Best of 2025 on Local Peoples
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By Local Peoples
As always, we’ve spent the year diving deep into the ideas and issues shaping our communities here at Local Peoples.
With our talented writers leading the way, we’ve explored everything from aged care, housing and resilient food systems to AI in public services, sustainable design, and the summits and conferences that inspire us.
We’re excited to share some of our favourite stories with you as we look back on the year that was.
Using Design to Reimagine Aged Care
Nikki Stefanoff looked at how human-centred design is shaping aged care reform as the Aged Care Act (effective from July 2025) began shifting the sector from a provider-driven model to one focused on individual needs, dignity and autonomy.
‘The shift to a human-centred aged care system isn’t just about policy change – it’s about reimagining how we support older Australians to live with dignity, autonomy, and connection.
‘By embedding human-centred design principles into every aspect of reform, we can create spaces, services, and experiences that genuinely reflect the diverse needs of those using them.’
The Agentic Future is Here: Are We Ready?
Daniel Simons examined Agentic AI and its potential to revolutionise how society functions. According to Mark Zuckerberg the world will soon be home to more AI agents than humans.
‘Large Language Models like ChatGPT and Claude might already be writing full length novels and passing law and medical exams, but Open AI’s Sam Altman describes them as “incredibly dumb” compared to AI agents.
‘IBM defines an AI agent as, “a system or program that is capable of autonomously performing tasks on behalf of a user or another system by designing its own workflow and utilising available tools.
‘Unlike LLMs, which rely entirely on user prompts, AI agents can act without any human input.’
Building Wealth Together - Place-Based Approach to Capital Investment
Daniel Vlahek delved into how Place-Based Capital (PBC) empowers communities to address local challenges by leveraging their own assets, reducing financial dependency, and promoting sustainable solutions like affordable housing and renewable energy.
‘By strengthening the connection between people and place, we can create a system that increases local participation and ownership as well as growing equity and prosperity for communities to enable an environment that nurtures self-determination.’
How Emerging Nations Innovate Through Necessity and Resilience
Dickie Currer hit the road to delve into innovation across Asia.
‘To say the people of Southeast Asia have endured much would be an understatement. From European colonisation and ethnic genocides to civil wars, world wars, and periods of widespread poverty, the region has often found itself on the harshest edges of modern history.
‘Yet, time and again, it emerges stronger, a testament to the enduring spirit of its people. It’s no surprise that its peoples have the values of resilience and adaptability at their core.
‘And it’s these values which have now bled into the way their countries evolve in the technological age.’
Can We Trust AI to Serve the Public?
Alexi Freeman discussed the hot-button topic of AI – particularly AI and public services.
‘From social services to transport modelling, AI is being explored across the Australian Public Service for its potential to revolutionise productivity and responsiveness.
‘AI promises radically faster and fairer delivery – reducing wait times for aged care and disability support from years to days – a lifeline for our most vulnerable.
‘But concerns over data ethics, opaque decision-making, and algorithmic bias are fueling public and policymaker hesitation.’
