Meta starts showing ads on WhatsApp in new revenue push
For years, that is what WhatsApp's 2 billion users — many of them in Brazil, India and other countries around the world — got. They chatted with friends and family unencumbered by advertising and other features found on social media.
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News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
16-year-old lands ‘impressive' Sydney real estate job
An ambitious Aussie teenager has left people stunned by the very impressive job he has managed to land at just 16 years old. At an age where many kids are clocking up a few hours working at Macca's on the weekend, or serving coffees at their local cafe, Joshua Lynch is diving head first into the real estate industry. Last month, Sydney real estate agency, Pulse Property Agents, announced they had hired Mr Lynch as a property consultant. 'Josh has called the Sutherland Shire home his whole life and discovered a passion for real estate at just 10 years old,' the Facebook post read. 'By 15, he had already stepped into the industry, and over the past 18 months has built a strong foundation across property presentation, marketing, and client care.' The post was met with a huge amount of support, with many seriously impressed by the young Aussie's work ethic. 'I couldn't negotiate movie plans at that age. Super impressive young man,' one commenter said. 'What a legend! You are going places, Josh,' another said. One added: 'So young and eager – love it.' Speaking to Mr Lynch said he has always had an interest in houses, with real estate catching his attention because it combines things he enjoys like meeting new people, problem solving and being in a team environment. 'I also love helping someone find a place that really fits them. Plus, it's a career where you're always learning and no two days are the same, which keeps things exciting,' he said. He has been working in the industry since March 2024, initially starting in a casual role working on Saturdays. At the end of last year he decided to leave school a pursue a full-time career in real estate. As a property consultant, Mr Lynch's day consists of helping the sales team and clients with their various needs. One of the highlights of his career so far has been securing his first listing, which was made even more special as it was for the family of a close friend. 'They gave me the opportunity to be involved in the process alongside the agent, and I'm incredibly grateful for the experience and trust they placed in me,' he said. The 16-year-old is keen to soak up every bit of hands on experience he can, but starting his career at such a young age hasn't come without its challenges. 'Since I'm young and still have a lot to learn in the industry, some people assume I don't have the knowledge or enough experience, but I've used that as motivation to keep learning,' he said. 'It's also helped me develop strong communication skills and confidence.' Earlier this year, Pulse Property unveiled its new training program aimed at giving aspiring real estate professionals a clear pathway into the industry. Larissa Reed, Pulse Property's head of growth and performance, said the program offers a comprehensive approach that blends practical training, mentorship, and industry education. Each participant is paired with a mentor to help guide them through the process, with the goal of eventually having them transition into sales associate roles. 'We track key performance indicators, including the number of calls made, digital and in-person appraisals, and overall engagement. Mentors provide real-time feedback to ensure each trainee is progressing effectively,' Ms Reed said. Moving forward, Mr Lynch's goal is to gain all the knowledge he can of the industry and ultimately become a stand-alone real estate agent and sell homes. For now, the 16-year-old said he 'couldn't be happier' working with the team at Pulse, who 'uplift and motivate each other every day on all our successes', adding that he is very grateful for the opportunity he has been offered.
The Age
7 days ago
- The Age
Al Muderis spent $19K on media advice he ignored
Then, Wilkinson's work for Al Muderis abruptly stopped. The PR man declined to comment on how that relationship ended. But according to the receipts, Wilkinson recommended prioritising media over legal strategy, with that particular piece of advice costing a mere $1050. Al Muderis clearly didn't listen. Just imagine the millions in legal bills, and unquantifiable reputational costs he could've saved if he did. MCC members spill the sauce on pie prices Remember when Gillon McLachlan became AFL chief executive and the price of food at the footy went down? Melbourne Cricket Club members do. The MCC held its AGM on Tuesday night, where ex-Tabcorp chair Paula Dwyer, Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioner Annabel Brebner and the Department of Justice's Kalpana Ramani were re-elected, seeing off challengers in magistrate Tony Burns, school teacher James Kavanagh and corporate spinner James Duncan. The meeting also agreed to a crackdown on members who allow friends and family to use their membership cards to get in, and heard the long-awaited rebuild of the Shane Warne Stand might not start until 2031. Right in time for Richmond's next three-peat, god willing. But it was pie prices that got some members really going. CBD hears there was meaty discussion about why it costs about $6.20 for a Four'n Twenty pie at the MCG, and under $5 at Marvel. MCC says pies are priced the same for all events, whereas other venues change their prices according to the event. Seems even the MCC crowd is suffering from cossie livs. Back in 2015 under McLachlan's early leadership, the price of meat pies at the 'G fell by 80¢ to a bargain $4. Marvel, then known as Etihad, followed suit by introducing $3 pies on Sundays, plus free popcorn and fairy floss at half-time on the day of rest. AFL Fans Association president Ron Issko says affordability is a major concern for fans, and they shouldn't have to pay much more to eat at the 'G. 'It's understandable that the prices might be different, as the AFL owns Marvel and directly has relationship with the caterers, whereas the MCG deals with their own caterers,' Issko says. 'However, the price discrepancy is too much, and I'm sure the AFL could talk to the MCG and the caterers and say, how can we get the prices closer?' We'll keep you posted on Piegate. Win for Laming The end of former Liberal MP Andrew Laming 's political career has been a morass of scandal and arcane legal battles. But Laming had the last laugh in one of those battles on Wednesday, when the High Court upheld his appeal over a series of near seven-year-old Facebook posts viewed by just 28 people that led to a fine from the Australian Electoral Commission. In late 2021, after Laming had announced his impending retirement from politics, the AEC launched proceedings against the MP over three posts made on the 'Redland Hospital: Let's fight for fair funding' Facebook page before the previous election in 2019, which the regulator argued had lacked proper authorisation of political links. Initially, the Federal Court imposed three penalties totalling $20,000 on Laming. The AEC appealed that decision, and a three-judge bench ruled that Laming had contravened the laws every time each post was viewed, doubling his fine to $40,000. Laming successfully appealed that decision, with the High Court agreeing with the initial judgment, which found that he had breached electoral laws each time he posted the offending material. The majority ruling focused on one specific section of the Electoral Act, with Justice James Edelman dissenting in a judgment that flexed his relative youth by mentioning TikTok. So in other words, a win for Laming, even if the original $20,000 fine remains in place. And separately, he remains on the hook for $10,000 in unpaid parliamentary expenses from 2019, after losing a Federal Court challenge last year.
Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Sky News AU
Coles, Woolworths 'falling into line' with new-age tech at the expense of their workers as stories of layoffs due to AI continue to stack up
The future of human replacement, for artificial intelligence is here. No longer the scenario of 10 years down the track, it has begun to chip away across almost all sectors. While a shift towards salient new technologies is inevitable, questions need to be answered on the viability of cutting jobs and whether industries should be allowed to use AI as an excuse to stop employing people, or terminate employment en masse to replace them with AI. Stories of layoffs due to AI are adding up, and while national and multinational corporations, who make billions in profits, look for ways to cut costs, the costs of replacing human labour for software packages may be the worst road to take. There is some inevitability that downsizing will take place as departments run more efficiently, with new powerful AI tools. However, there are many sectors and corporations within those sectors who can support workers and remain competitive without massive job cuts. With new occupations emerging due to AI, companies have an obligation to provide long-term investment in human jobs instead of taking the easy way out. Meta, the brainchild of Mark Zuckerberg, with platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger and a plethora of software and app developments, could be replacing 90 per cent of the staff who perform their privacy and integrity reviews. Microsoft, who produce a swath of video game content and run platforms such as LinkedIn, Skype, and Mojang just to name a few, recently announced it will be slashing up to 9,000 jobs to invest more heavily into AI. Other corporations who are following suit include Intuit, Duolingo, UPS, Cisco, and IBM who are replacing staff to incorporate AI or are using their savings to invest in it. Other companies closer to home who are racing towards technological optimisation for its customers are Coles and Woolworths. The massive supermarket giants have recently announced trials of their 'digital revolution' in the form of the Coles Smart Trolley and Woolworths Scan&Go Trolley, allowing customers to use a small tablet to scan and bag items as they go, display in-store specials and 'product aisle locations'. This allows customers to track their spending as they shop, 'pack as you go', and simply pay the sum total at a self-serve checkout, rather than offloading at a serviced checkout. A Coles spokesman said Smart Trolley showcases Coles' commitment to delivering value and convenience to customers through innovative digital solutions. It says on the Woolworths Group webpage there will be no change to existing methods of transaction, 'including the option to be served by a team member at an assisted checkout, using the self-service check out, pick up via 'direct to boot', or online delivery'. Woolworths insists the rollout of their smart trolleys is limited, with only about 35 stores so far involved in the process, and that the grocery giant has no plans to make any changes to its staffing levels. However, the trend towards cutting back on staff at the coalface of customer service at Coles and Woolworths is obvious. There are great services Woolworths and other grocery stores provide, which support employment, with click and collect and direct to-the-boot initiatives, employing people to perform these services and Woolworths are adamant their human workforce will not be impacted by the new smart-tech trolleys. However, as these AI-powered trolleys become the status quo, the days of half a dozen or so employees "ringing up" groceries and packing them is over. New AI technologies that are developing right now can perform so many of the tasks that human labour delivers – but without the need for an hourly payrate, superannuation contributions, accumulated holiday and sick days, no maternity leave and no dispute resolution. What do all the aforementioned companies have in common, apart from technical prowess and market domination? They are all hugely profitable. Meta's estimated worth alone is $3 trillion. Microsoft $6 trillion. IBM $363.2 billion. Duolingo $24.7 billion and Woolworths is estimated at over $38 billion. One of the labour markets hit hardest by AI is entry-level occupations, usually filled with young graduates, with youth unemployment expected to trend upward drastically by 2030. This leads one to ask whether AI is really replacing humans because it is a natural progression or because companies and corporations simply choose an easy way out at the detriment of society. Where does this all leave humanity? What will happen when occupations that people have studied for, worked for, no longer cater for human labour? What is going to happen to school leavers when trying to enter the labour market but cannot, with so many entry-level jobs being replaced with AI software. Furthermore, if less hours, universal wages, and greater freedoms to pursue creative and personal goals are a part of the answer, will the millionaires and the top one per cent be allowed to remain the aristocracy? Will they be the last of their kind who can attain such wealth? The economic purists will begin deriding the assertions here that companies have always needed to adapt, develop, and invest in the ever-changing competitive market, and that AI is merely a continuance of the industrial revolution. There is room for AI to improve businesses, to run the most complex math equations and find answers in minutes rather than years, and to steer us towards finding cures for diseases. However, governments need to ensure that we are not replaced, and although work will evolve and move into areas most of us can barely imagine, the transitions need to be nuanced and positive for society, with opportunities for generations to partake in meaningful careers and undertakings. As companies begin to replace staff with AI under the guise of restructuring, there needs to be an intervention now, between government and industry, to produce guidelines to stabilise the labour force and provide initiatives for the next generation to move through school and tertiary education, in the knowledge that the world is still their oyster. Robert Weir is a freelance journalist whose work has also been published in The Spectator Australia. He enjoys writing political, lifestyle, and environmental stories as well as film reviews
