Open mike 01/06/2023

68 comments on “Open mike 01/06/2023 ”

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1. Sanctuary 1

   1 June 2023 at 8:17 am

   If the amount of toy throwing tantrums from Wayne Brown, Mautrice "millions of data points" Williamson, and Christine Fletcher in the last few days is any indication their ukelele band of aging boomer duffers on the council don't have their numbers to sell the airport shares or for their slash and burn budget.

   Brown in particular was a complete blathering idiot again by naming the two “left” councillors who he thought got him over the line on the airport share sale. Immediately the heat went on the two councillors in question who then ran a mile from backing the mayor’s proposal. I mean, what did he expect? Then he resorted to crude threats, typical.

   Maurice Williamson and Christine Fletcher were bot on RNZ this morning, Williamson attempting to scare the horses with weary 1990s TINA shroud waving and Christine Fletcher reprising Hyacinth Bucket while kicking the council sataff in the teeth, going so far as claiming she has been seeking “legal advice” about the the briefings from the council staff.

   They are NOT happy. They thought the good old days of the pre-super city Auckland council dominated by C&R fogeys was back with a vengeance.
   • PsyclingLeft.Always 1.1

     1 June 2023 at 8:37 am

     If Mayor "buckets" Brown response to the severe flooding was an indication….he should never be near any decision making. Ol' Nat failures Maurice Williamson and Christine Fletcher ditto.

     Hopefully there are enough with sense..and ability, to put a halt to these TINA's….

     IMO….
   • Ad 1.2

     1 June 2023 at 8:53 am

     It was good to see Mike Lee come out solidly against the sale of the airport shares.

     https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2023/05/30/guest-blog-mike-lee-councils-airport-share-privatisation-will-disinherit-future-generations-of-aucklanders/

     Still one guy in there with a memory.

     At some point the golf courses are going to have to come back into the frame.

     Selling the council’s golf courses would reduce the ongoing losses from running the courses of over $160 million per year and raise north of $4 billion in an asset sales process, which would lift the combination of avoided losses and interest savings to over $320 million a year.

     Check out the number of councils that are in serious trouble either in governance or in finances or both.

     All is not well.
     • Visubversa 1.2.1

       1 June 2023 at 9:09 am

       Unfortunately, the 13 or so golf courses that Auckland Council owns are a bit like Eden Park – they suck up a lot of public $$$$$ but are run by the political elite who have the ability to mount campaigns to ensure that the flow of public money remains unabated.

       Look what happened with Chamberlain Park golf course – unused to the point where Council was having to do everything to keep it going, but the minute there was a suggestion that the course be shared by reducing it to 9 holes and the waterway remediated and opened up for more local use, all hell broke loose.

       The moans that this was the only course available to "working class" people soon vanished beneath a tide of financial support for a Judicial Review (which failed on all counts) and a political campaign (which failed to get any C&R people elected in the relevant Ward).

       However, Covid and a few other things seems to have largely halted the plans for change and one has no faith that they will be pursued under this administration.
       • Ad 1.2.1.1

         1 June 2023 at 9:20 am

         I'm aware of that Chamberlain debate, and agree white old people are NZ's most effective lobbyists.

         Political noise ought to be generated about any asset sale.

         But if the airport share sale fails as a budget proposal, the Mayor is going to need a Plan B. And he will need it very fast.

         The Mayor needs to test whether he can get more Councillors to support golf course sales, not airport sales.
         • Belladonna 1.2.1.1.1

           1 June 2023 at 9:52 am

           I don't necessarily support golf course sales – in general I don't support selling publicly owned land – you never get it back.
           However, I do, most certainly, support repurposing those areas into more generally accessible parkland, sports and recreation areas and wetland remediation (January has taught us all how valuable these can be)
           It's possible that there might be some housing conversion in some areas – though I'd be highly cautious about this – our green-spaces are too precious to be built over. And, while the air-port shares have been characterized as 'selling the family silver'; in reality, it's our green spaces which are the family silver of our cities.

