Goto

Collaborating Authors

 Oceania


Retrofitters, pragmatists and activists: Public interest litigation for accountable automated decision-making

arXiv.org Artificial Intelligence

This paper examines the role of public interest litigation in promoting accountability for AI and automated decision-making (ADM) in Australia. Since ADM regulation faces geopolitical headwinds, effective governance will have to rely at least in part on the enforcement of existing laws. Drawing on interviews with Australian public interest litigators, technology policy activists, and technology law scholars, the paper positions public interest litigation as part of a larger ecosystem for transparency, accountability and justice with respect to ADM. It builds on one participant's characterisation of litigation about ADM as an exercise in legal retrofitting: adapting old laws to new circumstances. The paper's primary contribution is to aggregate, organise and present original insights on pragmatic strategies and tactics for effective public interest litigation about ADM. Naturally, it also contends with the limits of these strategies, and of the Australian legal system. Where limits are, however, capable of being overcome, the paper presents findings on urgent needs: the enabling institutional arrangements without which effective litigation and accountability will falter. The paper is relevant to law and technology scholars; individuals and groups harmed by ADM; public interest litigators and technology lawyers; civil society and advocacy organisations; and policymakers.


13 perfect panoramic images from the 2025 Epson International Pano awards

Popular Science

Taken in Algeria, 'Last Fireworks' is this year's first place category and open competition overall winner. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. The winners of the 2025 Epson International Pano awards have been announced, showcasing photographs of our great, big, beautiful world in ultra-wide glory. Italy's Alex Wides (Alessandro Cantarelli) won the Open Photographer of the Year and the Nature/Landscape category for his fine-art landscapes (seen above and below). Among this year's 3,423 entries, there were more photographs of the Northern Lights than usual, coinciding with the 11-year solar cycle maximum .


I'm a committed introvert – but no AI will take away the joy I get from other people Emma Beddington

The Guardian

'I'm baffled how anyone could use AI to participate in a hobby.' 'I'm baffled how anyone could use AI to participate in a hobby.' I'm a committed introvert - but no AI will take away the joy I get from other people T his is depressing: according to the Cut, people are using AI to solve escape room puzzles and cheat at trivia nights. Surely, that is the definition of spoiling your own fun? "Like going into a corn maze and just wanting a straight line to the end," says one TikToker quoted in the article. There's also an interview with a keen reader who uses ChatGPT as a book club replacement, scraping the internet and aggregating "stimulating opinions and perspectives". All well and good (actually, no, it sounds bleak as hell) until he had a character's death spoilered in the fantasy epic he had been enjoying.


What we lose when we surrender care to algorithms Eric Reinhart

The Guardian

The computer interrupted while Pamela was still speaking. I had accompanied her - my dear friend - to a recent doctor's appointment. She is in her 70s, lives alone while navigating multiple chronic health issues, and has been getting short of breath climbing the front stairs to her apartment. In the exam room, she spoke slowly and self-consciously, the way people often do when they are trying to describe their bodies and anxieties to strangers. Midway through her description of how she had been feeling, the doctor clicked his mouse and a block of text began to bloom across the computer monitor. The clinic had adopted an artificial-intelligence scribe, and it was transcribing and summarizing the conversation in real time.


'It's not the 60 days of Christmas!' Exasperated Brits blast John Lewis, Coca-Cola, and Argos for releasing their ads almost two months before the big day - as experts warn prolonged buildup can spark 'festive burnout'

Daily Mail - Science & tech

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry lead star parade at Kris Jenner's 70th birthday bash held at Jeff Bezos' $165M mansion in Beverly Hills Trumpworld fumes at Democrats' affordability'con job' as insiders rush to save sinking presidency Dark side of Danielle Bernstein: She is America's most hated influencer... but now insiders reveal claims of behavior so outrageous they'kind of respect her' for getting away with it Hollywood's hooked on a new'fountain of youth' drug. It erases wrinkles, boosts libido and stops hair loss... but has terrifying side-effects: JILLIAN MICHAELS Defiant Joe Biden goes scorched earth on Donald Trump over White House demolition: 'Who in the hell does he think he is?' Insiders reveal yet more'trauma' after star's dangerous driving and say she is'close to going nuclear'... as she falls into'very protective' arms of male friend Sordid truth about night seven ladyboys'beat up' Luigi Mangione after visit to Thai sex bar: Texts and photos revealed in tell-all The ugly gossip about Marjorie Taylor Greene swirling in DC... no wonder she's giving this'nothing to see here' performance of a lifetime: KENNEDY SNL sketch mocking Oval Office medical emergency slammed as'heartless' and'uncomfortably cringe' Flabbergasting views of New York City's next First Lady, 28, laid bare in the hipster artist's work My son tried the trendy $1 'chill pill' taken by 1.7m Americans and sold in gas stations... he never woke up. Here's what they don't tell you Jimmy Kimmel's wife'felt betrayed by Trump voting family members' after her comic husband was pulled from the air Insiders blow lid on top secret actor'blacklist' at Paramount that's tearing Hollywood apart and start naming names KELLYANNE CONWAY: This week's elections were a referendum on President Trump... but not for the reason you think TikTok star accused in $3.5 million lawsuit of stealing her husband from his ex-wife Upstate city with small-town charm is one of the best places to live in America... but it will cost you Meghan has always been a terrible actress... but watch the moment she catches Harry completely off guard. It tells you everything about what's next: MAUREEN CALLAHAN'It's not the 60+ days of Christmas!' Exasperated Brits blast John Lewis, Coca-Cola, and Argos for releasing their ads almost two months before the big day - as experts warn prolonged buildup can spark'festive burnout' This year, brands like John Lewis, Coca-Cola, and Argos have rushed to get their Christmas adverts out almost two months ahead of the big day. You might think that this would help us to get excited for Santa's arrival.


