Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, and for Digitising Government Judith Collins said the government had joined the UK's Bletchley Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety.
AI, when used responsibly, can be a game changer for New Zealand, supporting productivity, innovation, and economic development. The UK’s Bletchley Declaration is an important international agreement that affirms AI's potential for society and economies.
To achieve this, AI must be designed, developed, deployed, and used responsibly and safely, as well as in a people-focused manner that can be trusted.
In May, New Zealand signed the Seoul Ministerial Statement for Advancing AI Safety, coupled with the Bletchley Declaration and Cabinet’s confirmed approach to AI according to the OECD’s AI Principles, which solidified its focus on the responsible use of AI.
“Important safety standards and pressure will be applied on the international stage, and New Zealand is proud to be part of global efforts towards responsible AI,” said Collins.
“The Government will next year consult publicly on a national AI strategy to encourage greater use of AI to deliver better results for New Zealanders.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment has developed an initial cross-portfolio that focuses on policy changes, while the Department of Internal Affairs’ Government Chief Digital Officer is leading work to support public sector agencies in exploring the safe use of AI for efficiency and service delivery improvements.
“I am confident that all the work underway will form a coherent approach to AI in New Zealand – delivering greater productivity, innovation and growing New Zealand’s economy to benefit all New Zealanders.”
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