AI jobs: Apocalypse or a four-day week? What AI might mean for you
It is 2027 and the world-leading US artificial intelligence company OpenBrain has lost control of its latest system, Agent 4, which has grown so smart that it hides its true abilities and goals from the human engineers and earlier AI models monitoring its development.
Over in China, a rival company, DeepCent, is only two months behind in the race to build an artificial superintelligence that surpasses human intelligence in all domains.
Paul Smith Technology editor Paul Smith edits the technology coverage and has been a leading writer on the sector for 20 years. He covers big tech, business use of tech, the fast-growing Australian tech industry and start-ups, telecommunications and national innovation policy. Connect with Paul on Twitter. Email Paul at psmith@afr.com
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West Australian
17 minutes ago
- West Australian
Wonder lost: The end of the line for Disney cruises in Australia
This season's Disney Magic at Sea cruises will be the last Down Under, it has been confirmed. There had been recent speculation that Disney Wonder would not return to its Australian base after its third season, ending in February 2026. In a statement on Monday, the company says: 'While the Disney Wonder will not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2026-2027 season, Disney Cruise Line is always looking at destinations to explore with our guests and sailings from Australia and New Zealand remain on our list of future considerations.' Disney did not say what the reasons were behind the decision, other than it was repositioning the ship 'to another part of the world after its upcoming 2025-2026 season in Australia and New Zealand'. It had recently brought in a new round of heavily discounted fares of 50 per cent for third and fourth passengers on new and existing bookings for its upcoming local season, promising more whimsical family entertainment with character appearances on board. Disney is the third cruise line to pull out of Australian ports, after Cunard at the end of last season and Virgin Voyages a year earlier. Costs and regulation for cruise lines operating from Australia have been a major issue in recent years, sparking efforts by the industry's peak body CLIA to relieve pressure points for the $8.4 billion industry. Disney goes on to say of its Asia-Pacific strategy: 'The Disney Adventure's maiden sailing from Singapore in December 2025 marks the start of a magical new chapter for Disney Cruise Line.' The maiden voyage of Disney Adventure on December 15, 2025, marks the line's first foray into Asia. It will be the line's, and indeed one of the world's biggest ships at 208,000GT and passenger capacity of about 6700, plus crew. The ship will sail primarily three to four-night voyages and a limited number of five-night cruises from Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, making it an accessible option for West Australian travellers. Singapore remains a top tourism destination for West Australians. Adventure will sail from Singapore for at least five years as part of a collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board.
The Advertiser
19 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Another Chinese automaker drops an Australian distributor
Chinese car brand GAC has cancelled a deal to distribute its cars in Australia through local company AGA Auto, stepping in to establish its own operations instead. It's the second Chinese manufacturer to take over Australian distribution this year following BYD's July 1 takeover from local company EVDirect. Guangzhou-based GAC sells petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in China, the Middle East, South America and Europe. As well as GAC-badged cars, it also sells cars under the Aion brand, GAC Trumpchi (only sold in China) and has a premium brand called Hyptec which it used to launch its stunning SSR electric supercar. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A deal with Sydney-based AGA Auto to distribute cars in Australia was signed in 2022, but that has now been cancelled, with GAC set to enter Australia as a factory-backed operation after delays given the restructuring. "We have moved from a distributor-based model to an OEM direct-to-market approach, given hyper-competitiveness of the market," Jason Pecotic, GAC Australia chief operating officer (COO), told CarExpert. "The distributor is still part of the GAC fold, and we'll continue to work together with them running a number of dealers within our Australian network." Mr Pecotic became COO of GAC's local operation in April 2025 as the automaker geared up for an Australian launch, with AGA Auto CEO Charles Lau confirming the separation. "GAC and AGA have been undergoing background negotiation and handovers… and [AGA is] no longer the distributor for GAC Australia as GAC is looking to enter on an OEM operation," said Mr Lau. "We have other brands soon to be announced in due course and will keep you posted." Chinese automakers have taken over from local distributors in the past, and often gone on to enjoy greater success. Before GWM distributed its own vehicles here, for example, they were sold by Ateco which also briefly handled the Chery brand. MORE: China's GAC confirms Australian launch date, plans BYD Shark rival MORE: BYD drops local importer EVDirect, will distribute vehicles in Australia itself Content originally sourced from: Chinese car brand GAC has cancelled a deal to distribute its cars in Australia through local company AGA Auto, stepping in to establish its own operations instead. It's the second Chinese manufacturer to take over Australian distribution this year following BYD's July 1 takeover from local company EVDirect. Guangzhou-based GAC sells petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in China, the Middle East, South America and Europe. As well as GAC-badged cars, it also sells cars under the Aion brand, GAC Trumpchi (only sold in China) and has a premium brand called Hyptec which it used to launch its stunning SSR electric supercar. