Tech Mirror

OnlyFans is often immediately recognised as an adult content platform. Yet, according to digital culture scholar Dr. Emily van der Nagel, the company sidesteps embracing the kinds of explicit material that define it. What does this mean for the creators who make their living on the platform, and for its and governments' responsibilities?

In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver and Emily explore how the OnlyFans platform design and corporate strategy shape the experiences of its creators and users. Their conversation examines questions of worker agency, platform power and regulation, copyright, the blurry line between art and porn, and what making a living through platform work can reveal about the broader digital economy and our society. 

This podcast episode does include adult themes, so exercise your judgement as to if and when you listen to this episode.

Links

OnlyFans | Emily van der Nagel

Why OnlyFans had second thoughts on banning sexually explicit content | The Guardian

Competing platform imaginaries of NSFW content creation on OnlyFans | Emily van der Nagel

Digital Economy Strategy | Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science, and Resources

Many believe that Artificial Intelligence will soon be embedded in nearly every aspect of the modern world. But how diverse are the people shaping this technology? In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver is joined by Dr. Gemma Killen and Professor Rashina Hoda to explore how a lack of diversity in AI development is amplifying harms towards women as well as marginalised and vulnerable groups. From biased recruitment, renter prejudices and healthcare systems to deepfakes, they acknowledge the existing challenges with AI’s track record on diversity and suggest some practical steps to improve inclusion and instead use AI to reduce bias and, just maybe, even smash the patriarchy!

Links:

AI has a woman problem. It could cost us dearly | The Financial Review

What Does a Software Engineer Look Like? Exploring Societal Stereotypes in LLMs | Monash University

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and Women's Health | Working with Women Alliance

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, Gender and Equality Economics| Working with Women Alliance

AI Safety Forum: Session Videos

Is Australia getting AI strategy right? Following the PM’s “AI In Australia’s Interests” speech on 15 July, much of the conversation has focused on data centres and ‘national standards’. But according to industrial AI leader Cori Stewart, that's not where Australia's biggest opportunity lies. In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Cori, the CEO of ARM Hub, about why Australia should focus on industrial AI, how Australian AI is already transforming manufacturing, healthcare, mining and agriculture, and what it will take to build the high-value industries that can power Australia's future prosperity. From steel mills and medical devices to South Korea’s manufacturing success, this is a conversation about moving beyond hype and putting AI to work in the industries that will create Australia’s future jobs, capability and prosperity.

Links

Cori’s article in Innovation Aus: Australia is chasing the wrong link of AI. 

AI In Australia’s Interests | Prime Minister of Australia

ARM Hub

Tech Policy AI Agency Report | TPDI

For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast

What 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