AI technology could ‘fundamentally change the game' in fighting bushfires
'This technology is fundamentally about using AI to detect bushfires as soon as they emerge,' Mr Satyam told Sky News Australia.
"If you can apply technology to detect the incidents as soon as they start … you can make a lot of those early decisions that can fundamentally change the game in terms of whether that becomes a large-scale incident or whether you can keep it down.'
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ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Robot vacuum maker Dreame's smartphone app vulnerable to hacking
A major Chinese robot vacuum maker's smartphone app has a critical security flaw, leaving it susceptible to leaking user data and credentials if targeted by hackers. When the Dreame smartphone app is used on a public wi-fi network, like in a hotel or airport, any information sent over the internet can be read by the network administrator. This could include login details, personal information and data about the house where the user's devices are located. Dreame's range of robot vacuum cleaners come equipped with cameras, microphones and connections to the internet, and are sold at more than a dozen Australian retailers, many of them well-known. The vulnerability is the second one to hit a major home robotics company in as many years, increasing the scrutiny on Australia's plans to launch a cybersecurity rating scheme for smart devices. Security researcher Dennis Giese — who discovered a separate vulnerability in Ecovacs robot vacuums last year – attempted to establish a contact at Dreame as early as 2021. "I tried to get a security contact for the last four years," says Giese. "But they effectively ghosted me." After failing to establish a reliable contact with Dreame, the researcher reported the vulnerability to US cybersecurity agency CISA. CISA reproduced the exploit, and assigned it a "low attack complexity" level in an alert it published last week. This means that the hack is not difficult to pull off for a sophisticated attacker. The security flaw — a misconfigured check for security certificates in the app — allows network administrators to pretend to be Dreame's own servers, and intercept user data. Contact Julian Fell at tips@ "Captured communications may include user credentials and sensitive session tokens," reads the CISA advisory note. "Dreame Technology did not respond to CISA's request for coordination." The ABC has also verified the exploit by connecting a smartphone to a wi-fi network that Giese had set up. The access point worked as expected. The phone was able to access the internet as usual when connected. However, when we logged into the Dreame app, the researcher was able to intercept our password. Dreame said it had forwarded the ABC's questions on to "the relevant teams for review", but did not respond in time for publication. "A formal statement addressing your questions will be provided to you once our assessment is complete," the company said in an email. Dreame has its products certified as secure by a third-party. Multinational testing company TÜV SÜD wrote in a 2022 press release that it had "performed professional security tests and document reviews" on one of Dreame's robot vacuum cleaners. It has continued to do so for newer models, one of which was completed as recently as August 2025. It is unclear whether the app itself was tested as part of this certification process. TÜV SÜD did not respond to the ABC's questions. Ecovacs' robots, which suffered from a separate security vulnerability, were certified to the same standard (called ETSI EN 303 645) by another testing company. This certification is mandatory for smart home products to be sold in Europe. It is intended to catch basic security flaws, yet several have been missed and later caught by external researchers after the products were released to the public. Lim Yong Zhi, a former cybersecurity tester at TÜV SÜD, told the ABC in 2024 that these certification standards may provide a "false sense of security" to consumers. He said the testing process is largely "left open for interpretation" by those doing the testing. While the standard specifies that common security features must be present, said Lim, there is no explicit requirement that they are implemented correctly. The repeated failures of international cybersecurity certifications come as Australia prepares to implement its own scheme, planned to launch in 2027. In July, the government announced a voluntary labelling scheme where companies can have their devices rated in terms of their cybersecurity protections. The intention is to allow Australians to make more informed decisions about the security of the devices they are buying. "Australians need to be able to trust that the devices they bring into their homes won't compromise their safety," said Tony Burke, Australia's minister for cyber security. "Whether it's a smart speaker or robot vacuum cleaner, consumers will know how safe a product is before they buy it." In recent weeks, the Department of Home Affairs has been consulting with Australian cybersecurity testing labs on the design of the scheme. One of the industry leaders who has been providing input is Viden Labs CEO Anthony Barnes. He says that the current rules and even proposed extensions to align with the ETSI EN 303 645 standard won't guarantee that devices being sold in Australia are secure. "Companies in today's economy win by being first to market, not necessarily by building the most secure product." "The current security standards only cover three of the 13 of the baseline security controls under the standard, which is not effective in identifying security vulnerabilities." Barnes is recommending that extra requirements are placed on how devices are tested, including "robust vulnerability testing and disclosure". Home Affairs is partnering with industry group IOT Alliance Australia (IOTA) in designing the scheme. Frank Zeichner, CEO of IOTA, says it is "pretty clear" what needs to be tested by labs under the ETSI EN 303 645 standard. "There is enough [international] momentum with the ETSI standard that it's heading in the right direction," he says. "We can't do anything unique because no one will listen to it. The manufacturers will just ignore it." A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs said "the co-design process will consider standards and labelling regimes in other jurisdictions." Zeichner added that the scheme may only cover the devices themselves, not the apps that they connect to – which means the Dreame vulnerability would not have been caught. "There's no such thing as secure," he said. "There is only more secure."
