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Tech Mirror

Tech Mirror

By: TPDi
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How do we ensure technology makes our lives better? Tech Mirror is the podcast of the Tech Policy Design Institute. We explore how technolgy is shaping our lives, and how we - the humans- can shape technolgy back.Copyright TPDi Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Human Choice and the Ethics of AI

    Human Choice and the Ethics of AI
    Jul 13 2026
    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
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    52 mins
  • AI Agency & Mythos 5

    AI Agency & Mythos 5
    Jun 29 2026
    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 Guardian

    Tech Policy Design Institute – AI Agency Report
    https://techpolicy.au/aiagency

    Tech Policy Design Institute
    https://techpolicy.au

    Australia's National AI Plan
    https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-capability-plan

    Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – AI
    https://oecd.ai

    Anthropic
    https://www.anthropic.com

    For transcript and full show notes visit techpolicy.au/podcast
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    37 mins
  • Worker Futures & Digital Dignity

    Worker Futures & Digital Dignity
    Jun 16 2026
    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.
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    53 mins
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