The Signal

AI glasses are the latest evolution in wearable tech, and thanks in part to celebrity endorsements like Kylie Jenner's campaign for Meta's smart glasses, they're taking off.  But these devices, dubbed ‘pervert glasses' by some critics, are raising fresh concerns about privacy and surveillance.  Today, Dr Milica Stilinovic, a researcher at University of Sydney's Governing Immersive Tech project on why they've become so popular and the risks that come with them. Featured:  Dr Milica Stilinovic, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sydney's Governing Immersive Tech project.

When OpenAI revealed its AI models went rogue during safety testing, science fiction suddenly became a reality.  Since then, the company has revealed that the AI cyber-attack affected four separate companies. So, what happens when humans can no longer contain this technology?  Today, AI safety researcher and co-author of ‘If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies', Nate Soares, on what happens when AI goes rogue.   Featured:  Nate Soares, president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and co-author of ‘If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies' 

It was the first face-to-face meeting between Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump since the war with Iran began almost six months ago.  But the relationship between the two leaders isn't what it was at the start of the conflict.  Today, Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre on what Netanyahu was hoping to achieve by meeting with Trump and what it means for the future of the war.   Featured:  Barbara Slavin, Distinguished Fellow at The Stimson Center

After becoming one of the most unpopular leaders in Australia's history, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan reluctantly gave up the top job.  Then, following a chaotic bout of Labor Party infighting, her deputy Ben Carroll emerged as her successor.  Today, Jon Faine, former host of Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne, on Jacinta Allan's downfall and how she couldn't escape the shadow of her predecessor.Featured:  Jon Faine, former host of Mornings on ABC Radio Melbourne 

When you pick up a product at the supermarket, you trust what's written on the label.So, when it says an ingredient was sourced in Australia, why wouldn't you believe it?Today, Adele Ferguson on her exclusive Four Corners investigation into the food fraud hiding in plain sight. Featured:  Adele Ferguson, Investigative reporter at ABC's Four Corners 

AI has taken the grunt work out of many everyday tasks; from writing emails to planning dinner.  But are we starting to rely on AI to think for us and could it be making us dumber?  Today, Steven Shaw from the University of Pennsylvania on his research into cognitive surrender, AI and your brain. Featured:  Steven Shaw, post-doctoral researcher at Wharton Marketing School, University of Pennsylvania and incoming associate professor at Kings College London. 

This week, Pauline Hanson has again declared that she could become Prime Minister after the next election. But could she?  Or will her recent European tour and a string of controversial comments from immigration to domestic violence start to turn voters away?  Today, former Liberal Party strategist and Redbridge Group director Tony Barry on what voters are saying, and why Pauline Hanson is increasingly setting the political agenda.  Featured:  Tony Barry, Redbridge Group director 

At the end of last week Elon Musk's much-hyped SpaceX shares took a tumble just over a month after the company went public.  But what does that mean for the big AI companies and for the so-called AI bubble.  Today AI critic and host of the Better Offline podcast Ed Zitron on why he thinks it will all come crashing down. Featured: Ed Zitron, host of Better Offline podcast and EZ Primary Research CEO 

Donald Trump's MOU with Iran was supposed to stop the war and then end it.  Now it's barely worth the paper it's written on. The bombing has resumed. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut. And now the conflict is spreading to the Red Sea, with the Houthis declaring a blockade on Saudi shipping.  So, is this what a forever war looks like?  Today, former US State Department Middle East negotiator Aaron David Miller on the few options Donald Trump has leftFeatured:Aaron David Miller, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former Middle East Negotiator at the US State Department

Pauline Hanson has spent the past fortnight in Europe spruiking her anti-immigration policies which have long been familiar to Australian voters.  But beyond immigration, what does One Nation actually want for the economy?  Today, ABC business and economics reporter Gareth Hutchens looks at the policies that have received far less attention and what Australia's economy could look like under One Nation.   Featured:  Gareth Hutchens, ABC business and economics reporter 

For thousands of years the question of extending life or living forever has occupied minds.  But now it's taken on a new life, from peptides, to IV drips and experimental treatments targeting the heart or kidneys, there's a buzz around longevity.  Today, Dr Norman Swan on his Four Corners investigation into the big business and the science behind the quest to live healthier for longer. Featured:  Dr Norman Swan, co-host of the Health Report and What's that Rash on ABC Radio National

