A recent report on AI-human interactions has prompted major platforms to implement stricter guardrails for minor users. Character.AI, Meta, and Snapchat are rolling out age-based restrictions and parental tools, while New York and California introduce new legal frameworks to regulate AI companion models specifically.

The ACT Government has opted for a "watching brief" regarding the regulation of AI-generated deepfakes in elections, signaling it is not yet ready to update the Territory's electoral laws. While an ongoing Legislative Assembly inquiry explores the risks posed by synthetic media before the 2028 election, officials expressed caution about creating rules that could quickly become obsolete. This position contrasts with South Australia’s recently implemented model, which prohibits deceptive AI content without consent or labeling. Federal authorities also maintain a focus on voter education and existing transparency requirements rather than a blanket ban on generative AI.

AUSTRAC acting CEO Katie Miller has signaled a growing regulatory focus on how financial institutions use generative AI for report drafting. While automation can accelerate compliance workflows, the agency warns that high volumes of generic, AI-authored suspicious matter reports risk obscuring critical intelligence. This move coincides with increased scrutiny on non-financial risk management across the Australian banking sector.

Japanese municipalities are adopting automated AI detection pipelines to manage a surge in bear sightings. The B Alert system uses cloud-based filtering to streamline camera data, enabling quicker notifications via disaster radio and email. This technology, alongside drone and 5G trials, represents a significant shift toward digital wildlife countermeasures.

Australia’s landmark social media minimum age regime, which officially commenced on 10 December 2025, is heading to the High Court for a major constitutional test. The legal challenge, supported by the Digital Freedom Project and Reddit, disputes the validity of the under-16 ban and raises significant questions about the privacy of age assurance technologies. With key hearings scheduled for early 2026, the outcome will determine how the law defines social media platforms and the extent to which the government can regulate digital access for young Australians.

The myGov contact page currently advises users to utilize the Digital Assistant as a primary step for support. As of 23 December 2025, the page explicitly positions the tool as an "any time" option for answering common questions about accounts and linked services. This guidance appears alongside standard helpdesk details, reinforcing a self-service approach for routine inquiries without relying on generative AI.

As generative AI shifts from brainstorming to building, Figma and Manus present diverging paths for product development. This report examines Figma’s integration of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to bridge designs and code, versus Manus AI’s all-in-one agent workflow powered by Google’s Nano Banana Pro. Beyond features, the analysis addresses critical governance concerns, including Figma’s late-2025 data litigation and the regulatory scrutiny surrounding Manus’s corporate structure.

The latest Adobe Photoshop 2026 update (version 27.2) expands the Generative Fill feature by adding FLUX.2 pro as a partner model option. This change introduces a tiered generative credit system for different AI engines, allowing users to choose between Adobe’s Firefly and external partner models like Google Gemini 3 (Nano Banana Pro) based on their specific creative requirements and credit budget.

As drone gifts surge during the holiday season, Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) highlights the importance of operator accountability. While AI-driven features like obstacle avoidance simplify flight, they do not exempt pilots from legal requirements such as maintaining visual line of sight and staying clear of restricted airspace. This report details current safety regulations, enforcement penalties, and the ongoing digital transition toward automated airspace approvals.

The Australian Productivity Commission has released its final report, Harnessing data and digital technology, recommending that the government monitor the impact of AI on copyright for three years rather than introducing immediate legislative exceptions. This approach prioritizes the development of voluntary licensing markets, particularly within the music industry, to ensure creators retain control over their intellectual property. The recommendation aligns with recent government statements favoring collective licensing over a blanket text and data mining exception.

A global research review led by the University of Sydney reveals that artificial intelligence is being integrated into general practice clinics faster than safety evaluations and regulations can be established. While tools such as digital scribes offer administrative relief, the study highlights critical concerns regarding clinical accuracy, patient consent, and the need for standardized oversight in healthcare settings.

Public data on Grok’s usage in Australia appears contradictory. This report analyzes why Similarweb ranks the AI chatbot highly while StatCounter excludes it entirely, clarifying the technical distinction between web traffic rankings and referral header data.

NBN Co and RMIT University have established a new research collaboration under the ASTRID program to develop a digital twin of the nbn network. The project aims to utilize AI and large datasets to model future network scenarios, enhance resilience against extreme weather, and optimize long-term infrastructure planning.

Motorola has launched the Edge 70, a smartphone distinguishing itself with a two-tiered AI strategy: internal "moto ai" processing for image capture and Google Photos tools for post-editing. This report outlines the device's technical specifications, including the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, and clarifies regional variations in battery capacity and pricing between global and Indian markets.

