Published by TPDi
How do we ensure technology makes our lives better? Tech Mirror is the podcast of the Tech Policy Design Institute. We explore how technolgy is shaping our lives, and how we - the humans- can shape technolgy back.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWhat would it take for Australia to build its own AI future? The Australian Prime Minister made a landmark speech on 15 July declaring that his government would shape Artificial Intelligence rather than be shaped by it. Just days before the speech, Australian AI company Maincode beta launched Matilda, an Australian-built AI platform. Johanna Weaver sits down with Maincode CEO Dave Lemphers to discuss Matilda, Australian-made AI, and the hard realities of creating a world-class technology company from Melbourne. From compute clusters to copyright, to national ambition, this is a conversation about building capability that lasts. Links AI In Australia’s Interests | Prime Minister of Australia Meet Matilda, Australia’s answer to ChatGPT | Financial Review Maincode Maincode Builds An AI Factory for Australia with AMD | AMD For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast
In a world of AI, what does it mean to be human? In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver speaks with one of Australia’s foremost ethicists, Simon Longstaff, from the Ethics Centre. Together, they make the case for ethics in the wider AI discourse. They discuss why Simon urges Australians to demand more than a social licence for AI arguing instead for a social compact. Johanna and Simon explore how concepts like purpose, trust, and accountability can help guide the responsible development of AI while confronting “just because we can do something with AI, should we?” Links Will AI be the risk we chose not to see? | The Ethics Centre The Ethics Centre https://ethics.org.au/ Australia’s AI Ethics Principles | Department of Industry, Science, and Resources https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/australias-ai-ethics-principles?utm_source=chatgpt.com For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast
With countries and tech stakeholders rapidly moving to claim AI in their interest, such as the US government’s move to restrict non-citizens' access to platforms like Claude, what does it mean for Australians to have control over their technological future? AI is becoming closely linked to Australia’s economy, security, and everyday life. It’s time to discuss what having AI Agency looks like now and into the future. In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver is joined by Tech Policy Design Institute co-founder and lead researcher Zoe Hawkins to unpack their latest report Expanding AI Sovereignty to AI Agency. Together, they explore why Australia needs to move beyond simplistic debates to uncover how Australia’s tech movement holds strategic advantages that build both leverage and resilience when global events expose geopolitical uncertainty. Links: Anthropic to disable its most advanced AI models after US order limiting foreign access | The Guardian Tech Policy Design Institute – AI Agency Report https://techpolicy.au/aiagency Tech Policy Design Institute https://techpolicy.au Australia's National AI Plan https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-capability-plan Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – AI https://oecd.ai Anthropic https://www.anthropic.com For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast
The nature of work and jobs is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. Is it the building block to a worker utopia, or a more bleak, disruptive reality? In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver sits down with Joseph Mitchell from the Australian Council of Trade Unions to unpack the opportunities, risks, and power dynamics brought on by the rollout of AI in workplaces around Australia. He argues that AI is being used increasingly to meet new efficiency benchmarks and worker surveillance. Johanna and Joseph ask, can the voice of unions, policy makers, and individuals shape what happens next, and will the future of work remain deeply human — even in an AI-driven world? Links: Australian Council of Trade Unions: www.actu.org.au Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, of His Holiness Pope Leo XiV, on safeguarding the human person on the time of artificial intelligence: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html Fair Work Commission: https://www.fwc.gov.au?utm_source National Employment Standards (Fair Work Ombudsman): https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/national-employment-standards Daron Acemoglu MIT Economics: https://economics.mit.edu/people/faculty/daron-acemoglu Building pro-worker artificial intelligence https://economics.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/Building%20Pro-Worker%20Artificial%20Intelligence.pdf For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Prepare to meet some amazing individuals who are using technology for social justice. This episode was recorded live at the Technology for Social Justice conference - Australia’s premier not-for-profit technology capability building, upskilling, networking and awards event, celebrating and exploring how technology can enable leaders to amplify impact. Johanna sat down to chat with CEO of Infoexchange, David Spriggs, and Infoexchanges strategic lead Tish Tambakau to talk about the origins of the conference and a new Program to support NFP tech adoption. Then she dives into conversation with Joey Esguerra from Uniting to learn about about how AI in being the care sector. Patima Tantiprasut, CEO of Pet