What if death wasn’t the end, but just... a transition to the cloud? In this episode, we explore the rise of digital personality emulations — AI-powered avatars that let you talk to the dead . Philosopher Rob Sparrow joins us to unpack the ethics, cultural impacts, and spiritual questions surrounding these technologies. From ancestor worship with digital shrines to grieving via chatbots, we ask: are we preserving memories, or messing with mourning? And what does it mean when your late grandma is...
Apr 09, 2025•23 min
In a recent announcement from Meta’s founder Mark Zuckerberg, the tech giant has decided to do away with it’s third party fact-checking model, opting for a ‘community notes’ system similar to X. How will this decision impact public trust in platforms? What are the implications for the broader misinformation ecosystem? What is the balance between ‘free expression’ and the responsibility to combat misinformation online? All this and more with journalist and fact-checking researcher Dr Silvia Monta...
Feb 04, 2025•22 min
Dang’s interest in internet cures grew out of the misinformation boom in 2016, but instead of following the popular research agenda she wanted to understand the cultural and historical contexts behind these practices. Unravelling the intricate connections between social, technological, biomedical, and non-biomedical spheres, Dang’s new book ‘Internet Cures’ explores the intersection of miracle cures and technology, combining computational social media data with ethnographic insights from Vietnam...
Dec 17, 2024•32 min
On 4 December 2024 ADM+S invited guest speakers from industry partner organisation the ABC, to be part of a panel titled ‘What is a Public Service Algorithm and Why Might We Need One?’ Providing an alternative to commercial forms of content curation is one of the challenges faced by public service media in the digital era. The conversation explores how automated recommendation systems might support the mission of public service media in Australia. This conversation moderated by ADM+S Chief Inves...
Dec 09, 2024•59 min
Research funded by VicHealth and the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education, supported by ADM+S, has found that alcohol and gambling companies use Facebook data to profile and target people most at risk with their product advertising. In this episode, hear from Dr Giselle Newton, ADM+S Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, and Dr Aimee Brownbill, Industry partner from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) as we discuss key findings, concerns, and next steps...
Nov 28, 2024•35 min
Did you know that globally, Australian’s lose the most money per capita to gambling? In response to a parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, reports suggest that the Federal Government is considering a ban on gambling advertising online. Findings from the Australian Ad Observatory highlight the complexities of enforcing such a ban, with the prevalence of giveaway ads, raffles and rewards clubs - which do not legally classify as gambling but have gambling components - proliferating across th...
Sep 25, 2024•19 min
In this episode we discuss the risks and benefits of sharing household energy use data, highlighting the opportunity for increased user awareness and sustainability, while also considering concerns around surveillance and data privacy. This conversation is based on ‘Household Wattch: Exploring opportunities for surveillance and consent through families’ household energy use data’, a recent article by Dr Stephen Snow (UQ & CSIRO), Dr Awais Hameed Khan (ADM+S Research Fellow at UQ) , Kaleb Day...
Aug 13, 2024•28 min
In this episode we discuss the technological, legal and societal challenges present in the indie porn industry, and how these struggles intersect with broader issues of stigma, capitalism and social justice. This conversation is based on ‘Indie Porn’, a new book by Dr Zahra Stardust from Queensland University of Technology, published with Duke University Press Read 📕 https://www.dukeupress.edu/indie-porn ADM+S In Conversation is a new podcast series, bringing our researchers to the spotlight to...
Aug 02, 2024•13 min
In this episode of ADM+S In Conversation, Natalie Campbell sits down with Dr Georgia van Toorn to talk about her recent paper, co-authored with Prof Terry Carney, titled 'Decoding the algorithmic operations of Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme’. In recent years, Australia’s National Disability Insurance Agency's (NDIA) has embarked on a digital transformation of its social services, with the primary goal of creating user-centric services that are more attentive to the needs of cit...
Jul 16, 2024•15 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Assoc Prof Michael Richardson, co-lead on our new project titled ‘ADM, Ecosystems, and Multispecies Relationships’. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/adm-ecosystems-and-multispecies-relationships/...
Jun 27, 2024•7 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Dr Daniel Featherstone on 'Mapping the Digital Gap'. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/mapping-the-digital-gap/
Jun 26, 2024•10 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Prof Kimberlee Weatherall on 'The Regulatory Project'. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/the-regulatory-project/
Jun 26, 2024•4 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Dr Kylie Pappalardo about our new project titled ‘Evaluating Automated Cultural Curating and Ranking Systems with Synthetic Data’. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/evaluating-automated-cultural-cura...
Jun 26, 2024•7 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Prof Kimberlee Weatherall about our new project titled ‘GenAI Sim: Simulation in the Loop for Multi-Stakeholder Interactions with Generative Agents'. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/genaisim-simula...
Jun 26, 2024•4 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Prof Haiqing Yu about on new project titled ‘Language and Cultural Diversity in ADM: Australia in the Asia Pacific’. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/language-and-cultural-diversity-in-adm-australia...
