber "Tantacrul"

Will Man Become Machine In 2045?

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 14:22:54 -0000

There's a growing movement of people who want to harness the technological revolution in order to push our minds and bodies beyond biological limitations. They're called "transhumanists" and their aim is humble: digital immortality. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Meow Ludo, founder of Bio-foundry Peter Xing, co-founder Transhumanism Australia Avinash Singh, PhD Researcher at the University of Technology Sydney

Why You Can't Buy Pizza With Bitcoin

Sun, 24 Sep 2017 14:12:12 -0000

We're in the middle of a "Bitcoin boom". The price of the digital currency is shooting past the price of gold. And it's not the only cryptocurrency having a moment with Ethereum even beating Bitcoin for steepest rise in value. But despite all the hype around cyrptocurrencies, you still can't buy a pizza with them. At least, not in Sydney anyway. Will the influence of Bitcoin ever break out of tech circles and seep into the "real" world? How can Bitcoin change our day to day lives? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Dr Philippa Ryan, Barrister and Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney Chris Duckett, APAC Editor of ZDNet Harley Jones, Snake Catcher

Everyone Wants To Be Sherlock Holmes

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 14:50:58 -0000

Our lives are increasingly being lived on the internet. Everything from social interaction, buying groceries, to committing crimes now happens online. Today's show examines how the digital age has transformed not just how people commit crimes, but how forensic scientists, police, and citizens are turning to the internet to seek justice outside the traditional criminal justice system. Producer/Presenter: Miles P Herbert Speakers: Layla Betts: Reddit Moderator Claude Roux: Professor of Forensic Science and the founding Director of the UTS Centre for Forensic Science Peter Price: CEO of Crimestoppers NSW Michael Salter: Senior Lecturer In Criminology, Western Sydney University

How To Survive In Space

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 17:36:05 -0000

With commercial space flights fast becoming a reality, there's every chance you might travel to outer space in your lifetime. But we are boldly going where humans aren't supposed to go. At least, not from a medical standpoint. From brittle bones to flat eyes, this episode is about all the terrifying impacts of space travel on the human body. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Joshua Chou, Director of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney Nial Wheate, Pharmaceutical Chemist at the University of Sydney

Is It Really The "Digital Divide" That Separates Us?

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 00:23:00 -0000

We often hear about the need to close the "digital divide" in Australia - that is, the gulf between those who are digitally included and those who are not. But when we picture the divide this way we lose sight of the myriad of cultural, economic and political issues that prevent people in Australia from participating in the digital sphere. These are problems that the NBN alone can't fix. So, it's time to re-frame the debate. This episode features two conversations that challenge our assumptions about digital access in remote Indigenous communities and among detainees at Villawood Detention Centre. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Laurel Dyson, Honorary Associate at the School of Software at the University of Technology Sydney Linda Leung, Associate Professor and Honorary Associate at the UTS Business School

Because It's There

Sun, 27 Aug 2017 14:56:28 -0000

From communications satellites to commercial space flights, our atmosphere is open for business. And with the space industry currently generating more money than some countries, everybody wants in on the action. Gone are the days of the Cold War-era space race, they've been replaced by a new generation of tech entrepreneurs. This "New Space" network of Silicon Valley visionaries dream of pushing the boundaries of human exploration in their aim of building a space utopia. But are we really drawn to the wild frontiers of space "because it's there"? Or is it another resource for the ultra-rich to exploit for profit? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Patrick Wang, CEO SpaceOps Australia Matthew Johnson, PHD Candidate at the University of Technology Sydney Professor Steven Freeland, Dean of the School of Law at Western Sydney University.

What Will The Future Sound Like?

Sun, 13 Aug 2017 14:20:53 -0000

Close your eyes. What can you hear? Our sense of hearing is often overlooked but our ears are capable of communicating information to us in ways we don't even realise are happening. The growing field of sonification is all about harnessing our sense of hearing. An increasing number of artists, researchers and storytellers are using sonification to challenge the ways we imagine our future. Presenter/Producer: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Gail Priest, Sound Artist Mark O'Connor, Learning Technologist at the University of Technology Sydney Leah Borromeo, co-founder Climate Symphony Katherin Round, co-founder Climate Symphony Jamie Perera, co-founder Climate Symphony Martin Keary, Youtuber "Tantacrul"

How Is Sex Technology Changing Intimacy?