Rescue shares how technology is helping keep pets in loving homes; Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things Australia and Hiba Ayas, the multicultural team leader from Whittlesea Community Connections share inspiring stories of digital programs empowering women; and Suzie Riddell, the head of evidence and impact at the Smith Family talks about how access to the right tech can help set a young person on a positive trajectory. This one is a special episode: prepare to be inspired. Links: Pet Rescue: https://www.petrescue.com.au/ Good Things Australia: https://goodthingsaustralia.org/ Digital Sisters Program: https://goodthingsaustralia.org/our-programs/digital-sisters/ Smith Family: www.thesmithfamily.com.au For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode marks the launch of TIPD's new research around AI, trust and regulation on 5 May in Parramatta. It begins with Johanna speaking with the Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Dr Andrew Charlton, followed by his keynote where he sets out the Government’s plan when it comes to AI and how to get the Australian public to trust and invest in AI. Next up TPDi Co-founder, Zoe Hakwins, presents the key findings of the research, followed by a lively panel discussion which brings to the research to life with each speaker taking on one of the 4 ‘Australian AI personas’: Jess Wilson (CEO Good Things Australia) representing Australia’s Regulation-enabled adopters (45%) are the persuadable majority – open to AI but waiting for clear safeguards Lailei Huang (Founder & Chair Western Sydney Tech Innovators) representing Australia’s Tech champions (28%) see regulation as an economic enabler Peter Lewis (Host of Burning Platforms and What’s your Poison) representing Australia’s Entrenched sceptics (15%) who want protection first, over unconstrained AI promotion George Trigenis (TPDi Youth Ambassador) representing Australia’s Self-assured adopters (12%) prefer to navigate AI on their own terms. Links: Read the Research Spotlight: Earning Trust - unlocking adoption for Australians: https://techpolicy.au/earning-trust For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johanna discusses Australia’s draft Children’s Online Privacy Code with Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind and Director of the Code Taskforce Kate Bower. They discuss how the proposed privacy code will work and how it will shape and benefit young people’s privacy in the future, with the potential for positive spillover for all users regardless of age. Carly and Kate also answer questions sent in by TPDi’s three youth ambassadors. Listen to the episode and provide your input on the draft code - consultations open until 5 June 2026! Links: OAIC Privacy for Kids (for copy of the draft code, and loads of great resources for parents and kids): https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-kids Participate in a Roundtable on the draft Code: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Ff0M3VhFEkuLreommE_EF05_L5kDbTNEstNjz43Wa4FURUNIODE2Ulg0TVRSWlJHQzAzSzVYT0M4MSQlQCN0PWcu Recap the way the Code might work with Digital Duty of Care: https://techpolicy.au/podcast/part-5-next-steps-australia-v-social-media-mini-series For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Johanna looks at whether the past can give us clues about the future with Carl Benedikt Frey, Dieter Schwarz Associate Professor of AI & Work at the Oxford Internet Institute and writer of How Progress Ends: Technology, Innovation, and the Fate of Nations. They talk about whether progress will end in the context of technology, innovation and (of course) artificial intelligence. They also discuss past events like the industrial revolution and US Gilded Age can tell us about the current technological direction humanity is taking. In keeping with Tech Mirror’s deep dive into Tech and Geopolitics, Johanna and Carl also discuss who will succeed in the rise of AI - the US or China? And Carl answers the big question: is progress ending in the US? Links: Carl’s book - How Progress Ends: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691233079/how-progress-ends For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the next deep dive into tech and geopolitics, Johanna Weaver sits down with Tim Coghlan, an Australia global tech and China economy analyst living in Beijing.They talk about geostrategic competition, from the perspective of China. Tim talks about how China has embraced AI, even down to the neighbourhood running track. From China’s strengths, to its vulnerabilities, Tim and Johanna discuss how China is moving forward as a major tech power, how its approach contrasts with the US, and what this means for middle powers like Australia. Links: Tim’s USSC article: https://www.ussc.edu.au/intelligent-everything-china-s-policy-to-supercharge-ai-adoption Lowy Interpreter Article: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/real-ai-gap-between-china-west-isn-t-chips-or-models-stories-we-tell Kyle Chan’s Substack: High Capacity: https://substack.com/@kyleichan Jordan Schneider’s Substack: China Talk: https://substack.com/@chinatalk For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first episode in a deep dive into tech and geopolitics, Johanna Weaver sits down with Martijn Rasser, Vice-President of Technology Leadership at the US Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP). The pair talk about strategic technology competition between the US & China, and what this means for middle power countries like Australia. They also discuss SCSP’s new ‘Tech Scorecards’, the Pax Silica agreement, how conflict in the Middle East is impacting global semi-conductors