Josephine Rowe’s writing has been described by the New York Times as “gorgeous” and “precise”. This is particularly evident in her latest novel, Little World; a slender book that offers a deeper, denser exploration of ideas than its modest page count might suggest. This week on Read This, Michael sits down with Josephine to discuss the genesis of Little World and why a library card might be her most prized possession.

Josephine Rowe&rsquo;s writing has been described by the&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;as &ldquo;gorgeous&rdquo; and &ldquo;precise&rdquo;. This is particularly evident in her latest novel,&nbsp;Little World; a slender book that offers a deeper, denser exploration of ideas than its modest page count might suggest. This week on Read This, Michael sits down with Josephine to discuss the genesis of&nbsp;Little World&nbsp;and why a library card might be her most prized possession.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper.

A daily news show from the publisher of The Monthly and The Saturday Paper. Hear from the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Read This: Josephine Rowe Isn’t Interested In Efficiency

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/98dec0e9-ce6d-409f-ace5-b2df000e0dbc/transcript

Who should hold the power to decide how AI is used on our battlefields? That’s the question being debated after a face-off between the Pentagon and one of the world’s biggest AI companies.

Anthropic ultimately lost its contract with the US military after refusing to let its Claude program be used for mass surveillance of American citizens, or for fully automated weapons capable of killing with no human oversight.

But now that its rival, OpenAI, has stepped into the ring and cut its own deal with the government, what does that mean for how AI is used in our current wars – and the wars of the future?

Today, David Wroe from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on tech titans, robodogs and whether AI should be used to kill.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: David Wroe, Australian Strategic Policy Institute

Photo: Xinhua/Sipa USA

Who should hold the power to decide how AI is used on our battlefields? That&rsquo;s the question being debated after a face-off between the Pentagon and one of the world&rsquo;s biggest AI companies.
Anthropic ultimately lost its contract with the US military after refusing to let its Claude program be used for mass surveillance of American citizens, or for fully automated weapons capable of killing with no human oversight.
But now that its rival, OpenAI, has stepped into the ring and cut its own deal with the government, what does that mean for how AI is used in our current wars &ndash; and the wars of the future?
Today, David Wroe from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on tech titans, robodogs and whether AI should be used to kill.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: David Wroe, Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Photo:&nbsp;Xinhua/Sipa USA

Killer Robots and AI on the Battlefield: the Pentagon vs Anthropic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/862385b8-fa4d-4b42-a221-b404005f8733/transcript

It’s been revealed this week that Monash IVF has paid millions of dollars in secret settlements, after two nightmare mixups saw women implanted with the wrong embryos – one of them giving birth to a stranger’s baby.

At least three families have now received compensation for the bungle, which was caused by human error.

But these mistakes – at one of the oldest and most reputable clinics in the country – have had devastating consequences that reach far beyond the affected families, damaging the confidence of anyone relying on fertility treatment in Australia.

In this episode, which first aired in June 2025, Ruby Jones speaks with writer and public health campaigner Hannah Bambra on why the IVF industry is so vulnerable to human error.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Hannah Bambra, writer and public health campaigner

Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

It&rsquo;s been revealed this week that Monash IVF has paid millions of dollars in secret settlements, after two nightmare mixups saw women implanted with the wrong embryos &ndash; one of them giving birth to a stranger&rsquo;s baby.
At least three families have now received compensation for the bungle, which was caused by human error.
But these mistakes &ndash; at one of the oldest and most reputable clinics in the country &ndash; have had devastating consequences that reach far beyond the affected families, damaging the confidence of anyone relying on fertility treatment in Australia.
In this episode, which first aired in June 2025, Ruby Jones speaks with writer and public health campaigner Hannah Bambra on why the IVF industry is so vulnerable to human error.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Hannah Bambra, writer and public health campaigner
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Giving birth to a stranger’s baby: the cost of IVF mistakes

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7b13813c-bd96-4239-b8e9-b404005c10ee/transcript

When the United States launched strikes on Iran, Australia was quick to back the move. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it’s about defending global security. But critics say that argument sounds familiar. More than two decades ago, another Australian prime minister used almost identical arguments to justify joining America’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Back then, Albanese himself warned those decisions would redefine Australia as a willing backer of US militarism no matter whether it is in the national interest. 

Today, political editor at Crikey, Bernard Keane, on why he believes the Prime Minister has undergone a remarkable transformation, and what it means for Australia as the conflict grows.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Bernard Keane, political editor at Crikey

Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

When the United States launched strikes on Iran, Australia was quick to back the move.&nbsp;
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says it&rsquo;s about defending global security. But critics say that argument sounds familiar. More than two decades ago, another Australian prime minister used almost identical arguments to justify joining America&rsquo;s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Back then, Albanese himself warned those decisions would redefine Australia as a willing backer of US militarism no matter whether it is in the national interest.&nbsp;
Today, political editor at Crikey, Bernard Keane, on why he believes the Prime Minister has undergone a remarkable transformation, and what it means for Australia as the conflict grows.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Bernard Keane, political editor at Crikey
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“Deputy Sheriff” Albo’s Wartime Transformation

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/12c74940-7427-4724-bb1c-b40500497d2d/transcript

Read This: Josephine Rowe Isn’t Interested In Efficiency

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