There is a new weapon being used by phone scam criminals – voice cloning. People may receive a phone call from a voice which sounds like a son, daughter, mother, business associate or friend – but it won’t be one of those, it will be a voice which has been ‘cloned’ from their voice with AI.

“I wish I was one of those sophisticated people who could understand the nuances of artistic expression,” a Topical correspondent says. “I have just read that a performance by the Australian Ballet of Stephanie Lake’s ‘Circle Electric’ at the Sydney Opera House is promoted as ‘a microscopic investigation of the intricate and the intimate, ultimately expanding to encompass a telescopic view of humanity.’ “All on stage in an hour or so, and without words, too.”

Topical receives all sorts of comments and suggestions from readers. This week, a reader shared her view on life: “If you really want impartial, sensible, arm’s-length advice from someone on any contentious issues, just ask the oldest woman in the room – her opinion will be worth hearing.”