supply chains, Anthropic’s battle with the US Department of War, and President Trump’s approach to tech policy. Links SCSP’s Tech Scorecard: https://scorecard.scsp.ai Pax Silica declaration (original, from December 2025): https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/pax-silica-declaration-countries-attending-pax-silica-summit-12-december-2025 TPDi’s AI Agency Discussion Draft: www.techpolicy.au/ai-agency For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode Johanna Weaver catches up with Jess Wilson, CEO of Good Things; David Masters, Head of Global Public Policy at Atlassian; Lizzie O’Shea, Chair of Digital Rights Watch; Nick Davis, Co-Director at the UTS Human Technology Institute; and Meredith Hodgman, Head of Strategy from the Tech Policy Design Institute. Each of them attended the recent AI Action Summit in Delhi, a conference that started in at Bletchley Park in 2023 and is now one of the largest gatherings of AI experts in the world. The summits started with a firm focus on safety and existential risk, but have evolved progressively - the focus in India was opportunity & impact. Our guests share what it was like on the ground in Delhi and what their main takeaways have been. Sovereignty, social impact, and human capital are just some of the themes traversed in this episode. Links AI Impact Summit Communique: https://d19ob9sqegt2wc.cloudfront.net/stage/uploads/AI_Impact_Summit_Declaration_f208574dfc.pdf A/Minister Charton’s Speech: https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/charlton/speeches/speech-australian-business-economists-conference Collective Intelligence Project Global Dialogues: https://www.cip.org/globaldialogues TPDi’s AI Sovereignty to AI Agency Discussion Paper: https://techpolicy.au/ai-agency For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To start off our new season of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver is join by her co-founder at the Tech Policy Design Institute, Zoe Hawkins, and the pair look forward into 2026 and take a punt on predicting the hot tech policy topics for the year. Will Australia use its position as a middle power leader to shape technology, rather than just react to it? What domestic tech policy issues will take flight this year? What steps will Australia take to harness the potential of AI? We’ll have to wait till December to see just how well we do with our predictions. Until then, enjoy the episode. For full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is the final episode of TPDi’s 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we turn our attention to the future, looking at policy priorities for the Government going forward, including privacy law reform, a prohibition on unfair trading practices, competition codes, and the introduction of a digital duty of care. We also call on the Tech Mirror community to get involved and help shape Australian tech policy to make sure that it works well for everyone. Featured experts in this episode include Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, Lizzie O’Shea from Digital Rights Watch, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein, author of The Dip, the Einstein Report & Co-author of Raising Anxiety. Links: PM Press Conference at Parliament House (30 July 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-ZQ6jyLxw Children’s Online Privacy Code, via the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes/childrens-online-privacy-code Age appropriate design: a code of practice for online services, Information Commissioner’s Office (UK) https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/childrens-information/childrens-code-guidance-and-resources/age-appropriate-design-a-code-of-practice-for-online-services/ Regulatory reform in digital platform markets is needed to improve competition and consumer outcomes, via the ACCC (June 2025) https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/regulatory-reform-in-digital-platform-markets-is-needed-to-improve-competition-and-consumer-outcomes Minister for Communications announcement of duty of care obligations (November 2024) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/new-duty-care-obligations-platforms-will-keep-australians-safer-online Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021, led by Delia Rickard, released February 2025 https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/report-online-safety-act-review-released Minister for Communications Press Conference regarding digital duty of care survey (November 2025): https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-canberra-0 Minister for Communications media release on commitment to digital duty of care (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/government-continues-commitment-online-safety Government survey on digital duty of care online (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/government-continues-commitment-online-safety Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is episode 4 of TPDi’s 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the practicalities of implementing the Social Media Minimum Age legislation. What is likely to happen on 10th December when the law comes into effect? We answer some of the main questions that Australian young people and their parents and carers might have. We hear from the eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, deputy program director of the Age Assurance Technology Trial Andrew Hammond, clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein, author of The Dip, the Einstein Report & Co-author of Raising Anxiety, Professor Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, and Minh