Sun, 06 Aug 2017 21:25:27 -0000

When William Butler invented one of the first electromagnetic stimulators in the 1880s, he was pretty chuffed. His unwieldy machine appeared to be a genius solution to help doctors struggling to keep up with the growing cases of hysteria - a chronic illness of distress peculiar to frustrated women. What he didn't realise at the time was that he had just invented one of the first vibrators. This vibrator was designed to allow doctors to give women the only known relief for hysteria - an orgasm. Since then, sex technology has evolved alongside our changing attitudes towards sexuality. And it's not just the act of being intimate that's changing, but the very ways we understand and express closeness. Warning: Sexual content Speakers: Judith Glover - Research Design at RMIT Tanya Koens - sexologist at Surrey Hills Therapy Ross Dawson - futurist & entrepreneur Paul Byron - Research Assistant at University of Technology Sydney Kay - Max Black Newtown

The Spectacle Of Social Media In China

Sun, 30 Jul 2017 14:21:34 -0000

With 830 million users worldwide, when a video goes viral on WeChat it really goes viral. Last year, a dark genre of videos featuring grisly accidents captured on CCTV spread across the app at lightning speed. What draws people to the spectacle of death? And how does the notoriously censor-heavy Chinese government respond to this? This episode features a conversation with Professor Wanning Sun from the University of Technology Sydney, discussing the digital age in China and whether there's something fundamentally human about sharing images that shock us. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speaker: Wanning Sun, Professor of Media and Communications at the University of Technology Sydney

Is Technology Killing Democracy?

Sun, 23 Jul 2017 16:38:41 -0000

Traditionally, democracy and technological innovation went hand in hand. In the 19th century, the printing press let the public share their views for the first time. In the 20th century, television and radio helped news spread across the globe. But in the 21st century, social media is opening the floodgates for an age of information overload. Can a healthy democracy still operate in 140 characters or less? Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Miles P Herbert Speakers: Emma Balfour, Honours student at the University of Sydney Carl Rhodes, Professor of Organizational Studies at the University of Technology Sydney Jonathan Marshall, Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney Daya Thussu, Professor of International Communication at the University of Westminster

When Our Social Problems Go Digital

Sun, 16 Jul 2017 15:28:19 -0000

Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp or any combination of the above, social media apps are changing the way we relate to each other. So when all your friends (and enemies) can be reached at the touch of a button, is this bringing us closer or pushing us further apart? And what happens when our interactions turn bad? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Sally & Laura, social media users Robyn Johns, Management Discipline Group at the University of Technology Sydney Archie Boulter, Programs Director for Project Rockit Guodong Long, Lecturer at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at the University of Technology Sydney

Are Data Scientists Innovating Themselves Out Of A Job?

Sun, 09 Jul 2017 14:27:25 -0000

In 2012, the Harvard Business Review called Data Science the 'Sexiest Job of the Century'. It's not hard to see why - data scientists are at the vanguard of the technological revolution. They're changing nearly every field and developing new ways of collecting and interpreting data at breakneck speed. But could they actually be making themselves obsolete? Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Chengqi Zhang, Executive Director of Data Science at the University of Technology Sydney Michael Blumenstein, Head of School of Software in the Faculty of Engineering & IT at the University of Technology Sydney Anthony Tockar, Data Scientist at CBIG Consulting

Creativity In The Digital Age

Sun, 02 Jul 2017 15:10:55 -0000

Technology has opened up new possibilities for art to push the boundaries like never before. From an AI art blogger to intricate visualisations of our cellular structure, artists are embracing technology to challenge the way we see the world around us. We take a look at some of the stories from the intersection of science, technology and art. Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Joe Koning Speakers: Tom Lee - School of Design, University of Technology Sydney Drew Berry - Biological Animator Peter Johnson - Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Don't Run With Molecular Scissors

