-
-
23 hours ago
Australia’s predicament in navigating a new era of techno-nationalism
If “the great tech decoupling” between the United States and China does come about, there will be costs. -
19 Dec 2024
The big global steps to forge a new relationship between tech and society
A lot of global tech-related policy has been implemented or proposed this year, so it’s worth taking stock to capture the developments. -
18 Dec 2024
What I’ll be watching for in 2025
Lowy researchers gaze at their crystal balls – with questions, more than answers, for the year ahead. -
10 Dec 2024
China’s EV manufacturing and Australia’s connected vehicles conundrum
Canberra faces complicated trade-offs between competing domestic and foreign policy objectives. -
3 Dec 2024
Bluesky dreaming? Social media shifts signal tech power and influence
Or does X mark the spot? -
27 Nov 2024
The Pacific disinformation playbook
A surge in connectivity has exacerbated the region’s challenges, undermining trust in science and government. -
19 Nov 2024
Tech and AI are changing the climate equation – for the worse
If not addressed, the skyrocketing growth of AI and cloud computing will derail emissions commitments. -
6 Nov 2024
Where Harris and Trump agree on AI: Beat China
But can ethics keep pace with a desire for speed in development? -
6 Nov 2024
Indonesia takes a bite out of Apple, and sets itself a test for future investment
The Local Content Requirement may only be a temporary setback for the tech giant, but it could raise concerns among potential foreign investors. -
31 Oct 2024
This is what elections look like in 2024: Is Australia ready?
“Deepfakes”, “weaponisation” and “covert campaigns” are surely not the terms that should be most associated with democracy. -
22 Oct 2024
Understanding technology as an ecosystem is the first step to tackling online harms
Misinformation and disinformation are not challenges in isolation. -
22 Oct 2024
A cable to connect Timor-Leste, but can it bridge the digital divide?
Cheaper internet and higher speeds could be the beginning of a transformation but there are many local hurdles to overcome. -
9 Oct 2024
EVs to the internet: Can the US and China unwind technology interdependence without disaster?
Bifurcation is a buzzword. But we are in new territory. -
2 Oct 2024
What lies beneath: There’s more to cables than geopolitics
The undersea cable industry is left to tackle the challenges, while policymakers engage in national security power plays. -
25 Sep 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: On social media for young people, Australia needs to aim higher
We have an opportunity to develop a social media approach for young people that is worthy of global export. -
18 Sep 2024
What Taylor Swift taught the world on the risks of AI-generated images and elections
Deepfakes can carry a pernicious cost to electoral integrity, trust in institutions and democratic processes. -
11 Sep 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: The search for safe AI
How can Australia improve public trust in AI and what can Australia contribute to global AI safety efforts? -
10 Sep 2024
A first step on the long road to global AI regulation
It didn’t make headlines but the US and EU came together last week to sign an important treaty – leaving partners such as Australia with a choice. -
2 Sep 2024
Antimony: The hidden metal fuelling global competition
China’s latest critical mineral restrictions have caught attention – but mooted solutions might not deliver. -
28 Aug 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: Countering digital foreign interference
The danger is back in the spotlight as the US election unfolds. But who is interfering and how can we counter it? -
14 Aug 2024
Beijing’s Baltic confession exposes undersea vulnerability
While China claims a blunder, its ship cutting a pipeline and cable last year leaves transparency questions aplenty. -
13 Aug 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: Will governments ever reign in Big Tech?
Google took a hit in the courts last week, but the ruling might not be as important as the information revealed in the case. -
9 Aug 2024
Olympics doping controversies show global bio governance failures
From Covid to genetically modified foods or DNA databases, the world is not cooperating enough on pathogens and biological technology regulation. -
8 Aug 2024
Mission possible: Making the most of Australia-India cooperation on critical minerals
The Indian government has set itself a new ambition to meet green transition needs – and Australia is a perfect partner. -
31 Jul 2024
Charging up: Europe’s bid for renewable energy independence
A new deal with Serbia for one of the world's largest lithium mines is about breaking China’s stranglehold on the market. -
31 Jul 2024
Australia’s big tech defence cloud: Too big to fail?
Trusting the country’s digital defence capabilities to one company is a potential threat to national security. -
30 Jul 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: Lessons from when the computer says no
The Blue Screen of Death outage this month underscores the need for a multilateral fix to vulnerable digital systems – and maybe more. -
29 Jul 2024
Critical minerals, critical decisions
A new UN panel can help ensure the social and environmental risks of the energy transition are better understood. -
18 Jul 2024
Japan’s 5G ambitions with the Quad
Tokyo is using the four-way grouping to champion its local tech companies against behemoths from Europe and China. -
16 Jul 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: Privacy is alive and clicking
The nature of a globally connected network means international solutions are needed – provided we don’t give up. -
10 Jul 2024
Cable ties: Defending seabed lines of communication
Underwater vulnerabilities need to be far more prominent in the conversation. -
3 Jul 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: AI-enabled elections or deepfake democracy?
Having an election doesn’t guarantee a democracy, but you cannot have a democracy without an election. -
25 Jun 2024
Tariffs, data security and global collaboration: Navigating the geopolitics of electric vehicles
Protectionism isn’t going to help with meeting global climate ambitions. -
18 Jun 2024
Byte-sized diplomacy: Should Australia ban TikTok?
A new column to help understanding critical tech and national security. -
13 Jun 2024
When cyber defence involves attack: Issues for Australia
How do Australian businesses and corporations deal with unwanted intruders on their networks? Government needs to offer real remedies. -
11 Jun 2024
Rare earths vs rarer resources: Global ripples from Australia’s divestment decision
Climate change is a challenge China and the United States are fighting together, making technological cooperation key. -
21 May 2024
Indonesia’s digital drive gets big tech backing
Jakarta has welcomed some major world figures lately, hinting at its digital ambitions. But Indonesia faces stiff competition from the rest of ASEAN. -
8 May 2024
The cable shortage: Plugging in offshore wind farms
Australia must consider the bigger risks as well as the opportunity of a shift to renewable energy. -
7 May 2024
Quantum of silence
Why the secrecy around securing Australia’s quantum research is scary. -
1 May 2024
Cultivating a healthy information environment
Regulation, yes, but fostering public literacy about social media and credible journalism is also crucial. -
29 Apr 2024
The cable ties to China’s Digital Silk Road
Stronger international protections are needed to safeguard the connections of the digital age. -
26 Apr 2024
Australia’s comparative advantage in climate transition
Already world leaders in rooftop solar, Australians should take the opportunity with supporting rollouts in Southeast Asia. -
22 Apr 2024
China’s high ambition for the low-altitude economy
Flying low might be the best way to spur an economic take-off. -
22 Apr 2024
Are US export controls making China’s chip industry more innovative?
The cost calculation changes when restrictions are involved. -
11 Apr 2024
ASEAN and the military applications of AI
While artificial intelligence can be used to magnify lethal force, it can also promote regional peace and stability. -
5 Apr 2024
Don’t play it by ear: Audio deepfakes in a year of global elections
From robocalls to voice clones, generative AI is allowing malicious actors to spread misinformation with ease. -
27 Mar 2024
China and the great global AI governance divide
Beijing already has at its disposal multiple means to shape how the world approaches this technological revolution. -
20 Mar 2024
China’s dominance over critical minerals poses an unacceptable risk
The present market structure gives Beijing a whip hand – and we’ve already seen the consequences. -
12 Mar 2024
Chinese social media and the 2025 Australian federal election
Those intent on spreading political misinformation are finding ways around strict foreign interference rules.