Technology
Pope warns against risks of AI
In a message marking the World Day of Social Communications, the pope said AI systems reflect the worldview of their creators.
TikTok seals US deal to avoid Trump ban
The deal to establish a joint venture that will secure US data is a milestone for the social media firm, years after President Donald Trump tried to ban the app during his first term.
AI’s role in paying women less
It appears even AI chatbots are contributing towards the gender pay gap. A study last year found that the bots often advise women and other minorities to ask for significantly lower salaries than men… Audio
Another IT outage impacts southern hospitals
A staff member told RNZ they were frustrated as they had been left in the dark about what happened.
Recruitment clashes with the world of AI slop-ification
GoGetta CEO Colleen Getley runs a recruitment platform and she joins Maggie Tweedie and Mark Williams to chat about the year ahead in the NZ job market, and specifically the awkward role of AI both on… Audio
Sexualised deepfakes on X are a sign of things to come. NZ law is already way behind
We expect social media providers to take down child sexual abuse material, academics say, so why not deepfakes of women?
How to talk to animals
Have you ever wondered what your pet would say if they could talk? Alexis Devine is an artist, entrepreneur and dog whisperer Alexis from Seattle, and she's been hard at work teaching her sheepadoodle… Audio
Saveloys out, spinach in: Here's how our spending habits have changed
If you think about what you - or your parents - were spending your money on 30 years ago, it might be quite different to how you spend it now. Audio
California targets Musk's xAI over sexualised deepfakes
The state's attorney-general has ordered xAI to stop Grok from generating nonconsensual sexualised images, including those of women and children.
A chatbot that chooses groceries? Woolworths' new AI push
Analysis: Woolworths' AI chatbot will soon plan meals and build shopping baskets, raising questions about who really makes decisions at checkout.
Mother of Elon Musk's son sues his AI bot over AI-deepfake images
Ashley St. Clair, alleges the his AI chatbot Grok generated sexually explicit deepfake images of her without her consent.
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 16 January
A former All Blacks captain says New Zealand Rugby was left with no option but to sack Scott Robertson; With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the… Audio
No 8 wire mentality making Kiwis vulnerable to scammers
A new report from a global cybersecurity company says online scammers are using our "number 8 wire" mentality against us. Specialist systems engineer at Gen, Dean Williams spoke to Lauren Crimp. Audio
Internet blackout in place as Starlink deployed to Iran
With an internet blackout in place in Iran, only scant details about what is happening on the ground are emerging via the Elon Musk-owned internet satellite Starlink. Geopolitical analyst Dr Geoffrey… Audio
X marks the spot: Has Elon Musk's Grok gone too far?
Explainer - The billionaire has been under fire over AI deepfakes - with Christopher Luxon's office calling them "concerning." What's going on?
Does adding 'please' and 'thank you' to ChatGPT really waste energy?
Analysis - As artificial intelligence use expands, so does its underlying footprint.
'Are you dead?' Chinese app for single living goes viral
China may have up to 200 million one-person households.
Manage My Health data breach: Everything we know so far
At the end of 2025 hackers got access to health data being held by privately owned patient portal Manage My Health.
NZ's health data hack needs a proper diagnosis
Analysis: Two cyber hacks have highlighted the vulnerability of New Zealand's digital health systems.
KFC app 'more secure' than Manage My Health, expert claims
Colonel Sanders has better web security than many digital health providers, an IT expert has claimed, blaming the government for not enforcing standards. Audio
