Burning Platforms
Technology
About
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech. Join Peter Lewis, Lizzie O’Shea (Digital Rights Watch), Dan Stinton (HealthEngine CEO), and guests, fortnightly for analysis of the politics of technology from some of Australia’s leading digital campaigners and industry experts. Brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Episodes
- Kids’ Gloves with Carly Kind
Carly Kind, the Privacy Commissioner, discusses the new code to protect children's data and its potential impact on surveillance. The episode also covers the cancellation of RightsCon, Jack Dorsey's business layoffs, and legal disputes bet…
- Hyperscaling with Ed Husic
Ed Husic, Labor MP and former Industry Minister, discusses global tech giants, tech sovereignty, and the power of Nudify apps. Panellists also explore the US AI stack and Palintir CEO Alex Karp.
- Popular Front with Cam Wilson
Cam Wilson joins the Burning Platforms regular panel to discuss the recent attacks on CEOs, the role of AI in aged care, the current state of the AI bubble, and interacting with chatbots.
- War Crimes with Prof Toby Walsh
Prof. Toby Walsh joins the Burning Platforms podcast to discuss international efforts to regulate autonomous military conflicts. The panel also covers updates regarding OpenAI, Anthropic, and the current state of the AI industry.
- Industrial Revolution with Joseph Mitchell
The ACTU’s Assistant Secretary discusses the challenges AI poses to workers and union efforts in response. The panel also covers Anthropic’s activities in Canberra, propaganda in the Iranian war, and new tools for the fediverse.
- Muting The Manosphere with Chanel Contos
Chanel Contos joins the panel to discuss her campaign for social media control among young people. The episode also explores the new privacy code for children, Anthropic's expansion into Australia, and Bernie Sanders' legislative proposal…
- One Battle After Another with Alix Dunn
Alix Dunn, host of the 'Computer Says Maybe' podcast, joins the panel to discuss the influence of Big Tech. The episode also covers the government's green data centre stance, industry data mining, and OpenAI's strategic shifts.
- Just Asking with Prof Daniel Angus
Prof Daniel Angus joins Burning Platforms to discuss how chatbots influence conspiracy theory research. The panel also covers developments in Iran, Pornhub's exit from Australia, and job cuts at Atlassian.
- Trust Mark with Alan Finkel
Former Chief Scientist Alan Finkel discusses his venture 'Proudly Human' aimed at verifying human-created content. Panellists also examine Australian government defence contracts, AI policy proposals, and the future impact of agentic AI.
- World on Fire
The Burning Platforms panel, featuring Peter Lewis, Lizzie O'Shea, Dan Stinton, and Cam Wilson, discusses recent developments in AI policy, workplace surveillance, and market volatility. The group also reviews a selection of articles conce…
- Orgy of Opportunity with Prof Nicholas Davis
In this episode of Burning Platforms, the team discusses the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, Mark Zuckerberg's court appearance, and new workplace laws in NSW. Guests include Professor Nicholas Davis, Lizzie O'Shea, Dan Stinton, and Peter Lewis.
- Plumbing with Sir Geoff Mulgan
Sir Geoff Mulgan joins the panel to discuss public innovation and the engineering behind democracy. The panel also reviews an essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the ethics of university funding from Big Tech, and South Korea’s AI Basic A…
- Long Game with Greg Sadler
The Burning Platforms panel discusses existential AI risks with Greg Sadler of Good Ancestors, covering topics beyond AGI. The discussion also touches upon Grok, ChatGTP's health applications, and Bandcamp's AI pledge.
- End of Days - 2025 in Review
This episode of Burning Platforms reviews the major technology events of 2025, including the government's AI plan and the social media ban. Guests include Ed Santow, Lizzie O’Shea, Dan Stinton, and Peter Lewis.
