Lisa M Given, FASSA, FASIS&T

Karen Hao (left) in conversation with Dr Kobi Leins (right0

Images from back of Storey Hall RMIT, with Karen Hao (left) in conversation with Dr Kobi Leins (right)

On Friday I was delighted to attend the launch of @karenhao.bsky.social's book #EmpireOfAI - in conversation with @kobotic.bsky.social at #RMIT, presented by @readingsbooks.bsky.social and @drwaus.bsky.social with introductions and framing from @lisagiven.bsky.social and Lizzie O'Shea.

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I had the pleasure of hosting @karenhao.bsky.social on the Melbourne stop of her book tour last night. Such an insightful and inspiring conversation, and a sell-out crowd!

Lawyer caught using AI-generated false citations in court case penalised in Australian first Victorian solicitor stripped of his ability to practise as a principal lawyer after acknowledging he did not verify case list * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A Victorian lawyer has become the first in Australia to face professional sanctions for using artificial intelligence in a court case, being stripped of his ability to practise as a principal lawyer after AI generated false citations that he had failed to verify. Guardian Australia reported in October last year that in a 19 July 2024 hearing, the anonymous solicitor representing a husband in a dispute between a married couple provided the court with a list of prior cases that had been requested by Justice Amanda Humphreys in relation to an enforcement application in the case. Continue reading...

Lawyer caught using AI-generated false citations in court case penalised in Australian first

Here is my latest for The Conversation, on the results of Australia’s #ageassurance trial ahead of the #socialmediaban that will come into effect in December

YouTube’s AI editing scandal reveals how reality can be manipulated without our consent

YouTube was found to have used AI to edit videos without creators’ consent. And it’s not the first time a media company has done this.

@lisagiven.bsky.social

Was in Canberra hotel room, packing up to head to Sydney and I see this...

Thank you! Glad you caught the interview and hope you had a great trip

I’m honoured to give the keynote at CAVAL’s AI-driven Metadata Futures conference on “Preparing Ourselves for Ethical AI Futures: Strategies for Investigation, Experimentation, and Development” today at RMIT University

It’s been strange to see very few other publications covering this news we uncovered earlier in the week. Thankfully @lisagiven.bsky.social from RMIT has written about it in @aunz.theconversation.com 👏

theconversation.com/australians-...

Thanks for sharing this Tom!

Here is my latest Conversation article, where I discuss the preliminary results of the #ageassurance trials commissioned ahead of Australia’s under 16 #socialmediaban. Despite the optimistic tone of the Trial’s report, there are many unanswered questions and increasing concerns about implementation

Here is my latest article for @aunz.theconversation.com where I analyse Google’s announcement that its Gemini AI chatbot will be rolled out to kids under 13. This is a risky move. The system can generate fake information and mimic social behaviour, which will be confusing for young users #AIethics

A rubbish election: voting in Australia produces mountains of waste - but there’s a better way From corflutes and how-to-vote cards to 250,000 pencils, 240,000 volunteer vests, 80,000 ballot boxes, here’s what happens to election materials after polling day.

I had a huge amount of fun helping my amazing colleague @lisagiven.bsky.social with this @theconversation.com article, which reflects on the environmental footprint of elections, following Australia’s general election this weekend! theconversation.com/a-rubbish-el...

Thanks Matt! Appreciate your help in bringing it all together

This is one of the worst violations of research ethics I've ever seen. Manipulating people in online communities using deception, without consent, is not "low risk" and, as evidenced by the discourse in this Reddit post, resulted in harm.

Great thread from Sarah, and I have additional thoughts. 🧵

Disability community asks to co-design 'isolating' social media ban Advocates say social media is a "lifeline" for young people with disability, so they should be part of designing and testing elements of the federal government's ban.

“a duty of care placed on social media platforms themselves would ensure user safety for everyone” #socialmediaban www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

Misinformation

Misinformation represents a serious threat to individual and global health.

We need to understand more about how susceptibility to misinformation is socially patterned so that it doesn’t deepen health inequalities, say Simon Williams and @profsanderlinden.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/389/...

Emails reveal government's mixed messaging on YouTube's 'sweetheart deal' The federal government has doubled down on its decision to give YouTube a carve-out from the teen social media ban, despite privately assuring rival platforms that "no final decisions" have been made,...

