FutureFive Australia - Consumer technology news from the future

Big Tech Stories

Australian Stories

Big Tech stories

Australia software programmers hit record 216,000 jobs
Generative AI

Australia software programmers hit record 216,000 jobs

AI fears have not dented demand for coders, with Australia's software and applications programmer workforce reaching a record 216,000.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Microsoft & Australia sign digital resilience deal
Digital Transformation

Microsoft & Australia sign digital resilience deal

Australia will get wider support to defend critical digital systems as Canberra and Microsoft deepen cooperation on cyber security and AI.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month
Most under-16s still using social media despite ban
Gaming

Most under-16s still using social media despite ban

Parents are bearing most of the burden, as 78% of under-16s in Australia are still accessing social media covered by the ban.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month

Global Stories

Big Tech stories

Ant Group posts record USD $5.17 billion R&D spend
Fintech

Ant Group posts record USD $5.17 billion R&D spend

The record outlay underscores the group's push into AI, health and payments as emissions fell and carbon neutrality continued for a fifth year.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • 3 days ago
Wassist raises USD $1.1 million for WhatsApp commerce
Customer Experience

Wassist raises USD $1.1 million for WhatsApp commerce

The London startup aims to help smaller retailers turn WhatsApp chats into sales as it begins growth with fresh pre-seed funding.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • This month
Meta expands teen content safeguards across its apps
Data Protection

Meta expands teen content safeguards across its apps

Teens on Meta's apps will see less mature material by default as the firm tightens age-based controls after years of child-safety scrutiny.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • This month
Meta launches Creator Assistant for Facebook creators
Data Analytics

Meta launches Creator Assistant for Facebook creators

Creators in three countries will get AI help spotting why Facebook posts work and how to improve future engagement.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • This month
Microsoft AI launches seven new models across tasks
Data Protection

Microsoft AI launches seven new models across tasks

The models are aimed at developers and enterprises, with Microsoft saying internal training could cut costs and improve control in regulated industries.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • This month
Tencent Cloud launches three AI products for overseas
Software-as-a-Service

Tencent Cloud launches three AI products for overseas

Overseas enterprises can now tap Tencent Cloud's new AI tools for office work, design and model access as it steps up its push beyond China.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month
Louisiana data centres could push power costs on households
Data centers

Louisiana data centres could push power costs on households

Households could face higher electricity bills as Louisiana plans a rush of data centre infrastructure, with costs spread to other customers.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • This month

Stories from Other Regions

Big Tech stories

BSI urges existing age standard for social media ban
Data Protection

BSI urges existing age standard for social media ban

Adopting an existing age assurance standard could let ministers enforce under-16 social media limits without forcing children to hand over extra data.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Yesterday
Canada unveils Bill C-36 to tighten private sector data rules
Data Protection

Canada unveils Bill C-36 to tighten private sector data rules

The bill would give Canadians stronger control over personal data, as Ottawa seeks tougher oversight of AI, children's privacy and surveillance pricing.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last week
UK fraud losses rise as AI scams drive new warnings
Supply Chain

UK fraud losses rise as AI scams drive new warnings

Industry experts warn that reimbursement is masking the scale of scams, as APP losses climbed 19% to GBP £576.4 million last year.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 6 min read • Last week
Skeleton launches GrapheneUPS to steady AI data centres
DataCentre infrastructure

Skeleton launches GrapheneUPS to steady AI data centres

Tighter grid rules are pushing AI data centres towards site-level power smoothing, as Skeleton's system aims to cut connection sizes and protect uptime.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • This month
New Zealand expands anti-scam measures across sectors
Fintech

New Zealand expands anti-scam measures across sectors

Households and businesses could be spared more fraud losses as banks, telcos and platforms widen checks and scam-blocking codes.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • This month
Catalyst urges New Zealand to back local tech in procurement
Data sovereignty

Catalyst urges New Zealand to back local tech in procurement

New procurement rules could keep critical emergency and health systems in local hands, as Catalyst warns reliance on offshore vendors raises costs and risks.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • This month
Google Payment New Zealand profit edges up in 2025
Fintech

Google Payment New Zealand profit edges up in 2025

Revenue rose 11.6% as higher transaction processing activity lifted Google Payment New Zealand's 2025 profit to NZD $312,841.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • This month