           Of course, if a private entity and/or community trust wants to purchase one of the golf courses – at full land and improvements value price – with a permanent covenant to prevent it being converted into any other use – I'd be willing to consider this. I note that those wealthy-golf-playing users are highly reluctant to consider this option.
           • Visubversa 1.2.1.1.1.1

             1 June 2023 at 10:19 am

             There are some of them which are not suitable for housing development as they are in wet areas – Narrow Neck being the most obvious.

             However they cost a lot to maintain and that includes a shedload of chemicals for weed control, fertalisers etc, so there is an ecological cost as well.

             There is certainly a premium to be obtained for housing that abuts a golf course and in these days of using less, there is nothing scared about 18 holes.
             • Belladonna …

               1 June 2023 at 1:40 pm

               However, if you're selling off the golf course for housing, then there is, no-longer an 18-hole golf course for the housing to abut.
         • Bearded Git 1.2.1.1.2

           1 June 2023 at 9:59 am

           The airport sale is not really a "budget proposal". It is a chance for Brown's rich mates to pick up shares that are a surefire bet to appreciate billions. This is what it is all about really.

           I was listening to ZB yesterday (crazy I know but RNZ is boring in the afternoon) where they had a debate on the airport sale. Simon Barnet to his credit was arguing that the airport should be retained by the council. A finance expert texted in and said Auckland Airport was one of the key shares he would always recommend as part a balanced portfolio, along with the banks, power companies etc.
           • tc 1.2.1.1.2.1

             1 June 2023 at 11:35 am

             Just like the power generators, shift the dividend from public to private hands with a manufactured 'the sky will fall if we dont'.

             We can all see how that worked out with them shelling out 3bill more in dividends than profit I.e. loading up debt on essential utility entities.
           • higherstandard 1.2.1.1.2.2

             1 June 2023 at 5:16 pm

             'The airport sale is not really a "budget proposal". It is a chance for Brown's rich mates to pick up shares that are a surefire bet to appreciate billions. This is what it is all about really.'

             The shares are freely tradable on the stock exchange at present they have appreciated by 33% over the last 5 years so hardly stellar returns.
             • Incognito …

               1 June 2023 at 7:07 pm

               The AIA share price tanked in 2020 thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. So, the comparable performance over the last 5 years with NZ50G, for example, is arguably stellar.
     • higherstandard 1.2.2

       1 June 2023 at 5:18 pm

       Who are the council going to sell them to ?

       Would the land be covenanted to stop massive in fill housing which will stuff the city even more than its currently being stuffed up ?
       • Ad 1.2.2.1

         1 June 2023 at 6:03 pm

         I take it you've never seen a masterplan before.

         Pop over to Hobsonville.
         • Higherstandard 1.2.2.1.1

           1 June 2023 at 6:56 pm

           I’ve seen hobsonville it is fkn hideous
2. Sanctuary 2

   1 June 2023 at 8:52 am

   There will end up being a rates rise considerably more than 4.5% but less than 10%, a bit more borrowing, and maybe some shares sold.

   Aything less than total victory for the boomer ukelele band will infuriate the old duffer vote and the spewing in the Herald will be enormously funny to read.
   • Phillip ure 2.1

     1 June 2023 at 2:16 pm

     There is a mathematical equation around airport shares I am still unclear on..

     As 20% owners of airport shares council is responsible for 20% of the interest paid annually on the large debt the airport owes..

     How much is that each year .?

     And is that separate from or factored into/deducted from the dividend paid out to council..?

     And re council debt…why is a one-off large rate rise a third rail..?

     We are talking about real estate that has had massive increases in value..

     The amount asked for in such a one-off (to clear debt)…would be chump change compared to the profits those owners have enjoyed..

     And why can't commercial rates be amped up to something realistic..?

     Once again this would be chump change in their annual overheads..

     Why the third rail…?

     Is anyone arguing for this..?

     If not..why not…?
3. Sanctuary 3

   1 June 2023 at 9:42 am

   Wayne Brown's lack of tranparency and accountability to the media (except for chosen lackies like Boresman at the Herald) appears to finally be becoming a story:

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/300893959/auckland-mayor-wayne-brown-cherrypicks-journalists-to-best-convey-his-message-on-major-council-budget-update

   The guy has had a dream run with the media, with hagiographic coverage by NZME and a benefit of the doubt approach from the “B” team that is the rest of the MSM. It looks like they've begun to get a bit tired with that “B” team moniker.