- Ground Game with Cory Alpert
This episode of Burning Platforms features academic Cory Alpert discussing community library conversations as a means to shape AI regulation, contrasting with complex governmental efforts. It also covers Meta's antitrust win, the News Medi…
- Carbon Footprints with Ketan Joshi
Climate writer Ketan Joshi joins Burning Platforms to discuss the energy consumption of AI, data centers, and the broader implications for climate change. The episode also covers Meta's business model, Apple's AI collaboration with Google,…
- RadicalXChange with Jess Scully
Jess Scully joins the podcast to discuss the RadicalXChange project and the potential for alternative data organization to challenge Big Tech's AI dominance. Panellists also cover topics including government blocks on text and data mining,…
- How Can Democracy Survive AI? LIVE IN PERTH
This episode of Burning Platforms, recorded live in Perth, features a panel discussing the challenges AI poses to democracy, employment, and culture. Experts explore the risks and benefits of AI adoption for Australians.
- Bursting Bubbles with Dan McQuillan
Professor Dan McQuillan discusses the inevitability of AI and argues for a fundamental response to Big Tech. The episode also covers AI's new video product, advertising in GPTs, and consultant work trends.
- Cooking with Cam Wilson
Cam Wilson, co-author of ‘Conspiracy Nation,’ joins the show to discuss his journey into the world of anti-vaxxers, wellness influencers, and sovereign citizens. The episode also features discussions on AI Red Lines, the rise of Work Slop,…
- Tech Check with Damian Kassabgi
Damian Kassabgi of the Tech Council of Australia joins a panel to discuss whether data mining and new infrastructure will lead to national prosperity. The episode also touches on age verification concerns, AI companions, and Maria Ressa's…
- Stolen Property with Peter Garrett
This episode of Burning Platforms features Peter Garrett, Professor Toby Walsh, Lizzie O'Shea, and Claire Pullen discussing how AI large language models are built on the work of artists and the potential impact of proposed data mining poli…
- Industrial Base with Minister Tim Ayres
Minister Tim Ayres shares his views on industry policy, AI, and managing technological shifts. Panellists include Lizzie O’Shea, Dan Stinton, and Peter Lewis.
- Digital New Deal with Johanna Weaver
Johanna Weaver explores the potential for Australia to lead in developing a tech future independent of US or Chinese influence, referencing her essay 'System Update - An Australian-led new deal for tech'. The discussion includes the implic…
- Poisoning AI with Prof Toby Walsh
Professor Toby Walsh details innovative methods to counter Big AI’s use of stolen data, such as data poisoning and responsible cloud computing. The episode also touches on the Qantas data hack, Victoria's AI policing initiatives, and the i…
- Scammed! With Alex Brooks
This episode of Burning Platforms features Alex Brooks discussing the rise of AI in financial scams, noting that young people are at high risk. The banks are working to avoid liability for scam-related damages.
- Dr Alondra Nelson’s Intelligence
The episode features a discussion with Dr. Alondra Nelson, who architected the Biden Administration’s AI executive order. The panel considers potential AI policy paths and readiness.
- Grok-ing Out with Julie Inman-Grant
E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant joins panellists on Burning Platforms to discuss technology and politics, including topics like white genocide and the 'all-seeing Apple Eye'.
- The Holy Trinity Edition
This episode of Burning Platforms covers three key topics: the new Pope's choice of name, shifts in the Labor Government's front bench, and Mark Zuckerberg's friend count. Panelists include Lizzie O'Shea, Dan Stinton, Peter Lewis, and Prof…
- 2025 Federal Election Special (or Much Ado About Nothing)
Burning Platforms' 2025 Federal Election Special examines the limited discussion surrounding technology in the lead-up to the election. The episode features insights from Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis,…
- Distilling the Slop
Director Clay Jacobson joins the panel to explore how AI is changing filmmaking. The discussion also covers AI's potential role in political events, the legal challenges facing Meta, and controversies surrounding AI and artistic appropriat…
- Taxing Times
This episode of Burning Platforms discusses global initiatives to make Big Tech companies pay their taxes, featuring Dr. Mark Zirnsak from the Tax Justice Network, alongside regular panelists.
