OPINION: If 2022 is remembered for the start of the Ukraine war and the rise of the Metaverse and NFTs, 2023 is likely to be known for its extreme weather and the explosive adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI). 

Unpredictability has become the motto of modern life. 

As an education technologist and researcher, I have recently faced ever-increasing questions about my views of generative AI. To validate the conversations I have been holding across the country and in the absence of local data, I decided to tap into my LinkedIn connections to seek the views of New Zealanders on generative AI. 

One questionnaire, three weeks of information gathering, twenty-two detailed questions, and over 400 freeform comments later, a snapshot picture of how we, as a nation, feel about generative AI emerged. 

The contributors who shared their views included their names and job titles, reflected a sample mix of contributors that included business owners, lecturers, heads of innovation, health workers and consultants. There were church ministers, creative directors, students, futurists and economists. I received extensive feedback from 200 people who provided a moment-in-time, pulse of our nation as they shared their views on our AI-influenced future.

Within the questionnaire, there were many areas of uniformity and agreement, matched almost equally with views that were polarising. Some data stood out for the surprising inconsistency, especially regarding our optimism around the low perceived risks for our own future career security versus our real concern for others. 

There were clear concerns about the ability of people we care about being able to stay abreast of all the changes that are coming; the questionnaire clearly illustrated our over-arching positivity about generative AI, with the vast majority of contributors feeling more optimistic about the future use of generative AI than when they first encountered it. So much so that over one-quarter of the people who responded use generative AI tools daily.

Job loss concerns in the next 1-2 years were of no or low concern for over 55 percent of respondees, dropping more cautiously to 36 percent having no real fear over an extended 5-10 year period.

When it comes to Aotearoa, our ability to stay competitive in the global market in a world where AI brings about a competitive advantage was an area where we shared common anxiety. Over 60 percent of respondees shared genuine concern about New Zealand’s economic future in the 1-2 year time period, increasing to 67 percent concern when we move out to the years between 2028 and 2033.

Unanimous alignment was seen, with 72 percent of all respondents stating that AI technology should be regulated, and of those who believed in regulation or governance, the preferred model, at 40 percent, was through a global AI task force. While the agreement for regulation was strong, many shared they felt this was impossible, while a significant number of respondents imagined a combination of a  global and local governance and enforcement structure would be the preferable option for guardrails.

In an election year, generative AI is clearly a topic we all want to hear more about.

Sixty-four percent of respondents want major political parties to share their thoughts and policies on generative AI and how this technology will influence our nation’s future.

An even higher 74 percent responded with a resounding yes to the question, do you think there should be greater engagement and coverage of the impact of generative AI in media, including coverage on how it will impact business, education and the economy?

Read more: The future of customer experiences is in AI

Eighty-two percent of contributors want Aotearoa to have a Chief Technology Officer focused on leading critical conversations around technology. As someone at the deliberating table reviewing and interviewing CTO for New Zealand applicants in 2018, I am convinced that poor politics got in the way of a great decision. If the need was great back then, this has only continued to be more critical in today’s context.

The Australian government recently announced a $101.2 million budget allocated to support businesses to integrate artificial intelligence technologies into their operations. The new investment was outlined to support the government’s commitment to creating 1.2 million tech-related jobs by 2030. 

The Australian government also announced on 1 June 2023 it was commencing a consultation process to determine whether further regulation is required to ensure that the development and use of AI in Australia is “safe and responsible”.

Commentary around this announcement stated the Government is primarily worried about two issues:

• Australia being left behind in the AI race
• The harm that may arise through the use of AI may be used to exponentially expand the volume of mis- and dis-information disseminated to Australians.

My humble questionnaire, skewed by the makeup of my LinkedIn community, may just be one indicator of where Aotearoa is currently at with our thinking on generative AI, but the outcomes and commentary shared provided many wishlist items ranging from governance, the need for universal communication to build knowledge and understanding, face-to-face and online events to raise community awareness, concerns around equity, energy consumption to power ever-increasing demand and the need for significant investment.

From where I am standing, we have a long way to go before we have the luxury of robust debate that is now underway in the US Congress and by the governments in Canada, the UK and the EU. Every small step we take to bring the conversation to the forefront of what lies ahead will assist our country to be part of the global AI conversation, not just an observer who arrives at the party long after the last song has played.

Later this month, Frances is hosting a masterclass on business disruption and generative AI, held in person at the academyEX HQ in Grafton, Tamaki Makaurau. More information here.