The global backlash against women's rights, Me Too six years on, why AI is quietly replicating old prejudices at scale, and what we can do about it.
Sharp, funny, fierce and full of hope. Tracey Spicer spent three decades anchoring national programs for the ABC, Ten and Sky News. She's a multiple Walkley winner, an Order of Australia recipient, and accepted the global Sydney Peace Prize alongside Tarana Burke for the Me-Too movement. Her TEDx Talk has nearly seven million views, she is one of Australia's most recognised voices, and she's using it louder than ever.
Now, through her book Man-Made, she's sounding the alarm on the bias being baked into AI and pulling absolutely no punches.
SHOW NOTES
Jennifer introduces Tracey Spicer as a renowned Australian media figure with over three decades of experience who's now focusing on AI bias through her book "Man Made." The two quickly bond over their shared "bogan" backgrounds from the outskirts of Brisbane, establishing a foundation of authenticity for their conversation.
UN conference and Malala's powerful moment @ 1:49
Tracey shares her experience at the UN Commission on the Status of Women and reflects on Malala’s emotional call to make gender inequity a crime against humanity.
Global rollback of women's rights @ 6:21
A powerful discussion on the growing backlash against women’s rights worldwide and why collective action matters more than ever.
Intergenerational feminist collaboration @ 8:15
Tracey and Jennifer explore how younger women’s energy combined with older women’s wisdom can create meaningful change.
Me Too movement's impact six years later @ 16:22
Tracey reflects on how Me Too changed workplace conversations while highlighting the rise of more subtle and tech-facilitated harassment.
Positive masculinity countering the manosphere @ 18:36
The conversation highlights the importance of positive male role models and organisations helping young men challenge harmful online influences.
AI bias and its real-world consequences @ 23:24
Tracey explains how AI systems are replicating historical bias in areas like loans, healthcare, and social services.
Digital exclusion mirroring real-world discrimination @ 28:28
The discussion explores how AI-generated images and systems often erase diversity, disability, ageing, and women’s lived experiences.
Practical steps for ethical AI engagement @ 31:56
Tracey shares practical ways women can engage with AI more ethically, including machine teaching and learning how these systems work.
Media power structures replicated in tech @ 37:36
Drawing on her media career, Tracey explains how the same power imbalances seen in traditional media are now appearing in tech and AI.
Protopia: A balanced vision for technology @ 41:02
Tracey introduces the concept of “protopia” where technology is developed to support humanity rather than control it.
Final wisdom and personal reflection @ 45:08
The episode closes with Tracey sharing the advice she would give her younger self: fight the good fight sooner.
CONTACT TRACEY
Buy my best-selling memoir here: https://tinyurl.com/yxvzjc8d
Watch my global TEDx Talk here: https://youtu.be/PENkzh0tWJs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/traceyspicerjournalist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traceyspicer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyspicer/