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 14:45:17 -0000

With revolutions in gene editing technology, scientists are developing ways to wipe out out genetic diseases like cancer, and also opening up the possibility of editing for superpowers. In this episode, Cheyne Anderson speaks to biomedical engineer Joshua Chou about CRISPR-cas9, the secretive international gene race and the X-men. Producer/Presenter: Cheyne Anderson Speaker: Dr Joshua Chou - University of Technology Sydney Think: Digital Futures is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

How Data Is Decoding Healthcare

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 13:03:20 -0000

As the needs of the population begin to change, so too does the way we deliver healthcare. In collaboration with Think: Health, we look at how data is revolutionizing healthcare delivery, and whether we should be concerned about our privacy. Producers/Presenters: Ellen Leabeater & Jake Morcom Speakers: Jude Constable - Acting General Manager, Westmead Hospital Mary Lam - Senior Lecturer and Acting Director of Digital Health and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney Richard Royle - National Digital Health Lead, Price Waterhouse Coopers Michael Bainbridge - Head of Clinical Engagement at the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation Louise Ryan - Professor of Statistics at University of Technology Sydney Dominique Cadilhac - Data Custodian of the Australian Stroke Data Tool and Australian Stroke Registry For more info head to 2ser.com This show is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

REBROADCAST: How Phones Are A New Front In The Fight Against Domestic Violence

Sun, 11 Jun 2017 01:17:46 -0000

Having a device in your pocket 24/7 opens up new opportunities for abusers to control and spy on their partners. But it's also an opportunity for domestic violence victims and services to be more connected than ever before. Presenter: Ellen Leabeater Producer: Josh Nicholas Speakers: Alex Davis - Solicitor, Legal Aid NSW Priyadarsi Nanda - Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Communications, University of Technology Sydney Dr Bhuva Narayan - Senior Lecturer, IKM and Digital Studies Program, University of Technology Sydney Emily Maguire - CEO, SmartSafe+ Nitika Maharaj - Manager Clinical Services, Doncare Think: Digital Futures is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

The Double-edged Sword Of Data

Sun, 04 Jun 2017 01:39:26 -0000

Sometimes we get caught up thinking data and science are the be all and end all - it can give us a lot of answers sure, but the devil is in the detail. How are we interpreting data wrong? And why do we have trouble communicating it? Presenters/Producers: Cheyne Anderson & Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Jon Wardle - Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney Simon Knight - Lecturer, Connected Intelligence Centre, UTS Mark Moritz - Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University Think: Digital Futures is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney. http://2ser.com/shows/think-digital-futures/

Preparing For The Quantum Revolution

Sat, 27 May 2017 23:46:30 -0000

It's more likely than not we'll see quantum computers in the next few decades, so what issues do we need to consider before they arrive? We examine how quantum computers will be programmed, and how we can protect our personal data. Presenters/Producers: Ellen Leabeater, Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Professor Michael Blumenstein - Head of the School of Software in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Technology Sydney Vikram Sharma - Founder and CEO, Quintessence Labs With thanks to Lawrence Bull. Think: Digital Futures is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

Mining High Court Data

Sat, 20 May 2017 22:27:34 -0000

The High Court is the last court of appeal in Australia, but not everyone gets a chance at the final say. Parties have to apply to have a matter heard in the High Court, so how do judges decide who does and doesn't get a look in? Presenter/Producer: Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Professor Anita Stuhmcke - Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney Pamela Stewart - Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney Think: Digital Futures is supported by 2SER and the Unversity of Technology Sydney.

The Future Of Drug Crime

Sun, 14 May 2017 14:26:03 -0000

Innovation is a blessing and a curse in the fight against global drug trafficking. Think: Digital Futures explores the changing landscape of recreational drug use, and the developments in science and technology that are challenging the way we connect drugs to crime. Presenter/Producer: Cheyne Anderson Speakers: Morgan Philp - PhD Candidate University Technology Sydney Marie Morelato - Post-doctoral Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney Dr James Martin - Convener of the Criminology Program at Macquarie University Produced with the support of 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney. For more info www.2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

How Do We Transition To Driverless Cars?