Hoang, a member of the eSafety Commissioner’s Youth Advisory Council. Links: eSafety Commissioner’s Social Media age restrictions hub https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub eSafety appoints Stanford University-led academic advisory group to assess the impacts of the Social Media Minimum Age obligation (September 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/esafety-appoints-stanford-university-led-academic-advisory-group-to-assess-the-impacts-of-the-social-media-minimum-age-obligation Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) resources on the social media minimum age https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/social-media-minimum-age The Dip, founded by Dr Danielle Einstein https://www.thedip.com/ Young Men Online https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/young-men-online Cyberbullying https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/cyberbullying Sextortion https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/image-based-abuse/deal-with-sextortion Parental Controls https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/parental-controls Press Conference: Social Media minimum Age Platform Assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9CIZK_12Zc Meta announces it will begin implementing required changes from 4 December https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-19/meta-to-block-teens-from-instagram-facebook-week-early/106028014 Family Tech Agreement Template (eSaftey, good for younger children): https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources/family-tech-agreement Family Tech Contract (Think you know, good for teenagers): https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/find-advice/building-safe-online-habits Headspace guide to the social media ban https://headspace.org.au/our-impact/campaigns/social-media-ban/ ReachOut https://about.au.reachout.com/home Kids Helpline https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Lode a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/social-media-minimum-age Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is episode 3 of a 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we make sense of the Social Media Minimum Age legislation, explaining the limits of the law and what it actually requires of social media companies, young people, parents, and the community. We also unpack how this new law interrelates with other existing online safety measures, including industry codes. We speak with Cam Wilson from Crikey, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, Australia's Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, and Deputy Program Director of the Age Assurance Technology Trial Andrew Hammond. Links: Minister Wells Press Conference (16 September 2025), supplied. Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, including the explanatory memorandum and transcripts of all second reading speeches https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284 Government announces plans to introduce the minimum age legislation (8 November 2024), Minimum age for social media access to protect Australian kids https://www.pm.gov.au/media/minimum-age-social-media-access-protect-australian-kids & https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-centre/social-media-ban Social media reforms to protect our kids online pass Parliament (29 November 2024) https://alp.org.au/news/social-media-reforms-to-protect-our-kids-online-pass-parliament/ eSafety Commissioner Advice to the Minister for Communications on draft Online Safety Rules (June 2025) https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/esafety-commissioner-advice-minister-communications-draft-online-safety-rules Albanese Government protecting kids from social media harms (July 2025) https://www.pm.gov.au/media/albanese-government-protecting-kids-social-media-harms Prime Minister and Minister for Communications media conference, Canberra (July 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wellseSaeft/transcript/press-conference-parliament-house-canberra Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025 https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L00889/latest/text eSafety Commissioner’s regulatory guidance https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/regulatory-guidance#social-media-minimum-age Minister for Communications and eSafety Commissioner’s media conference (September 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-sydney Privacy Guidance on Part 4A (Social Media Minimum Age) of the Online Safety Act 2021 (October 2025) https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-legislation/related-legislation/social-media-minimum-age Platforms on notice to comply with Social Media Minimum Age, via eSafety Commissioner (November 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/platforms-on-notice-to-comply-with-social-media-minimum-age Social media minimum age platform assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/media-release/social-media-minimum-age-platform-assessments & https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/wells/transcript/press-conference-canberra-0 Press Conference: Social Media minimum Age Platform Assessments, Minister for Communications media release (November 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9CIZK_12Zc eSafety assesses Twitch as an age restricted social media platform (November 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/twitch-assessed-as-age-restricted-social-media-platform https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/21/katherine-deves-legal-challenge-teen-social-media-ban/ Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s