   If the non-NZME MSM decide to go to war with the mayor, things will start to get spicey.
   • AB 3.1

     1 June 2023 at 10:09 am

     Newshub also have the story – Brown apparently invited only "sensible" media and Newshub were excluded. Brown is using tame media as a propaganda machine and excluding others – he should go now.
     • Sanctuary 3.1.1

       1 June 2023 at 11:12 am

       I have to say – I didn't have "Wayne Brown loses Bernard Orsman" on my bingo card this week.

       https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-mayor-wayne-browns-final-budget-plan-offers-lollies-in-exchange-for-selling-the-councils-airport-shares/LY63R6HZSVCOPPJNOAHJA65X7Y/
       • Phillip ure 3.1.1.1

         1 June 2023 at 2:50 pm

         I read the orsman piece..

         In it the claim is made that council pays out $100 million each year in interest..and receives back $23 million in dividend…(!)

         If that claim is true..(and I know that in some years no dividend was paid…but you don't get that payout leniency with interest due..do you..?)

         If that is true..it is economic madness for council to continue to own those shares…

         How can it not be..?

         And a breakdown of the last ten years could be useful..

         How much was paid out in interest by council in those years..?

         against how much was paid in dividend to Auckland council..?

         That should bring things more sharply into focus..
       • Visubversa 3.1.1.2

         1 June 2023 at 5:15 pm

         Bernard would not be pleased when he saw the collection of dingbats and frootloops who were invited as VIP guests. The "Westmere Weirdo Collection" for a start. Lisa Praegar and her mates.
     • Sanctuary 3.1.2

       1 June 2023 at 11:24 am

       Holy shambolic ramble batman!

       What was with his press conference? Watch it. Halting delivery, rude, sarcastic and gratuitously nasty. The guy is the complete ugly boomer. What a tosser.
       • Phillip ure 3.1.2.1

         1 June 2023 at 1:55 pm

         What is the word for a male 'karen' ..?
         • gsays 3.1.2.1.1

           1 June 2023 at 6:52 pm

           Kevin.
           • RosieLee 3.1.2.1.1.1

             1 June 2023 at 7:53 pm

             Wayne will do.
       • Phillip ure 3.1.2.2

         1 June 2023 at 3:17 pm

         I saw the highlights reel…

         He slammed Auckland transport for spending $ 11 million in tarting up the vodofone building they decided was their.new hq..plus for the huge annual lease they pay..and told them to get out of there..and move into the council building..

         I don't have any problems with that..

         And he slammed that troughing exercise the heart of the city..for what it is..

         And I don't have any problems with that..

         I would also have no problem with him clearing out the enormous amount of comms staff that council employs…(with them I have long wondered w.t.f. do they actually do all day..?

         And what's with the fucken vehicles they buy…?

         Why do they have to have massive diesel suvs to drive around in..?..suvs that never see mud on their tyres..and are really really expensive/polluting..

         Give them vans…and nissan bloody micras to drive around in..

         And yes…focus on the golf courses…and return them to public use..open spaces open to all..and any building on to be community focused…

         And speaking of troughing..why is former mayor phil trough not in the gun for this blowout..?
         • Visubversa 3.1.2.2.1

           1 June 2023 at 5:18 pm

           Because the head of the Finance Committee of the previous Council was Councillor Desley Simpson. Former wife of a Nat MP, present wife of the previous National Party President. The finances were in her hands. She is now the Deputy Mayor.

           And Phil Goff returned substantial amounts of his Mayoral Office budget unspent. He was not a profligate Mayor.
           • Phillip ure 3.1.2.2.1.1

             1 June 2023 at 6:09 pm

             Thank you for clarifying that…

             So she would have approved a.t. spending $11 million on refurbishment..and $6 million (!) in lease payments each year..?

             And the purchase of all those remuera tractors..?

