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AI presents vast potential for driving innovation and improving social, environmental, and economic outcomes in New Zealand. The country’s AI Strategy acknowledges the need to understand AI’s benefits and risks, with foundational principles emphasising safety, ethics, and trust.
Ensuring a reliable, ethical AI approach involves creating safeguards for data use beyond digital tech, as highlighted in the Data Strategy and Action Plan (DSA), aiming to fortify data ethics capabilities and potentially establish a Center for Data Ethics by 2025.
AI governance is a linchpin for organisations of all sizes and sectors, ensuring ethical AI use and aligning operations with evolving legal standards. It safeguards reputation, minimises biases, and fortifies data security while optimising efficiency, managing risks, and fostering stakeholder trust.
This framework catalyses innovation, offering a competitive edge and future-proofing operations amid AI’s rapid evolution. In New Zealand’s tech-focused landscape, robust AI governance aligns innovation with local values, ensuring responsible AI development that benefits organisations and society at large. It propels progress while preserving integrity and societal harmony.
Building on recent milestones – the AI Governance website launch and the XAI white paper in November – the LLM Working Group introduced the prototype of a ‘living’ white paper through a successful webinar. While the XAI work has reached its current phase, the AI Governance and LLM Working Groups are set to continue their impactful strides into 2024, welcoming contributions from enthusiasts.
Educational institutes study the implications and effects of AI in society and the regulations needed to harness and guide its deployment. The University of Otago’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Public Policy (CAIPP) focuses on policy, regulation, ethics, and governance concerning artificial intelligence (AI). It conducts interdisciplinary research to analyse the costs and benefits of AI, exploring global policies and their impacts while specifically assessing policy options for New Zealand.
This centre serves as a unified platform, consolidating the university’s extensive research expertise on the social impacts of AI. It facilitates collaboration among various university initiatives, such as the New Zealand Law Foundation-funded project on AI and law, and the University of Otago’s Artificial Intelligence and Society Group, comprising over 50 researchers and graduate students across diverse academic fields like computer science, law, philosophy, economics, and sociology.
The Artificial Intelligence Forum of New Zealand (AI Forum), a purpose-driven non-profit NGO funded by its members, acts as a unifying platform for AI innovators, investors, regulators, educators, and the wider public. With a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence for New Zealand’s prosperity, inclusivity, and growth, the Forum takes an evidence-based approach. It strategically addresses challenges to unlock opportunities in AI, aiming to overcome barriers and create a positive, impactful future for the nation.
As the new year approaches, the tech landscape in New Zealand is abuzz with innovative ventures and impactful collaborations slated to shape the tech sphere well into 2024.
Upcoming ventures include an AI Strategy Reboot. In the pipeline for the upcoming year is a new Working Group spearheaded. This group aims to craft and implement an AI Strategy for Aotearoa, collaborating across industries, academia, and government entities. Participation is welcome.
Collaborations with key entities aim to bring the global discourse on AI’s impact on creative sectors to New Zealand. Renowned speakers are slated to share insights, promising a profound exploration of AI’s role in content creation.
Backed by foundation partners and helmed by Prof Albert Bifet from The University of Waikato, the 2024 hackathon festival is set to fuel innovation.
Following the success of this year’s summit, preparations are also underway for a larger-scale event in the Aotea Centre on September 11th, 2024.