Sun, 07 May 2017 01:02:39 -0000

Driverless cars could be sold in Australia in three years time, and it's expected these cars will be the norm in 15 years time. So how to we start the transition from driver cars, to driverless? Speakers: Urtzi Grau- Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney Guillermo Fernandez-Abascal - PhD student, University of Technology Sydney Ed Blakely- Founder and Principal, City Leadership Institute and Professor at University of Sydney Nathaniel Bavington- Smart City Coordinator City of Newcastle Alex Harrington- Chief Operating Officer, The Warren Centre Presenters/Producers: Ellen Leabeater & Cheyne Anderson With thanks to Future Vehicles World. This show is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

How To Break Up Online

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 00:12:51 -0000

We find love online, we share our love online, but what happens to our relationships when we break up offline? This week, we look at how social media can be used for good and bad after a breakup, and find out what to do with all the digital possessions you accumulate during a relationship. Producer: Ellen Leabeater Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Erica & Luke Elisabeth Shaw - Clinical Director, Relationships Australia NSW Gloria Hawke - Director, Hawke Segal Mediation Lam Thuy Vo - Fellow at Buzzfeed and creator of Quantified Breakup (http://quantifiedbreakup.tumblr.com) Daniel Herron - PhD student, University of Technology Sydney & University of Dundee This show is created with the support of the Unviersity of Technology Sydney and 2SER. 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

What Is The Internet Doing To Our Heads?

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 20:56:10 -0000

We spend more time online than offline, so what is all this screen time doing to our heads? Presenter/Producer: Cheyne Anderson Presenter: Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Lawrence Lam - Professor of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney Katina Michael - Professor, School of Computing and IT, University of Wollongong David Glance - Director Centre for Software Practice, University of Western Australia Think: Digital Futures is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney. 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

What Do We Do With All Our E-waste?

Sun, 16 Apr 2017 17:38:59 -0000

Think about all the electrical devices in your home. Your phone, kettle, computer, washing machine... the list goes on. It's estimated that each household in Australia has 350 kilos of electrical material, and we chuck out 35 kilos of the stuff per person per year. And the worst part? Australia only recycles 10% of our e-waste. So what do we do with all those cables and devices? In a special collaboration with Think: Sustainability, we delve deep into the e-waste problem to try and find some solutions. Producers/Presenters: Jake Morcom Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Spyro - Manager, Mobile Muster Ashleigh Morris- Researcher, University of New South Wales Damien Giurco - Professor in Resource Futures, University of Technology Sydney Dr Neil Gordon - Lecturer in Computer Science, University of Hull, England Benjamin Gaulon - Media artist and Associate Professor, New School Parsons Paris Erin Lewis Fitzgerald - Founder and Managing Director of Bright Sparks For more info visit 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures To hear more from Jake Morcom, subscribe to Think: Sustainability in your podcast app. Think: Digital Futures and Think: Sustainability are supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

How Do We Design Social Robots?

Sun, 09 Apr 2017 12:16:23 -0000

Social robots are no longer a thing of science fiction, they're beginning to enter nursing homes, schools, and your home. So how do you design a social robot? What does it look like? How should it act? Speakers: Anne Cranny-Francis - Professor of Cultural Studies, Faculty Arts and Social Sciences UTS Eleanor Sandry - Lecturer, Curtin University Mari Velonaki - Media Artist & Professor of Social Robotics at UNSW Rajiv Khosla - CEO of Human Centred Innovations Producers/Presenters: Cheyne Anderson & Ellen Leabeater Produced with the support of 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney. For more info www.2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

Why We Need More Kids In STEM

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 19:32:04 -0000

Australia's report card for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) participation needs some work. But what's the best way to get kids engaged in STEM education? Presenters/Producers: Cheyne Anderson & Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Chris Ferrie - Quantum Physicist at the Centre for Quantum Software and Information, University of Technology Sydney Jane Hunter - Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, UTS Peter Aubusson - Professor of Education, UTS Taj Pabari - Founder, Fiftysix Creations Produced with the support of 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney. For more info www.2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

How Do We Design A Post-industrial City?