             And if she was running finances how was it not in this crisis situation just before the election..?

             Under her watch…
     • rod 3.1.3

       1 June 2023 at 4:54 pm

       Lets face it, Brown is just another National Party Poodle.
   • newsense 3.2

     1 June 2023 at 2:43 pm

     Time to remember that as well as being a cu t, this guy is a proto-fascist, surrounded by people who will help him achieve that way of working , including ex-tobacco industry folk and others with similar moral values.
4. Sanctuary 4

   1 June 2023 at 9:47 am

   According to the story on the radio this morning, Te Whata Ora has inherited 270 middle managers they plan to rationalise to 110 and 200 comms staff they want to slash by a huge amount as well.

   https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/491097/te-whatu-ora-to-decide-fate-of-hundreds-of-jobs-on-friday

   It seems stories of bloated DHB bureaucracies full of overpaid middle managers getting fat on the taxpayer dime may not have been far from the mark.

   Ironic it is a Labour government taking the razor to the PMC when all the hot air on the issue always comes from the right.
5. Sanctuary 5

   1 June 2023 at 9:52 am

   In another item of interest, I read the Ukrainian government has begun turning off all CCTV cameras and blocking mobile phone signals.

   That most likely signals the movement of units from rear areas to forming up points preparatory to an assault.
   • UncookedSelachimorpha 5.1

     1 June 2023 at 11:46 am

     Slava Ukaini!

     I wish the Ukrainians the best of luck in throwing out the russian invaders. Unfortunately it will not happen without the loss of many Ukrainian lives, which is appalling. No Ukrainian wanted or asked for this.
6. Ad 6

   1 June 2023 at 10:22 am

   So check out how tight this town is.

   The Mayor is the son of a senior Council official who was ousted and paid out massively, just before the election.

   A major petition calling for the resignation of the Council chief executive was launched by an employee in a company owned by a sitting councillor.

   That same business also employs the Mayor's mother.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/southland-top-stories/132193092/councillors-employee-set-up-petition-calling-for-gore-ceos-resignation

   And of course as a result of no-one talking to each other at the council, they now have to put up their rates with no public consultation.

   That is one divided town.
   • Graeme 6.1

     1 June 2023 at 4:17 pm

     The sitting councillor and the Mayor were both on the same ticket at the last election.

     https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/challenger-takes-lead-gore-mayoral-race-still-too-close-call

     A lot of people in Gore not happy about the state of their town and the inability / unwillingness of the old guard to do anything about it.
7. Mike the Lefty 7

   1 June 2023 at 10:57 am

   A repost from yesterday.

   For those interested in the debate over Artificial Intelligence and its probable National Party role in election advertising I urge you to listen to yesterday's "The Detail" programme on RNZ.
   • Sanctuary 7.1

     1 June 2023 at 11:08 am

     National would be mad to continue using AI into the election campaign. As it is, they have a credibility problem. Running ads using AI would mean the integrity of National would be what was discussed in the media, not the content of the advertisments.
     • tsmithfield 7.1.1

       1 June 2023 at 11:50 am

       I really don't see why people are vexxing about this. Likely, every party will be using it at the next election. I think people are just jealous that National got in first.
       • Incognito 7.1.1.1

         1 June 2023 at 12:04 pm

         Yeah, right! I was very jealous of Chris Luxon, as not everybody can afford holidaying in Te Puke.
         • tsmithfield 7.1.1.1.1

           1 June 2023 at 12:15 pm

           From what I have seen, there doesn't appear to be any problem with using that technology. After all, even if real people are used in ads, people often aren't aware if the people actually believe what they are saying.

           It would be a problem though, if AI were used, say to generate video of Hipkins confessing to be a pedo, or similar.

           That is where I think the greatest danger lies, in that it is getting increasingly difficult for people to distinguish what is true and what is false.

           But, I see no problem at all in the context for which it was used in those ads. As I said, everyone will be using it next time.
           • Incognito 7.1.1.1.1.1

             1 June 2023 at 1:10 pm

             Your reply contains a strawman fallacy, as there are already NZ Laws to protect people against defamation and false allegations.

