Download This Show

Download This Show is your weekly guide to the world of media, culture, and technology. From social media to gadgets, streaming services to privacy issues. Each week Marc Fennell and a team of people far smarter than him (his words, not ours) take a fun deep dive into how technology is reshaping our lives.

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Episodes

Can artificial intelligence be regulated?

Biden attempts to regulate artificial intelligence, the Canadian government bans WeChat for employees and why robotaxi is in hot water.

Nov 09, 2023•30 min•Ep. 50

The new solution to uncover online deep fakes

Explore the latest in technology, social media, consumer electronics, digital culture and more.

Nov 02, 2023•30 min•Ep. 32

Say hello to your robot co-worker!

One US tech company is set to bring in robots to work alongside humans, X will be trialling a $1 fee to use the platform and does Australia need a disinformation watchdog?

Oct 26, 2023•30 min•Ep. 31

Is your data really that private?

Australia is set to get new data privacy laws, the growing concern of disinformation and fake images spread during a conflict and the carbon footprint of the gaming industry.

Oct 19, 2023•30 min•Ep. 30

Spotting AI images and chatbots with 'personalities'

As AI images become increasingly commonplace, how do you spot them? And Sam Kerr, Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner are just some of the celebrities who have lent their 'personalities' to Meta's new range of AI Chatbots. Meanwhile, ChatGPT owner, OpenAI has confirmed users can now scan the internet, an update from the viral chatbots previous 2021 limit. And TikTok's new e-commerce wing TikTok Shop has already been banned in Indonesia. Jessica Sier, Technology Reporter at the Australia Financial Revi...

Oct 12, 2023•30 min•Ep. 29

Would a digital ID really work?

The government is proposing a national digital identity scheme that will let people prove their identity, without having to use their passport, drivers license or Medicare card. But will it work? And X - formerly known as Twitter - has removed a feature that allows users to report disinformation on the platform. Meanwhile, New York City has banned facial recognition in schools. Dr Erica Mealy, Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Josh Taylor, Guardian Reporter...

Oct 05, 2023•30 min•Ep. 28

How AI now plays a big role in recruiting

AI could play a big role in the recruitment process for your next job, so could the technology help to mitigate unconscious bias in the hiring process? And the creator of Game of Thrones is suing CHATGPT's owner Open AI for copyright, and he isn’t the only famous author to do so. Meanwhile Google is on trial for allegedly rigging search. And is Elon Musk’s brain chip company Neuralink really ready to seek candidates for human trials? Meg Coffey, Digital Strategist and Managing Director of Coffey...

Sep 28, 2023•30 min•Ep. 27

Big tech call for AI regulation

Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and other big names in tech have joined a US Senate hearing to call for better regulation of AI, but they’re divided on how to get there. And Apple wants to know how you feel as part of a software update – but who does it really benefit? Meanwhile supermarket giants are increasing surveillance measures and NASA has released its UFO report. Jack Ryan, ABC Science and Technology Reporter and Asha Barbaschow, Gizmodo Australia Editor join Rae Johnston on Downl...

Sep 21, 2023•30 min•Ep. 49

What's behind the EV gender gap?

In world leading regulation, AI generated child-abuse material will be removed from search results in Australia. And new research has found a new gender-gap, this time in Electric Vehicle sales. Meanwhile, YouTube is verifying health workers in the UK and why you should update your phone right now. Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, Future Transport Reporter at AAP and Alex Kidman, Freelance tech journalist and cohost of Vertical Hold join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.

Sep 14, 2023•30 min•Ep. 25

Netflix moves into gaming

Netflix has continued its transition into the gaming space. So is this the next frontier for the streaming giant? And AI has defeated world champion drone pilots, while the Government has delayed trialling ‘porn passports’ for Australians. Sarah Moran, co-founder and CEO of Girl Geek Academy and Jaimyn Mayer, software engineer and founder of Brisbane Makerspace join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.

Sep 07, 2023•30 min•Ep. 24

Big Tech crackdown

The EU is introducing sweeping new regulations for big tech, so could we see a similar crackdown in Australia? And researchers have used AI to grow more ‘sustainable’ plants, resistant to climate change and pests. Meanwhile, streaming giant Netflix has finally killed of its legacy DVD rental service. Josh Taylor, reporter at The Guardian and Natasha Gillezeau, editor and product lead at Missing Perspectives join Rae Johnston on Download This Show

Aug 31, 2023•30 min•Ep. 23

'Sleep-influencers' and the end of NFTs?

