Technology and Security (Dr Miah Hammond-Errey)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Technology and Security
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| 20 Jul 2023 | Synthetic biotech, DARPA for intelligence and AI regulation with RAND CEO Jason Matheny | 00:38:53 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Jason Matheny, CEO of RAND Corporation and founder of CSET to delve into the complexities of regulating emerging technologies — from AI to biotechnology, what the United States can learn from Australia, the opportunity a current bottleneck in compute capacity offers democracies, and his work at IARPA — ‘the DARPA of the intelligence world’ — using innovative methods to solve the hard problems of policy and national security. They also discuss the role of alliances such as Five Eyes in combatting AI-generated disinformation and why standards bodies need greater support. Jason is the President and CEO of RAND Corporation. He previously led technology and national security policy for the White House in the National Security Council and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Jason founded the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) at Georgetown University, was a Commissioner on the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA). He has also worked at the World Bank, Oxford University, the Applied Physics Laboratory and Princeton University. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE Resources mentioned in the recording:
Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following.
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you are listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 07 Oct 2024 | Cyber and intelligence with Australian National Cyber Security Coordinator, Michelle McGuinness | 00:42:06 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Australian National Cyber Security Coordinator, Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness. We talk all things cyber for Cyber Security Awareness Month. This episode explores cyber security threats, incidents and response coordination mechanisms as well as the National Cyber Intelligence Partnership and Executive Cyber Council. We also touch on Five Eyes, alliances and the intelligence implications of cyber. This episode explores interdependencies across sectors, highlighting cyber vulnerabilities and the consequences of cyber incidents, such as how a single system failure can disrupt essential services like payroll and logistics. Understanding unseen reliance is important for business as they examine their networks and work together to identify vulnerabilities to bolster national cyber resilience. We explore the importance of adopting digital identities and ethical AI, as well as quantum computing, pivotal for Australia and the Pacific region’s cyber security. The discussion includes the collective uplift across the Commonwealth and the necessity of maintaining robust cybersecurity standards to ensure national resilience. Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness is Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator. Prior to this appointment, she served as Deputy Director Commonwealth Integration in the US Defense Intelligence Agency, a Five Eye position as the most senior foreign officer in the US intelligence community. She has served in the Australian Defence Force for 30 years in a range of tactical, operational, and strategic roles in Australia and overseas. Resources mentioned in the recording: · Risky Biz https://risky.biz This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 23 Aug 2023 | Digital ID, leadership and innovation with the Hon Victor Dominello | 00:37:49 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by the Hon Victor Dominello, former NSW Minister for Community Services and Digital Government. They discuss the potential and complexities of digital identification, what it means for democracies, and how to lead risk-averse organisations like government in a manner that promotes innovation and productivity and empowers decision-making. They also discuss AI regulation, building trust in technology between government, corporations and individuals, and what can be learnt from Estonia when it comes to digital service delivery. Across a 12-year term as cabinet minister, Victor helped modernise service delivery in the NSW Government across a set of portfolios, which included leading the development of the Services NSW app, the Digital Driver’s License and COVID-19 vaccine certificates. He now sits on the board of the Tech Council of Australia and is the Director of the UNSW-UTS Trustworthy Digital Society Hub. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Resources mentioned in the recording:
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following. Research support and assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast Design: Susan Beale Music: Dr Paul Mac
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| 21 Sep 2023 | The Christchurch Call, AI in art, elections and disinformation with Canva’s Kara Hinesley | 00:38:32 | |
Kara Hinesley, Canva’s global Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, joins Dr Miah Hammond-Errey to discuss her experience during the creation of The Christchurch Call after the livestreamed 2019 terrorist attack in New Zealand while at Twitter, the complex relationship between AI, art and artists, AI and IP, AI regulation and the technology workforce shortages, as well as building robust civic discourse and debate on digital platforms. They also discuss, what differentiates Australian and American tech companies and culture, working to prevent online and offline harms and navigating a career shift from law into public policy and from the United States to Australia. Before her current role as the global Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Canva, Kara worked at Twitter, including as the Director of Public Policy, Government, and Philanthropy, overseeing policy strategy in Asia-Pacific. Kara was also previously an advisor for the Honorable Minister Ed Husic when he was in Opposition and has a background in law, in Australia and the United States. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney.
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE The USSC website: https://www.ussc.edu.au/
Research support and assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast Design: Susan Beale Music: Dr. Paul Mac
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| 02 Aug 2023 | Decoupling, de-risking and tech diplomacy – special episode | 00:44:17 | |
In a special episode, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Michael Green, CEO of the United States Studies Centre, to consider the conversations and developments around technology decoupling between the United States and China across the past six months. Drawing on insights from previous guests on the podcast, Miah and Mike cover topics from international standards, subsea cables and individual user trust in technology to the role of Japan and Australia. They also discuss the role of alliances, digital infrastructure, national security and historical lessons that can inform this evolving area of debate. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Clips used in this recording:
Resources mentioned in the recording:
Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following.
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 22 Jun 2023 | Cyber security, critical infrastructure and ransomware taskforce with Home Affairs’ Hamish Hansford | 00:39:10 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey sits down with Hamish Hansford, Deputy Secretary of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group at the Department of Home Affairs, to discuss the evolution of the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act (SOCI), including Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Programs (CIRMPs), refining the critical asset class definitions and the importance of board accountability. They also cover the International Counter Ransomware Taskforce, working with other countries in cyber security and Australia’s upcoming Cyber Security Strategy for 2023–30, including lessons from the US National Cybersecurity Strategy. The discussion also touches on lessons from the Optus and Medibank data breaches, Australia’s progress towards the goal of being the world’s most cyber-secure nation by 2030 and the unrealised potential of 5G networks. Hamish Hansford is the Deputy Secretary of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group at the Department of Home Affairs. He has more than 20 years of experience across government, including as the Inaugural Head of the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre. He also led the delivery and implementation of Australia's 2020 Cyber Security Strategy and has worked in cybercrime, combating terrorism and child exploitation, as well as on reform of critical and emerging technology, data security and surveillance. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney.
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following.
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you are listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 21 Jan 2025 | Living intelligence, synthetic biology and security with Dr Thom Dixon | 00:39:20 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Dr Thom Dixon, whose work explores biofutures and the bioeconomy. We explore what synthetic biology and bioinformation are and how much of an individual person's information signature is biological. We discuss how AI can learn from biomimicry and adaptive natural biological systems. We explore the future of surveillance plants and how sensing in the environment will operate and what it might mean for national and physical security as well as how a future consumer synthetic biology app will accelerate the fields growth and reach. The conversation covers Australian biodiversity and potential for functionally useful genetic traits to adapt to climate change as well as role of synthetic biology in climate adaptation and accounting, such as carbon cycling and increasing carbon uptake. This episode includes a quick look at some security threats, including the pervasiveness of DNA data collection (and inability to protect DNA instances), role of AI in mediating information and its potential in influence and interference campaigns. Finally, we discuss the need for policy makers to better understand biology. As we see an increase in cyber-physical (and environmental) systems, policy makers need to improve their understanding of biology and how it interacts with technology.
