Technology
Computer made of human brain cells taught to play 'Doom'
Cortical Labs says the "biological computer" was learning and this was a step closer to real-world uses. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 11 March 2026
US media report Iran is laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, and despite Donald Trump saying the vessels were destroyed we ask Trade Minister Todd McClay what it could mean for global trade; An expat… Audio
Oxford professor's AI disaster warning
Professor Michael Wooldridge says AI is prone to swinging from highly accurate to completely fabricated in its answers. Audio
AI tools being used in Iran conflict
Artificial Intelligence tools are being used in the Iran conflict, changing the face of how wars are fought. Kiwi Sean Gourley, founder of San Francisco-based AI company Primer, spoke to Ingrid… Audio
US military, FAA plan joint drone-killing laser test
The trial at White Sands Missile Range follows controversy over military laser use near the US border. Audio
Bunnings to trial facial recognition tech in Hamilton stores
Bunnings Warehouse is to introduce facial recognition technology, citing problems caused by repeat offenders threatening staff and customers.
Amnesty backs select committee on social media rules for U16s
A select committee has released its report after an inquiry into social media harm for young people. Audio
Minister Shane Reti attends AI Impact Summit in India
Science, Innovation and Technology, and Universities Minister Shane Reti spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss following his return from an AI Impact Summit in India. Audio
Taupo pharmacy’s new AI robot staff member
Taupo pharmacist Ayman Ibousi's latest employee has sent efficiency through the roof and never calls in sick. The custom-made dispensing robot has been shipped in from Germany and is the first of its… Audio
Final report into online harm released
Parliament's Education and Workforce Committee has released its final report on the inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online. National's committee lead on the inquiry Carl Bates… Audio
Wide parliamentary support for under 16s social media ban
A select committe has back the idea of a social media ban for under-16s, one submitter was Smartphone free childhood New Zealand. Melissa talks with Katrina Colombie. Audio
Tech: What is AI's role in the current conflict in Iran?
Tech correspondent Marc Pesce breaks down the conflict between the Pentagon and Anthropic - the maker of AI bot Claude. Audio
The serious business, education of e-sports
Ke-xin Li takes a look at competitive E Gaming and the billion dollar e-game economy Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 3 March
Labour leader Chris Hipkins, Extensive coverage from the conflict in the Middle East; The Auckland school embracing AI; A lifeline for lions at a Northland wildlife enclosure. Audio
Auckland school tackling AI challenge head-on
A global survey from Deloitte shows business leaders expect about 10% of roles to be fully automated within the next year. One school tackling AI head-on is Westlake Girls' High School on Auckland's… Audio
AI is already creeping into election campaigns. NZ's rules aren't ready
Already, political parties are toying with this new technology for their campaigns, write Andrew Lensen and Andrew Geddis.
New data shows power infrastructure vulnerable in flood events
New data shows thousands of high voltage power pylons and hundreds of kilometres of transmission lines are exposed to a flood hazard, and the risk will only get worse. Climate change correspondent… Audio
Report: AI set to automate thousands of jobs within a year
The State of AI in the Enterprise report from Deloitte found 36% of the 3000 organisations it surveyed expect at least 10% of roles to be fully automated within a year. Deloitte New Zealand AI… Audio
'Ens...ification' blamed as Kiwis feel down about internet
The number of New Zealanders feeling positive about the internet has been slowly declining since 2019.
OpenAI strikes Pentagon deal with 'safeguards', as Trump dumps Anthropic
Chief executive Sam Altman says the safeguards include a prohibition of domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force.
