Brainbox Institute

Internet infrastructure in a changing climate: new research to improve resilience for Aotearoa New Zealand Ellen StricklandAs we wind down the final days of 2024, I wanted to share a bit about an exciting new research project getting underway for next year. The project focuses on growing the resilience of ...

Last work task of the year is a lovely one: sharing that my 2025 plans include leading an exciting new research project on internet infrastructure resilience and climate change www.brainbox.institute/post/interne...

Celebratory dumplings for dinner! News is out I’ve joined @brainboxinstitute.bsky.social to live my best tech policy think tank life with the team there
🤓💻 🎉🥟
www.brainbox.institute/post/the-bra...

Don't miss our webinar about AI and regulation, starting in 30 mins! Sign-up below to get the Zoom link ⬇️

I’m repeating a presentation I gave last week at Victoria University’s AI & Society seminar series on what regulating AI in New Zealand could look like. Do join us! The session will be recorded, but the recording won’t be widely distributed.

Regulating AI: NZ's Path in a Global Context · Zoom · Luma AI has captured the world's attention, prompting significant debate around whether and how it should be regulated. While longstanding AI ethics principles have shaped regulation in...

What could effective AI regulation look like for NZ? Don't miss our webinar on April 9 exploring global AI policy trends & potential regulatory pathways for NZ, led by director @tombcgh.bsky.social. Reserve your spot: lu.ma/ai-reg

AI for Organisations: Seminar and Q&A · Zoom · Luma Countless platforms, businesses, and individuals agree that AI is the most important technology in the world right now. But is it everything it’s cracked up to be? How is it relevant to your...

Are you a decision-maker navigating AI in the workplace? Join our FREE webinar and Q&A on March 20, 11am NZT.

Our AI Lead Allyn Robins will demystify AI, provide actionable insights for your org + answer any queries you have. Register now: lu.ma/0vhvjtci

We’re very excited to share the Transparency Initiatives Portal from the Action Coalition on Meaningful Transparency! To learn more, check out the editorial in @techpolicypress.bsky.social and join us for a launch event on 7/8 March - link here lu.ma/transparency

The Brainbox Institute unveils new NZ AI Policy Tracker Introducing the NZ AI Policy Tracker – a new resource launched today by the Brainbox Institute. This tool is designed to centralise information about Aotearoa New Zealand’s disparate AI regulatory env...

Access the Brainbox Institute NZ AI Policy Tracker here: www.brainbox.institute/post/the-bra...

Survey finds most Kiwis spooked about malicious AI - minister responds AI scams are growing in sophistication - at pace.

The New Zealand Minister for Science and Technology has ruled out any additional legislation for responding to AI in New Zealand in the near future.

Read the article below and check out the Brainbox Institute NZ AI Policy Tracker on our website.

www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sur...

The Brainbox Institute unveils new NZ AI Policy Tracker Introducing the NZ AI Policy Tracker – a new resource launched today by the Brainbox Institute. This tool is designed to centralise information about Aotearoa New Zealand’s disparate AI regulatory env...

Introducing the NZ AI Policy Tracker, a new tool that centralises New Zealand’s disparate AI regulatory environment and provides a one-stop spot for engaging with relevant materials. 

Check it out + let us know what you think: www.brainbox.institute/post/the-bra...

The Panel with Ali Jones and Ed McKnight (Part 2) Today on the show, Susana and panellists Ali Jones and Ed McKnight ask how facial recognition software works, and hear about possible changes to our blood donation scheme. Plus, the Ekatahuna barber.

Brainbox AI Lead Allyn Robins discussed facial recognition technology on RNZ's The Panel yesterday, shedding light on its workings amid the Foodstuffs trial of the tech in supermarkets. Take a listen below: www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

Could Taylor Swift be the catalyst for AI regulation? Indecent, AI-generated photos of the global popstar have prompted US lawmakers to call for action on the burgeoning new technology.

Could Taylor Swift be the catalyst for AI regulation?

Brainbox Institute's AI Lead Allyn Robins explores this important question on RNZ Nights with Emile Donovan.

Listen here: www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...