“Sleep-influencers” are literally making money in their sleep, by streaming themselves while they doze. But is there a darker-side to the practice? Meanwhile new AI powered technology means 7/eleven customers will soon be able to skip the check-out entirely. And large NFT marketplace will stop collecting mandatory resale fees for artists. Dan Van Boom, Technology Correspondent at Capital Brief and Dr Erica Mealy, Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast join Rae Johns...

Aug 24, 2023•30 min•Ep. 22

Are robots taking over?

Amazon is sending a fleet of Robots to a warehouse in Melbourne, while robotaxis are set to operate 24/7 in San Francisco. So, what are the risks and the potential benefits of replacing humans with robots? And IBM has released a prototype "brain-like" chip that promises to be more energy efficient. So, if it lives up to its claims could it make operating AI and big data-centres more environmentally friendly? Meg Coffey, Digital Strategist and Managing Director of Coffey and Tea and Alice Clarke,...

Aug 17, 2023•30 min•Ep. 21

Worldcoin wants to scan your eyeballs, should you let it?

Worldcoin aims to provide its users with a verified digital identity, by scanning their eyeballs. The project is offering free cryptocurrency in exchange for an individuals biometric data, but it's been banned in Kenya amid privacy concerns. And China has proposed screentime limits for kids, so will they work? Meanwhile AI is being used to detect bushfires in Australia. Seamus Byrne, Head of Content at Byteside and Chris Berg, Director of the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub join Rae Johnston on D...

Aug 10, 2023•30 min•Ep. 47

Social media echo chambers and UFO hearings

Do social media echo chambers really exist? 17 academics dove into Facebook’s data to find out. And there are reports that Telsa hired a ‘diversion team’ to suppress complaints about the vehicles driving range. So, what repercussions could this have for the Tesla brand? Meanwhile, a whistleblower has made claims about alien bodies and UFO crash sites in a US Congress hearing. It comes as NASA is set to hand down its own report into UAPs, so what's going on? Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, Future Tran...

Aug 03, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46

Twitter rebrands to X and actors strike against AI

Apple has threatened to remove FaceTime and iMessage services in the UK, if the Government goes ahead with planned changes to surveillance laws. They’ve flagged privacy concerns, but would the proposed adjustments actually endanger message encryption? And actors and writers in Hollywood are striking, stating that AI represents an “existential threat” to the industry. So what is it exactly that they’re worried about? And are Neopets making a comeback? Alex Kidman, Freelance Tech Journo and Co-Hos...

Jul 27, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46

Elon vs Zuckerberg: Has Threads killed Twitter?

It’s been a few weeks since Meta launched its new App, and direct Twitter rival Threads. So with over 100 million users, what do we know about it so far? And has Mark Zuckerberg actually created a "Twitter killer"? And while Twitter may be struggling, billionaire Elon Musk has launched a new AI company called xAI. The Tesla owner has previously been critical of AI, including the hugely popular ChatGPT for being "too woke", so how will his offering differ?

Jul 20, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46

Cash is no longer king. Will crypto take the crown?

The cheque has been handed an official death notice, while the end of cash is looming. So, as money becomes increasingly digitised, how exactly are our payment habits changing? From blockchain, to cryptocurrency and everything in between, Download Show takes a look at the opportunities and the risks, and explores how people can retain their security and privacy in this new world of money. Chris Berg, Director of The Blockchain Innovation hub at RMIT University and Jessie Hughes, Creative Technol...

Jul 13, 2023•29 min•Ep. 46

How have AI, TikTok and copyright cases changed music?

The music industry has long been at the forefront of technological change and transformation. But as the use of Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly commonplace, like Grimes open sourcing her AI voice and the Beatles using AI to 're-imagine' a song, what are the ethics? And who really ‘owns’ the product? And as social media apps like TikTok are fundamentally reshaping the way music is discovered and created, but is this type of market disruption really new? Guests: Tim McKenry, Professor...

Jul 06, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46

Cybercrime is on the rise, so how can you protect yourself?

This year, the Australian government banned Chinese owned social media application Tiktok from government devices, citing data security concerns. It came as big businesses like Medibank and Optus found themselves the victims of hackers. Now, the government is scrambling to crackdown on cybercrime, but is it too little too late? And going beyond two-factor authentication, what can individuals do to ensure they are cyber secure?

Jun 29, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46

Would you like some gene editing with your salad?

A US company has used a DNA editing tool to make a salad leaf less bitter. So, what exactly is the reality of gene editing on the future of food production? And big tech companies like Google, Meta and Microsoft are set to be forced to analyse all user content to ‘proactively' detect illegal things. Meanwhile a large adult entertainment company would like your drivers license, and in Singapore, more police patrol robots are set to be rolled out. Guests: Jessie Hughes, Creative Technologist Meg C...

Jun 22, 2023•30 min•Ep. 46

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