UK military to help protect Belgium after drone incursions

BBC News

UK military personnel and equipment are being sent to Belgium to help it bolster its defences after drone incursions on its airspace, suspected of being carried out by Russia. The new head of the UK military, Sir Richard Knighton, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that his Belgian counterpart asked for assistance earlier this week and that kit and personnel were on the way. Belgium's main airport Zavantem was forced to close temporarily on Thursday night after drones were spotted nearby . They were also spotted in other locations, including a military base. Sir Richard said it was not known if the incursions were by Russia, but added it was plausible they had been ordered by Moscow.


HMRC to review suspending 23,500 child benefit payments

BBC News

The UK's tax body is reviewing its decisions to strip child benefit from about 23,500 claimants after it used travel data to conclude they had left the country permanently. Normally the benefit runs out after eight weeks living outside the UK, but many people affected complained that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) had stopped their money after they went on holiday for just a short time. The move came after MPs on the Treasury Select Committee demanded answers from the tax authority. HMRC has apologised for any errors and says anyone who thinks their benefits have been stopped incorrectly should contact them. In September, the government began a crackdown on child benefit fraud which it believes could save £350m over five years.


AI-powered nimbyism could grind UK planning system to a halt, experts warn

The Guardian

One leading planning lawyer warned such AI services could'supercharge nimbyism'. One leading planning lawyer warned such AI services could'supercharge nimbyism'. Tools that help people scan applications and find grounds for objection have potential to hit government's housebuilding plans The government's plan to use artificial intelligence to accelerate planning for new homes may be about to hit an unexpected roadblock: AI-powered nimbyism. A new service called Objector is offering "policy-backed objections in minutes" to people who are upset about planning applications near their homes. It uses generative AI to scan planning applications and check for grounds for objection, ranking these as "high", "medium" or "low" impact. It then automatically creates objection letters, AI-written speeches to deliver to the planning committees, and even AI-generated videos to "influence councillors".


Mysterious flashes on the moon spark speculation about unknown visitors

Daily Mail - Science & tech

Donald Trump wants Washington Commanders to name $3.7billion stadium after him The ugly gossip about Marjorie Taylor Greene swirling in DC... no wonder she's giving this'nothing to see here' performance of a lifetime: KENNEDY Tupac's family hid his final secret for decades. Donald Trump's new city-destroying nuclear missile'is spotted for the first time' as planespotter photographs it on hush-hush test flight The truth about Aaron Rodgers's secret'wife': Family lift the lid on the NFL's biggest mystery... and finally put to bed those swirling rumors Singer Grande shows off her 40 hand'prison' tattoos at Wicked: For Good premiere in Paris Insiders blow lid on top secret actor'blacklist' at Paramount that's tearing Hollywood apart and start naming names White House space sabotage plot EXPOSED: The truth behind the NASA war that tore Trump's inner circle in two Wild image shows how Simone Biles would look next to Olivier Rioux... after he made his college basketball debut Southern city morphs into New York's'tiny twin' as Big Apple residents flock there in droves to escape woke mayor Succession star Sarah Snook's new thriller is the best show of the year - its brings every parent's worst nightmare to life in spectacular fashion and I binged all eight episodes in one sitting Fears as Days of Our Lives is beset by string of tragedies... leaving producers desperately scrambling to save iconic show Soap icon turned ordained minister who flirted with Andy Warhol steps out in LA... can you guess who? She was an award-winning Teacher of the Year. Jeremy Renner's film partner claims he sent her explicit photos and videos to woo her then threatened the unthinkable when they fell out MORE: Scientists discover extraterrestrial relics in the first samples from moon's mysterious far side Two mysterious flashes have been spotted on the moon's surface, sparking a debate over what just struck our nearest neighbor in the solar system. Astronomer Daichi Fujii, curator of the Hiratsuka City Museum in Japan, captured the first of these bright flashes on October 30, revealing a large round dot briefly illuminating the moon's surface before disappearing.


Six dead as Russia hits energy and residential sites in Ukraine

BBC News

At least six people have died after Russia launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure and residential targets in Ukraine overnight. A strike on an apartment building in the city of Dnipro killed two people and wounded 12, while three died in Zaporizhzhia. In all, 25 locations across Ukraine, including the capital city Kyiv, were hit, leaving many areas without electricity and heating. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram that major energy facilities were damaged in the Poltava, Kharkiv and Kyiv regions, and work was under way to restore power. In Russia, the defence ministry said its forces had shot down 79 Ukrainian drones overnight. The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched more than 450 exploding bomber drones and 45 missiles.