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
Deep analysis reveals AI's impact on Australian tech jobs
Detailed analysis of critical Australian IT jobs shows artificial intelligence will not make these roles obsolete but rather allow workers to do more of their existing complex tasks. Education behemoth Pearson has analysed the work of Australian software developers, computer systems analysts and network architects, finding these workers will save between 4.5 to seven hours a week in five years' time with effective use of technology. Pearson Asia Pacific executive Craig McFarlane told NewsWire that jobs needed to be 'redesigned'. 'We can't afford to keep chasing talent externally. The real opportunity lies in rethinking the structure of roles so we can unlock the capacity we already have,' he said. 'AI is creating space – time that we can reinvest in upskilling, creativity and innovation.' The research modelled the future impact of 34 emerging technology types on 76,600 granular tasks. The five-year impact is based on the projected adoption rates in Australia's IT industry that are already under way. Workers in five high-value tech roles saved between 4.5 and 7 hours a week, based on the analysis. 'That's nearly a day each week that can be reinvested into strategic, creative, or growth-focused work,' Mr McFarlane said. 'By starting the process of role redesign now, businesses can close skills gaps faster, improve retention and strengthen their competitiveness, all while preparing their workforce for the future.' The researchers are confident the use of AI will not make these workers obsolete, instead just automate repetitive and routine tasks. 'The roles themselves remain intact; it's the nature of the work within them that evolves,' Mr McFarlane said. 'Businesses can free their people to focus on higher-value activities like strategic planning, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration. 'This is about redeploying talent, not replacing it, and the gains are significant. In some cases, we modelled that teams could double their output without adding headcount.' While this study looked at tech roles, the researchers highlighted other industries making significant use of artificial intelligence and robotic process automation (RPA). Finance and banking are 'leading adopters' of AI and RPA, Mr McFarlane said. Healthcare companies are investing heavily in AI for diagnostics, patient systems, and data analytics. Mining firms have long used automation for safety and efficiency and are now using AI for routine maintenance and further efficiencies. Retail and logistics companies are using AI to forecast demand and manage warehouses and supply chains. 'In each of these sectors, the adoption of AI tools is creating opportunities to redesign roles and unlock hidden capacity within existing teams,' Mr McFarlane said. Schools are another sector figuring out how to use generative AI. St Mary MacKillop College in Melbourne's southwest has taken on the challenge of leading the wave for multiple reasons; AI has the potential to better teach kids, the tech can help teachers plan and assess, the software is getting better, and AI simply needs to be taught in safe, ethical and effective ways. St Mary MacKillop digital learning co-ordinator Trent Wilson told NewsWire the school was using a small number of 'carefully selected' generative AI tools. Students in years 7 to 10 are using an AI feedback tool for responses about what they have done well and how to improve. The tool is called Education Perfect; some tasks that the students do and get feedback from are created by Education Perfect, some are created by the school. Students in years 10 to 12 are using a research chatbot called Perplexity. The school is teaching the students how to speak to the bot, what constitutes safe and ethical use, and how to critically evaluate the bot's responses. 'Using an external tool with older students acknowledges their need for greater agency and prepares them for a future in which AI literacy is essential,' Mr Wilson said. 'This tool is not writing student work, rather guiding students on refining and editing their own ideas and writing.' Throughout 2024, college staff did professional learning, academic reading and research and ran trials with select classes. In 2025, the school had its rules and principles ready to go. MacKillop's AI use was grounded in critical thinking, ethical use and academic integrity, Mr Wilson said. The college is not using AI for any counselling services. 'AI is an incredibly fast-moving technological phenomenon that has tremendous potential,' Mr Wilson said. 'Nowhere is the obligation to manage its risks, and unlock its potential, more vital than in education, where we help to shape the next generations.' Shane Smith co-founded the Education Perfect tool being used at MacKillop. He said the program gave teachers more time to focus on one-on-one support. 'In schools that have had time to trial AI, teachers report that it can also help identify learning gaps more quickly and make it easier to plan lessons that meet the needs of different learners,' Mr Smith said. 'These efficiencies are particularly valuable in high-demand classrooms. Any time saved, even if just minutes, can be reinvested directly into students.' The tech developer is also confident advancements will not lead to job losses. 'No, we absolutely don't believe that AI will lead to job losses for teachers in Australia,' he told NewsWire. 'In fact, it will be key to help address teacher shortages by reducing workload and improving efficiency. 'AI is best seen as a tool to augment teacher effort and expertise. The human element of teaching – grounded in trust and mentorship – cannot be replicated by AI.'