             You seem to be one of the Three Wise Monkeys.
           • Phillip ure 7.1.1.1.1.2

             1 June 2023 at 2:04 pm

             I don't see any problem..in this case..of/from using ai images over stock photos…

             Where's the problem..?
             • tsmithfield …

               1 June 2023 at 2:13 pm

               Exactly. As I pointed out below, AI images can be created to exactly match the requirement for the ad or whatever.

               Not always that easy to do with stock images.
               • Mike the Lefty …

                 1 June 2023 at 2:25 pm

                 I suppose making up fictitious people saying what you want them to say is cheaper than going out and paying real people to do it, as they said on "The Detail" last night.
                 • Belladonna …

                   1 June 2023 at 3:09 pm

                   I suppose making up fictitious people saying what you want them to say

                   Isn't that what all advertising is?

                   How is it morally superior to pay an actor to pose in your advertisement, or pay for a stock image to illustrate your advertisement; rather than using an AI to generate the image?

                   No one supposes that the actor agrees with the content of the advertisement (Does the Briscoes lady really buy everything from that store?) – let alone a stock image – where the actor may not even know their image has been used.
       • adam 7.1.1.2

         1 June 2023 at 2:27 pm

         The jealous chestnut this early in the election cycle, you tory's are really shitting yourselves 'ant ya.
         • Phillip ure 7.1.1.2.1

           1 June 2023 at 6:13 pm

           Who you calling a tory..?…

           Heh..!
     • Stuart Munro 7.1.2

       1 June 2023 at 3:33 pm

       Frankly, artificial intelligence is probably the only intelligence they have access to. It probably has more human qualities and charm than most of their MPs too. Luxon likely feels safer when it's rifling through the barbecue cutlery than when Nicola or Simian are grasping at steak knives.
   • Incognito 7.2

     1 June 2023 at 12:47 pm

     https://www.newsroom.co.nz/technology/this-election-year-we-need-to-brace-ourselves-for-ai

     Way scarier scenarios than The War of the Worlds (the radio version).
     • tsmithfield 7.2.1

       1 June 2023 at 1:00 pm

       I am not saying there shouldn't be concern about the use of AI. I think there is a danger we start to lose our sense of humanity.

       For instance, songwriters such as bill Dillan, and Paul Simon wrote songs based on their life experiences and thoughts. It won't be long before the likes of ChatGpt can write content as well as that, but, not based at all on its own thoughts or beliefs.
       • Incognito 7.2.1.1

         1 June 2023 at 1:12 pm

         You’re deflecting and there’s obviously no point in having a convo with you on this topic.
         • tsmithfield 7.2.1.1.1

           1 June 2023 at 1:28 pm

           I still am trying to understand why there is a problem in this context. The ads I have seen use AI generated pictures of people. So what? It is probably a lot less complex in terms of getting authorisation to use pictures etc. And certainly no copyright issues as per their experience in previous elections.

           It is really no different than using a face of a real person that hardly anyone recognises.

           Commentators seem to be unconcerned about the way National is using the technology, but rather about its potential to be misused.

           Meanwhile, researchers are concerned that the tools could be used to boost the power of disinformation and misinformation.

           And people don’t seem particularly bothered about the way National is using the technology.

           Most Aucklanders approached by Breakfast yesterday said they were relatively unconcerned by National using AI to create stock images.
           • tsmithfield 7.2.1.1.1.1

             1 June 2023 at 1:44 pm

             A major advantage with using this sort of technology is that it can be adjusted to create an image with exactly the required expression, and exactly the right context in terms of background etc.

             Having dabbled in projects requiring lots of stock images myself, it isn't that easy to find real content that meets the requirements exactly.
             • Incognito …

               1 June 2023 at 2:22 pm

               A major advantage with using this sort of technology is that it can be adjusted to create an image with exactly the required expression, and exactly the right context in terms of background etc.

               That’s exactly one of the major concerns, i.e., it can be very quickly & easily personalised with personal information that’s already out there, especially on Social Media.

