Join business leaders and industry pioneers at this timely Financial Review summit on the latest in AI.
Adapt to an AI world or be replaced, executives warned
“Hairdresser will use AI. Butchers will use AI,” said Mel Silva, Google’s local managing director. Others said a third of executives would be replaced.
Cautious households cut back on retail spending
Retail sales per person fell to their lowest level in two years as cost of living pressures force consumers cut back on non-essentials like clothes and furniture.
The biggest threat to Australia’s lotteries? This Oregon sports bar
In an understated barbecue joint on the outskirts of Portland, lotto sales are booming – thanks to a secretive Northern Territory-registered wagering group.
After Comyn’s AI trip, the CBA boss can compute impact on banking
Comyn now knows AI will reshape the global technology industry, business landscape and geopolitics in profound ways yet to play out.
- Live
- Markets Live
Gold miners shine as shares trade sideways, Boss Energy sinks
Shares fall. Retail sales lift 1.3pc on April 2023. Gold, silver, copper rise. Southern Cross considers ACM deal. Peter Warren downgrades. Playside lifts guidance. Follow here.
Why EV makers are set to turn on Donald Trump
The former president has vowed to shred President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle policies, threatening “you won’t be able to sell those cars” if he is elected.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
How Stockland is punting on a bit of Goodman Group magic
Goodman Group is the gold-standard for creating value in Australian property, so it is interesting to see the likes of Stockland replicating its model.
Husic’s tax call | Lendlease’s UK handbrake | ‘River to the Sea’ explained
AFR AI SUMMIT
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
AI could claim 30pc of executive jobs in two years
As Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn keenly monitors the AI revolution, Adam Driussi of Quantium says more executives need to follow suit.
Husic calls for lower corporate taxes
Industry Minister Ed Husic has called for a lowering of corporate tax, either via direct reduction in the rate or through an economy-wide investment allowance.
Corporate tax reform needs to be on the table, says Husic
This is an edited and abridged transcript of a speech followed by a question and answer session given by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic at The Australian Financial Review AI Summit.
Regulators keeping business in the dark on AI: Productivity Commission
Weeks away from new regulations governing high-risk AI use, regulators still haven’t explained how existing laws apply, says one productivity commissioner.
Google Research chief predicts children will soon be tutored by AI
Yossi Matias said healthcare, education and climate were the three areas most likely to be most changed by artificial intelligence in the near-term.
Get the latest business news on the go with the AFR’s new iOS app.
Companies
- Exclusive
- Media & marketing
Stan executive left Nine’s streaming business after workplace claims
The departure followed complaints from multiple staff, and was months before another executive left the media group amid separate sexual harassment allegations.
Optus raises monthly mobile plan prices by 5-6pc
Optus has quietly raised prices of its cheapest and most popular monthly mobile phone plans for new customers above the rate of inflation, blaming higher costs.
Westpac’s RAMS faces ASIC, APRA blowtorch
ASIC has been investigating the big four-owned group and its franchisees since at least September 2023.
- Exclusive
- Executive shake-up
Canva enterprise boss out after six months
Former Google and Microsoft executive Javier Soltero was hired to lead the company’s enterprise efforts, which are key to its IPO plans.
Catalano taps Barrenjoey, ABL to push Southern Cross deal
Media entrepreneur Antony Catalano wants Southern Cross Austereo to buy his and partner Alex Waislitz’s regional media business.
Spending crunch spreads as Peter Warren Auto tumbles on profit warning
Shares in the second-largest car dealership group on the ASX crashed to a record low as it warned of a margin squeeze amid cost-of-living pressures.
Consulting downturn ‘great for us’ as PiP joins Accenture
Partners in Performance head Skipp Williamson says the firm will continue to do “more than PowerPoints” when it joins Accenture.
Companies in the News
Search companies
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Markets
UBS bets big on China despite ‘challenging’ backdrop
The investment bank believes China is a ‘bright spot’ in Asia, and warns that Indian equities are ‘priced too perfection’.
RBA can still cut this year, says Fitch – traders aren’t so sure
The ratings house view is increasingly at odds with traders, which have pushed pricing for the Reserve Bank’s first rate cut beyond June 2025.
What happened overnight? Nasdaq futures rose to a record, bitcoin steady
Australian shares are set to advance modestly at the open. UK, US markets were closed overnight. Lendlease, BHP and Healthscope in focus.
Barry Sternlicht’s $15b real estate fund limits withdrawals
There’s trouble when an REIT fears it won’t have enough cash to pay investors back because the rate of withdrawals is higher than the amount of money coming in.
$A bulls face disappointment on long road to pandemic high
Traders hoping the Australian dollar will strengthen may be caught out as optimism over China’s rebound fades and the local economy falters.
Opinion
Why tariffs won’t stop China’s dominance in EVs
Chinese EVs are facing higher tariffs in Europe and the US, raising the likelihood of a broader trade war. Australia may be caught in the middle.
Columnist
Populism aside, questions hang over universities’ foreign student trade
The political risk confronting universities’ lucrative international students trade raises questions about their business model and the benefits for higher education.
Editorial
Here are the facts about Australia’s nuclear submarine program
It is not an alliance of mutual obligation. It is not a commitment to support the US in a conflict over Taiwan. It is a technology capability pact.
Defence expert
Why inflation will be back, sooner than you think
Central banks cannot be as independent as we like to believe. And they would always rather avoid a recession than avoid inflation.
Columnist
Rising bond yields have investors on edge
Rising bond yields are casting a cloud over the US equity market, as investors focus on the budgetary implications of the November presidential election.