The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Workers call for support, training as AI 'irresistible'
Workers are calling for support to adapt to the adoption of artificial intelligence, with most saying they have not been offered training despite its increasing use. The Australian Services Union says surveyed white-collar workers are willing to adapt to using the technology but have been left with little guidance on how to navigate the change. More than 80 per cent of workers reported not having been offered any AI training or consultation on its use at work, despite almost 50 per cent of workplaces introducing these tools. Less than 35 per cent of workplaces have a formal policy guiding the technology's use, according to the research findings. The union's national secretary Emeline Gaske says artificial intelligence offers huge productivity opportunities to drive new jobs but the benefits need to extend beyond company profits. "Unions can't resist AI anymore than we could've resisted the internet," Ms Gaske said. "But it must come with an industry adjustment package that starts with workforce training." The call for more support and consultation comes ahead of a productivity roundtable in Canberra from Tuesday, with AI likely to be extensively discussed. The three-day summit, led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and other ministers, will focus on boosting productivity in the economy, building resilience and strengthening the budget. It could lead to investigating the use of AI to streamline environmental measures and boost housing approvals, according to reported Treasury advice leaked to ABC News. More than 30,000 vocational education teachers could be trained to use AI under a recently announced year-long trial involving US tech giant Microsoft and Australia's Future Skills Organisation. The organisation has similarly noted the rate of white-collar workers using AI is more than double the rate of those who have been trained to do so. Ms Gaske says workers need to share in the benefits of AI, such as through shorter working weeks to give workers time back from productivity improvements, and has called for further consultation. "We have a willing and capable workforce but they need to be brought into the conversation," she said. "By investing in training, guaranteeing workers a say, and ensuring the gains are shared, we can boost productivity and improve the quality of jobs right across the economy." One surveyed worker reported widespread fear of the technology. "But if the right guidelines are in place I think it could be very useful," they said. Workers are calling for support to adapt to the adoption of artificial intelligence, with most saying they have not been offered training despite its increasing use. The Australian Services Union says surveyed white-collar workers are willing to adapt to using the technology but have been left with little guidance on how to navigate the change. More than 80 per cent of workers reported not having been offered any AI training or consultation on its use at work, despite almost 50 per cent of workplaces introducing these tools. Less than 35 per cent of workplaces have a formal policy guiding the technology's use, according to the research findings. The union's national secretary Emeline Gaske says artificial intelligence offers huge productivity opportunities to drive new jobs but the benefits need to extend beyond company profits. "Unions can't resist AI anymore than we could've resisted the internet," Ms Gaske said. "But it must come with an industry adjustment package that starts with workforce training." The call for more support and consultation comes ahead of a productivity roundtable in Canberra from Tuesday, with AI likely to be extensively discussed. The three-day summit, led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and other ministers, will focus on boosting productivity in the economy, building resilience and strengthening the budget. It could lead to investigating the use of AI to streamline environmental measures and boost housing approvals, according to reported Treasury advice leaked to ABC News. More than 30,000 vocational education teachers could be trained to use AI under a recently announced year-long trial involving US tech giant Microsoft and Australia's Future Skills Organisation. The organisation has similarly noted the rate of white-collar workers using AI is more than double the rate of those who have been trained to do so. Ms Gaske says workers need to share in the benefits of AI, such as through shorter working weeks to give workers time back from productivity improvements, and has called for further consultation. "We have a willing and capable workforce but they need to be brought into the conversation," she said. "By investing in training, guaranteeing workers a say, and ensuring the gains are shared, we can boost productivity and improve the quality of jobs right across the economy." One surveyed worker reported widespread fear of the technology. "But if the right guidelines are