Sun, 26 Mar 2017 11:25:38 -0000

Our jobs are changing, and so are our cities. We have data coming out of our ears to make cities efficient and more sustainable. But are we at risk of losing the humanness in the urban jungle? SPEAKERS: Sarah Barnes- Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University and Co-Director, Esem Projects Jess Scully - Councilor, City of Sydney Professor Ed Blakely - City Leaders Institute Adam Beck - Executive Director Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand Stuart White - Director of Institute of Sustainable Futures University of Technology Sydney Marcus Foth - Director of QUT Design Lab at the Queensland University of Technology PRODUCERS: Ellen Leabeater, Jake Morcom

How Do We Regulate Robots?

Sun, 19 Mar 2017 10:49:22 -0000

Robots and artificial intelligence are moving from the factory floor into the car, the home and our workplace. If we are interacting with this technology more, how do we regulate it? Who is to blame when something goes wrong? Presenters/Producers: Cheyne Anderson & Ellen Leabeater Speakers: Gary Lea - Researcher, Australian National University Teresa Vidal Calleja - Researcher, Centre for Autonomous Systems, University of Technology Sydney Mady Delvaux - Member of the EU Parliament from Luxembourg and Vice Chair on the Committee for Legal Affairs 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures This podcast is supported by 2SER and the University of Technology Sydney.

Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Capitalism?

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 19:31:52 -0000

There's no doubt that artificial intelligence is going to be smarter than humans - they're already driving cars and sorting files for us. So if no job is safe from AI, how do we make money? Will capitalism as we know it still exist? Presented and Produced by Cheyne Anderson and Ellen Leabeater. Speakers: Paul Mason - Journalist & Author of Post-Capitalism: A Guide to Our Future Gigi Foster - Economist, University of New South Wales Dr Elizabeth Humphrys - Researcher, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Think: Digital Futures is a collaboration between 2ser and the University of Technology Sydney. For more info: 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

How To Hack An Insulin Pump

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 21:17:25 -0000

How easy is it to hack into an insulin pump or pacemaker? Should we be worried? ---------------------------------- Presenter/Producer: Ellen Leabeater Guests: Jay Radcliffe - Type 1 diabetic, researcher for Rapid7 Michael Blumenstein - Professor, School of Software, Faculty of Engineering and IT at University of Technology Sydney Dr Bradley Wilsmore - Cardiologist For more info visit 2ser.com/thinkdigitalfutures

How Data Is Fostering Less Invasive Medicine

Sun, 04 Dec 2016 12:24:51 -0000

In a collaboration with Think: Health, this week we're taking a look at a few examples of non-invasive medical tech - tracking blood sugar without blood, exoskeletons for rehab, and using vibrations to help the blind see.

Playing Games With AI

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 21:39:15 -0000

Earlier this year Google managed to do something many thought impossible - they built an artificial intelligence that beat a human at the board game GO. Almost twenty years ago IBM did something similar, beating the world chess champion with their computer, Deep Blue. Understanding how these computers play games, as well as the myriad computer games we all know and love, reveals a lot about the evolution of artificial intelligence.

Tech Is Coming For One Of The Oldest Art Forms

Sun, 06 Nov 2016 23:49:02 -0000

Meet Stalker theatre, a Sydney-based theatre group that is experimenting with code and live performance.

How To Design Technology For A Human

Sat, 29 Oct 2016 19:24:23 -0000

Nomatter how exciting it may be, when new technology is developed, it's often really hard to use. The first few years of mainframes, smartphones and artificial intelligence all started this way. But gradually, the rest of us want in. And designers start trying to figure out how to make it accessible for almost anyone. This is how users get into design.

REBROADCAST: Why Are People Going Analogue?

Fri, 21 Oct 2016 15:39:29 -0000

This year saw a record number of vinyl records sold. It's a 28 year high, but the trend has been going this way for a while. But with so many digital options, why are people choosing to go analogue?