When Donald Trump went to the NATO summit in Ankara, he took one plane in and a different one out.  They were both called Air Force One, but one is 35 years old and is believed to have advanced safety features and the other was a retrofitted luxury 747 given to the US by Qatar.  Why did the US president not fly out on the newer plane that he loves so much?  New York Times journalists have received subpoenas after sources told them it was due to safety precautions related to the war with Iran.  Today, staff writer at The Atlantic, David A. Graham, on the president's planes and the latest attack on the press. Featured:  David A. Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic

It was dubbed a landmark speech on how the government will deal with the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centres. But did Prime Minister Anthony Albanese really address the key concerns as the big tech giants move to expand their businesses and even train AI models here?   Today, Kimberlee Weatherall an expert in AI regulation from Sydney University on how proposed new laws just touch the surface.  Featured:  Kimberlee Weatherall, law professor at the University of Sydney and co-director of the Centre for AI, trust and governance 

Telstra says its sorry for letting Australians down after last week's nationwide outage, but how is it going compensate customers left out of pocket? The telco will face questions in a parliamentary hearing later this week on the cause and the effects of the outage, which blocked hundreds of emergency calls and brought down payment systems and even regional trains.  Today, national consumer affairs reporter Michael Atkin on whether Telstra is going to be held to account. Featured:  Michael Atkin, ABC national consumer affairs reporter 

Relatively cheap EVs from China are increasingly seen on Australian roads.  But you won't find many in the US, because of hefty tariffs and bans due to national security concerns. Now Swedish based, but Chinese owned Polestar is set to stop selling in the US market from next year due to a crackdown on Chinese-linked vehicles.  Today, cyber security expert and former advisor to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, Alastair MacGibbon on what the Chinese government could do to the cars if it really wanted to.  Featured:  Alastair MacGibbon, cyber security expert

When you say 'affordable housing' there's a natural scepticism.  Across the country developers are being offered perks to be part of schemes supposed to give people a chance to rent without draining their pay packets. But who gets to live in these 'affordable' rentals and who sets the rent and when it can go up?  Today, Pat McGrath on his Four Corners investigation into whether 'affordable' rentals actually are affordable.Featured:  Pat McGrath, ABC investigative reporter 

It's the most lucrative sports broadcast deal in history, worth $5.3 billion for seven years. The deal between the NRL and broadcasters Nine and Foxtel outstrips the previous $4.5 billion deal the AFL secured in 2022. Today, sports media expert Merryn Sherwood from La Trobe University on how the rugby league managed it and who ultimately pays the cost. Featured:Merryn Sherwood, Senior Lecturer in journalism at La Trobe University

On Monday, China's military launched a nuclear capable ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean from a submarine hidden in the sea off China. It gave Australia and other nations about 24 hours' notice.  So, what's XI Jinping up to?  Today, Sam Roggeveen from the Lowy Institute on China's massive expansion of its nuclear arsenal and what it means for us. Featured:  Sam Roggeveen, director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute

Even an extraordinary intervention by the US president couldn't save his soccer team, with the USA now out of the FIFA World Cup after being thrashed by Belgium. Donald Trump has admitted calling FIFA to urge the governing body to overturn a red card ban for the star American player Folarin Balogun. He was allowed to play after what FIFA insists was an independent process, but has the meddling undermined the World Cup?  Today, sport integrity expert Catherine Ordway on what it says about the sport and what needs to change. Featured:  Catherine Ordway, sport integrity expert from the University of New South Wales Canberra Business School

Vladimir Putin's war is running off course as the Russian capital Moscow comes under repeated Ukrainian attack.  Ukrainian strikes are leading to major fuel shortages and growing discontent among the Russian people.Today, Simon Shuster, a staff writer at The Atlantic magazine on how Putin is reacting to growing pressure.  Featured:Simon Shuster, The Atlantic magazine

Last month the Trump administration forced AI company Anthropic to shut down two of its most powerful models because of national security concerns. It's now lifted the ban, but while attention has been on the US, China has released an AI model that rivals the most advanced American offerings at a much lower price. Today, ABC finance expert Alan Kohler on what that means the tech bros in Silicon Valley. Featured:  Alan Kohler, ABC finance presenter and columnist 

For decades, the US has been one of Israel's staunchest allies. But there's a shift underway in America. US President Donald Trump and his deputy JD Vance have publicly criticised the Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and polling shows Americans have increasingly negative views of his government.  Today, Guy Ziv, associate director of Israel studies at American University on what's driving the backlash. Featured:  Guy Ziv, associate professor at American University's Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security and associate director of Israel studies at American University

