Explainers
- Explainer
- AI
‘Apologies for any confusion’: Why chatbots hallucinate
Eager to please, over-confident and sometimes downright deceptive – if that sounds like the chatbot in your life, you’re not alone. How often does artificial intelligence get it wrong – and can you “train” yourself to work with it?
- Jackson Graham
Latest
- Explainer
- Australian economy
What’s productivity and how could AI affect it?
It’s not just about getting rich, it’s about quality of life – but what is productivity? And why does it matter?
- Shane Wright
- Explainer
- World politics
The ‘miracle’ nation at 60: How Singapore thrived against the odds
It’s six decades since Singapore’s leader set out his program to “make this place tick”. What’s behind the city-state’s success? Is it true that everyone gets a flat? And is there a catch?
- Angus Holland and Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- Weight loss
Myth versus fact: What we know about the risks and side effects of the new weight-loss drugs
Pancreatitis, vision loss ... the risks of drugs such as Ozempic can sound scary. But what does the evidence show?
- Jackson Graham and Hannah Kennelly
- Explainer
- Gold
‘The magic thing about gold’: Why we still covet (and hoard) it
It came from the stars and still dazzles us today. But why is gold believed to be a “store of wealth” in troubled times – and where is it all kept?
- Angus Holland
- Explainer
- Health
Noisy restaurants, muffled voices: How hearing loss creeps up on us
Blasting headphones, loud gigs – it can take years for the damage to show. Then there’s everyday wear and tear to our ears. Here’s how it can be helped.
- Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- NATO
‘A question of when’: Why Russia’s next move could be on the Baltics
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, fears have been revived that it will move on other neighbours. Here’s how they’re preparing for the worst.
- Angus Holland
- Explainer
- Trump's America
Qatar hosts the US air base attacked overnight. Where is it and what else is there to know about this Gulf state?
When Trump visited Qatar in May, the talk was about a fancy jet from the Qataris. But he also dropped into Al Udeid Air Base. Here’s why.
- Angus Holland and Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- Petrol prices
The battleground for Iran’s last stand could hold the world to ransom
Iran’s leader says he will not back down. Could he use a shipping choke point as leverage?
- Angus Holland and Jackson Graham
- Explainer
- Middle East at war
Why have some missiles penetrated Israel’s Iron Dome?
As conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, the damage is clear on the ground in both countries. How are Iran’s missiles evading Israeli defences?
- Jackson Graham and Angus Holland