Columnist
Forget defence, agriculture is key to Prabowo’s Indonesia
Indonesia is obsessed with food self-sufficiency, and free lunches for children was a key election promise from the new president. Australia can help him with both.
Asia commentator
Reports
The future of financial advice
This special report looks at options to make financial advice more accessible and affordable, including robo-advice, as well as tips for the new financial year.
Sponsored
by CommBankPolitics
Human Rights Commission’s ‘silence deafening’ on antisemitism: Samuel
Former regulator Graeme Samuel has taken aim at the Human Rights Commissioner for her “deafening silence” on the rise of antisemitism.
APRA tightens Mercer’s super licence over risks, compliance failures
The watchdog has forced Mercer Super to bring in external compliance experts after finding several breaches of its legal duties.
Boomer ‘wave’ of outflows starts to hit super
Australia’s biggest retail superannuation funds are paying out billions more dollars in cash than they are bringing in as baby boomers reach retirement age.
Tax cut ‘surprise’ could pump $10b back into economy
A surprisingly large number of people are unaware of the stage three tax cuts, which may make them more likely to spend their share of $23 billion, adding pressure to inflation.
Foreign ‘power couples’ could head the queue under migration revamp
Amid business fears migration cuts will worsen labour shortages, the Coalition wants foreign workers’ partners to have skills that contribute to the economy.
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World
‘River to the Sea’ explained in one map and two charts
The slogan is a kind of Rorschach test for people in the pro-Israel and pro-Palestine camps – and Canberra is struggling to bridge the gap.
Israel’s ‘unbearable’ Rafah strike triggers global outrage
Israel faced widespread international condemnation for the airstrike that killed dozens of Palestinians in a camp for displaced civilians in Rafah.
Why EV makers are set to turn on Donald Trump
The former president has vowed to shred President Joe Biden’s electric vehicle policies, threatening “you won’t be able to sell those cars” if he is elected.
Nadal loses in the French Open’s first round
The loss to Alexander Zverev knocked the 14-time Roland Garros champion out of his favourite tournament.
US legislator tells Taiwan its weapons are coming
The island nation has complained for two years of delays in deliveries of US weapons, as manufacturers supply Ukraine to support its defence against Russia.
Property
Central Coast builder for Woolies and Singo collapses
Stevens Construction built a number of supermarkets and malls for Woolworths and also completed residential projects for John Singleton.
Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide apartments poised to outperform
Fewer property valuers expect demand to rise in the next 12 months, but more are still predicting higher prices due to scarce supply.
Barry Sternlicht’s $15b real estate fund limits withdrawals
There’s trouble when an REIT fears it won’t have enough cash to pay investors back because the rate of withdrawals is higher than the amount of money coming in.
Former analyst pays $48m for Brisbane office tower
Jacob Fong has taken a deep dive into the Brisbane office market and uncovered good buying opportunities in the city’s Midtown precinct.
Co-working is moving to the suburbs
With hybrid work the new norm, the industry is betting on sedate suburban and small-town locations where employees of big companies go to escape their homes.
Wealth
- Exclusive
- Rich List
AI reshapes Rich Lister business but not their fortunes yet
Rich Listers are using AI to overhaul graphic design, advance healthcare and improve cybersecurity, but few are investing personally.
- No. 38
- Rich List
Why Shakespeare matters to Rich Lister Katie Page
“We all quote Shakespeare all the time, whether we know it or not.” The Harvey Norman CEO – and Rich Lister – has a lifelong love for The Bard.
‘I spent four months in and out of hospital thanking my old boss for this advice’
After a potentially life-threatening gallbladder condition, Jessica Brady has two goals: Listen to her body, and make sure young people are prepared for the worst.
Technology
- Opinion
- AI
This is how the Silicon Valley geeks could destroy Hollywood
Sam Altman’s obsessive pursuit of Scarlett Johansson for his new chatbot has helped end an 18-month media honeymoon for AI companies.
- Opinion
- Cybersecurity
Microsoft CEO should be fired over cyber failure
A cyber breach slammed by the US government for leaving customers exposed is down to a culture led by Satya Nadella of profit over security.
- Exclusive
- AI
Rich Lister entrepreneur’s final start-up will build underwater robots
Bevan Slattery is arguably Australia’s most successful tech entrepreneurs of the last 20 years. He thinks he has one more start-up in him, and has big plans for reviving coral reefs.
Work & Careers
Harsh migration cuts will stifle new mega-uni’s ambitions
Adelaide University got its official tick of approval on Tuesday, but its plan to recruit 13,000 new students over eight years could suffer from migration cuts.
Female graduates beat males on all fronts – except salary
The gender pay gap is reducing – slowly – over time. But women who graduate at the same time as men can still expect to earn significantly less.
Life & Luxury
What top brain experts do every day to avoid dementia
Dementia is a journey into darkness that affects millions around the world. Here’s what four leading brain health experts do to try and protect themselves.
- Driving With Tony Davis
- Motoring
Volvo’s new EX30 Ultra takes just 5.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h
The fully electric city slicker is the brand’s fastest accelerating car ever, plus it’s roomy, quiet and friendly looking. What’s not to like?
Robovacs finally come to grips with corners
Having mastered the first stage of the robotic evolution, vacuum manufacturers have moved onto the next challenge.
Building a home? These Melbourne beauties are an ode to concrete
Make a street statement with this silky-smooth material. It may be costly to produce but its versatility and durability make it a joy to live with.
Rap album worth $6m to be played at MONA
The two CDs are the only physical copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album recorded in secret over six years, and sold for millions at auction.