Thom Dixon completed his PhD at Macquarie University. It explores the development of and use of bioinformation and synthetic biology can impact international relations. He was the Vice President for the Australian Institute of International Affairs NSW. He is a member of the ARC Centre for Excellence for Synthetic Biology and the manager, national security and defence for Macquarie University.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
+ Model’s of Life: https://defencescienceinstitute.com/funding-opportunity/darpa-biological-technologies-hr001124s0034/
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 15 Nov 2023 | The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh on AI and competition, technology and productivity, and evaluating government. | 00:39:54 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by The Hon. Dr Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and the Assistant Minister for Employment, to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of competition, the initial months of the Australian Centre for Evaluation and coordinating with overseas regulators on the complexities of AI. They also discuss Australia’s technology workforce challenges, charting a uniquely Australian approach to building industrial capacity, and the ongoing, global geopolitical technology competition.
Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney.
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE The USSC website: https://www.ussc.edu.au/
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 17 Mar 2025 | Governing the unseen. AI, law, power and complexity with Prof Lyria Bennett Moses | 00:38:29 | |
In this episode of Technology & Security, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Professor Lyria Bennett Moses, one of Australia’s foremost experts in technology and law. We explore how government responses to AI often focus on regulating technology rather than addressing the human and social challenges these systems impact. We discuss how to centre humanity in legal responses to technology. We examine regulatory approaches, anti-discrimination laws and governance structures to better address the realities of AI-driven decision-making. As AI is increasingly embedded in daily life, much like past technological shifts, its influence may become invisible, but its impact on knowledge, democracy, and security will be significant. Future leaders must develop systems thinking, recognising the deep interconnections between technology, law, politics, and security. Education must beyond data literacy to equip students with an understanding of how different systems function and their limitations. AI is reshaping how we access information, formulate ideas, and tell stories and it is shifting power in ways we are only beginning to grasp. In this episode, we explore the evolving role of search and AI-generated knowledge and the geopolitical tensions shaping the future of technology. This thought-provoking conversation will change the way you think about AI, law, knowledge creation and the future of regulation. Professor Lyria Bennett Moses is the head of the School of Law, Society and Criminology and a professor at the University of New South Wales. She was previously the director of the Allens Hub for technology and has held many academic leadership and research roles related to law, data, cybersecurity and AI. She's worked on AI standards with Standards Australia and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and has published extensively on technology and law. Lyria is a member of numerous editorial boards. She is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and Royal Society of New South Wales, and a fellow of the Association of Social Sciences Australia. Resources mentioned in the recording: + The Rest is History podcast (BBC) www.therestishistory.com + The Machine Stops, E.M Forster
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 15 May 2024 | Intelligence, AI, Five Eyes & Resilience with Sir David Omand | 00:39:55 | |
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Sir David Omand. The interview is an exploration of the evolving landscape of intelligence, technology and security from the Cold War to the near real time intelligence in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They discuss adaptation in intelligence from high frequency radio to generative AI and from state threats to myriad threat actors. They explore the interpretative nature of data and the necessity for analytical skill in understanding multiple possible explanations in both intelligence work and political decision-making. They discuss the importance of intelligence in supporting diplomatic efforts and informing policy decisions, the unique trust as well as generational and cultural depth of the Five Eyes alliance and the risks of politicising intelligence.
Moving beyond the debate of comparative importance of specific collection mechanisms they discuss the real value of diversity of thought and experiences in analytical outcomes in intelligence work. They explore the need for security to be considered within the human rights framework, rather than as separate and potentially conflicting priorities. They cover why the resilience of information architectures is critical – and flows of information are akin to the principles of supply chain dependencies. They also discuss intelligence leadership during technological change, stressing motivation, mission and adaptability. Sir David Omand GCB is a RUSI Distinguished Fellow, KCL Visiting Professor; former UK Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Omand, D. (2010) Securing the state. New York, Columbia University Press. · Omand, D. (2020) How Spies Think: Ten Lessons in Intelligence, Penguin Books Limited. · Omand, D. (2024) How to Survive a Crisis, Lessons in Resilience and Avoiding Disaster, Penguin Books Limited. · Miah Hammond-Errey, 2024, Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted, Routledge (20% discount code for book AFL04) · Miah Hammond-Errey, 9 Feb 2023, Secrecy, sovereignty and sharing: How data and emerging technologies are transforming intelligence, United States Studies Centre · Miah Hammond-Errey (2023) Big data, emerging technologies and the characteristics of ‘good intelligence’, Journal of Intelligence and National Security · Cixin Liu (2008) Three Body Problem
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan.
Transcript check against delivery
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: Sir David Omand has had to date two rather remarkable careers. He had an extensive leadership career in British security, intelligence and defence, holding senior positions, including as director of GCHQ. He served on the UK Joint Intelligence Committee and was the first security and intelligence coordinator in the Cabinet Office. Subsequently, he became a non-executive director, has been awarded honorary doctorates and holds esteemed academic posts as well as publishes prolifically. He is currently a visiting professor in the War Studies Department at the King's College London. His books are Securing the State Principled Spying The Ethics of Secret Intelligence with professor Mark Pythian, and How Spies Think. His forthcoming book is called How to Survive a Crisis. I'm so thrilled to have you join me on the Technology and Security podcast, David.
Sir David Omand: I'm looking forward to this conversation.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: We're coming to you today from the lands of the Gadigal people. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging both here and wherever you're listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, seeing community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:01:27] What are the biggest changes you've seen throughout your distinguished career in intelligence?
Sir David Omand: Well, two stand out. Obviously. One is the changes in the nature of the threats that intelligence is there to support government decision making. And the other is obviously in the technology. I joined GCHQ in 1969. So it was in the Cold War. It seems a very, very long time ago. But of course there was no internet, there were no emails. The interception of communications was of high frequency transmissions and even high frequency Morse was was still very much in use. And all of that has changed beyond recognition. The fundamental purposes haven't changed. I think of intelligence as the reason human beings evolved. Intelligence was to make better decisions by reducing the ignorance of the person trying to make the decision.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:02:34] So you've outlined a pretty major change in the threat landscape and of course, in technology. how ready do you think intelligence agencies are for the challenges that we face now? But those coming down the line as well.