Jun 26, 2024•9 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Prof Anthony McCosker, co-lead on our new project titled ‘Generative Authenticity’. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/generative-authenticity/
Jun 26, 2024•6 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Prof Axel Brunns, co-lead on The Australian Search Experience 2.0. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/australian-search-experience-2-0/
Jun 26, 2024•10 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Prof Anthony McCosker, co-lead on our new project titled ‘Critical Capabilities for Inclusive AI’. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/critical-capabilities-for-inclusive-ai/...
Jun 26, 2024•5 min
In 2024 the ARC Centre of Excellence is introducing a suite of new research projects investigating critical questions, regulatory intervention, design, application and deployment of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making technologies. In this episode, hear from Assoc Prof Nicholas Carah, co-lead on the Australian Ad Observatory 2.0. For more information visit: https://www.admscentre.org.au/australian-ad-observatory-investigating-mobile-and-dynamic-advertising-via-computational-and...
Jun 26, 2024•6 min
In this episode of ADM+S In Conversation, Natalie Campbell sits down with Dr Jathan Sadowski and Dr Kelly Lewis to talk about their recent paper, co-authored with Dr Zofia Bednarz, ' Risk, value, vitality: The moral economy of a global behavioural insurance platform'. Jathan and Kelly discus the growing model of ‘behavioural insurance’ that has become a major approach in the industry, whereby insurers hope to unlock a key source of value and risk management by capturing constant streams of data ...
Jun 23, 2024•55 min
This panel conversation was part of a recent event hosted by the Platform Economies Research Network (PERN), in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. The event titled 'Digital Platform Economies: Value from data?' was held at the New School in New York City on 24-26 April 2024. This panel explores value propositions articulated by platform governance models. These platforms mediate interactions between data, content, and value. The panel exami...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 39 min
This panel conversation was part of a recent event hosted by the Platform Economies Research Network (PERN), in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. The event titled 'Digital Platform Economies: Value from data?' was held at the New School in New York City on 24-26 April 2024. The session examines how core concepts, such as commodity, capital, labor, rent, data, and information, operate with reference to specific platform contexts. Each panel...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 49 min
This panel conversation was part of a recent event hosted by the Platform Economies Research Network (PERN), in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. The event titled 'Digital Platform Economies: Value from data?' was held at the New School in New York City on 24-26 April 2024. This session examines how economies and economic objects are designed in Web3. These digital economies arise through the deployment of socio-technical mechanisms (e.g.,...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 25 min
This panel conversation was part of a recent event hosted by the Platform Economies Research Network (PERN), in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. The event titled 'Digital Platform Economies: Value from data?' was held at the New School in New York City on 24-26 April 2024. This session focuses on digital twins, which are virtual representations tied to physical objects, processes, or environments. Defined by a two-way flow of information,...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 26 min
This keynote conversation was part of a recent event hosted by the Platform Economies Research Network (PERN), in collaboration with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society. The event titled 'Digital Platform Economies: Value from data?' was held at the New School in New York City on 24-26 April 2024. Featured in this keynote conversation is ADM+S director Prof Julian Thomas and Associate director Prof Jean Burgess, moderated by Paul Dourish from PERN. Learn more a...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 30 min
In this episode we're joined by Prof Paul Henman from the University of Queensland to discuss ' Automated decision-making in New South Wales: mapping and analysis of the use of ADM systems by State and Local governments ', a research report produced in partnership by the ADM+S Centre and the New South Wales Ombudsman. On 8 March 2024, ADM+S researchers Prof Kim Weatherall and Dr Jose-Miguel Bello y Villarino were invited to the first hearing of the NSW Artificial Intelligence Inquiry at Parliame...
Mar 10, 2024•19 min
This debate was held as part of the 2023 ADM+AS Web Search Revolution Symposium on 17 August at RMIT University, and online. A lively debate on the implications of Generative AI and its societal impact. Featuring experts in the field, this debate will shed light on the serious hazards and enormous potential of Generative AI. The affirmative side will argue that we must stop progress in this technology and focus on minimising its harms and render it safe. The negative will emphasise the importanc...
Aug 24, 2023•43 min
This panel was held at the 2023 ADM+S Web Search Revolution Symposium on 17 August at RMIT University, and online. How did search engines develop over the 20th century? Mark Sanderson and Julian Thomas will show how expensive subscription-based search companies formed in the 1960s and largely unchanged over three decades were wiped out by web search that was free, fast, and easy to use, drawing connections between this revolution of the past and the current generative AI revolution. Speakers: Pr...
Aug 24, 2023•32 min
This panel was held at the 2023 ADM+S Web Search Revolution Symposium on 17 August at RMIT University, and online. Although generative AI – and tools like ChatGPT – show that the future of search will certainly be complex, this panel will engage in longer-term stargazing to examine what the reality of search may be in 25-30 years. Through an interactive discussion format, our experts will imagine how people will find and share information, how our workplaces may change, whether dozens of phone a...
Aug 24, 2023•58 min
This panel was held at the 2023 ADM+S Web Search Revolution Symposium on 17 August at RMIT University, and online. With billions of queries serviced every day, web search has profoundly reshaped the way we relate to information. But search has itself been reshaped by law, regulation, markets, user interactions, and other social forces. This panel asks: how can we understand the historical evolution of search from a social perspective? What has search done to us, and what have we done to search? ...
Aug 24, 2023•57 min
