The AI Forum released their third “BI-ANNUAL SNAPSHOT AI IN ACTION Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on New Zealand’s Productivity“.
This is the second consecutive time Māori and the first time Pacific Peoples are included.
The report recognises that 44% of New Zealanders believe the benefits of AI outweigh the risks, and concerns are higher among Māori (31%) and Pacific Peoples.
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To address low trust in AI for Māori, it is essential to close the AI divide. This is driven by broader digital inequities and provides accessible educational resources to counter misinformation. Our Kāhui Māori Atamai Iahiki are developing a strategy that includes an engagement plan to ensure Māori communities have a representative voice in AI.
Planned initiatives include a for Māori-by-Māori AI training organisation offering both commercial and free training, as well as AI governance rooted in Te Ao Māori vales.
While many Māori communities are fearful of being replaced by AI, the New Zealand trends appear to follow international trends with 55% of respondents saying AI has created new career opportunities
Lee Timutimu and I have co founded the Institute of AI Governance that realising the statement above and offering bespoken AI and AI Governance training that is kaupapa Māori based.
As in the previous report, industry respondents were asked if their organisations include Māori voices in their AI design and development processes.
While not all projects require consultation, where it is needed, it is crucial to engage the right individuals and groups, rather than relying solely on existing Māori staff members.
Compared to the last report in April, there is a slight drop that the report. Firstly, the number of respondents were down from report 2. In addition, as in the last report, I made comments about cultural taxation and assuming that a person who is of Māori descent is a cultural expert is an ongoing issue with Māori in New Zealand. It leads to burnout, humiliation and productivity issues among other issues for the individual and the organisation.
Maybe industry took on board my commentary in April? Overall, I think the numbers are positive.
The benefits of a Purpose-Built AI are discussed from a commercial perspective. A New Zealand and Māori Sovereignty perspective was overlooked. But the report suggests that costs and complicity are decreasing. I think this all makes for a positive argument to keep looking at a New Zealand and Māori sovereign AI.