industry codes and standards https://www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes Age Assurance Technology Trial https://ageassurance.com.au/ Age Assurance Technology Trial— Final Report https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/age-assurance-technology-trial-final-report Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is episode 2 of a special 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media: Inside the world-first online safety experiment. In this episode, we discuss how the issue of social media harms and the idea of a minimum age restriction became such a political hot topic in the lead up to the 2024 Federal election. We explore the political, social and media forces that lead to the law passing Parliament, notwithstanding reservations of experts. We speak to Cam Wilson, a technology reporter from Crikey, Lizzie O’Shea (founder and chair of Digital Rights Watch), Professor Amanda Third (co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University), Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and Australia's Privacy Commissioner, Carly Kind. Links: Cam Wilson, Crikey https://www.crikey.com.au/author/cam-wilson/ Lizzie O’Shea https://lizzieoshea.com/ Digital Rights Watch https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/ Amanda Third https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/people/directors/amanda_third Julie Inman Grant https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/about-the-commissioner Carly Kind https://www.oaic.gov.au/ Minister Wells Speaking during Parliament House Question Time (31 July 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcLpm9SbOrk ABC News Breakfast (29 November 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niaeYxdlvkw The Project, 10X Media Group/Network Ten (19 May 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=525CiA19WPI 36 Months campaign https://www.36months.com/ Let Them Be Kids campaign https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/topics/let-them-be-kids Social Media Summit, NSW & South Australia, October 2024 https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/social-media-summit & https://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/social-media-summit Report by Chief Justice Robert French, Legal Examination into Social Media Access for Children https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/banning-social-media-for-children Government response to the Privacy Act Review Report (September 2023) https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/publications/government-response-privacy-act-review-report eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s speech at the Royal Society of NSW, W x 3 — The World Wide Web (we weaved)! (July 2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSFVrIugy3E Laws not bans can make kids safer online, Carly Kind, Privacy Commissioner (November 2024) https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/blog/laws-not-bans-can-make-kids-safer-online Prime Minister and Minister for Communications media conference (November 2024) https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/speech/press-conference-parliament-house Social Media Age Limit, Office of Impact Analysis (November 2024) https://oia.pmc.gov.au/published-impact-analyses-and-reports/social-media-age-limit Social media: the good, the bad, and the ugly – Final report, from the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society (November 2024) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Social_Media_and_Australian_Society/SocialMedia Statutory Review of the Online Safety Act 2021, led by Delia Rickard, released February 2025 https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/rowland/media-release/report-online-safety-act-review-released Environment and Communications Legislation Committee inquiry into the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 [Provisions] (November 2025) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/SocialMediaMinimumAge Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, including the explanatory memorandum and transcripts of all second reading speeches https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7284 Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmeade. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this 5-part Tech Mirror mini-series, Australia vs Social Media, we’re exploring Australia's world first online safety experiment. Across five episodes, we’ll unpack the new social media minimum age restriction law, examine the harms it seeks to prevent, consider the controversy surrounding its passage through parliament in November 2024, and try to demystify what will happen on 10th December when it comes into effect. In this first episode, we’re going to go back to the beginning and dig into the research – and different perspectives - on the harms caused to young people by their use of social media platforms. Why are the experts divided? And does the evidence back-up the concerns of parents and young people? The series is narrated by Tech Policy Design Institute Executive Director, Johanna Weaver. This episode features expert interviews with Professor Jonathan Haidt (social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation), clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein, Professor Amanda Third (co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University), Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, and Minh Hoang, member of the eSafety Youth Council. Links: Tech Policy Design Institute https://techpolicy.au Jonathan Haidt