Or you can read the final report of the Independent Electoral Review here: bit.ly/47Av3br

Our submission to the Independent Electoral Review Last month, the Independent Electoral Review released an interim report outlining what the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s electoral system could look like. While a lot of ground is covered in the ...

we’re cautious about the chilling effect of this offence, especially given the low likelihood that any prosecution will be pursued, or that any conviction will result. For more, you can find our submission here: bit.ly/4907sSR

The panel recommended extending the timeframe for this offence so that it covers the entire advance voting period. Criminal law might be appropriate for disinformation in such tightly defined circumstances, however....

By contrast w/ education-led approaches, the panel recommended expanding existing criminal offences that cover election-related disinfo in sensitive periods (knowingly publishing false information to influence voters in the 2 days leading up to the election + on election day).

Discussion paper and event recording: Deciphering Media Literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand Media literacy is increasingly important in our information-saturated, high-connectivity world. It’s commonly offered as a core solution to challenges posed by artificial intelligence, synthetic med...

In Dec 2023, we released a discussion paper reviewing literature on how to do media literacy effectively, in ways that foster and support a diversity of views and opinions. You can access that report and a recording of our panel launching the report here: bit.ly/3O53zE4

We’re also advocates for emphasising education within a broader framework for disinformation response. Beyond civics and citizenship, media literacy education could also play a significant role.

The panel largely endorsed an education-based approach to disinfo, emphasising the importance of civics + citizenship education across all parts of our society. It also recommended developing funding models that empower community-led education + participation initiatives.

🧵 Disinformation is a notable topic in the recently released report from the New Zealand Independent Electoral Review. In our submission, we called for caution, and we’re encouraged to see the panel has taken a similar approach.

How to navigate the era of unreal images For many, it all began with the pope’s puffer jacket. Maybe for you, it was a digitally enhanced Tom Cruise impersonator, or the recent study that sh...

The era of the the unreal image is well and truly upon us. However, Brainbox AI Lead Allyn Robins argues that this isn't necessarily a negative development – and that effective navigation is within reach. Read his latest for BusinessDesk: businessdesk.co.nz/article/opin...

On Monday we launched our discussion paper, "Deciphering Media Literacy: Charting the future in Aotearoa". You can read it or watch a recording of our launch event panel discussion here: www.brainbox.institute/post/event-a...

Join us next week for the launch of our new policy paper about media literacy. On 18 Dec at 6:30pm, we're hosting an expert panel discussion in AKL, with an option to attend online. Registration is needed for attendance – sign-up here: bit.ly/4adBpQH

Online platform accountability: EU and NZ perspectives explored in new policy paper In August, the Brainbox Institute collaborated with the European Union in Aotearoa New Zealand and Victoria University of Wellington to host a panel addressing the approaches of both the EU and New Ze...

Check out our summary paper of the panel discussion we co-hosted w/ the EU Delegation to NZ + Vic Uni about online platform accountability, ft insights on EU & NZ approaches from Gerard de Graaf, Anjum Rahman, Paul Ash, @tombcgh.bsky.social + Prof Ali Knott: www.brainbox.institute/post/online-...

It was a privilege to attend and participate in the Asia NZ Foundation ASEAN Australia New Zealand Roundtable in October this year. I've written a piece sharing some opinions and reflections on broader themes, and how New Zealand should respond to them. See here: www.asianz.org.nz/track-2/opin...

It's time to admit 'we're in an AI bubble' Comment - Artificial Intelligence is the technology story of 2023. In the face of all of this burgeoning wave of hype and investment, I say - enjoy it while it lasts, writes Allyn Robins.

“In the face of all this burgeoning wave of hype and investment, I say - enjoy it while it lasts. Because it won’t.”

AI Lead Allyn Robins was published in RNZ this week with an article challenging the current AI bubble. www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-...

I’m at #IGF2023 - let’s talk!

We think it’s time to start shaping up AI regulation for New Zealand.

Brainbox AI Lead Allyn Robins appeared on The Spinoff today, highlighting how AI regulation seems to be the elephant in the room at this year's NZ election: thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-...