Sir David Omand: I think if I took the Five Eyes we've done well so far, uh, to keep up with some of the big technological changes, there are still obviously adaptations we need to make and the nature of the threat with the reappearance, if you like, of perceptions of major state threats. Uh, uh, that takes some time to adjust to. We've in Europe, we have a major war going on, but with following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But at the end of the Cold War, the British intelligence establishment, we ceased to maintain the number of Russian speakers and specialists in Russian weapons systems, Soviet weapons systems, which we used to have, and some of that has had to be rebuilt. So the intelligence world, it's always about adaptation, about trying to keep up. I think of it in terms of a dynamic interaction between demand and supply. You have demands for intelligence. And after 911, those demands were very different. They were about information on individuals, individual terrorists, for example. Where were they? Who were their associates, where were they traveling, what capabilities did they have? And those sort of demands for information coincided with a huge upheaval in supply, the ability of digital technology and the internet to supply answers t... | |||
| 10 Jun 2024 | Tech supply chains, hybrid threats and a more divided world with Elisabeth Braw | 00:37:33 | |
In this episode, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Elisabeth Braw. This discussion explores the decline in globalisation and an increasingly divided world with the West on one side and China and Russia on another. It highlights the impacts of geopolitical rifts on technology, innovation, business, supply chain vulnerabilities and complexities, subsea cables and infrastructure as well as consumer prices and job market changes. They also discuss the tech sector, the role of technology in warfare, and the implications of foreign investments in critical infrastructure as well as hybrid threats, information operations and resilience and national security responses. This episode provides a nuanced exploration of how the convergence of technology, security, and geopolitics shapes our world. Elisabeth Braw is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a member of the National Preparedness Commission in the UK a columnist and author.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Braw, E (2024) Goodbye Globalization The Return of a Divided World , Yale University Press https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300272277/goodbye-globalization/ · Braw, E (2022) The Defender's Dilemma · Braw, E (2019) God's Spies
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan.
Transcript check against delivery
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:00:02] Welcome to Technology and Security. TS is a podcast exploring the intersections of emerging technologies and national security. I'm your host, Doctor Miah Hammond-Errey. My guest today is Elisabeth Braw. Elisabeth is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and a columnist for Foreign Policy and Politico Europe. Her work focuses on hybrid and grey zone threats, as well as the intersection of geopolitics and globalisation. She's a member of the National Preparedness Commission in the UK, and has previously held numerous high profile senior research fellow positions in the US and Europe. She recently published Goodbye Globalization The Return of a Divided World and is the author of two earlier books, The Defender's Dilemma and one about East Germany's secret police called God's Spies. So happy to have you here, Elisabeth.
Elisabeth Braw: [00:00:57] It's a pleasure to join you.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:00:58] I'm coming to you today from the lands of the Gadigal people. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging here and wherever you're listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea, and community and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:01:17] So you're joining me today after an extensive book tour for Goodbye, Globalization The Return of a Divided World. What are the key questions you're being asked at those events?
Elisabeth Braw: [00:01:28] I think the the most frequently asked question is what that means. Uh, what is this standoff and growing, um, disharmony between the West? Uh, on one hand and and some sort of loose grouping of China and Russia on the other. And what it means not just for companies, not just for countries, but for for us as ordinary people. What is clear, I think, from a citizen perspective, is that if globalisation stops working as well as as it did in in the early 2000, which was really the, the peak of, of globalized harmony, if that's no longer there, which is already the case, then eventually it will lead to higher consumer prices. So we as ordinary citizens have benefited from this extraordinary commercial integration of nations of all types and varieties. And now the two of the most important participants in that globalized economy, Russia and China, are each, for their own reasons, not as fully integrated as they used to be. And Russia is, is, is, uh, essentially shut out of the globalized economy and operating in a parallel economy. And, uh, China is for completely different reasons, um, not as hospitable a country as it used to be for Western businesses. And all of this together means that, uh. It will be more expensive to do business to produce the goods that you and I and everybody else use. Every day we will see a return of of jobs, high quality jobs, and and especially manufacturing to our countries at the same time as we'll see high consumer prices. We will see lots of changes ahead. And I think that's why it's so it's a subject that is so interesting to, to all kinds of people, not just business people, not just policy types, but basically anybody who lives in in a modern economy.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:03:29] What do you see as the biggest issues within that framing for technology and security?
Elisabeth Braw: [00:03:33] So the technology that we have today is, is, is the result of extraordinary development, innovation, uh, over the past 40 years. Uh, and I'm sure your listeners remember Parc Palo Alto Research Center, which is where a lot of this began back a decades ago. And then from, uh, the late 80s and especially from the 90s onwards, we had this extraordinary rise of technology, which is, of course, so ubiquitous today that that we as ordinary citizens, uh, spend essentially every, every hour of every day connected to technology somehow or using technology somehow. And, and that worked so well because it took place in conjunction with globalisation, borders were becoming less important and almost faded away. Um, we also had peace between, uh, yeah, the world's most important countries and that, uh, of course, facilitated collaboration. So you could be a citizen of any of the world's countries and work for any technology company and indeed do business almost anywhere. Uh, and that is no longer the case. The standoff between the US and China, in particular, uh, centers a lot on technology. And interestingly, tech bosses have been the slowest to catch on to this geopolitical shift because they they have come to, uh, they've had that formative experience in, in a completely integrated world. And I think they just can't conceptualize that geopolitics should be able to affect the way they do business because they don't feel geopolitical. Well, it doesn't matter whether you feel geopolitical. The world is becoming more geopolitical, whereas more old fashioned, uh, or the bosses in more traditional sectors, manufacturing and so forth. I think they've been, uh, faster to catch on to this because they, they are seeing, uh, the reality on the ground. Whereas tech bosses, I think, are thinking that in a shorter perspective. Either way, they have been the slowest, among the slowest to catch on to this new trend. And, um. That's why they're having such a painful learning experience at the moment.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:05:59] The podcast has a new segment for 2024 called Interdependencies and Vulnerabilities. Given its centrality to your w... | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | Nanomaterials, international standards, AI and data ethics with Dr Kobi Leins | 00:38:51 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Dr Kobi Leins (GAICD), Honorary Senior Fellow at King’s College, London and international law expert, to discuss her work on nanomaterials and their implications for existing international law governing chemical and biological weapons. They also discuss why international standards are so important, AI’s potential for evil and the need for improved understandings of data ethics – from the classroom to the boardroom – as well as why we should be wary about claims of de-identified or anonymised data.
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE The USSC website: https://www.ussc.edu.au/
Research support and editorial assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast design: Susan Beale Music: Dr. Paul Mac
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| 15 Apr 2024 | Disinformation, deepfakes, democracy, data and Russia-Ukraine with Nina Jankowicz | 00:39:25 | |
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Nina Jankowicz, world leading disinformation expert and author. They discuss the necessity of an alliance among democratic nations to address technological challenges, and shape policies that have real impact. They discuss the security threats of disinformation campaigns, highlighting their real-world impact on human behaviour and the role of data in targeted manipulation. Russian disinformation tactics were examined, in the context of events in Ukraine, the treatment of Navalny, and broader global developments. Nina also shared examples of successful strategies used by countries like Estonia and Ukraine in countering disinformation through social policies and media literacy initiatives.
