Humankind stands at a crossroads: will artificial intelligence make us superhumanly productive, liberating us from life’s most mundane tasks? Or have we opened Pandora’s box, unleashing sentient technology that will eventually destroy us?

In a colossal contest of persuasion and wit, two teams of our best and brightest debate whether artificial intelligence is better than the real thing. 

Decide once and for all with team captains Annabel Crabb and David Marr, as they duke it out alongside teammates Matilda Boseley, Rhys Nicholson, Tracey Spicer and Toby Walsh. Adjudicated by Yumi Stynes.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: 
Instagram: @sydwritersfest 
Facebook: @SydWritersFest 
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest 
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Humankind stands at a crossroads: will artificial intelligence make us superhumanly productive, liberating us from life&rsquo;s most mundane tasks? Or have we opened Pandora&rsquo;s box, unleashing sentient technology that will eventually destroy us? In a colossal contest of persuasion and wit, two teams of our best and brightest debate whether artificial intelligence is better than the real thing. Decide once and for all with team captains Annabel Crabb and David Marr, as they duke it out alongside teammates Matilda Boseley, Rhys Nicholson, Tracey Spicer and Toby Walsh. Adjudicated by Yumi Stynes.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media:  Instagram: @sydwritersfest  Facebook: @SydWritersFest  X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest  TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more. Subscribe to our channel for new releases.

Australia's largest celebration of writing and ideas.

Sydney Writers' Festival

Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas. Bringing together the world's best authors, leading public intellectuals, scientists, journalists and more.

SWF Great Debate: Artificial Intelligence is Better Than the Real Thing

Join Benjamin Law and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2025 Sydney Writers’ Festival program.

The pair talk about the 2025 Festival theme, In This Together, and how books bring us closer to one another, our planet and ourselves.

The 2025 Sydney Writers' Festival is out now. Head to our website to explore the program: https://www.swf.org.au/

Tickets on sale Saturday 15 March at 10am.

Thank you to 2SER for facilitating the recording of this podcast.

Join Benjamin Law and Artistic Director Ann Mossop as they discuss the 2025 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival program.
The pair talk about the 2025 Festival theme, In This Together, and how books bring us closer to one another, our planet and ourselves.
The 2025 Sydney Writers' Festival is out now. Head to our website to explore the program: <a href="https://www.swf.org.au/">https://www.swf.org.au/</a>
Tickets on sale Saturday 15 March at 10am.
Thank you to 2SER for facilitating the recording of this podcast.

2025 Program Announcement: Benjamin Law and Ann Mossop

Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood invite us onto the Country they call home in Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra, reflecting on life after publishing Dark Emu.

In the aftermath of devastating bushfires in north-eastern Victoria, the couple rebuilt their farm. Here, they run the Aboriginal social enterprise Black Duck Foods, committed to traditional food-growing processes that care for Country and give back to the community. 

Sit down with Bruce and Lyn, in conversation with Kerry O’Brien to explore how Australian agriculture can be transformed through the practices of the past.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:
Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood invite us onto the Country they call home in Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra, reflecting on life after publishing Dark Emu. In the aftermath of devastating bushfires in north-eastern Victoria, the couple rebuilt their farm. Here, they run the Aboriginal social enterprise Black Duck Foods, committed to traditional food-growing processes that care for Country and give back to the community. Sit down with Bruce and Lyn, in conversation with Kerry O&rsquo;Brien to explore how Australian agriculture can be transformed through the practices of the past.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp;
Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

Bruce Pascoe and Lyn Harwood: Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra

We all know the importance of literacy for school and life, but what happens when, despite all your efforts, reading just doesn’t “click”?

Sally Rippin, the Australian Children’s Laureate and author of the book Wild Things: How we learn to read and what happens if we don’t is joined by journalist and Dyslexia advocate, Cat Rodie, in an exploration of literacy, education and those who often fall through the gaps.

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 
Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media: 

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
X (Twitter): @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

We all know the importance of literacy for school and life, but what happens when, despite all your efforts, reading just doesn&rsquo;t &ldquo;click&rdquo;? Sally Rippin, the Australian Children&rsquo;s Laureate and author of the book Wild Things: How we learn to read and what happens if we don&rsquo;t is joined by journalist and Dyslexia advocate, Cat Rodie, in an exploration of literacy, education and those who often fall through the gaps.
This episode was recorded live in May at the 2024 Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel.&nbsp; Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms.&nbsp;
After more? Follow Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival on social media: 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydwritersfest/">@sydwritersfest</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> X (Twitter): <a href="https://twitter.com/SydWritersFest">@SydWritersFest</a> TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydwritersfest">@sydwritersfest</a>

SWF Great Debate: Artificial Intelligence is Better Than the Real Thing

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