Teenagers are bonding with AI: What does it mean for the future of communication?
In the United States, one in five teenagers use artificial intelligence chatbots for romantic relationships. Almost half consider AI to be their friend. Teenagers in Australia too are increasingly turning to AI bots for connection. An RMIT expert explains how the bonds teens are developing with AI chatbots have the potential to impact emotional development.
Spotting AI-generated political content ahead of the Vic state election
An ABC investigation this week revealed a seemingly Australian political commentator was in fact a Brazilian content creator using AI generated content. An RMIT expert says this is a timely reminder that Victorians should be cautious about trusting everything they see and hear online ahead of the state election, and how to best spot fake content.
Managing screen time during school holidays
With school holidays approaching and the NSW Government announcing new limits on screen use for learning in public schools, an RMIT education expert says families should also be thinking about how they manage screen time at home.
Why an algorithm ‘choice’ is meaningless without transparency
The federal government is considering plans requiring platforms to let users opt out of algorithm‑curated feeds and switch to a chronological view. But an RMIT expert says the proposal misses a critical oversight – an opt‑out is not consent, and teenagers are being asked to agree to an algorithm they cannot see, cannot interpret, and cannot independently verify.
