Mapping the world with AI

Geospatial AI could transform healthcare and disaster management, but we need comprehensive guidelines and laws to mitigate misinformation and safeguard users.

Do you trust technology?

A new study highlights key challenges and tensions in research ethics, particularly in light of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and calls for the adoption of new research ethics policies.

Not to be

The famous Infinite Monkey Theorem claims that a chimpanzee randomly pressing keys on a typewriter would eventually type out the complete works of Shakespeare. It’s a very interesting theory – except it isn’t true.

Time for a national research office?

Australia needs an office of national research, to make the greatest use of our intellectual resources in building our defences, strengthening our economy and supporting our society.

The ups and downs of graphene

Graphene has been hailed as the key to any number of new inventions over the last 20 years, and while the construction of a space elevator remains as impossible as ever, it is being used in an increasing number of more mundane applications.

Smooth operator

Recent measurements of the distribution of matter in the universe appear to contradict the predictions of the standard model of cosmology, for decades our best understanding of how the universe works.

The quest for “green” ammonia

A new way of making ammonia by harnessing the unique power of liquid metal could lead to significant cuts in carbon emissions caused by production of the widely-used chemical.

The open source internet

Individuals can take back computing and the internet from the corporations and tech platforms by embracing the open source movement.

Great ‘techspectations’

Though Australians like to embrace new technologies, concerns over security, privacy, and the loss of human interaction remain.

China overhauls the USA in technology research

China has overtaken the United States as the overwhelming leader in technological research over the last two decades, according to ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker.

The tipping point

New research is helping scientists understand the phenomenon of ‘tipping points’ in nature and complex human systems.

Beware the gadget

Our obsession with social media and non-stop immersion in our mobile phones are isolating us off from real human interaction, prompting calls for young people to be protected.