https://jonathanhaidt.com/ The Anxious Generation https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-anxious-generation-9781802063271 Danielle Einstein (Author of The Dip, the Einstein Report & Co-author of Raising Anxiety) https://www.danielleeinstein.com/ Amanda Third https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/young-and-resilient/people/directors/amanda_third Julie Inman Grant https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/about-the-commissioner ABC News Breakfast (29 November 2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niaeYxdlvkw 'For the good of...' Australian Government Social media minimum age TV advertisement https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/campaign Australian Child Rights Taskforce open letter (October 2024) https://au.reset.tech/news/open-letter-about-social-media-bans/ Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s research findings summary: Social Media Minimum Age campaign (September 2025) https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/campaign#research-findings-summary--social-media-minimum-age-campaign YouGov poll (November 2024) Support for under-16 social media ban soars to 77% among Australians https://au.yougov.com/politics/articles/51000-support-for-under-16-social-media-ban-soars-to-77-among-australians Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmede. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Wittmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Australia passed its world-first law setting a minimum age for social media, the headlines were global - but the experts were divided. In this Tech Mirror mini-series, we unpack the harms the law seeks to prevent, trace how young people’s use of social media became a flashpoint in the lead-up to the 2025 Federal Election, and explain what the legislation actually requires of social media platforms. We demystify what will happen when the law comes into force on 10 December, and explore what needs to happen next - as Australian (rightly) start to demand more from tech companies and from our politicians. Across five episodes, Tech Policy Design Institute Executive Director Johanna Weaver speaks with the people directly involved in Australia’s world first online safety experiment - from psychologists and policymakers to reporters and regulators - including Julie Inman Grant, Professor Jonathan Haidt, Dr Danielle Einstein, Professor Amanda Third, Carly Kind, Cam Wilson, Minh Hoang, Lizzie O’Shea, Andrew Hammond, and Gina Cass-Gottlieb. Listen to the trailer now and subscribe for the full series wherever you get your podcasts. Credits Written and narrated by Johanna Weaver, Executive Director, Tech Policy Design Institute. Produced by Olivia O’Flynn & Kate Montague, Audiocraft. Research by Amy Denmede. Original music by Thalia Skopellos. Created on the lands of the Ngunnawal, Ngambri people and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Special thanks to all the team at the Tech Policy Design Institute, without whom the pod would not be possible, especially Zoe Hawkins, Meredith Hodgman, and Dorina Whittmann. Links Tech Policy Design Institute: https://techpolicy.au/podcast Follow us on LinkedIn: Tech Policy Design Institute See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Center for Humane Technology, Casey Mock joins Johanna for a discussion on incentives for building safer and more humane technology. Casey and Johanna discuss designing platforms for people and not just profit, how to realign incentives in tech using the well-established concept of legal liability, what to expect from a Trump administration in regards to tech policy, creative ways to overcome legal logjams, and how – contrary to popular belief – clear liability legislation empowers innovation. They also explore Australia’s under 16 social media ban, different approaches globally to tackle similar issues, and Australia’s reputation internationally on tech legislation. Key Links: Check out the Centre for Humane Technology’s ‘Framework for Incentivizing Responsible Artificial Intelligence Development and Use’ here: https://www.humanetech.com/insights/framework-for-incentivizing-responsible-artificial-intelligence Connect with Casey Mock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseymock/ Keep up to date with the Tech Policy Design Centre: https://techpolicydesign.au/news-and-events df38c0e88ec90c97b48702fba836c2d8350d141eSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Angie Abdilla, Professor and the ANU School of Cybernetics, founder of Old Ways, New, and co-author of the Indigenous Protocols for Artificial Intelligence, joins Johanna for an exploration of Indigenous Knowledge and the lessons we can all draw from it. Angie and Johanna talk about the value of viewing technology, science, and engineering through a non-western worldview, Indigenous Knowledge systems and Deep Time technologies, Country Centred Design Practices, the Closing the Gap reforms and how they relate to Indigenous data sovereignty, and some of Angie’s recent projects around AI They explore the similarities between well managed AI and Indigenous Knowledge systems with their shared focus on trust, transparency, responsibility, and best practices. Read Out of the Black Box: Indigenous Protocols for AI: https://www.anat.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Out-of-the-Black-Box_Indigenous-protocols-for-AI.pdf Find your nearest display of Meditation on Country: https://isea2024.isea-international.org/meditation-on-country/ Old Ways, New: https://www.oldwaysnew.com/ Tech Policy Design Centre: https://techpolicydesign.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.