They explore content moderation and censorship equivalence and what it means for social media platforms and safeguarding democracy. The discussion touches on the impact of attention capture on our information environment. Looking ahead, they predict increased interference campaigns in 2024 as well as discuss the role of AI and watermarking, the necessity of improving legal frameworks for online harms, and the importance of transparency and oversight in social media to counter data and information warfare effectively. The conversation includes personal reflections from Nina and insights into the normalisation of misogyny and the alarming rise of deepfake pornography, with strategies to combat its proliferation and potential role for public figures like Taylor Swift in mobilising survivor communities.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Nina Jankowicz, How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict (Bloomsbury 2020) https://www.ninajankowicz.com/books · Nina Jankowicz, How to Be a Woman Online: Surviving Abuse and Harassment and How to Fight Back (Bloomsbury 2022) https://www.ninajankowicz.com/books · Vaclav Havel, The Power of the Powerless. October 1978. · Miah Hammond-Errey Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted (Routledge 2024) (20% discount code for book AFL04) · Miah Hammond-Errey, 18 December 2023, Did you Tech 2023? A wrap of the year’s tech news, with an Australian flavour, The Mandarin
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Dharawul people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan.
Transcript: please check against delivery Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: My guest today is Nina Jankowicz. Nina is a disinformation expert who advocates for those harassed online. She's the vice president of the centre for Information Resilience. In 2022 she served as the executive director of the Disinformation Governance Board in the US Department of Homeland Security. She has authored two fabulous books, How to Lose the Information War and How to Be a Woman Online. Thanks so much for joining me, Nina.
Nina Jankowicz: I'm really excited to be here.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: We're coming to you today from the lands of the Dharawal people. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea, and community and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: Nina, you have written extensively about elections and the information environment, and we've both written about the significance of 2024 for elections. 76 countries are holding elections this year, which will see more than half the world's population casting a ballot. What are you most concerned about?
Nina Jankowicz: I think the the thing that makes me most worried is actually the change kind of sea change in how we think about content moderation and trust and safety as we head into this year. back in 2016, 2017, this was a field that didn't really exist yet. since then, we've seen kind of the emergence of the field, the emergence of a lot of cooperation between the public and private sectors to identify and mitigate disinformation that have resulted in some pretty big gains. Right? We've seen, you know, campaigns taken down by the French government, that the Russians were trying to interfere in the 2017 French presidential election. We've seen, the the Iranian interference in 2020 where Iranians were pretending to be Proud Boys in the US election and targeting Democratic voters and swing states, in order to try to suppress their their voter turnout. And all of that was a result of coordination between the public and private sectors, and had less of an effect than it might have otherwise. If, you know, if we didn't have that coordination. And now what we see, especially here in the US, is this equivalence between any content moderation and censorship, while we head into this critical election period, I'm just worried that we're not going to see as much attention, um, that is leading to actual change and mitigation of threats that we saw in previous election cycles. Um, and I'm also worried that we're not going to see as much robust research into this sphere, because in addition to all of that we're also seeing harassment campaigns against individual researchers and their research institutions. And we have a large section of the population, at least here in the United States, that is equating, uh, not only keeping our democracy safe, but keeping people safe online as as censorship.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: in your recent Foreign Affairs article, You said, uh, nearly eight years after Russian operatives attempted to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, US democracy has become even less safe, and the country's information environment more polluted with the freedom of speech of US citizens more at risk. what do you think needs to be done about it?
Nina Jankowicz: I think we're in such an intractable place here in the United States right now where again, we've seen these threats laid out over and over. And yet we've done so little about it. And so I think the first order of business is like, yeah, let's have these hard conversations about what is the proper relationship between government and the social media platforms, what oversight should the social media platforms have? And so what I would like to see is a not even a regulatory regime, but a transparency and oversight regime over the social media platforms. So we understand the decisions that they're making, what they're moderating, why they're moderating it, how much they're responding to user ... | |||
| 14 Apr 2025 | Cognitive diversity, leading change and intelligence policy with Carmen Medina | 00:41:33 | |
In this episode of Technology & Security, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Carmen Medina, former CIA executive, influential voice in the U.S. intelligence community and renowned change-maker. Carmen shares insights on leadership, cognitive diversity, and what it really takes to build organisations that can adapt to change. This episode goes beyond the intelligence community—it’s a must-listen for leaders across industries where thinking, analysis, and communication are core to success. We explore how to harness cognitive diversity, compile high-performing teams, and make intelligence work for decision-makers in real time. There’s practical inspiration, including tools for understanding external change and evolving internal cultures to keep pace. Carmen shares why representation matters and her experience as a Puerto Rican woman in a system shaped by elite norms. She talks about how her background shaped her as a systems thinker and how she eventually embraced her identity to influence change. From YouTube algorithms and competitive pickleball to the power dynamics within national security institutions, this episode unpacks what it means to disrupt from within—and why diverse perspectives are essential to the future of intelligence–and society. Resources mentioned in the recording · Carmen Medina, 2015, Who Needs Rebels at Work? Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/oreillymedia/2015/01/13/who-needs-rebels-at-work/#7506efbd20a6 · Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within https://www.rebelsatwork.com/resources This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 27 Feb 2023 | Emerging technologies and signals intelligence with the ASD's Jessica Hunter | 00:34:05 | |
In this episode, Jessica Hunter from the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) joins Dr Miah Hammond-Errey to talk about emerging technologies and signals intelligence. They cover ASD’s role in Australian intelligence, REDSPICE, offensive and defensive operations and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, technology as statecraft and cybercrime. They also discuss alliances, the security of everyday technology, the Optus and Medibank hacks, international standards, and the value of creativity and vulnerability for leadership in intelligence.
Jess is a First Assistant Director-General at the ASD, working at the Australian Cyber Security Centre under Access & Effects. She has worked in the intelligence and security community for almost 20 years, including postings at agencies in the United States and the United Kingdom. She has held leadership roles in offensive and defensive cyber security, cyber resilience, threat assessment and disruption.
Technology and Security (TS) is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
Get in touch with Miah via Twitter or email. Learn more about the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre.
Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following. Research support and assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliot Brennan Podcast Design: Susan Beale Music: Dr Paul Mac
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 28 Apr 2023 | AI’s rapid rise and online harms with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant | 00:35:55 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey talks with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, about AI’s rapid rise, online harms, where banking has led the way in technology regulation, and much more. In this episode they discuss eSafety’s world-leading regulation work, why we can’t just regulate algorithms and how eSafety collaborates with industry to drive change. They also cover the TikTok bans and some of the wild technologies coming down the pipeline. As Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant focuses on keeping Australia’s citizens safe online. She has previously worked across the public and private sector in the US technology space, including at Microsoft and Twitter. Her work has helped drive world-first regulatory regimes under the Online Safety Act 2021, and positioned eSafety to harness proactive, systemic approaches and addressing online user safety through a range of schemes, education tools and strategies. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Resources mentioned in the recording:
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE
Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following. Research support and assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast design: Susan Beale Music: Dr Paul Mac This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 20 Feb 2024 | SPECIAL: Big Data, Emerging Technology & National Security Decision-Making Lecture | 00:36:07 | |
Special Episode: Big Data, Emerging Technology & National Security Decision-Making Lecture
*Unfortunately, the episode we had planned to release today is still in production. Our guest was recalled to deal with a major cyber incident on the day of recording. This episode will hopefully be released soon.*
Instead, by popular request, we are bringing you a special episode. This is an edited lecture I gave at ANU which covers big data and emerging technologies, their impacts on national security and how they create friction in national security decision-making. Big data isn't just a buzzword anymore; it's fundamentally altering the landscape of national security. Data abundance, digital connectivity, and ubiquitous technology form what I call the big data landscape. They are a trifecta shaping the future of national security.