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A deal with Sydney-based AGA Auto to distribute cars in Australia was signed in 2022, but that has now been cancelled, with GAC set to enter Australia as a factory-backed operation after delays given the restructuring. "We have moved from a distributor-based model to an OEM direct-to-market approach, given hyper-competitiveness of the market," Jason Pecotic, GAC Australia chief operating officer (COO), told CarExpert. "The distributor is still part of the GAC fold, and we'll continue to work together with them running a number of dealers within our Australian network." Mr Pecotic became COO of GAC's local operation in April 2025 as the automaker geared up for an Australian launch, with AGA Auto CEO Charles Lau confirming the separation. "GAC and AGA have been undergoing background negotiation and handovers… and [AGA is] no longer the distributor for GAC Australia as GAC is looking to enter on an OEM operation," said Mr Lau. "We have other brands soon to be announced in due course and will keep you posted." Chinese automakers have taken over from local distributors in the past, and often gone on to enjoy greater success. Before GWM distributed its own vehicles here, for example, they were sold by Ateco which also briefly handled the Chery brand. MORE: China's GAC confirms Australian launch date, plans BYD Shark rival MORE: BYD drops local importer EVDirect, will distribute vehicles in Australia itself Content originally sourced from: Chinese car brand GAC has cancelled a deal to distribute its cars in Australia through local company AGA Auto, stepping in to establish its own operations instead. It's the second Chinese manufacturer to take over Australian distribution this year following BYD's July 1 takeover from local company EVDirect. Guangzhou-based GAC sells petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in China, the Middle East, South America and Europe. As well as GAC-badged cars, it also sells cars under the Aion brand, GAC Trumpchi (only sold in China) and has a premium brand called Hyptec which it used to launch its stunning SSR electric supercar. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A deal with Sydney-based AGA Auto to distribute cars in Australia was signed in 2022, but that has now been cancelled, with GAC set to enter Australia as a factory-backed operation after delays given the restructuring. "We have moved from a distributor-based model to an OEM direct-to-market approach, given hyper-competitiveness of the market," Jason Pecotic, GAC Australia chief operating officer (COO), told CarExpert. "The distributor is still part of the GAC fold, and we'll continue to work together with them running a number of dealers within our Australian network." Mr Pecotic became COO of GAC's local operation in April 2025 as the automaker geared up for an Australian launch, with AGA Auto CEO Charles Lau confirming the separation. "GAC and AGA have been undergoing background negotiation and handovers… and [AGA is] no longer the distributor for GAC Australia as GAC is looking to enter on an OEM operation," said Mr Lau. "We have other brands soon to be announced in due course and will keep you posted." Chinese automakers have taken over from local distributors in the past, and often gone on to enjoy greater success. Before GWM distributed its own vehicles here, for example, they were sold by Ateco which also briefly handled the Chery brand. MORE: China's GAC confirms Australian launch date, plans BYD Shark rival MORE: BYD drops local importer EVDirect, will distribute vehicles in Australia itself Content originally sourced from: Chinese car brand GAC has cancelled a deal to distribute its cars in Australia through local company AGA Auto, stepping in to establish its own operations instead. It's the second Chinese manufacturer to take over Australian distribution this year following BYD's July 1 takeover from local company EVDirect. Guangzhou-based GAC sells petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in China, the Middle East, South America and Europe. As well as GAC-badged cars, it also sells cars under the Aion brand, GAC Trumpchi (only sold in China) and has a premium brand called Hyptec which it used to launch its stunning SSR electric supercar. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. A deal with Sydney-based AGA Auto to distribute cars in Australia was signed in 2022, but that has now been cancelled, with GAC set to enter Australia as a factory-backed operation after delays given the restructuring. "We have moved from a distributor-based model to an OEM direct-to-market approach, given hyper-competitiveness of the market," Jason Pecotic, GAC Australia chief operating officer (COO), told CarExpert. "The distributor is still part of the GAC fold, and we'll continue to work together with them running a number of dealers within our Australian network." Mr Pecotic became COO of GAC's local operation in April 2025 as the automaker geared up for an Australian launch, with AGA Auto CEO Charles Lau confirming the separation. "GAC and AGA have been undergoing background negotiation and handovers… and [AGA is] no longer the distributor for GAC Australia as GAC is looking to enter on an OEM operation," said Mr Lau. "We have other brands soon to be announced in due course and will keep you posted." Chinese automakers have taken over from local distributors in the past, and often gone on to enjoy greater success. Before GWM distributed its own vehicles here, for example, they were sold by Ateco which also briefly handled the Chery brand. MORE: China's GAC confirms Australian launch date, plans BYD Shark rival MORE: BYD drops local importer EVDirect, will distribute vehicles in Australia itself Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
