Equipping teachers, parents and learners
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RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Government unveils its first-ever national artificial intelligence strategy
In the plan's forward written by Science and Technology Minister Shane Reti he said New Zealand was the last OECD country to publish such a strategy. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii New Zealand has - at last - joined other countries in tackling the AI opportunity and challenge, with the government unveiling its first-ever national artificial intelligence strategy. The plan - titled "Investing with Confidence" - has been met with enthusiasm from the business sector, but concern from critics who say it sets a "dangerous path forward" and is "worryingly light" on ethical considerations. In a foreword, Science and Technology Minister Shane Reti said New Zealand needed to get moving on AI, noting it was the last OECD country to publish such a strategy. "Artificial intelligence represents one of the most significant technological opportunities of our time," Reti said. "For New Zealand, embracing AI is not merely an option - it is essential." The plan - which was developed with the assistance of AI - positions New Zealand as a "sophisticated adopter" rather than as an inventor of new foundational models. For its part, the government is promising a "light-touch and principles-based" approach using existing legislation and regulations, rather than introducing new ones. "The government aims to encourage investment in AI adoption by reducing uncertainty, removing unintended and unwanted barriers to AI in legislation, and providing clear guidance on responsible AI innovation within New Zealand's existing legal framework." As well, the strategy includes a commitment to grow AI expertise in New Zealand, noting that this year's Budget includes more than $200 million for tuition and training subsidies and more than $60m for STEM and priority areas. Dr Andrew Lensen, a senior lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at Victoria University, said the strategy was heavy on economic growth opportunities but "worryingly light" on ethical and societal issues. "The strategy suggests that new legislation is unnecessary, which I, and many other AI researchers, disagree with," Lensen said. "Having 'principles' is not nearly sufficient to reduce AI-induced harm, bias, and inequity. We need clear legislation and well-resourced enforcement mechanisms to ensure AI does not further harm New Zealanders." Lensen, who also co-directs an AI consultancy, raised the risks of sourcing modern healthcare AI systems from overseas, for example, which might have no regard for New Zealand's unique demographics. "This AI Strategy sets a dangerous path forward for New Zealand, with an attitude of economic growth above social good." In contrast, the Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges applauded the new strategy, saying it would give "clarity and confidence" to many small and medium enterprises which were currently unsure where to start. "This strategy cuts through the fog," Bridges said. "It's practical, not hype. If we don't get moving, we'll fall behind - but this gives Auckland a real platform to lead." A 2024 Datacom survey found that 67 percent of larger New Zealand businesses utilised some form of AI, up from 48 percent in 2023. However, a separate Spark-NZIER survey, also last year, said 68 percent of SMEs had no plans to explore the technology. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Equipping teachers, parents and learners
Barbara Oakley, is a distinguished professor of engineering at Oakland University, California. She is in New Zealand speaking to educators about neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, neurodiversity and creativity. She aims to provide simple and practical tools for people who struggle with traditional approaches to learning. She is also working on a study into declining IQ scores in developed countries - linked to changing educational practices and the rise of "cognitive offloading" via AI and digital tools. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Southern Ocean getting warmer and saltier, will 'change the way the planet works'
Iceberg and large fragments of drifting ice floating in front of the Antarctic Peninsula. Photo: AFP / Claudius Thiriet Warmer, saltier water from deep in the Southern Ocean has started rising to the surface, bringing up more carbon dioxide, and causing Antarctic sea ice to melt. Earth Sciences New Zealand, formerly the [National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research principal scientist of marine physics Dr Craig Stevens told Morning Report that the data - from a satellite, and a robot beneath the surface - had only been released a couple of days ago, and that "lots of the bigger picture stuff" still had to be analysed. If it was confirmed that the warmer, saltier water had made it harder for more sea ice to form, "that's a very big story, and it will sort of confirm the trend that we're seeing around Antarctica with significant reductions in sea ice," he said. It is in contrast with earlier data that showed the Southern Ocean was actually getting progressively less salty since the 1980s. But Stevens said that was before a satellite had been used. "For decades our measurements were just sort of little pinpoints from a particular vessel [that] would go here or there, and we would get a single sample. "So that was showing a freshening through to about a decade ago - near the seabed or the seafloor - and since around 2015 that has reversed. "What this new analyses of satellite data of salinity is confirming that happening at the surface." Stevens added that being able to detect salinity - the salt in the water - from satellite was the most interesting thing about the research. It will mean that we will be able to gather better data on salinity over time, and how that might be impacting sea ice. "Ultimately it is about the conditions that allow that sea ice to form, and if those conditions are changing and making it harder, that will flow through into sort of changed ecosystems. "So it'll change sort of the biology around Antarctica, but it'll also change weather patterns, and it'll change heat content in the ocean, so it'll change the way the planet works." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