This lecture highlights how the big data landscape and technologies like AI are broadening out and challenging our understanding of national security. It also shows that they are centralising informational, computation and commercial power. It then explores the way new technologies create friction in national security agencies and in policymaking process. Friction from within shows how intelligence and decision-making are impacted and friction from outside looks at the information environment.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· · Miah Hammond-Errey (2024) Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted (20% discount code for book AFL04) · Jennifer Jackett (2023) Black Swan Strategy paper, Defence Innovation and The Australian National Interest · Miah Hammond-Errey (2020) Chapter 18, Transformational Technology and Strategy In: N. Finney, ed., On Strategy,1st ed. Army University Press · Feb 2023, Secrecy, sovereignty and sharing: How data and emerging technologies are transforming intelligence, USSC · Blake Johnson, Miah Hammond-Errey, Daria Impiombato, Albert Zhang (2022) Suppressing the truth and spreading lies. How the CCP is influencing Solomon Islands’ information environment · Miah Hammond-Errey (2023) Big data, emerging technologies and the characteristics of ‘good intelligence’, Intelligence and National Security · Véliz, Carissa. 2021. 'Privacy and digital ethics after the pandemic', Nature Electronics, 4: 10-11. · Lowenthal, Mark M. 2012. Intelligence: from secrets to policy (SAGE/CQ Press: Los Angeles Thousand Oaks, California). · Omand, David. 2010. Securing the state (Columbia University Press: New York). This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Recording by ANU, music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. Transcript, check against delivery
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:00:02] Welcome to Technology and Security. TS is a podcast exploring the intersections of emerging technologies and national security. I'm your host, Doctor Miah Hammond-Errey. Today we are bringing you a special episode. Our planned guest was recalled to deal with a major cyber incident on the day of recording. The episode we had planned to release today is still under production and we hope to get it to you soon. So instead, we're bringing you a special episode. It’s a recording of a lecture I gave at the Australian National University on the impact of big data and emerging technologies on national security decision making. It’s based on my book, Big Data Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National security disrupted released by Routledge in January.
Prof Toni Erskine: [00:00:51] Good afternoon. My name is Toni Erskine, and I'm a Professor of international politics at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs here at the ANU. I'd like to begin by celebrating and paying my respects to the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, ancestors and elders, the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet this afternoon, and also extend that respect to First Nations peoples from elsewhere across this country. It's my absolute pleasure to welcome you today to the second seminar in a new seminar series on AI, Automated Systems and the Future of War. This is a project that's being generously funded by the Australian Department of Defence. I'm absolutely delighted to have Doctor Miah Hammond-Errey here with us this afternoon. And Miah's exciting research, I think, speaks to this theme in a number of respects. And actually, I don't think I can think of a better speaker to be part of this series. Just to tell you a little bit about Miah, her important work explores the intersection of emerging technology and security, and she's published widely on technology, intelligence, national security, and information warfare. Miah's forthcoming book is called Big Data Emerging Technologies and Intelligence. National Security Disrupted, and we need to all look out for that book. Miah will speak to us this afternoon on the impacts of big data and emerging technologies on national security and decision making. Miah, I think I'll pass over to you. Thank you so much for being here this afternoon. Thank you.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:02:30] I just want to start by also acknowledging we're on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Nambri people and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. Thank you so much for inviting me, Toni, and for running this important series. Toni has asked me to kind of talk throug... | |||
| 11 Dec 2023 | Professor Johanna Weaver on AI, international humanitarian law and cyber security | 00:39:01 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Professor Johanna Weaver, founding Director of the Tech Policy Design Centre, to discuss the recent 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, including its funding, implementation and challenges, the relationship between hacktivism and international humanitarian law and the different ways of thinking about AI risk and harms. They also discuss their highlights for 2023, Australia’s important position in driving change in multilateral forums, myGov and digital government services and their hopes for the tech policy conversation in 2024. Professor Johanna Weaver is the founding Director of the Tech Policy Design Centre at the Australian National University (ANU). Before joining ANU, she was Australia’s independent expert and lead negotiator on cyber issues at the United Nations. Johanna also led the Cyber Affairs branch at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is on the global advisory board on digital threats during conflict at the International Committee of the Red Cross and a former commercial litigator. Johanna also hosts the Tech Mirror podcast, which hosts discussions reflecting on technology and society. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Resources mentioned in the recording:
The USSC website: https://www.ussc.edu.au/ Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following. Research support and editorial assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast design: Susan Beale Music: Dr. Paul Mac This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Ngunnawal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 24 May 2023 | Intelligence, AI and AUKUS with former US Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Susan Gordon | 00:36:45 | |
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey interviews Susan Gordon, former US Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, discussing the potential of public disclosures of intelligence to build trust, the nuanced differences between American and Australian cultures that impact technology policy and innovation, especially in areas like AI regulation, and what is needed to make AUKUS Pillar II a success. They also cover the increasing role of private-sector firms in national security — from supply chain decisions to the role of Starlink in the Russian invasion of Ukraine to Chinese infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific — how best to harness them and their technologies, and the new heights disinformation could reach, and the fact “2022 was the last time we talked about AI in the future.” Susan M. Gordon was the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, advising the President on intelligence matters and providing operational leadership of the US intelligence community. She has had an extensive career in the US Intelligence Community — working as the Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and spending 29 years at the CIA where she also led the establishment of In-Q-Tel, the CIA’s venture arm. She is a fellow at Duke and Harvard Universities and has worked with leading companies and government on intelligence integration, outreach and driving innovation. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE Resources mentioned in the recording:
Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following. Research support and assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast design: Susan Beale Music: Dr Paul Mac This podcast was recorded in Washington DC, which sits on the ancestral lands of the Anacostans or Nacotchtank, and the neighbouring Piscataway and Pamunkey peoples. We acknowledge the Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands we gather and pay our respects to their elders past and present — here and wherever you’re listening. | |||
| 18 Mar 2024 | Cyber sanctions, crisis response, critical tech, AI & tech geopolitics with Brendan Dowling | 00:39:42 | |
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Brendan Dowling, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology. They discuss the Australian government's cybersecurity outlook for 2024, focusing on the anticipated pace and scale of responses from advisories to law enforcement actions and sanctions. Additionally, it covers the use of cyber autonomous sanctions, examining the case of Ermakov, as well as potential future uses and the process involved, particularly the criteria for significant cyber incidents. The interview touched on the establishment of a permanent cyber crisis response team in the Pacific, highlighting its readiness and composition as a crucial step in bolstering regional cybersecurity capabilities.
