Raff Ciccone

2 months ago | smartcompany.com.au | Tegan Jones |Steph Clarke |Raff Ciccone |Jessy Wu

Welcome back to Neural Notes, a weekly column where I look at AI and its effects on Australia. In this edition: Did you know Google Maps started life as a tiny Australian startup, run out of an apartment? I spoke to co-founder Stephen Ma about their journey and his new fledgling AI startup. Twenty years ago, Google Maps was launched to the world. Today, it’s a core part of daily tech life. Beyond pure navigation, it’s integrated into countless other industries and platforms.

Dec 5, 2024 | smartcompany.com.au | Garry Williams |Jessy Wu |Raff Ciccone |Claire C Bristow

WTF. It was impossible to escape this (quite perfect) acronym in Perth this week, as West Tech Fest – the crown jewel of Western Australia’s technology and innovation showcase – showcased itself with aplomb, bringing in scores of local, interstate and global visitors to triumphantly sell out its biggest iteration yet.

Dec 2, 2024 | smartcompany.com.au | David Adams |Steph Clarke |Raff Ciccone |Jessy Wu

The federal government plans to impose new competition rules on platforms like Google, Meta, and Amazon, and will consider if the digital giants unfairly wield their market power to the detriment of small business users. The proposal is an “encouraging step” to address the potential power imbalance between SMEs and the digital platforms they are now reliant upon, said Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson.

Dec 2, 2024 | smartcompany.com.au | David Adams |Steph Clarke |Raff Ciccone |Jessy Wu

Accounting platform MYOB has unveiled its Solo app, promising the nation’s independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers a new way to handle their expenses and reporting duties. The new app, designed for smartphone use, allows sole traders to send and receive invoices, create automatic invoice reminders, upload receipts, and take payments through Tap to Pay.

Nov 28, 2024 | smartcompany.com.au | Raff Ciccone |Will Richards |Chris Dahl |Tegan Jones

The sophistication of ransomware is unprecedented and causes serious problems for businesses across Australia. The simple fact is this type of malware is one of the most persistent forms of cybercrime. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, small to medium businesses are high-risk targets for ransomware. Ransomware attacks lock up or encrypt victim’s files or devices so they can’t be used, taking personal data and threatening the sale or release if ransom demands aren’t met.