REBROADCAST: A Peek Inside A More Diverse World

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 17:22:12 -0000

This week and next are supporter drive here at 2ser, and Jake and Josh are busy cooking up some live shows to help us raise money and keep the station on air. So here's one of our favourite shows from this year -- a look inside a women's only hackathon at Fishburners

Talking Data With Prof Michael Blumenstein

Sat, 08 Oct 2016 23:05:24 -0000

UTS Professor Michael Blumenstein is someone we've had on the show a bit, helping us explain big data, new data, weird data and much else. On this week's show we dedicate the entire half hour to a chat with Prof Blumenstein, to get a more in depth look at the current state of data science and what will happen as chips get imbedded in more and more things.

It's Not Just Big Data, But New Data Too

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 18:32:20 -0000

Analytics and "Big Data" are becoming ever more prevalent, as new technology brings down costs and statistics is brought to bear in new and interesting ways. But technology isn't just making it easier to crunch the numbers, it's also allowing us to capture data on things we never could before.

How Tech Is Coming After Fashion

Sat, 24 Sep 2016 23:28:27 -0000

Technology has always been a part of fashion -- scissors and sewing machines are a good example. But recent technological revolutions haven't been mirrored with revolutions in fashion -- computers and the internet have largely made fashion more efficient, rather than changing what it looks like or does. But new tools, ideas and norms are changing this. We might be on the cusp of something rather different.

Cobbling Together A Big Data Set

Sun, 18 Sep 2016 13:50:29 -0000

When you think about big data, you're probably imagining something high tech. But when it comes to science, big data sets doesn't always look like this. Some researchers have cobbled together old data from the most disparate sources -- journals, ledgers, old computers etc., allowing them to do more with the data from their modern sensors and techniques.

How Phones Are A New Front In The Fight Against Domestic Violence

Sun, 11 Sep 2016 10:54:03 -0000

Our devices are everywhere and we use them for everything. This opens up new opportunities for abusers to control and spy on their partners. But it's also an opportunity for victims, shelters and other services; who are building their own apps and tools.

Why Are People Going Analogue?

Sat, 03 Sep 2016 23:48:10 -0000

Analogue is exploding. More vinyl records were sold this year than we've seen since 1980s. It's so big, manufacturers can't keep up. But in a world of smartphones, downloading and streaming, why is this happening?

How Computers Changed Design

Fri, 26 Aug 2016 02:11:33 -0000

For a long time our ability to design complex structures was stunted. Bridges, buildings; they all looked the same. We didn't know why what we were doing was working, so we were doomed to repeat it. But advances in mathematics changed all that, allowing us to build marvels like the Golden Gate and Sydney Harbour bridges. Nowadays, computers are doing this all over again.

Finding The Humanity In Online Gaming

Sun, 21 Aug 2016 11:01:54 -0000

When it comes to online games; graphics or gameplay mechanics or story are important, but the people more so. In this episode we take a look at the human side of online games. Why are they so rife for relationships and communities?

Are We Doing The Right Thing With Tech In Schools?

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 21:39:49 -0000

Australia has spent an extraordinary amount on technology. Just think of all the smart boards and laptops and desktops and tablets and whatever else. Australia now has one of the highest levels of technology use in education in the world. But is this the right approach? How are we faring, training a generation that will be defined by technology?

How Blockchains Will Revolutionise The Way We Trust

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:05:00 -0000

When you talk to people making blockchains, it's all about trust. Blockchains are a way of creating trust between strangers, through code. We take a look at how this manifests in the real world.

What Its Like When You Have More Women In Tech

Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:15:56 -0000

Gender diversity in the startup world leaves a lot to be desired. Which is weird, considering startups are in the business of solving problems. So, what kind of problems will get solved when you have a room full of women?

How Reality Dating Shows Changed Love

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:53:49 -0000

Reality shows have been around for a while now. They come in all shapes and sizes, from all manner of cultures. But how have they changed that culture?

How Will The Internet Change Education?

Sat, 16 Jul 2016 13:54:39 -0000

Schooling is something we all have in common, and also something we all have ideas about changing. But it doesn't seem like the schools of the future will look much different, for a while at least.

What Will Work Look Like In 50 Years?