This conversation explored efforts to enhance access to secure technology in the Asia-Pacific region, spanning from IoT to cloud migration, and addressed growing concerns regarding information influence and election disinformation, including TikTok's impact and recent regional acquisition. The discussion explored the necessity of forging diverse alliances to bolster technology security, access, and policy, showcasing collaborative initiatives with partners such as the UK, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and ASEAN. Further, it covered interdependencies, including its reliance on foreign-developed software and hardware, and the imperative of leveraging international cooperation to shape the global market and protect critical infrastructure given heavily digital reliance and wide spread data aggregation. Fittingly, this episode was delayed a few weeks due to a cyber incident.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Miah Hammond-Errey (2024) Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted (20% discount code for book AFL04) · Miah Hammond-Errey, 18 December 2023, Did you Tech 2023? A wrap of the year’s tech news, with an Australian flavour, The Mandarin · George Packer, Our Man 2019, Random House · Gerald Murnane, Border Districts, 2017, Giromando
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan.
Transcript: please check against delivery Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:00:03] Welcome to Technology and Security. TS is a podcast exploring the intersections of emerging technologies and national security. I'm your host, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey. My guest today is Brendan Dowling. Brendan is the ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology. He played a key role in developing Australia's recent cyber security strategy, and leads Australia's international engagement on cyber and critical technology. Brendan previously worked at the Department of Home Affairs, including as first assistant secretary of the Cyber and Critical Technology Coordination Centre, and worked in Australia's embassy in the United States and Jordan. We're thrilled to have you on the podcast, Brendan.
Brendan Dowling: [00:00:40] Thanks so much for having me, Miah.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:00:42] We're coming to you today from the lands of the Gadigal people. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:00:56] 2024 has already seen significant law enforcement action and government response to cybercrime, from the first use of autonomous cyber sanctions to joint announcements regarding living off the land, attacks on critical infrastructure to the takedown of Lockbit. Brendan, what else can we expect this year?
Brendan Dowling: [00:01:11] Well, hopefully more of the same, I think from our perspective in Australia, but from countries globally, we've had a gutful of how much impunity there is in the cybercrime world. It's extraordinary how lucrative that industry has become in just a few years. And I think for most cybercriminal operators, they've been operating with a sense of confidence, anonymity, impunity and without seeing costs imposed. So the sanctions are important. I think exposing Ermakov and what he did with the Medibank incident is hugely important and impactful. But the takedown of Lockbit, I mean more disruption. I think that's hugely effective to breaking what otherwise I think will just continue to grow because it's easy money. We need to find ways to actually say we're going to make your lives harder.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:02:02] Absolutely. As someone that's worked in this space for a long time, it's really exciting to see these big announcements we had planned to record a few weeks ago, but on the day you were involved in a multi nation announcement about a cyber-attack, can you tell me what happened?
Brendan Dowling: [00:02:15] So we, with our partners in the Five Eyes, issued an advisory around a group called Vault Typhoon, who is a Chinese backed group operating out of China targeting critical infrastructure. So the importance of that advisory was saying this group is utilising the living off the land technique, which essentially means that you can get onto someone's network and behave like you belong and are much harder to detect. And we're seeing that type of activity on US critical infrastructure. We think there's a risk that it's targeting a bunch of other nations, including Australia. And the key thing with an advisory like that is saying, here's what's going on, here's the information you need. If you're a critical infrastructure operator to hunt, detect, mitigate, putting it out there, naming the source and saying this is a problem because the targeting of critical infrastructure means it's not necessarily for information gathering or espionage purposes. The potential is there for disruption. And that's kind of the nightmare scenario in the cyber world, that a malicious actor can actually disrupt our essential services and stop our economies, societies, communities from functioning.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey: [00:03:25] In late January, the government announced the first ever use of autonomous cyber sanctions, that is, sanctions imposed on an individual because of their activities in cyberspace. Russian citizen Alexander Ermakov was sanctioned for his role in the breach of the Medibank Private network. As you mentioned earlier, we've recently heard that Ermakov has been detained. Do you have any more information for us?
Brendan Dowling: [00:03:45] We've consistently called on the Russian government to better enforce laws aga... | |||
| 15 Jul 2024 | Tech, AI, digital infrastructure and surveillance with Meredith Whittaker | 00:41:07 | |
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal. The interview explores key contemporary issues in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They discuss the impact of AI in elections and democracies, including the need for stronger local media ecosystems and improved focus on the ‘mediating’ role of social media platforms and the information ecosystem. They discuss the concentration of AI power and reliance of the business model on mass collection, including the need to write the tech stack for privacy, not surveillance.
This episode also explores developing democratically focused public digital infrastructure without profit incentives and highlights the role of open-source libraries and systems as part of the core infrastructure of the technology ecosystem. This episode also covers the significance of autonomy and agency in neurotech applications. They discuss how to improve tech board governance, through increased personal liability, accountability and transparency. Also, how many downloads signal has actually had! Meredith Whittaker is the president of Signal Foundation. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the tech industry, academia, and government and co-founded the AI Now Institute.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Meredith Whittaker, link to talk · Meredith Whittaker, link to reading · Meredith Whittaker, link to watching · Meredith Whittaker, link to listening · Miah Hammond-Errey, 2024, Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted, Routledge (20% discount code for book AFL04) · Byte-sized diplomacy (column), The Interpreter, 3 July 2024, AI-enabled elections or deepfake democracy?
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 02 Dec 2024 | National security, intelligence and tech law and oversight with INSLM Jake Blight | 00:39:44 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by the Australian Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Jake Blight. We explore a paradigm shift in our understanding of electronic surveillance, whether the moment of interception is still the most the invasive point of interception in a digital era– the current legal basis. Or, if digital tech and AI have changed processing, disclosure and sharing to the extent that the retention, analysis and dissemination of intelligence has greater significance. We explore the implications of the "mosaic effect" on public interest immunity cases – and why it can’t extent to criminal law
We discuss the sheer complexity and volume of national security laws in Australia, including secrecy offences and law reform. We discuss how powerful–and unique- data disruption, intel gathering and account takeover warrants in the Surveillance Legislation Amendment Identify and Disruption Act 2021 are. We discuss the INSLM review of the definition of terrorism and what it includes, as well as how the offence of preparing to commit terrorism acts have been applied to foreign interference and espionage offences, exploring the subtle distinctions between influence and interference.