               If you had actually listened to The Detail programme on RNZ (cf. @ 7 with link in article linked @ 7.2) you would have known this and you wouldn’t have wondered “why people are vexxing about this”.

               Why should we engage with you if you don’t engage with us and the material we provide you?
           • Incognito 7.2.1.1.1.2

             1 June 2023 at 2:27 pm

             sigh

             Selective quotes from selected sources aka confirmation bias.

             In other words, nothing to see here folks, move on aka the Three Wise Monkeys.
             • tsmithfield …

               1 June 2023 at 2:54 pm

               I listened to most of that. And it really isn't saying anything different to what I have already said. That the technology has the capacity to be misused.

               I think the real danger is the technology being used to create pics/video of real people rather than imaginary people.

               I highly doubt that politcal parties will stoop to that level. But there probably is danger from some of the fringe elements because it is so cheap and accessible.

               For instance, if Jacinda was still PM, I could imagine anti-vax crazies creating video of Jacinda stating that she knew the Covid Vaccine was poison, or something like that.
               • tsmithfield …

                 1 June 2023 at 3:24 pm

                 I agree that our legisaltion is well behind on that. But, as you have already said, there is current defamation laws etc.

                 We also have advertising rules here that control a lot of what can be broadcast, though the likes of Twitter has its own rules.

                 So long as AI isn't doing anymore than what traditional actors, or stock photos can do, then it should be controlled by existing laws.

                 An interesting situation could be if AI generated say a video of a character that looked very much like Hipkins or Luxon making some sort of imaginary statement in the future.

                 Is that defamatory? Because no-one knows what will happen in the future, as to whether that statement will ever be made or not.
                 • Incognito …

                   1 June 2023 at 7:50 pm

                   You seem to be having problems reply to the right comments in the thread!? Why is that?

                   We also have advertising rules here that control a lot of what can be broadcast, though the likes of Twitter has its own rules.

                   Since you’re referring to Twitter and its ‘rules’ I’m taking you even less serious than before.

                   So long as AI isn't doing anymore than what traditional actors, or stock photos can do, then it should be controlled by existing laws.

                   You’re once again completely missing the point; governments and their laws & regulations are always miles behind new IT developments and most definitely with the latest GPT-AI improvements. It was discussed on The Detail. In any case, where have you been hiding and do you follow the news at all?

                   An interesting situation could be if AI generated say a video of a character that looked very much like Hipkins or Luxon making some sort of imaginary statement in the future.

                   You love your hypotheticals, don’t you? But you’re diverting away again from what has already happened, is already happening, and what we have been discussing here all along. Why don’t you stay on topic?

                   Is that defamatory? Because no-one knows what will happen in the future, as to whether that statement will ever be made or not.

                   QED; strawman fallacies galore from you.
               • Incognito …

                 1 June 2023 at 7:38 pm

                 I listened to most of that.

                 At what point did you stop and why?

                 And it really isn't saying anything different to what I have already said. That the technology has the capacity to be misused.

                 How do you know if you didn’t listen to all of it? In any case, this is a gross misrepresentation of what was discussed in that episode of The Detail.

                 I think the real danger is the technology being used to create pics/video of real people rather than imaginary people.

                 I highly doubt that politcal parties will stoop to that level.

                 You seem to have glossed over everything that others and we have discussed here, including the mock-up fast and furious 10 movie poster. You tell us with an honest face that those faces don’t resemble the real cast of the fast and the furious?

                 But there probably is danger from some of the fringe elements because it is so cheap and accessible.

                 You’re deflecting again; the National Party is not a ‘fringe element’.

                 For instance, if Jacinda was still PM […]

                 Strawman and red herring fallacies combined in one.
8. tsmithfield 8

   1 June 2023 at 11:28 am

   It looks like the PMs office was advised in late January about attendance data being held up. Interestinger and interestinger.

   Could Hipkins be caught up in a breach of priveledge by extension if it turns out he was aware of the breach and didn't do anything about it?
9. Ad 9

   1 June 2023 at 12:11 pm

   700 Hawkes Bay properties to be bought out, thousands more affected.

   https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300894282/maps-revealing-hawkes-bay-red-zones-released-to-residents

   Aroha out to the people of Hawkes Bay.
10. Stephen D 10

    1 June 2023 at 12:36 pm

    Replying to MtL at 7.

