New book out: Müller, Vincent C. (ed.), (2022), Philosophy and theory of artificial intelligence 2021 (SAPERE, Berlin: Springer). link.springer.com/book/10.1007/9… From the PT-AI conference 2021 - pt-ai.org #AIEthics #PhilAI

Nick Munn and I have a chapter in this book. We argue that friends don't need special friendship feelings, they just need to want good things for each other and find their contact rewarding. AI and (some!) humans can do these things, so human-AI friendship is possible.

Oh look, a discussion paper on preventing youth offending in NZ. dpmc.govt.nz/sites/default/… Does it mention boot camps? "Harsh punishments have little deterrent effect on young people. Boot camps do not work and “scared straight” programmes have been shown to increase crime. "

After failing in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, the Make it 16 group took their case to the supreme court earlier this year. Justice Ellen France said the Court of Appeal was wrong not to make a declaration and have granted the appeal. rnz.co.nz/news/political…

NZ Supreme Court just granted a declaration of inconsistency: a voting age of 18 is inconsistent with their Bill of Rights! This will give their campaign a far more substantial foothold when fighting for this in parliament. Massive victory. Congratulations Make it 16

Am still yet to see an argument against lowering the voting age that doesn’t fall apart as soon as you hold the same standard up to adults. #MakeIt16

About that voting age decision... I wrote a thing: theconversation.com/parliament-now…

Further to what I wrote (theconversation.com/parliament-now…) Here is a spinoff explainer on the issue! thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-11…

This looks encouraging - Not many need persuasion, even! Early signs suggest Labour keen on lower voting age, via nzherald nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/ea…

The Supreme Court has found that New Zealand’s current voting age limit discriminates against young people. According to Nick Munn (The University of Waikato 🎓), there are other good arguments for lowering the age, including strengthening our democracy. #nzpol bit.ly/3gqlRC1

Government Bill To Lower Voting Age Must Include Option To Just Lower Voting Age For Local Elections scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2211…

I also got asked to comment on this... The government already has a youth crime policy - it works better too stuff.co.nz/national/polit…

I'm *very* surprised that this antivaxxer was also breaking all the other rules... Cafe owner who refused to display Covid-19 QR code imprisoned for not following food safety rules stuff.co.nz/national/13066…

For the trainspotters. 🤓 parliament.nz/en/pb/papers-p…

Recording of "Te Puna Aurei LearnFest", organised jointly by Cardiff University & The University of Waikato 🎓 now available. Contains three streams: (1) Language revitalisation; (2) Online education; (3) Māori language revitalisation + keynotes by Nigel Francis 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇦 & Nick Munn. Available at: waikato.ac.nz/teaching-and-l…

They deserve to lose this so hard... Gloriavale 'can't afford' to lose Employment Court battle, member says rnz.co.nz/news/national/…

Good riddance. Now if only they could close down the group behind the school as well. Northland school closing as it can't practise conversion therapy 1news.co.nz/2023/03/12/nor…

Economists were wrong, you say? Fascinating...

2023 Innovation in Inclusive Curricula Prize Winner! Congratulations to Nick Munn - Environmental Ethics. Nick Munn nickmunn.com/courses 2023 Commendation - Chong-Ming Lim Chong-Ming Lim aap.org.au/Innovation-in-… #AAPhilosophy

I wrote a thing! - AI companions can relieve loneliness – but here are 4 red flags to watch for in your chatbot ‘friend’ theconversation.com/ai-companions-… via The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand