Crackdown on gifts from IT firms after 'cultivation' of APS staff

Public servants working at the National Disability Insurance Agency who were treated with gifts including lavish dinners and free golf days will be referred to law enforcement authorities, Connor Pearce reports.

Robots are getting more independent, AI is everywhere, and even your vacuum can think for itself these days. Sarah Lansdown meets some of the smart young minds who will be leading us into this brave new world of technology.

We're also learning more about how a hiker who had not been seen since Boxing Day after going missing in Kosciuszko National Park survived. Hadi Nazari, 23, is alive and in good spirits after hikers spotted the Melbourne medical student yesterday afternoon.

Caden Helmers brings us the story of how Canberra cricket star Tom Rogers became the toast of the Big Bash with a head-turning performance putting him at the top of the league.

Thursday will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain and an expected top of 28.

Scott Hannaford, deputy editor