Technology
The unique power of TikTok’s algorithm
Most people know TikTok as an entertaining app with an endless stream of snappy, addictive short videos that make them smile after a long day. Kids jiggle away in cute dance…
Colourless green content: AI, disinformation and geopolitical risk
“Orwell's goal was not good writing, Orwell's goal was to prevent people from lying.”
In an essay in 1945, George Orwell discussed the relationship between military innovation…
Who’s watching the algorithms?
Just like the enigmatic algorithms behind popular social media platforms, facial recognition algorithms are unleashing their own share of social problems. Machine-learning systems…
Understanding the full spectrum of hate
What is the relationship between online and offline extremism? What types of data should be examined in order to understand this relationship? What is the full scope of violent…
In Malaysia’s Covid “infodemic”, crime is all too easy
In Malaysia earlier this month, it was reported a woman had been nabbed by the police for spreading false information relating to a supermarket closure in the northern state of…
From Santiago to Sydney, opening Latin America with fibre-optic cable
In 2018, when Australia shared security concerns about Chinese tech giant Huawei with allies and later banned the company from supplying equipment for the development of its fifth…
Japan’s tech industry reboot will have region-wide effects
With Covid-19, Japan has an opportunity to help accelerate the world’s digital transformation and, simultaneously, to revitalise its fragile domestic economy. In an encouraging…
Cyber sovereignty cuts both ways
The White House's approach to managing the potential security threats posed by TikTok, WeChat and other Chinese-owned apps is hardly a model of procedural justice. Without a…
Defending Australia in a high-tech future
The recently announced $270 billion commitment to expand Australia’s military capability sets the tone for a deteriorating strategic environment. The 2020 Defence Strategic Update…
Under the influence: Peddling conspiracy in a pandemic
Celebrity sells – it always has. But in the digital age, the boundaries of celebrity have changed. Once it was the prerogative of movie, sports or music stars to front a fashion…