Sun, 10 Jul 2016 13:02:38 -0000

The workplace is constantly changing. But while you may think the next upheaval is going to come from artificial intelligence or virtual reality, the next big shift may already be here - the sharing/gigging economy.

When Your Jeep Breaks Down In Enemy Territory

Sun, 03 Jul 2016 16:42:36 -0000

It's a sad truth that with war, often comes innovation. And with the end of an industry comes the potential for a new one. So what innovation will we see emerge from the remains of Australia's automotive industry? And is it even really dead to begin with?

Media Disruption: When Free Content Isn't Really Free

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 15:20:17 -0000

In the digital age, we have access to more media than ever before. But in a world where nothing is ever free, what are you prepared to pay for good content? Presented by Ninah Kopel Produced by Ninah Kopel and Lawrence Bull Features: -Professor Glenn Whightwick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Technology Sydney - John Ewart, Head of Production at news.com.au - Kai Brach, Creator and Publisher of Offscreen Magazine On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.sound.../sounds.rss

How Do You Plan For A Job That Doesn't Exist Yet?

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 18:13:22 -0000

We take a look at the jarring impact of disruption and what it will mean for future careers. And just because you're a digital native, doesn't mean you're safe from emerging technologies. Presented by Ninah Kopel. Produced by Ninah Kopel, Lawrence Bull and Jake Morcom. Features: -Monica Scott, Former Owner of Movie HQ -Rob Livingstone, Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Technology Sydney - Grigory Punanov, Co-Founder of CODE4FUN Sydney Programming School - Professor Glenn Whightwick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Technology Sydney On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.sound.../sounds.rss

Hey Doc, Take A Look Inside My Genes?

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 16:55:39 -0000

In the future, your doctor takes virtual reality trips into your genome. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull Production assistance by Jake Morcom Featuring Assoc Professor Dan Catchpoole (UTS, USyd) & Assoc Professor Paul Kennedy (UTS) On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.sound.../sounds.rss

Interview With Claude Roux

Sun, 29 May 2016 16:18:22 -0000

Forensic science has gone digital. Professor Claude Roux explains the ubiquity of following digital traces in today's criminal investigations. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull Executive production by Miles Martignoni Production assistance by Jake Morcom On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.sound.../sounds.rss

A Future Without Banks

Sun, 22 May 2016 15:39:30 -0000

Two societies. One with financial institutions larger than governments, the other with almost no banking. Are there realistic alternatives to big banks? Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull Executive production by Miles Martignoni Research assistance by Jake Morcom and Sam King On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.sound.../sounds.rss

Why Fingerprinting Is The New DNA

Sat, 14 May 2016 14:49:04 -0000

Home invasions that terrorised Blacktown in 1973 help explain why fingerprinting is making a comeback. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull Executive production by Miles Martignoni Additional voice work by Sean Britten On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.sound.../sounds.rss

Interview With Carolyn McGregor

Sun, 01 May 2016 15:05:36 -0000

Professor Carolyn McGregor uses big data to help save premature babies' lives and to monitor astronauts' mental health.

How We See The World

Sat, 23 Apr 2016 16:07:00 -0000

What if your brain could only see one piece of an object at a time?

Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull

A Quantum Computer Does What?

Sat, 16 Apr 2016 14:53:18 -0000

Find out how your life will change with quantum computers, and explore a lab trying to build the first. Created for 2ser by Lawrence Bull On iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think...d1101575564?mt=2 On Android: http://www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:216012141/sounds.rss

Tracking Your Mind

Sat, 09 Apr 2016 16:44:31 -0000

Fitbits and other activity trackers can save your life. But what do they do to your mind? Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull On iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think-digital-futures/id1101575564?mt=2 On Android: http://www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:216012141/sounds.rss

A Quest To See And Hear Big Data

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:42:03 -0000

Caving, giant robots, & space travel: my quest to see and hear Big Data. Produced and presented for 2ser by Lawrence Bull On iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/think-digital-futures/id1101575564?mt=2 On Android: http://www.subscribeonandroid.com/feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:216012141/sounds.rss