“I’m concerned that AI and big tech – well, big tech with AI – has gone into a full-court press… particularly on the federal system...I’m concerned that without thinking it through clearly enough, policy makers won’t essentially subject the slogans to sufficient scrutiny.”
This week on Burning Platforms, we recorded our special briefing for cultural creators and those who value their work to discuss Big Tech’s push to mine our culture.
Our panel discusses:
How AI large language models have been built on the theft of the work of musicians, writers journalists and artists.
What the productivity Commission’s proposal to give AI companies a ‘right to mine data’ will do to Australian performers
How creatives and citizens can resist the attacks from AI
Featuring:
AI expert and author Professor Toby Walsh
Midnight Oil front man Peter Garrett
Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea
Australian Writers Guild CEO Claire Pullen
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
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58:56
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58:56
Industrial Base with Minister Tim Ayres
New Federal industry and science minister Tim Ayres shares his take on industry policy, AI's opportunities and risks, and how we could steer through the latest wave of tech change.
With regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
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52:05
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52:05
Digital New Deal with Johanna Weaver
Can Australia play a leading role in imagining a tech future that isn’t controlled by either the US or China?
Johanna Weaver from the Tech Policy Design Institute expands on her recent essay ‘System Update - An Australian-led new deal for tech’ - https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/essay/2025/06/tech-wars
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis will also discuss:
what the new Federal Parliament means for tech
how Cloudflare could rewrite the game in copyright
and the rise of Satanic Chat Bots
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
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1:02:33
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1:02:33
Poisoning AI with Prof Toby Walsh
The Large Language Models are powered by stolen data but there are new and innovative ways to make the thieves pay. Professor Toby Walsh explains the tech-driven resistance to Big AI from data poisoning to responsible cloud computing.
With panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Editor of the Sizzle Cam Wilson, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis we also discuss:
Qantas’ big data hack
Victoria’s foray into AI policing
and how Velvet Sunset’s fake music is bringing tears to Peter’s eyes
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome
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1:04:22
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1:04:22
Scammed! With Alex Brooks
"I thought old people got scammed. And actually young people are at greater risk because they have more confidence in dealing [with things] online."
This week on Burning Platforms, the team learns how the financial scam industry has become an enthusiastic early adapter of AI and how the banks are working around the clock to ensure they aren’t the ones liable for the ensuing harm.
With our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair, Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, who are joined by co-founder of Scams Victims Alliance, Alex Brooks.
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit. (https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome)
For more about Scams Victims Alliance go to: https://scamvictimalliance.org.au/
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech. Join Peter Lewis, Lizzie O’Shea (Digital Rights Watch), Dan Stinton (HealthEngine CEO), and guests, fortnightly for analysis of the politics of technology from some of Australia’s leading digital campaigners and industry experts. Brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
New Zealand