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, award winning freelance journalist and game reviewer join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.

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Are robots taking over?

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 Download This Show.

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

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 Transport Reporter at AAP and Cam Wilson, Deputy Editor at Crikey join Rae Johnston on Download This Show.

Social media echo chambers and UFO hearings

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-Host of Vertical Hold and Sarah Moran, Co-founder and CEO Girl Geek Academy join host Rad Yeo on Download This Show.

Twitter rebrands to X and actors strike against AI

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?

Elon vs Zuckerberg: Has Threads killed Twitter?

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 Technologist join Marc Fennell on Download This Show.

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

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 of Music at Australian Catholic University    Sosefina Fuamoli,  Freelance Music Journalist and broadcaster

How have AI, TikTok and copyright cases changed music?

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?

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

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 Coffey, Digital Strategist and Managing Director of Coffey and Tea

Would you like some gene editing with your salad?

Does Apple Vision Pro deliver on VR and can ChatGPT be sued for defamation?

Has Apple unlocked the secret for virtual reality?

Elon Musk's brain chip starts human trials, Google says goodbye to Chromecast and Amazon pays out millions over privacy violations.

One step closer to a human brain chip

One supermarket chain buys an Aussie delivery startup, Twitter becomes a flop for one US presidential hopeful and why Google is paying put millions of dollars to one company.

The end of the Milkrun

Should Bitcoin be classed as a form of gambling, Elon Musk's latest Tesla product is a human robot and how one US state is looking to ban TikTok.

One US state's attempt to ban TikTok

Chat GPT's new Google rival, the latest Twitter update and the impact the world's chip shortage has on you.

Google Bard vs Chat GPT

Passkeys instead of passwords, the Godfather of AI leaves the internet and why Apple is targeting the Air Tag.

Death of the password

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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