in place I think it could be very useful," they said. Workers are calling for support to adapt to the adoption of artificial intelligence, with most saying they have not been offered training despite its increasing use. The Australian Services Union says surveyed white-collar workers are willing to adapt to using the technology but have been left with little guidance on how to navigate the change. More than 80 per cent of workers reported not having been offered any AI training or consultation on its use at work, despite almost 50 per cent of workplaces introducing these tools. Less than 35 per cent of workplaces have a formal policy guiding the technology's use, according to the research findings. The union's national secretary Emeline Gaske says artificial intelligence offers huge productivity opportunities to drive new jobs but the benefits need to extend beyond company profits. "Unions can't resist AI anymore than we could've resisted the internet," Ms Gaske said. "But it must come with an industry adjustment package that starts with workforce training." The call for more support and consultation comes ahead of a productivity roundtable in Canberra from Tuesday, with AI likely to be extensively discussed. The three-day summit, led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and other ministers, will focus on boosting productivity in the economy, building resilience and strengthening the budget. It could lead to investigating the use of AI to streamline environmental measures and boost housing approvals, according to reported Treasury advice leaked to ABC News. More than 30,000 vocational education teachers could be trained to use AI under a recently announced year-long trial involving US tech giant Microsoft and Australia's Future Skills Organisation. The organisation has similarly noted the rate of white-collar workers using AI is more than double the rate of those who have been trained to do so. Ms Gaske says workers need to share in the benefits of AI, such as through shorter working weeks to give workers time back from productivity improvements, and has called for further consultation. "We have a willing and capable workforce but they need to be brought into the conversation," she said. "By investing in training, guaranteeing workers a say, and ensuring the gains are shared, we can boost productivity and improve the quality of jobs right across the economy." One surveyed worker reported widespread fear of the technology. "But if the right guidelines are in place I think it could be very useful," they said. Workers are calling for support to adapt to the adoption of artificial intelligence, with most saying they have not been offered training despite its increasing use. The Australian Services Union says surveyed white-collar workers are willing to adapt to using the technology but have been left with little guidance on how to navigate the change. More than 80 per cent of workers reported not having been offered any AI training or consultation on its use at work, despite almost 50 per cent of workplaces introducing these tools. Less than 35 per cent of workplaces have a formal policy guiding the technology's use, according to the research findings. The union's national secretary Emeline Gaske says artificial intelligence offers huge productivity opportunities to drive new jobs but the benefits need to extend beyond company profits. "Unions can't resist AI anymore than we could've resisted the internet," Ms Gaske said. "But it must come with an industry adjustment package that starts with workforce training." The call for more support and consultation comes ahead of a productivity roundtable in Canberra from Tuesday, with AI likely to be extensively discussed. The three-day summit, led by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and other ministers, will focus on boosting productivity in the economy, building resilience and strengthening the budget. It could lead to investigating the use of AI to streamline environmental measures and boost housing approvals, according to reported Treasury advice leaked to ABC News. More than 30,000 vocational education teachers could be trained to use AI under a recently announced year-long trial involving US tech giant Microsoft and Australia's Future Skills Organisation. The organisation has similarly noted the rate of white-collar workers using AI is more than double the rate of those who have been trained to do so. Ms Gaske says workers need to share in the benefits of AI, such as through shorter working weeks to give workers time back from productivity improvements, and has called for further consultation. "We have a willing and capable workforce but they need to be brought into the conversation," she said. "By investing in training, guaranteeing workers a say, and ensuring the gains are shared, we can boost productivity and improve the quality of jobs right across the economy." One surveyed worker reported widespread fear of the technology. "But if the right guidelines are in place I think it could be very useful," they said.