Tune in for a thought-provoking examination of the intersections between national security law, technology, and intelligence in safeguarding democratic values. Jake Blight is the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM). He has practiced in the field of national security law for almost 25 years and has considerable experience in independent oversight and review of intelligence and security agencies. Jake was the Deputy Inspector General of Intelligence and Security and an Associate Professor of Practice at ANU. He is also finishing his PhD at the ANU School of Cybernetics. Resources mentioned in the recording:
· INSLM Secrecy Offences – Review of Part 5.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, https://www.inslm.gov.au/reviews/secrecy-review · Government response to INSLM Review of Part 5.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 tabled in Parliament 27 November 2024, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Tabled_Documents/8473 · INSLM Issues paper, Identify, takeover and disrupt – special powers of the AFP and ACIC, https://www.inslm.gov.au/reviews/identify-takeover-and-disrupt-special-powers-afp-and-acic · Miah Hammond-Errey (2024) Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted, Routledge (30% off code: ADC24) · Alfred Rolington, Strategic Intelligence for the 21st Century. The Mosiac Method, https://global.oup.com/academic/product/strategic-intelligence-for-the-21st-century-9780199654321?cc=tw&lang=en&
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 18 Nov 2024 | BONUS: Tailwinds and Tensions of Technology and OSINT (presented at Australian OSINT Symposium) | 00:44:04 | |
BONUS: Tailwinds and Tensions of Technology for OSINT (presented at Australian OSINT Symposium)
In this bonus episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey presents to the Australian OSINT Symposium. Called Tailwinds and Tensions of Technology for OSINT, this presentation identified three major shifts and explored their impacts. The first is how the digital landscape and emerging tech are transforming intelligence. The second is a decline in information environment. The third is the increased environment of competition and conflict, not just in our region but globally. It unpacks these more and offers insights into some of the tailwinds and tensions for open-source intelligence. Addressing questions from the audience, Dr. Hammond-Errey speaks candidly on the roles of universities, the power dynamics between governments and big tech, and potential social media bans as well as the desire to ‘analogue’ life. This episode is a thought-provoking look at the tailwinds and tensions of new technologies for OSINT and includes consideration of how we can foster a tech ecosystem that aligns with democratic values, placing human needs and safety at the forefront.
Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Column: Lowy Interpreter, 18 Jun 2024, Should Australia ban TikTok? Lowy Interpreter · Book: 29 Jan 2024, Big Data, Emerging Technology & Intelligence: National Security Disrupted, Routledge (30% off discount code: ADC24) · Research Report: 9 Feb 2023, Secrecy, sovereignty and sharing: How data and emerging technologies are transforming intelligence. United States Studies Centre
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan.
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| 12 Aug 2024 | Data brokers, privacy and global surveillance with Byron Tau | 00:38:41 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by investigative journalist and author Byron Tau. They discuss the intricate and often opaque world of data brokers and global surveillance. Tau, known for his deep dives into complex subjects, shares insights from his book Means of Control, highlighting the potential misuse of large data sets and the delicate balance between data collection for security and the risk of social control. The discussion traverses the evolution of data brokers, from their inception involving public records to the sophisticated surveillance technologies of today. Tau elaborates on how everyday devices like mobile phones and fitness trackers contribute to the extensive surveillance network, often without user awareness, raising critical concerns about privacy and the power dynamics at play.
The episode also explores the real-world implications of data misuse in both democratic and authoritarian regimes. Tau provides a nuanced perspective on the Russian interference in the 2016 US election, China's use of TikTok for data collection and content management and the geopolitical complexities of technology in diplomacy. He shares the story of Operation Gallant Phoenix, a multinational effort against ISIS using unclassified data to enhance international cooperation. The conversation touches on the concerns surrounding TikTok's data practices and content manipulation, and need for careful policy considerations. Tau's reflections on the current technology environment, the challenges for leaders, and his personal journey of writing his book add depth to this engaging discussion, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the hidden mechanisms shaping our digital age. Resources mentioned in the recording:
· Byron Tau (2024) Means of Control , Crown https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706321/means-of-control-by-byron-tau/ · NOTUS https://www.notus.org · Miah Hammond-Errey (2024) Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted (20% discount code for book AFL04) https://www.routledge.com/Big-Data-Emerging-Technologies-and-Intelligence-National-Security-Disrupted/Hammond-Errey/p/book/9781032485584 · https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/byte-sized-diplomacy-should-australia-ban-tiktok · https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62919887-the-peacock-and-the-sparrow
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 04 Nov 2024 | AI, AGI, governance and tech power with Connor Leahy | 00:40:06 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Connor Leahy, CEO of Conjecture. This episode unpacks the transformative potential of AI and AGI and need for responsible, global governance, drawing parallels to historical successes in treaties for ethical science practices, such as the moratorium on human cloning. It covers the current and potential impacts of AI monopolisation and centralisation of power and what AGI could mean, if achieved. The episode also explores the different risk profile complex cyber and cyber physical systems present for kinetic warfare.
This episode offers a deeply considered perspective on how to steer emerging technologies toward an inclusive, secure and human-centred future. It considers interdependencies in AI development, including the need for more recognition by technologists of the social and political implications of advanced AI systems. The conversation covers the California Governor’s veto of SB 1047, a bill designed to hold companies accountable for AI-caused catastrophic damage, and the necessity for international AI safety frameworks.
Connor Leahy is the cofounder and CEO of conjecture, an AI control and safety company. Previously, he co-founded EleutherAI, which facilitated early discussions on the risks of LLM-based advanced AI systems. He’s also a prominent voice warning of AI existential threats. He recently coauthored ‘The Compendium’ which aims to explainin the race to AGI, extinction risks and what to do about them, in a way that is accessible to non-technical readers who have no prior knowledge about AI. | |||
| 22 Jan 2024 | Neurotechnology, cognitive liberty and information warfare with Professor Nita Farahany | 00:39:21 | |
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Professor Nita Farahany about the increasing emergence of neurotechnology and what it means for national security as well as consumers, policy makers, military forces and nation states. They discuss the importance of ensuring the privacy of brain data as the ‘final piece in the jigsaw puzzle’ of data collection by large technology companies. They also discuss the possibility of identifying, verifying and targeting individuals by their neural signature and why addressing this technology should be a national security priority. They explore the current and potential roles neurotechnology can play in combatting information warfare and improving cognitive resilience as well as the increasing role of AI. Finally, they highlight what to look out for in tech in 2024. Nita Farahany is a Professor of Law & Philosophy at Duke University and is a leading scholar in the ethical, legal and social implications of emerging technologies. She has consulted extensively and including advising DARPA and has testifying before Congress. Nita was on the US Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues for many years. Her latest book, The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the right to think freely in the age of neurotechnology, examines the ethical and legal challenges of emerging neurotechnology. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Resources mentioned in the recording:
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE The USSC website: https://www.ussc.edu.au/ Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following.