    Lianne Dalziel has a very thoughtful column on today’s Newsroom.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/fear-and-loathing-on-the-campaign-trail?utm_source=Newsroom&utm_campaign=ec227fb1d5-Daily_Briefing+1.06.2023&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_71de5c4b35-ec227fb1d5-47886425

    ”I have been exploring ChatGPT of late, so I shared the answer it had given to a question about the shortcomings of AI in decision-making:

    ‘AI's limitations in decision-making arise from its lack of common sense, emotional understanding, and creativity. It can perpetuate biases and discrimination due to flawed training data and struggles to handle unforeseen situations. Additionally, AI lacks ethical reasoning and may make decisions that are technically correct but ethically questionable. These limitations highlight the need for human oversight and intervention to ensure responsible and unbiased decision-making in AI systems.’

    It’s well worth a read.

    My own thoughts are that as long as businesses can monetise AI, which they have already, the horse has bolted. We’re just walking behind with a shovel.
    • tsmithfield 10.1

      1 June 2023 at 3:45 pm

      My own thoughts are that as long as businesses can monetise AI, which they have already, the horse has bolted. We’re just walking behind with a shovel.

      Exactly. It is very difficult, if not impossible to control this as there are lots of places in the world not subject to controls. This sort of stuff popping up on twitter all the time now.

      I think it will be up to individual countries and the various platforms such as twitter to set rules to control how the technology is used within the scope of their authority.
      • Incognito 10.1.1

        1 June 2023 at 7:54 pm

        Are you kidding us? Elon Musk is going to protect us from mis- and dis-information spreading that’s enormously facilitated by GPT-AI!?
11. Joe90 11

    1 June 2023 at 2:20 pm

    Imperialism has always been a criminal enterprise.

    /

    @MargoGontar

    Here you can see russian media Fontanka SPB online bragging how russia gonna sell in St Petersburg the “elite” sweet cherry they stole from Ukrainian city Melitopol they attacked and occupied. All you need to know about russians.

    

    […]

    @MargoGontar

    They also add it is organized by “Zaporizhzhia authorities” which actually means “russia pawns on occupied territory” . Fkc you russia hope you choke on it

    https://twitter.com/MargoGontar/status/1663965738833461256
12. tWiggle 12

    1 June 2023 at 7:21 pm

    The Electoral Commission is investigating Sue Grey's Outdoors&Freedom Party and Brian Tamaki's Vision? Party, after both took $66k from the $4.1mi election advertising budget, then the next day merged into the umbrella Freedoms NZ Party with a third group.

    'Under the Broadcasting Act, each registered party is entitled to a taxpayer-funded allocation for TV and radio advertising during the campaigning period…..But the Broadcasting Act also contains provisions for funding allocations to be delivered to a “group of parties” instead of each distinct party, if the commission deems those parties have joined forces."

    Perhaps if they had merged even a few weeks later, the EC might have let it slide, but the NEXT DAY is a bit obviously pigs in the trough.

    Sue Grey was that noisy lawyer shrieking about Baby W with the heart defect and untainted blood in front of the High Court. She is also under review by the Law Society for releasing the name of a boy who died of other causes, claiming he had died of the 'jab', which upset his family greatly.

    Tamaki, who said 4-5 months ago 'I will not stand in the election…politics is not for me', also claimed that Gisbourne was flooded because of the number of searches from there for 'gay porn' – based on Brian's personal investigation of PornHub.

    Herald article on EC opening investigation
13. newsense 13

    1 June 2023 at 9:01 pm

    We’re not allowed to post imbedded YouTube clips?
    Sad.

    any way here’s some external links to reactions other than Simon Bridges’ at Wayne Brown’s diverse meeting yesterday to his budget:

    Inside the Brown meeting

    Johnsons all!

    And here is the Mayor’s speech:

    And who amongst us can argue with that? It is indeed a pity Mayor Brown did not invite children to hear his words…

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