‘Have you met Dot yet?’: The AI chatbot luring kids in

Have your kids met Dot yet? You might not think so; Dot is an AI companion. But these companions are becoming ubiquitous - sought after to provide everything from solace to friendship. And even love. “The vibe”, said Dot’s creator Jason Yuan, “is, you turn to Dot when you don’t know where to go, or what to do or say.” But reports are surfacing of disastrous consequences from relationships that people, including children, are forming with AI companions.  Today, international and political editor, Peter Hartcher, on all of this. Plus Meta’s AI companion, which is capable of fantasy sex - and even the abuse of children.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We bring you this bonus episode today, on Wednesday April 30th, after the first day of what’s become known as the mushroom trial. This is the case that centres around a quiet country lunch that resulted in three people dead, and another fighting for life, after the food they ate contained - as a jury was told - death cap mushrooms. To tell us what unfolded in court today, we’re joined by The Age’s court reporter Erin Pearson.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s never happened in Australia. But should we have a federal Minister for Men? Dan Repacholi, a Federal Labor MP, who is currently campaigning for re-relection, says it’s a “no-brainer”. He knows how taboo it is. That to promote the idea risks him being labeled anti-woman. But tragedies and struggles in Repacholi’s electorate - and his own experience - have convinced him of the need to speak out.Today, foreign affairs and national security correspondent, Matthew Knott, on the movement across the globe, pushing for this idea. And whether it could happen in Australia.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salmon farming is not something most voters consider when they go to the polls on election day. But for Tasmanian voters, it is a huge and often divisive issue. This debate about the environmental effects of salmon farming is playing out in an election where any other discussion of the environment is pretty much non-existent. Which is curious because energy policy goes hand-in-hand with the environment and that is a decisive topic of this election. It’s also curious that the federal environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, has been very quiet during the campaign. National environment and climate reporter Bianca Hall and energy correspondent Mike Foley join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, modern-day Welcome to Country ceremonies have been an established ritual in Australia, performed by Indigenous elders, far and wide. But on Anzac Day last Friday, during the hush of the dawn service remembering war veterans, Bunurong and Gunditjmara elder Mark Brown was booed, and jeered at, while performing the ceremony in Melbourne.  And then that night, a planned Welcome to Country ceremony was ditched at a high-profile sporting event. Today, federal politics reporter Natassia Crysanthos, on how - and why - the ritual has become weaponised. And Kamilaroi elder Uncle Len Waters, on what all Australians should be asking themselves now.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, is one of Australia’s natural wonders and every year, almost half a million people enjoy its wild and sprawling environment. But as visitor numbers swell, the question of how tourists coexist with some of the island’s oldest residents, the dingo, becomes more important. Twenty four years after a nine-year-old boy was fatally mauled by two dingoes on K’gari, strategies to manage the animal - and humans - haven’t stopped attacks from occurring. Today, we speak with Brisbane Times journalist Courtney Kruk on the story of the dingoes of K’gari/ on the danger that can’t be tamed on K’gariSubscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are doing a special podcast about our complicated relationship with political polls. As journalists, we like them because, maybe, they can tell us something about what voters are really thinking. But we are a bit wary of them too. Especially after the federal election in 2019, where the polls were wrong. That caused a massive rethink in how polling is done, and how we in the media rely on it. Jacqueline Maley is joined by chief political correspondent, David Crowe, and special guest Jim Reed, who conducts the resolve political monitor poll for our papers.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six days ago, American president Donald Trump signalled, with frustration, that he was prepared to walk away from trying to broker a peace deal with Russia over Ukraine, and leave the country to its fate. And then, yesterday, we got the news. Russian president Vladimir Putin had a new offer. Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher, on where this leaves Ukraine. And what the latest negotiations mean for the rest of us.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wasn’t uncommon, in the 19th century, for women to be given the diagnosis of ‘hysteria’ and admitted to mental health asylums if they didn’t do what their husband said, or, if they swore, or had sex outside of marriage. But did you know that women are still being involuntarily sectioned in Australia? Today, investigative reporter Aisha Dow on what has led many women to end up in this terrifying situation, against their will. And the consequences of being misbelieved, and, often, misdiagnosed.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The threat teal independents pose in this election - to the dominance of the two-party system, to the stability of our parliament and to the Liberal Party’s base - is very real. Today, we focus on two of these seats: Bradfield in Sydney and Kooyong in Melbourne where the teals and the Libs are neck and neck. City reporter for The Age Rachael Dexter and NSW political editor Alexandra Smith join Jacqueline Maley to discuss.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.