A data centre boom is underway that promises to help drive Australia's economic growth.  We're seen as a key location for the data centres that drive the latest AI technology.  But a lot of the revenue generated by the multinational big tech firms won't come anywhere near Australia, so should the taxpayers hosting the data centres get a bigger cut of the profits? Today, independent economist Saul Eslake on how we're cashing in on AI. Featured:  Saul Eslake, independent economist 

When the Iran war broke out, we were warned of an oil shock not seen since the 1970s when fuel was rationed.  We were told the price of oil could reach $200 a barrel and airlines might ground planes.  But that hasn't happened and now petrol prices are back down to where they were before the war.  Today the ABC's Laura Tingle on how China is cushioning the world economy. Featured:  Laura Tingle, ABC Global Affairs Editor 

One Nation has had a seismic surge in support since the start of the year, so how is it managing to attract attention and potentially voters?  Part of it is One Nation and Pauline Hanson's prolific use of social media.  At the same time, we've seen former Nine journalist Karl Stefanovic embrace podcasting that platforms right-wing figures. Today, marketing expert Toby Ralph on why outrage goes so well online. Featured:  Toby Ralph, marketing strategist who specialising in persuasion

We love Aussie rules football, but like other contact sports it comes with risk of head knocks for the players. New figures based on analysis of the brains of deceased players, reveal a big increase in the number of them known to have the degenerative brain disease CTE. Is the AFL doing enough to support families after a tragedy and inform players at all levels of the game about the risks associated with football? Today, Four Corners reporter Jess Halloran on her investigation into CTE and the AFL.  Be aware, this episode discusses mental health and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Featured:  Jess Halloran, Four Corners reporter 

The US Vice President JD Vance is the chief negotiator, tasked with coming up with a enduring peace deal with Iran. But is the United States willing to put in the time and the effort to seal a new deal with the Islamic Republic? Today, Nate Swanson, who worked on Iran policy in the Obama, Biden and Trump administrations on why a deal may never be done. He explains his view that Iran risks overplaying its hand and giving away it's ‘golden ticket' security guarantee if it pursues short term gains with fees on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.  Featured:  Nate Swanson, resident senior fellow and director of the Iran Strategy Project at the Atlantic Council

It's an AI company valued at almost a trillion dollars, but Donald Trump is clipping Anthropic's wings. The US president effectively banned the company's state of the art Claude AI models Mythos 5 and Fable 5, citing security concerns. But how founded are those concerns and is it problem that the US government can control the release of groundbreaking AI?  Today, Sharon Goldman, journalist and founder of Ground Level AI on what happens next. Featured:  Sharon Goldman, journalist and founder of Ground Level AI 

There's a revolving door at 10 Downing Street, a prime minister goes in and they're popped out again. This time it was Keir Starmer.   Can his likely successor, the former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham last the distance?  Today, Simon Tormey, Professor of Politics at Deakin University on why Britain's woeful economy will make it hard.   Featured:  Simon Tormey, Professor of Politics and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University 

Before the war it was open, safe and toll free, but now the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the biggest problems for Donald Trump as he tries to end the war and keep peace talks on track. While the global oil supply has been disrupted for months, petrol price here are now as low as they were before the war began. Today, energy analyst Kevin Morrison on how long that can last. Featured:  Kevin Morrison, energy analyst, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis 

Ukraine is now striking deep inside Russia using drones developed during its war with its invading neighbour. At the same time, the Ukrainian military has been regaining some its territory using short range drones. The embrace of new technologies is giving Ukraine an edge in the war and bringing to fight to Vladimir Putin's doorstep.  But that doesn't mean the war is set to end any time soon.  Today, Professor Michael C. Horowitz, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations on how Ukraine is changing the war.    Featured:  Michael C. Horowitz, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania 

This week Pauline Hanson addressed the National Press Club and a new poll showed she is Australia's preferred prime minister. Today, columnist, author and academic, Waleed Aly, on how One Nation could win the next election and why it's so hard for the major parties to stop the rise of Pauline Hanson. Featured:  Waleed Aly, co-host of The Minefield on ABC Radio National, a columnist, author and politics lecturer at Monash University 

