Does Elon Musk's X make you more right wing?

Does Elon Musk's X make you more right wing?

From Download This Show by ABC Australia

February 27, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of the social media platform X on political attitudes and the implications of changes in AI regulation in Australia.

New research about the social media platform X suggests that just a few weeks on what used to be Twitter can shift political attitudes AND the effects can last long after we log off. So is it really possible to use these sites at all without being affected by the system? Plus, Australia's planned AI advisory body has been scrapped after 15 months of preparation . It's been replaced by the Australian AI Safety Institute . What does this mean for AI regulation? And, scientists have found a way to make 3D printed guns traceable . GUESTS: Seamus Byrne, tech reporter and PhD research candidate. Erica Mealy, senior lecturer of computer science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. This episode was produced on the lands of the Burramattagal people.

People in this episode

Guests: Seamus Byrne, Erica Mealy

Topics covered

  • social media
  • political attitudes
  • AI regulation
  • 3D printing
  • gun traceability

Keywords

  • Elon Musk
  • X
  • political shift
  • AI advisory body
  • 3D printed guns

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australian AI Safety Institute, Twitter

Places: Australia, Burramattagal

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