Technology and Security

• Language, meaning, human connection and the AI hype with Prof Emily M. Bender

  In this episode, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Professor Emily M. Bender—A renowned AI commentator, professor of linguistics at the University of Washington and co-author of The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech Hype and Create the Future We Want. In this episode we explore the complex relationship between language, large language models, and the rise of “synthetic text-extruding machines.” Bender discusses the origins of the “stochastic parrots” metaphor, the risks of anthropomorphising generative AI, and what’s really at stake as automated systems permeate journalism, leadership, and collective decision making. The conversation outlines some of the social and democratic impacts of synthetic content, including on democratic discourse and journalism, the dangers of language standardisation, and how emerging tools can erode diversity and self-confidence in language users. Emily Bender offers practical advice for policymakers and leaders, emphasizing transparency, recourse, and data minimisation. She offers observations from her book tour, reflecting on the ongoing need for human connection in a digital era, and outlines the importance of workers’ collective rights in navigating the future of automation.

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• Australia’s AI future—trust, opportunity, and human rights with Prof Ed Santow

  In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Professor Edward Santow, former Australian Human Rights Commissioner and co-director of the Human Technology Institute at UTS. The conversation is a candid exploration of Australia’s evolving AI landscape, diving into why Australians remain sceptical of AI despite being early adopters, and how trust in technology must be earned—not demanded—through transparency, robust safeguards, and practical engagement with both risks and opportunities. Professor Santow shares insights from his recent book, "Machines in Our Image," reflecting on the dual nature of AI: its power to enhance inclusion and accessibility, but also causing real harm. The discussion traverses global AI politics, the need for balanced regulation, and the critical role of workers and individuals in shaping responsible AI adoption. We also discuss the challenges of AI-driven information threats, misinformation and to democracy. Listeners come away with a nuanced understanding of how Australia can approach its own path in the rapidly shifting world of technology and security.

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• Data flows, privacy risks and foreign surveillance of Australians with Johnny Ryan

  Dr Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Dr Johnny Ryan, Director of Enforce at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and a leading authority on surveillance, data rights, and privacy. Drawing on his extensive experience in the ad tech industry and digital rights advocacy, Dr Ryan explains how real-time bidding (RTB)—the backbone of online advertising—routinely exposes Australians’ sensitive personal information to hundreds of companies. The conversation unpacks the findings of "Australia’s Hidden Security Crisis," a report revealing how RTB enables the unchecked flow of data about individuals, their families, and even high-level government and defence personnel to foreign jurisdictions, including China and Russia.  Listeners learn how this invisible system works–and how extensive it is–why consent pop-ups do little to protect privacy, and how data categories traded in these auctions can include everything from health and finances to mental state and personal relationships. We explore the current challenges for legislators and enforcement agencies as well as the impact of algorithms on influence and interference. The discussion highlights the national security risks posed by this pervasive form of data collection and sale, including the potential for blackmail, espionage, and foreign surveillance. The episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, privacy, data and security.*Note there was a slight audio issue in this recording. Apologies if the sound is less than our usual very high standard. Resources mentioned in the recording:·               Johnny Ryan, Wolfie Christl, October 2024, Australia’s hidden security crisis, https://www.iccl.ie/digital-data/australias-hidden-security-crisis/·               Barry Lynn, 1 June 2025 Resurrecting the Rebel Alliance: To end the age of Trump, Democrats must relearn the language and levers of power. https://washingtonmonthly.com/2025/06/01/resurrecting-the-rebel-alliance/·               Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way, March/April 2025, The Path to American Authoritarianism What Comes After Democratic Breakdown, https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/path-american-authoritarianism-trump·               US State Department Substack, The Need for Civilizational Allies in Europe, https://statedept.substack.com/p/the-need-for-civilizational-allies-in-europe·               Johnny Ryan, 15 January 2025, Big tech is picking apart European democracy, but there is a solution: switch off its algorithms, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/14/big-tech-picking-apart-europe-democracy-switch-off-algorithms·               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.Music by Dr Paul Mac and production by Elliott Brennan. 

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• From code to command. AI, human judgement and security with Dr Zena Aassad

  In this episode of Technology & Security, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Dr Zena Assaad to explore the technical, human, ethical, and geopolitical dimensions of artificial intelligence. From workforce disruption to military application, this episode unpacks the complex ways AI is reshaping leadership, war, jobs and global power structures. Dr Assaad challenges common misconceptions about AI’s capabilities, explaining why understanding its limits is just as crucial as understanding its potential. From code to command, the conversation explores the relationships between human decision-makers and machines. This podcast explores why leadership–and human decision-making–is key in technology. It is poor human decision making and inappropriate use of technology that drives harmful outcomes like inappropriate use, job loss and civilian casualties. It also covers why algorithmic transparency is key to security and why interactive and non-linear complexity are underappreciated interdependencies of AI. Resources mentioned in the recording:Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025 https://mbs.edu/faculty-and-research/trust-and-aiDr Zena Aassad’s, guest, bio: https://www.zenaassaad.comDr Miah Hammond-Errey’s, host, bio: https://miahhe.com/aboutFor extras, special clips and videos sign up to the Technology & Security YouTube Channel.https://hcss.nl/gcreaim/https://jameshaydon.github.io/nats-fail/https://www.noemamag.com/ai-is-evolving-and-changing-our-understanding-of-intelligence/Tech won’t save us episode How Brainrot AI is Upending the InternetThis 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.

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• Cognitive diversity, leading change and intelligence policy with Carmen Medina

  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/resourcesThis 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. 

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