🤖 New Zealand Unveils AI Strategy to Boost Economy, Faces Ethics Criticism

Wellington, July 8 – New Zealand has launched its first national Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy to drive economic growth and improve productivity. The government says AI could add up to NZ$76 billion (US$45.76 billion) to the country’s GDP by 2038.

Science and Technology Minister Shane Reti announced the plan, saying it will make it easier for businesses to adopt AI by reducing red tape and encouraging innovation. The strategy promotes a light-touch regulation model to give the private sector more freedom to develop AI solutions in areas like agriculture and healthcare.

The government also released Responsible AI Guidance to help businesses use AI safely and ethically, using existing laws to manage potential risks.

However, experts have raised concerns. AI researcher Andrew Lensen warned that the strategy focuses too much on profits and too little on the ethical dangers of AI, such as bias and inequality. He called for stronger laws and enforcement to prevent harm to the public.