This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 17 Feb 2025 | Privacy, digital rights, AI and the law with Anna Johnston | 00:42:27 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with privacy expert Anna Johnston about the evolving landscape of data privacy, AI governance, and security. With AI dominating the global conversation, this episode explores why strong data governance is the essential—yet often overlooked—foundation for innovation. Anna warns that companies rushing into AI without mature privacy practices risk legal challenges and regulatory crackdowns, including the risk of ‘algorithmic disgorgement’. With new privacy reforms on the horizon, 2025 is set to be a defining year for digital rights and compliance. The discussion explores major legal shifts in 2025, including Australia’s new statutory privacy tort and a landmark Victorian court decision recognising a common law right to privacy. The episode explores the links between privacy, national security, and algorithmic polarisation as well as mis and disinformation and tech facilitated gender violence—and why privacy law reform is essential to safeguarding democracy. Johnston shares insights on how privacy reform could fix some of these intractable problems. Whether you're a tech leader, policymaker, or privacy-conscious citizen, this episode unpacks critical issues shaping our digital future. | |||
| 23 Mar 2023 | Quantum developments, data localisation and ethics in AI with Google's Alex Lynch | 00:39:00 | |
In this episode Alex Lynch, from Google Australia’s Public Policy team, joins Dr Miah Hammond-Errey to discuss emerging technologies, quantum, Australia’s role and much more. They cover Google’s recent quantum announcement on error correction and Australia’s significant role in quantum research, data localisation, ethics in AI — including Google’s approach — and strategic decoupling. They also talk about the complexity and security of Google’s global infrastructure, data breaches and what it is that should not be automated. Alex manages Google's public policy engagement in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as well as related areas, including digital lines of communication, technology supply chains and trade and investment. Prior to joining Google, Alex consulted on crisis and strategic reputation management for some of Australia's top companies, having formerly worked as a national security practitioner in New Zealand. Technology and Security is hosted by Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, the inaugural director of the Emerging Technology program at the United States Studies Centre, based at the University of Sydney. Resources mentioned in the recording:
Miah’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Miah_HE The USSC website: https://www.ussc.edu.au/
Making great content requires fabulous teams. Thanks to the great talents of the following. Research support and assistance: Tom Barrett Production: Elliott Brennan Podcast design: Susan Beale Music: Dr Paul Mac This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging — here and wherever you’re listening. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. | |||
| 09 Sep 2024 | Privacy, data, AI and tech power with Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind | 00:35:17 | |
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind. In this episode, we start by imagining a future privacy landscape where individual privacy is protected, and users have real agency and choice and look at the steps we need to take to get there. We explore the significant impact of advertising and extractive data economies on our daily technological interactions and emphasize the critical interdependency of AI on vast amounts of personal data. We discuss the challenges posed by large tech platforms developing AI models that will shape future technology products.
The episode also looks into the misconception around cookie tracking consent notifications under GDPR and looks at legislative reform around privacy globally. We discuss the growing need for robust data breach deterrence as the OAIC aims to penalise entities for systemic failures to secure personal information. Lastly, we consider the immense infrastructural power of technology and its role in shaping society, highlighting how big tech companies are not just intermediaries but are actively influencing the world we live in .
Carly Kind became Australia’s Privacy Commissioner in February 2024. Prior to this, she was the inaugural director of the Ada Lovelace Institute. She is a lawyer and leading authority on the intersection of technology, policy and human rights. She has advised industry, government and for purpose organizations and has worked with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UN bodies and a range of civil society organizations. Resources mentioned in the recording: · Hard Fork https://www.nytimes.com/column/hard-fork · Ezra Klein podcast https://www.nytimes.com/column/ezra-klein-podcast · Exponential View from Azeem Azhar https://www.exponentialview.co · Miah Hammond-Errey (2024) Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted, Routledge (30% off code: ADC24) This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. | |||
| 06 Jan 2025 | SPECIAL: Ethics, Technology and Intelligence with Paul Symon and Simon Longstaff | 01:20:47 | |
In this bonus special episode of the Technology and Security podcast, host Dr Miah Hammond-Errey was joined in conversation by Dr. Simon Longstaff and Major General Paul Symon. It is a lightly edited panel conversation about ethics, technology and intelligence held at the ethics Centre in Sydney in February this year. Ostensibly to launch Miah’s new book, the conversation was a great excuse to get the three of us together to have a fun chat about the intersections of technology intelligence and ethics.
Dr Miah Hammond-Errey outlined how the big data landscape –of data abundance, digital connectivity and ubiquitous technology – impacts intelligence production and national security. This includes where Australian intelligence leaders and practitioners see the ethical boundaries of data and technology use in intelligence as well as the broader concept of ‘ethics at scale.’ The first 22 mins are the opening statements. Following on, Dr. Simon Longstaff and Major General Paul Symon explored a wide range of ethical implications of technology for intelligence, including the distinction between foreign and domestic intelligence, trust and legitimacy of institutions and the role of humans in ethical decision-making. They then take questions from the audience.
Afterwards they co-published a short article about the idea of ethics at scale and how organisations can manage the increasing ethical conundrums technology brings. You can find the links below in the show notes. I hope you enjoy it!
This is the second of a series of special episodes on intelligence. Given the intense interest in the role of technology in intelligence production and Security decision making, Technology & Security podcast will have occasional special additions with a purple logo highlighting intelligence specific episodes. Resources mentioned in the recording:
Opinion: 18 Mar 2024 Why every organisation should have an ethical adviser, The Canberra Times, co-authors Dr Simon Longstaff, Paul Symon and Dr Miah Hammond-Errey) (https://ethics.org.au/access-to-ethical-advice-is-crucial/) This podcast was recorded on the lands of the Gadigal people, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge their continuing connection to land, sea and community, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Thanks to the talents of those involved. Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. Panel Bios: Dr Simon Longstaff has been Executive Director of The Ethics Centre for 30 years, working across business, government and society. Dr Simon Longstaff began his working life on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory of Australia. He is proud of his kinship ties to the Anindilyakwa people. He has a PhD in philosophy from Cambridge University, is a Fellow of CPA Australia and of the Royal Society of NSW, and an Adjunct Professor of the AGSM at UNSW. In 2013, he was made an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the community through the promotion of ethical standards in governance and business, to improving corporate responsibility, and to philosophy.” Simon is an Adjunct Professor of the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW, a Fellow of CPA Australia, the Royal Society of NSW and the Australian Risk Policy Institute. Major General Paul Symon (Retd), AO served as the 12th Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) from 2017-2022, responsible for the collection of foreign human intelligence. During his tenure, he provided advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister on foreign intelligence, was a regular attendee of the National Security Committee of Cabinet and oversaw a high tempo of very sensitive and high-risk intelligence operations. Prior to this, his military career lasted 35 years across regions and distinguished appointments, including leading intelligence activities at the highest levels. He served overseas in the United Kingdom, Israel, Lebanon, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Baghdad. Paul was made an Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service as Joint Task Force commander on operations in the Middle East in 2005/06. Paul is currently an independent non-executive board member and, separately, a strategic adviser to the University of Melbourne. Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, your host, is the CEO of Strat Futures and Adjunct Associate Professor at Deakin University. Dr Hammond-Errey spent eighteen years leading federal government analysis and communications activities in Australia, Europe, and Asia. She was awarded an Operations Medal. Miah has led and established technology and security programs for Australian think tanks and teaches, publishes and presents on national security, technology, cyber, intelligence and leadership. Her book is called Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence: National Security Disrupted. Hosted by: The Ethics Centre
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