AI. Market records. Tariffs. Penguins. TACO. It's been a big year of economic shocks and surges as the international framework of global trade was shredded. Here's how key players saw the year that was.
Council says 'human error' cost ratepayers millions in AI scam
The Noosa Council is now blaming human error for a major fraud incident that cost ratepayers millions of dollars — while not acknowledging earlier supplier scam warnings.
The most pervasive false information on the Bondi terror attack
ABC NEWS Verify finds social media posts spreading misinformation about the Bondi attack are receiving millions of views, as a deepfake image depicting one of the victims circulates online.
AI on a Triple Zero call? Australians are open to that
Could artificial intelligence speed up emergency responses by receiving a caller's video or smartwatch data and capturing words like "knife" and "collision"? Most people think so and welcome the technology's potential, a survey finds.
Students struggle with 'workforce anxiety' trying to prepare for jobs in AI future
A Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry report finds youth career support is "severely lacking" as students fear AI is threatening white-collar industries.
TIME magazine names 'The Architects of AI' as Person of the Year
The magazine cites the tremendous technological advances made by the artificial intelligence industry over the past year in bringing on the age of "thinking machines".
WA hospitals record worst emergency department wait times in nation
A trial of artificial intelligence at Royal Perth Hospital is announced in an attempt to help health workers focus on patient care, as new data reveals WA's emergency departments are among the most stretched in the nation.
'Reality is fiction': New exhibition explores truth in the AI age
Can you tell what's real and what's fake online? Data Dreams: Art and AI at the MCA, featuring a Kim Kardashian deepfake, looks at the impact of AI on everyday life
What we know about water use of the over 250 data centres in Australia
Australia has more than 250 data centres and more in the pipeline, prompting experts to warn against using drinking water to cool servers.
China now dominates in every technology defining the modern world
China used to be trying to catch the West, specifically the US. Then it caught up. Now the West is trying to catch up to China, but likely can't.
Lawyers to face regulators after AI was used for court document
Three lawyers will face Australian legal regulators, with one ordered to pay $10,000 in costs, after submitting a legal document prepared with artificial intelligence and found to contain "inaccurate and misleading references".
Bitcoin a "canary in the coal mine" for AI bubble anxiety, says crypto exchange director
Group director of local crypto exchange Elbaite, Morty Tollo joined The Business to explain why nerves about the AI boom turning to bust has traders cashing out of risk assets like Bitcoin.
Government reveals national AI plan to 'serve' Australians
The federal government has released its National AI Plan, describing it as a "comprehensive road-map" to unlock the full potential of the technology for all Australians.
Government drops AI 'mandatory guardrails', reveals road map on data centres
The federal government's long-awaited National AI Plan will seek to accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence in Australia, and largely leverage existing laws to protect against its worst harms.
Tech companies advised to label AI-generated content
With AI deepfakes causing confusion and harm online, the federal government tells tech developers that AI content should be clearly labelled, ahead of a National AI Plan due to be released.
Conservationists scrambling for alternative funding after USAID cuts
Citizen science and AI have never been more important to the environment after White House cuts to USAID are felt beneath the waves, a new report says.
'It's been really disheartening': The reality of trying to find a new job
Australians are finding it harder to change jobs. It comes at a time when artificial intelligence is poised to further disrupt the workforce.
Musicians say AI songs are 'cheating' amid Golden Guitar controversy
After a snap decision to ban generative tracks made using Artificial Intelligence for the 2026 Golden Guitar Awards, the Country Music Association of Australia is reviewing whether AI has a place in country music.
From meltdown to restart, US nuclear power plant gets a second life
Once the site of the worst commercial nuclear power accident in the US, Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island will again start producing electricity after the Department of Energy agreed to a $US1 billion ($1.5 billion) loan.
AI could be the ultimate test of Australia's democracy
Developing safe AI is not just an opportunity for a democracy like ours; ever since our superpower ally checked out of its responsibilities on this front, it's an obligation.
Topic:Analysis
'Claude never sleeps': The new AI therapists that don't judge, get tired or need an appointment
Artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT are embedded in modern life, with some Australians using them to help work through PTSD and toxic work environments.