Australia's Socceroos were underdogs going into their World Cup match against Türkiye.  They achieved a surprise win, but can they do the same in their next match against the host nation USA?  The young team and coach Tony Popovic will have to beat the odds. Today, sport journalist Niav Owens, who's a host of the SBS coverage of the FIFA World Cup, on why it might not be an easy win for the Americans and what success could mean for football in Australia. Featured:  Niav Owens, host of the SBS FIFA World Cup coverage

Australia led the way, now the UK government has announced its own ban on social media for under 16s. But six months since the restrictions came into force here, are they really working, given most young teenagers who were using social media still are?   Today, Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University on what we need to do to help our children be safe online. Featured:  Professor Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, an academic advisor to the eSafety Commissioner and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University

A new deal between Iran and the United States to stop the fighting and negotiate is not even signed yet, but the US president insists the Strait of Hormuz is set to open. Donald Trump has declared ‘let the oil flow', even though the memorandum of understanding won't be signed until Friday in Switzerland.  But what did the United States have to give Iran to secure the ceasefire agreement and is it any better that Obama's deal with Iran?Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on whether the ceasefire can hold given Israel's strikes in Lebanon.  Featured:  Rajon Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College New York and a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies.

GLP-1 drugs were first approved to treat diabetes and then caused a frenzy when it was discovered they were great for weight loss. But now scientists are discovering the drugs that have brand names including Ozempic and Mounjaro might offer so much more, from reducing the risk of heart attack to treating kidney disease. Today, Doctor Paul Joyce, a pharmaceutical scientist at Adelaide University on how Ozempic is shaking things up, again. Featured:  Doctor Paul Joyce, a pharmaceutical scientist at Adelaide University 

When Donald Trump stormed out of an interview after hurling abuse at the female anchor it wasn't surprising, he often attacks those who dare to challenge him.  But why does the US president continually get away with it with little push back from the press?  Today, host of ABC Radio National's Saturday Extra, Nick Bryant on his encounters with Donald Trump and the changing media landscape in the US. Featured:  Nick Bryant, host of ABC Radio National's Saturday Extra and writer ‘History Never Ended' Substack

Donald Trump keeps saying a deal with Iran to end the war is close, but there are no signs of it. Iran and the US have been engaged in retaliatory strikes and Israel is pushing further into Lebanon.  So, can the US President still get out of the war?  And how far is Israel prepared to go in its fight against Hezbollah? Featured:  Randa Slim, director, Middle East Program at the Stimson Centre 

A mobile billboard campaign has hit the streets of Melbourne, decrying the state of Victoria under the leadership of Premier Jacinta Allan.  But it's the ‘ditch the witch' slogan slapped next to the premier's face that has sparked outrage.  Ms Allan says it's sexist and misogynist, but the One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says the premier should just ‘suck it up, sweetheart'.  Today, Amy Remeikis the Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute and contributing editor at The New Daily on how the politics of grievance is making a comeback. Featured:  Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute

The FIFA World Cup is supposed to bring the world together.  But with fans from some countries facing US travel restrictions, the Iran war spilling into the tournament through visa disputes and controversy over soaring ticket prices, the road to the event has been anything but easy. Today, sports journalist Tracey Holmes on how FIFA's global tournament is colliding with the realities of Trump's America.  Featured:  Tracey Holmes, host of The Sports Ambassador podcast 

America's big tech bosses are trying to get artificial intelligence deployed everywhere, taking over our homes, our hobbies and our work.  By now, most of us are using AI for daily tasks, even if by accident. But it doesn't mean we all agree with the path we're on and increasingly people are voicing their concerns about the AI revolution.  Today, the ABC's national AI reporter Cam Wilson on the growing backlash. Featured:  Cam Wilson, ABC's national AI reporter

Donald Trump is pondering whether a UFC cage could become a permanent fixture on the South Lawn of the White House after a fight takes place there on his 80th birthday.  Today, Sally Jenkins from The Atlantic magazine on Trump's deep links to the mixed martial arts organisation.  We explore how bringing the sport's ‘savagery' to the seat of power in the US is all part of Trump's norm-breaking style and aggressive approach to politics. Editor's note: This episode includes the following description of UFC bouts; “you're watching crotch kicking, bare knuckle brawling, anything goes, squeezing the throat of an opponent.” However, the UFC website states it adopted the Unified Rules of MMA in November 2000, these include fouls for throat strikes and groin attacks. Fighters are also required to wear gloves. Featured:  Sally Jenkins, a staff writer at The Atlantic