

Burning Platforms
Per Capita Australia
Welcome to Burning Platforms: De-Coding the Power and Politics of Big Tech. Join Peter Lewis, Lizzie O’Shea (Digital Rights Watch), Dan Stinton (HealthEngine CEO), and guests, fortnightly for analysis of the politics of technology from some of Australia’s leading digital campaigners and industry experts. Brought to you by the Centre of the Public Square - an initiative of Per Capita.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 6min
Bursting Bubbles with Dan McQuillan
Dan McQuillan, a professor and author of "Resisting AI," joins a panel to dissect the complicated landscape of artificial intelligence. They explore the launch of the Sora video platform and its potential for deepfakes, highlighting the thin veneer of safety measures. A lively debate ensues about AI's impact on film and advertising, revealing its manipulative potential. McQuillan argues for resisting AI's rapid development instead of mere regulation, citing ethical implications and systemic risks that could harm workers and society.

11 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 9min
Cooking with Cam Wilson
Cam Wilson, a journalist and co-author of 'Conspiracy Nation,' shares insights from his exploration of conspiracy movements in Australia, focusing on anti-vaxxers and sovereign citizens. He discusses how social media amplifies conspiracy thinking and the socioeconomic factors that drive individuals to these beliefs. The panel also debates the implications of AI on productivity and the challenges of managing its effects. They touch on media ownership issues related to Murdoch and TikTok and advocate for patient engagement to help de-radicalize individuals.

8 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 6min
Tech Check with Damian Kassabgi
In this engaging discussion, Damian Kassabgi, CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, delves into the complex relationship between technology and democracy. He tackles pressing issues like age verification and the emotional implications of AI companions. The conversation also highlights the need for regulatory frameworks to balance innovation with social responsibility. Kassabgi and the panelists emphasize the importance of respectful tech dialogue in fostering local innovation while addressing the challenges posed by big tech and misinformation.

Aug 17, 2025 • 59min
Stolen Property with Peter Garrett
“I’m concerned that AI and big tech – well, big tech with AI – has gone into a full-court press… particularly on the federal system...I’m concerned that without thinking it through clearly enough, policy makers won’t essentially subject the slogans to sufficient scrutiny.”
This week on Burning Platforms, we recorded our special briefing for cultural creators and those who value their work to discuss Big Tech’s push to mine our culture.
Our panel discusses:
How AI large language models have been built on the theft of the work of musicians, writers journalists and artists.
What the productivity Commission’s proposal to give AI companies a ‘right to mine data’ will do to Australian performers
How creatives and citizens can resist the attacks from AI
Featuring:
AI expert and author Professor Toby Walsh
Midnight Oil front man Peter Garrett
Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea
Australian Writers Guild CEO Claire Pullen
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

14 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 52min
Industrial Base with Minister Tim Ayres
Tim Ayres, Australia's Federal Industry and Science Minister, shares his journey from union roots to shaping national industry policy. He discusses the complex interplay between AI, energy, and water, stressing the importance of sustainable practices. The conversation also dives into copyright laws impacting AI development, emphasizing the need to balance innovation and authors' rights. Ayres highlights the crucial role of worker empowerment as technology evolves, advocating for collaboration to ensure equitable outcomes in a tech-driven future.

Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 3min
Digital New Deal with Johanna Weaver
Can Australia play a leading role in imagining a tech future that isn’t controlled by either the US or China?
Johanna Weaver from the Tech Policy Design Institute expands on her recent essay ‘System Update - An Australian-led new deal for tech’ - https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/essay/2025/06/tech-wars
Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis will also discuss:
what the new Federal Parliament means for tech
how Cloudflare could rewrite the game in copyright
and the rise of Satanic Chat Bots
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 4min
Poisoning AI with Prof Toby Walsh
The Large Language Models are powered by stolen data but there are new and innovative ways to make the thieves pay. Professor Toby Walsh explains the tech-driven resistance to Big AI from data poisoning to responsible cloud computing.
With panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Editor of the Sizzle Cam Wilson, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis we also discuss:
Qantas’ big data hack
Victoria’s foray into AI policing
and how Velvet Sunset’s fake music is bringing tears to Peter’s eyes
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome

Jul 2, 2025 • 1h 6min
Scammed! With Alex Brooks
"I thought old people got scammed. And actually young people are at greater risk because they have more confidence in dealing [with things] online."
This week on Burning Platforms, the team learns how the financial scam industry has become an enthusiastic early adapter of AI and how the banks are working around the clock to ensure they aren’t the ones liable for the ensuing harm.
With our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair, Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, who are joined by co-founder of Scams Victims Alliance, Alex Brooks.
To discuss the issues raised in this episode join us in the Democracy Sandpit. (https://civility.bettermode.io/welcome)
For more about Scams Victims Alliance go to: https://scamvictimalliance.org.au/

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 5min
Dr Alondra Nelson’s Intelligence
"What could things have become? You could imagine if the baton had been passed from the Obama administration to a Clinton administration... an American public much more ready... for the turns in AI that we are facing now."
On this week's Burning Platforms, our panel spends some quality time with the architect of the Biden Administration’s AI executive order, Dr Alondra Nelson.
With regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis.
Join the conversation. Get involved with the Burning Platforms community in the Democracy Sandpit - https://civility.bettermode.io/

May 28, 2025 • 1h 4min
Grok-ing Out with Julie Inman-Grant
Burning Platforms struggles to make sense of white genocide, design unicorns and the all-seeing Apple Eye.
E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant joins regular panellists Digital Rights Watch founder Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis for our regular dive into the world of tech and politics.
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