“all Australians will have to prove they are older than 16 to use most social media sites, but…which platforms will be covered [has not yet been formalised]. Despite that, the government now appears to be discussing the exemption for YouTube as if it is a done deal” www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04...

From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Neal Mohan < $47F Tuesday, 19 November 2024 5:13 PM Minister.Rowland. MO; 522(1)(a)) S47F ; $47F Letter regarding Australia's proposed social media ban Dear Minister Rowland, I hope this letter finds you well. I'm grateful that you were able to attend the Google Showcase at Parliament House earlier this year. I was especially thrilled to hear about your meetings with our YouTube creators, The Wiggles and Black As. They exemplify the incredible breadth and diversity of talent on YouTube and create high-quality content for audiences of all ages around the world. I am writing to you today regarding the government's proposal to introduce a legislated minimum age to access social media services. YouTube is fundamentally different from other platforms. In recognizing YouTube's differentiated offering in its Digital Platforms Services Inquiry interim report 6 on social media services, the ACCC noted that YouTube "lack(s) features designed to facilitate social connections" and is "used by users differently (for example, YouTube is often accessed through connected TV)". YouTube viewers are increasingly watching content in shared family spaces like the living room, rather than on their mobile phone or computers. Views on connected TVs have increased more than 130% in the last 3 years. The experiences of kids and teens are also significantly different on YouTube. This work is personally and professionally critical to me as both a father of three and leader of YouTube.

YouTube's CEO personally lobbied the communications minister less than two days before the platform was given an exemption from the under 16s social media ban, documents I obtained reveal. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australia’s social media ban is attracting global praise – but we’re no closer to knowing how it would work A trial is under way but the government faces many hurdles – including whether Trump-emboldened tech companies will comply

The age assurance trial for the social media ban is said to be running on time but a preliminary report on its status will remain secret, meaning we won’t know how it is going before the election. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

SAVE THE PENGUINS.
STOP TRUMP’S TARIFFS.

Talk to the editor and ask them to find qualitative reviewers. If they refuse, pull the manuscript and publish elsewhere. Then, ask your qualitative research colleagues to contact the editor and volunteer to serve on the editorial board to balance the journal’s methodological focus

Canada election live: Canadian PM Mark Carney calls snap election Carney has asked the governor general to dissolve Parliament, launching an election campaign amid a trade war with the US.

The election has just been called for April 28.

If you are a Canadian living outside the country, get your mail-in ballot here ASAP:

travel.gc.ca/travelling/l...

Opinion | The View Inside Trump’s Assault on Universities (Gift Article) The Trump administration’s attacks on universities will lead to the permanent diminishment of vital American institutions.

“what we are witnessing is not just an attack on academia or a set of fiscal reforms or a painful political rebalancing. It is an attack on the conditions that allow free thought to exist” #academicfreedom #research #informationaccess #humanities #socialsciences @nytimes.com

Here is my latest article for @theconversation.com on #deepfakes and #health #misinformation. Consumers must critically assess what they see, hear, and read to protect themselves from potential scams

Canada goose fights off bald eagle in rare, symbolism-laden battle on ice Photographer captures 20-minute clash between birds emblematic of Canada and US amid high trade tensions

‘“Nature has its way of taking out the weak and the not so well and the injured. The eagle likely thought it would be able to take it out quite easily,” Sequeira [the Ontario-based photographer] said. “But, it wasn’t.””

“Together, these actions will make people in the United States and around the world less prosperous and more vulnerable.”

“We at Nature denounce this assault on science. And we encourage the global research community, wherever they can, to voice their opposition.”

Table from page 25 of the proposed restructure of ARC grants. Back text on white background, with the table delineated by a dark blue header row and alternating light and very light blue rows.

The ARC Board has proposed a major shake-up of the National Competitive Grants Program ▶️ www.arc.gov.au/engage-us/co...

I've only skimmed so far, but they propose reducing 13 grant schemes to 6, with intent & scope in the table👇

Submissions are being accepted in response until 13 April. Get to it!

Congratulations Kat!

“I live with a kid and 2 cats so I am well aware of how it feels when someone randomly starts typing on your keyboard while you are trying to do something. It’s not exactly helping to say the least” #AIassistants