44 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
MG's IM Motors launches 1500km ‘super range-extender' hybrid system
IM Motors could add hybrid models to its Australian lineup following the introduction of a new extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain offering up to 1500km of total driving range – including an 450km electric-only range – in China. The 'Stellar super range-extender' hybrid system from MG's luxury IM brand combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 800V electric motor and a 66kWh battery to claim a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.07L/100km. It's now on sale in China in the IM LS6 premium SUV, which is set to arrive in Australian showrooms next month badged as the IM6 and employing a battery-electric powertrain. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The range-extender system's 'Super Xiaoyao MAX' battery, developed by CATL – the world's largest battery supplier by volume – offers a 450km (CLTC) electric driving range and can be topped up with 310km of range in only 10 minutes, says IM. As with Nissan's e-Power system and several other EREV systems being developed, it's a range-extender powertrain that employs a combustion engine only to generate power for its battery (not drive the wheels), but it can also be plugged in. The Stellar system will debut in Chinese showrooms this month in the LS6 and has also been confirmed for the large LS9 six-seat SUV that's scheduled to go on sale in China in the final three months of 2025. No announcements have been made for Australia, where IM Motors is being launched as EV-only brand but could also offer hybrids to its lineup. IM Motors was announced for Australia in April 2025 as an upmarket model range positioned above MG, to rival the likes of Zeekr, which is part of the Geely group, and the soon-to-launch Denza brand, which is owned by BYD. Zeekr and Denza both offer hybrids as well as EVs overseas, while IM Motors will start here with a pair of "electric premium" EVs sold alongside MGs via the Chinese automaker's Australian dealer network. MG – which is owned by SAIC – has a more conventional plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain called the Super Hybrid system arriving in Australia in September for the MG HS mid-size SUV. It offers 120km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, and combined fuel economy of 0.42L/100km. Local order books for the first two IM models to arrive here, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, opened in June ahead of first customer deliveries in September. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in AustraliaMORE: MG's IM Motors luxury brand reveals large range-extender electric SUV Content originally sourced from: IM Motors could add hybrid models to its Australian lineup following the introduction of a new extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain offering up to 1500km of total driving range – including an 450km electric-only range – in China. The 'Stellar super range-extender' hybrid system from MG's luxury IM brand combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 800V electric motor and a 66kWh battery to claim a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.07L/100km. It's now on sale in China in the IM LS6 premium SUV, which is set to arrive in Australian showrooms next month badged as the IM6 and employing a battery-electric powertrain. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The range-extender system's 'Super Xiaoyao MAX' battery, developed by CATL – the world's largest battery supplier by volume – offers a 450km (CLTC) electric driving range and can be topped up with 310km of range in only 10 minutes, says IM. As with Nissan's e-Power system and several other EREV systems being developed, it's a range-extender powertrain that employs a combustion engine only to generate power for its battery (not drive the wheels), but it can also be plugged in. The Stellar system will debut in Chinese showrooms this month in the LS6 and has also been confirmed for the large LS9 six-seat SUV that's scheduled to go on sale in China in the final three months of 2025. No announcements have been made for Australia, where IM Motors is being launched as EV-only brand but could also offer hybrids to its lineup. IM Motors was announced for Australia in April 2025 as an upmarket model range positioned above MG, to rival the likes of Zeekr, which is part of the Geely group, and the soon-to-launch Denza brand, which is owned by BYD. Zeekr and Denza both offer hybrids as well as EVs overseas, while IM Motors will start here with a pair of "electric premium" EVs sold alongside MGs via the Chinese automaker's Australian dealer network. MG – which is owned by SAIC – has a more conventional plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain called the Super Hybrid system arriving in Australia in September for the MG HS mid-size SUV. It offers 120km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, and combined fuel economy of 0.42L/100km. Local order books for the first two IM models to arrive here, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, opened in June ahead of first customer deliveries in September. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in AustraliaMORE: MG's IM Motors luxury brand reveals large range-extender electric SUV Content originally sourced from: IM Motors could add hybrid models to its Australian lineup following the introduction of a new extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain offering up to 1500km of total driving range – including an 450km electric-only range – in China. The 'Stellar super range-extender' hybrid system from MG's luxury IM brand combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 800V electric motor and a 66kWh battery to claim a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.07L/100km. It's now on sale in China in the IM LS6 premium SUV, which is set to arrive in Australian showrooms next month badged as the IM6 and employing a battery-electric powertrain. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The range-extender system's 'Super Xiaoyao MAX' battery, developed by CATL – the world's largest battery supplier by volume – offers a 450km (CLTC) electric driving range and can be topped up with 310km of range in only 10 minutes, says IM. As with Nissan's e-Power system and several other EREV systems being developed, it's a range-extender powertrain that employs a combustion engine only to generate power for its battery (not drive the wheels), but it can also be plugged in. The Stellar system will debut in Chinese showrooms this month in the LS6 and has also been confirmed for the large LS9 six-seat SUV that's scheduled to go on sale in China in the final three months of 2025. No announcements have been made for Australia, where IM Motors is being launched as EV-only brand but could also offer hybrids to its lineup. IM Motors was announced for Australia in April 2025 as an upmarket model range positioned above MG, to rival the likes of Zeekr, which is part of the Geely group, and the soon-to-launch Denza brand, which is owned by BYD. Zeekr and Denza both offer hybrids as well as EVs overseas, while IM Motors will start here with a pair of "electric premium" EVs sold alongside MGs via the Chinese automaker's Australian dealer network. MG – which is owned by SAIC – has a more conventional plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain called the Super Hybrid system arriving in Australia in September for the MG HS mid-size SUV. It offers 120km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, and combined fuel economy of 0.42L/100km. Local order books for the first two IM models to arrive here, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, opened in June ahead of first customer deliveries in September. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in AustraliaMORE: MG's IM Motors luxury brand reveals large range-extender electric SUV Content originally sourced from: IM Motors could add hybrid models to its Australian lineup following the introduction of a new extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain offering up to 1500km of total driving range – including an 450km electric-only range – in China. The 'Stellar super range-extender' hybrid system from MG's luxury IM brand combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 800V electric motor and a 66kWh battery to claim a combined fuel consumption figure of just 2.07L/100km. It's now on sale in China in the IM LS6 premium SUV, which is set to arrive in Australian showrooms next month badged as the IM6 and employing a battery-electric powertrain. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The range-extender system's 'Super Xiaoyao MAX' battery, developed by CATL – the world's largest battery supplier by volume – offers a 450km (CLTC) electric driving range and can be topped up with 310km of range in only 10 minutes, says IM. As with Nissan's e-Power system and several other EREV systems being developed, it's a range-extender powertrain that employs a combustion engine only to generate power for its battery (not drive the wheels), but it can also be plugged in. The Stellar system will debut in Chinese showrooms this month in the LS6 and has also been confirmed for the large LS9 six-seat SUV that's scheduled to go on sale in China in the final three months of 2025. No announcements have been made for Australia, where IM Motors is being launched as EV-only brand but could also offer hybrids to its lineup. IM Motors was announced for Australia in April 2025 as an upmarket model range positioned above MG, to rival the likes of Zeekr, which is part of the Geely group, and the soon-to-launch Denza brand, which is owned by BYD. Zeekr and Denza both offer hybrids as well as EVs overseas, while IM Motors will start here with a pair of "electric premium" EVs sold alongside MGs via the Chinese automaker's Australian dealer network. MG – which is owned by SAIC – has a more conventional plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain called the Super Hybrid system arriving in Australia in September for the MG HS mid-size SUV. It offers 120km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, and combined fuel economy of 0.42L/100km. Local order books for the first two IM models to arrive here, the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV, opened in June ahead of first customer deliveries in September. MORE: MG's answer to Tesla, IM Motors, opens its order book in AustraliaMORE: MG's IM Motors luxury brand reveals large range-extender electric SUV Content originally sourced from:
