Patrick Hooton

Apr 10, 2024 | aspistrategist.org.au | Lorraine Finlay |Patrick Hooton

The integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems is essential to ensuring that Australia is capable of defending its interests now and into the future, but we as a country must be careful not to abandon our humanity inadvertently in the race to modernise. To ensure this does not happen, Australia needs better safeguards to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law as we develop new defence capabilities through emerging technologies.

Dec 7, 2023 | lsj.com.au | Lorraine Finlay |Patrick Hooton |Wendy Lam |Wendy Lam -

After great anticipation, the Federal Government has responded to proposed reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (‘Privacy Act’). The commitment to consideration of reforms follows the Attorney General’s Department Privacy Act Review Report (‘Review Report’), which proposed over 100 different reforms.

Aug 31, 2023 | lsj.com.au | Lorraine Finlay |Patrick Hooton |Patrick Hooton -

The Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media (‘Committee’) released its final report (‘Final Report’) earlier this month, concluding that foreign interference is now Australia’s principal national security threat. The Committee’s terms of reference were broadly to consider the risks posed to Australian democracy and values by foreign interference through social media, and how to mitigate any identified harms.

Aug 31, 2023 | lsj.com.au | Lorraine Finlay |Patrick Hooton - |Patrick Hooton

Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine came as a surprise for many, as it has pursued its geopolitical ambitions through violence and bloodshed, and in clear violation of international law. As the Russia-Ukraine war drags into its second year of open conflict, we now know more about both sides’ military capabilities and willingness to engage in a new era of tech-facilitated combat.

Aug 1, 2023 | humanrights.gov.au | Lorraine Finlay |Patrick Hooton

The rapid acceleration of technology is truly a modern marvel. We now have artificial intelligence (AI) capable of writing poetry and teaching our children. New Australian AI technology is being used to reduce preventable deaths in hospitals, and a trial in remote Australia is using AI to improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. The potential for technology to enhance humanity is enormous, and we must evolve to reap the benefits of new and emerging technologies.