A cyber incident at the University of Sydney has resulted in the unauthorized access and download of historical data files containing personal information for approximately 27,500 individuals, including current and former staff, students, and alumni. While no evidence of data misuse has been detected as of late December 2025, cybersecurity authorities warn that such breaches increase the risk of sophisticated, AI-driven impersonation and social engineering scams. The University has secured the affected environment and is in the process of notifying those impacted.

Beesoft Solutions has launched EV Evolution, an information platform centered around a custom-trained AI chatbot tailored for the Australian electric vehicle landscape. The platform provides users with information on EV availability, charging infrastructure, and regional government incentives. It aims to reduce the complexity of researching electric vehicle ownership by consolidating data into a conversational interface.

The December 11, 2025, update for the DJI Matrice 4 Series introduces a more flexible AI detection workflow, allowing operators to configure alerts using text descriptions and reference images. Key enhancements to the Patrol Route system now enable automated responses, such as triggering the AS1 speaker or AL1 spotlight upon object recognition, while expanding support for advanced infrared analytics.

IND Technology has announced a A$50 million institutional funding round led by Angeleno Group and Energy Impact Partners. The investment is designated for the global deployment of the company’s sensor-based AI platform, which identifies precursors to electrical faults to prevent outages and reduce wildfire risks. Key partners include Edison International and Virescent Ventures.

The University of Melbourne is launching a new initiative, Cross-disciplinary AI Readiness for Health, Human Services and Teacher Education (CAIR), to embed generative AI capability into professional training. Led by Dr. Jessica Boyce and funded by a University Teaching and Learning Initiative grant, the project involves a collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Education. CAIR aims to deliver a digital learning resource across more than 10 programs by early 2027, focusing on the ethical and strategic application of AI in people-facing professions.

Canon Australia has announced the release of firmware version 1.0.4.1 for the Cinema EOS C400. This update introduces a full-frame 3:2 "open gate" recording mode at 6000 x 4000 resolution, providing greater flexibility for anamorphic workflows and social media reframing. Additional enhancements include direct Frame.io upload capabilities, assignable toggles for AI-driven subject detection (People and Animals), and improved focus peaking accuracy at high sensitivity settings. The update is designed to streamline cloud-based post-production and improve overall camera operability for professional users.

Nikon has released firmware version 5.30 for the flagship Z9 mirrorless camera, introducing significant updates to its autofocus and imaging pipeline. The update expands AI-driven subject detection to additional AF area modes, adds a customizable focus limiter to reduce lens hunting, and implements support for Flexible Color Picture Controls. These features, alongside improvements to the Auto Capture remote workflow and USB streaming capabilities, aim to enhance precision and creative control for professional sports, wildlife, and video creators.

Google’s "Double check response" feature provides a secondary verification layer for AI-generated content. By cross-referencing claims against live Google Search results, the tool highlights corroborated information in green and contradictory or unverified data in orange. This report examines the feature's mechanics, its role in addressing accuracy concerns following the 2025 Super Bowl ad correction, and how its post-response verification style differs from the inline citations found in competing AI assistants.

On December 17, 2025, Google released Gemini 3 Flash, a new multimodal model designed to replace Gemini 2.5 Flash as the default engine for Google Search AI Mode and the Gemini app. Prioritizing low latency and cost-efficiency, the model is now available across consumer, developer, and enterprise platforms.

Australian drone services provider AUAV has integrated Above Surveying’s SolarGain platform to process inspection data for utility-scale solar farms. The workflow utilizes artificial intelligence to classify thermal anomalies and map them to a site’s digital twin, aiming to improve maintenance efficiency. The report also outlines how this technology aligns with current construction monitoring practices and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) regulations for remote drone operations.

Spotify has introduced a beta AI Playlist feature that allows listeners to generate curated tracklists using plain English text prompts. Distinct from the passive Spotify DJ experience, this new interface layer combines Large Language Models with Spotify’s existing personalization data to interpret specific moods, scenarios, and vibes. The feature is currently in a testing phase as part of the platform's broader investment in AI-driven music discovery.

Google has implemented new integrations allowing NotebookLM notebooks to be used directly within Gemini interfaces. This report details the functionality for consumer and enterprise users, including the ability to attach notebooks as prompt inputs and the specific governance controls retained by administrators.

The University of Queensland has launched the iMOVE MND trial to evaluate a wearable robotic exoskeleton for individuals living with Motor Neurone Disease. Led by Associate Professor Taylor Dick, the project focuses on providing personalized mechanical assistance at the ankle joint to reduce fatigue and support walking. Early findings presented at the 2025 PACTALS meeting indicate potential improvements in walking speed and reduced exertion, with ongoing research targeting machine learning integration for daily use.

A new peer-reviewed dataset, GlobalBuildingAtlas, provides the first near-global 3D map of 2.75 billion buildings. Derived from satellite imagery and deep learning, the open-access project supports urban planning and climate resilience with detailed height and footprint layers.