Building Matilda

As AI becomes more embedded in our lives, how do we make sure we retain the capabilities, connections, and agency that make us human, and how do we find the courage to shape what comes next?In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Yasmin London, former professional athlete and NSW police officer, tech executive, entrepreneur, and founder of First Movers. Her new book, First Movers: Courageous Leadership for a Human Future in the Era of AI, explores what it means to step forward and act, even when the path ahead isn’t certain.Together, they explore the disproportionate impact of technology on women and girls, bias and whose voices shape our technological future, and why we all have a role to play. Yasmin also shares her three priorities for staying human in the AI era: protecting the human, preserving the mind, and powering human connection.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.Links:First Movers: Courageous Leadership for a Human Future in the Era of AI | Yasmin LondonVictorian Women's Trust research: Gender and AI: Where's the Harm? | Victorian Women’s Trust Latest study on chatbot use in Australia shows people are using chatbots in increasingly personal ways | YouGovWorld Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2025 | World Economic Forum Meta shelves fact-checking in policy reversal ahead of Trump administration | ReutersAdd blood, forced smile’: how Grok’s nudification tool went viral | The GuardianA Digital Duty of Care for Australia—Developing a duty of care framework for online services used by Australians | Australian GovernmentAustralia's Social Media Minimum Age legislation | Australian Government\Controversial Sydney data centre project pulled amid community anger | ABC NewsDigital Duty of Care Policy Spotlight | Tech Policy Design InstituteJoint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence | Tech Policy Design InstituteThis episode includes AI-generated content.

China has been regulating artificial intelligence for years, challenging the assumption that technology is evolving too rapidly to regulate. As concerns grow over tech company accountability, what lessons (if any) can Australia and other democracies take from China?In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Professor Madeline Carr, Professor of Global Politics and Cybersecurity at University College London and visiting chair of technology at Schwartzman's College at Tsinghua University in Beijing.Together they explore China’s evolving approach to AI regulation. From recommender algorithms and synthetic content to generative AI and safety frameworks, Madeline shares insights from on the ground in Beijing. They unpack the differences between US and Chinese approaches to innovation, the importance of liability in holding technology companies accountable, and consider how middle powers could govern foreign technologies in a world where the best innovative tech isn’t necessarily coming from a major ally.LinksUS tech leaders are urgently calling for rules on AI – China already has them  | The ConversationWe Must Pace the Frontier | Dario AmodeiAlgorithmic Recommendation Regulation (Order No. 9) | Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) Internet Information Synthesis Regulation | Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC)Interim Measures for the Management of Generative Artificial Intelligence Services | China Law Translate AI Safety Governance Framework 3.0 (mandarin)

“I wanted to make a difference, and I wasn’t getting that fulfilment in the private sector anymore,” says Lee Hickin. After decades at some of the world’s largest technology companies, including Amazon, Microsoft and IBM, Lee wanted to shift the impact of his work away from corporate goals towards the broader public good. Now leading Australia’s National AI Centre (NAIC), Lee’s challenge is to help position the nation to seize the opportunities of AI while giving organisations the confidence, skills and agency to navigate a rapidly evolving technology ecosystem.In this episode of Tech Mirror, Johanna Weaver speaks with Lee on a sober perspective in the ‘race for AI’ and how the government's strategy is constantly evolving to keep pace. By taking an intergenerational approach, Lee gives a clear piece of advice: learn how to use AI, but don’t become dependent on it.Links:AI Agency Toolkit Expanding AI Sovereignty to AI Agency | Tech Policy Design Institute ai.gov.au | National AI CentreArtificial intelligence expert Lee Hickin departs Microsoft to become National AI Centre director | Startup DailyAnthropic researcher believes more than 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans' | BBC 

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.LinksOnlyFans | Emily van der NagelWhy OnlyFans had second thoughts on banning sexually explicit content | The GuardianCompeting platform imaginaries of NSFW content creation on OnlyFans | Emily van der NagelDigital 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 ReviewWhat Does a Software Engineer Look Like? Exploring Societal Stereotypes in LLMs | Monash UniversityARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and Women's Health | Working with Women AllianceARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, Gender and Equality Economics| Working with Women AllianceAI 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.LinksCori’s article in Innovation Aus: Australia is chasing the wrong link of AI. AI In Australia’s Interests | Prime Minister of AustraliaARM HubTech Policy AI Agency Report | TPDIFor 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.LinksAI In Australia’s Interests | Prime Minister of AustraliaMeet Matilda, Australia’s answer to ChatGPT | Financial ReviewMaincodeMaincode Builds An AI Factory for Australia with AMD | AMDFor 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?”LinksWill AI be the risk we chose not to see? | The Ethics CentreThe Ethics Centrehttps://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.comFor transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast 

With countries and tech stakeholders rapidly moving to claim AI in their interest, such as the US government’s move to restrict non-citizens' access to platforms like Claude, what does it mean for Australians to have control over their technological future? AI is becoming closely linked to Australia’s economy, security, and everyday life. It’s time to discuss what having AI Agency looks like now and into the future.In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver is joined by Tech Policy Design Institute co-founder and lead researcher Zoe Hawkins to unpack their latest report Expanding AI Sovereignty to AI Agency. Together, they explore why Australia needs to move beyond simplistic debates to uncover how Australia’s tech movement holds strategic advantages that build both leverage and resilience when global events expose geopolitical uncertainty.Links:Anthropic to disable its most advanced AI models after US order limiting foreign access | The GuardianTech Policy Design Institute – AI Agency Reporthttps://techpolicy.au/aiagencyTech Policy Design Institutehttps://techpolicy.auAustralia's National AI Planhttps://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-capability-planOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – AIhttps://oecd.aiAnthropichttps://www.anthropic.comFor transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast

The nature of work and jobs is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. Is it the building block to a worker utopia, or a more bleak, disruptive reality? In this episode of Tech Mirror, host Johanna Weaver sits down with Joseph Mitchell from the Australian Council of Trade Unions to unpack the opportunities, risks, and power dynamics brought on by the rollout of AI in workplaces around Australia. He argues that AI is being used increasingly to meet new efficiency benchmarks and worker surveillance. Johanna and Joseph ask, can the voice of unions, policy makers, and individuals shape what happens next, and will the future of work remain deeply human — even in an AI-driven world?   Links: Australian Council of Trade Unions: www.actu.org.au Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, of His Holiness Pope Leo XiV, on safeguarding  the human person on the time of artificial intelligence: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html    Fair Work Commission: https://www.fwc.gov.au?utm_source National Employment Standards (Fair Work Ombudsman): https://www.fairwork.gov.au/employment-conditions/national-employment-standards Daron Acemoglu   MIT Economics: https://economics.mit.edu/people/faculty/daron-acemoglu Building pro-worker artificial intelligence https://economics.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/Building%20Pro-Worker%20Artificial%20Intelligence.pdf    For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.