- The National Trust
This episode of Burning Platforms features Professor Terry Flew discussing trust in the relationship between society and technology. The panel also examines Data Centre Diplomacy, Google's AI search, and the reboot of Digg.
- World Gone Wild
Burning Platforms discusses the increasing influence of tech overlords in 2025, with insights from regular panelists and a special guest who attended the Paris AI Summit. The episode features Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch…
- Setting the Guardrails
This episode covers the Senate Report on AI adoption in Australia, featuring insights from Committee Chair Senator Tony Sheldon. It also examines Woolworth's workplace surveillance dispute, Meta's underwater cable project, and TikTok's rol…
- Strange Bedfellows
Burning Platforms features cybersecurity expert Miah Hammond-Errey discussing the intersection of national security and individual privacy. The episode also covers Bunnings' use of facial recognition, Trump's crypto activities, and potenti…
- The Tech-Bro Election
This episode of Burning Platforms examines the intersection of the Web3 community and the upcoming US Presidential elections, featuring insights from Mark Monfort, Dan Stinton, Kate Bower, and Peter Lewis. Topics also include chat-bot acco…
- The Digital Dark Age
This episode of Burning Platforms discusses the 'Digital Dark Age' where researchers are excluded from digital platforms, potentially ushering in an era of control and secrecy. Guests include Gina Neff, Lizzie O'Shea, Rafi Alam, and Peter…
- The Age of Intelligence?
This Burning Platforms episode examines OpenAI's new ventures with guests Lee Schofield, Lizzie O’Shea, and Dan Stinton. The discussion covers OpenAI's strategy, a 7-Eleven privacy breach, misinformation laws, and Mark Zuckerberg's Metaver…
- Privacy Now!
This episode covers the Federal Government’s privacy reform plans and the launch of the Privacy Now campaign during a live virtual town hall. It features Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind, Ed Santow, and Lizzie O’Shea.
- The NSFW Edition
Social media academic Emily van der Nagel discusses her research on Only Fans, exploring the platform's logic with content creators and consumers. The episode also covers news regarding the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, the impact of…
- Emotional Rescue
The Burning Platforms episode
- How AI Will Really Destroy The World
This episode explores the environmental concerns surrounding AI, focusing on the significant energy and water usage of data centers. Gordon Noble from UTS discusses the alarming data, while the panel also touches on Big Tech's legal standi…
- Rebuilding the Public Square - Live
Peter Lewis launched the "Civility Manifesto" live at the July John Cain Lunch. This episode of Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square.
- Man-Made
Burning Platforms features author Tracey Spicer discussing biases in Artificial Intelligence. The panel also examines Australian tech policy, the implications of collapsed US privacy reform, and aspects of AI.
- Plurality
This episode of Burning Platforms features an extended interview with Audrey Tang and Glen Weyl, discussing their new collaborative book, Plurality.
- Invisible Bystanders
This episode of Burning Platforms features a panel discussing how worker power can leverage AI for productivity gains. They also examine Apple's OpenAI partnership, Google's data collection, and the potential to ban election deep fakes in…
- Will Google Eat Itself?
Peter Lewis, Lizzie O’Shea, Dan Stinton, and Ricky Sutton analyze Google's potential self-destructive growth, touching on internet age limits and Australia's AI capabilities. This episode of Burning Platforms features analysis from media a…
- Who Stole Our Books?
This episode of Burning Platforms addresses concerns about AI potentially stealing writers' ideas, featuring insights from Australian Writers Guild CEO Claire Pullen and other panelists. The discussion also touches upon Google's privacy pr…
- Judgment Day
This episode of Burning Platforms features author Tim Dunlop, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton. They discuss Elon Musk, live-streaming’s role in media accountability, Google’s worker firings over…