AI to Revolutionize School Tutoring and Medical Analysis in New Zealand’s Future

Cabinet Minister Judith Collins advocates for the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) within New Zealand’s health and education sectors. Collins, who oversees AI policy under her ‘digitizing government’ portfolio, envisions AI enhancing government productivity and streamlining processes such as handling Official Information Act (OIA) requests.

In an interview with RNZ, Collins emphasized AI’s potential in education, suggesting it could assist in grading and provide personalized tutoring. “AI could support teachers by handling routine tasks, such as marking math assignments, allowing educators to focus on more interactive aspects of teaching,” she stated. Collins also highlighted AI’s role in leveling educational opportunities, noting that it could offer individualized support akin to hiring a private tutor, but at a lower cost.

Collins also sees AI as beneficial for the health sector, particularly in analyzing mammogram results. She proposed that AI could deliver immediate results, identifying concerns and directing patients to specialists more promptly than the current system.

Under new European Union regulations, which categorize such applications as high-risk, the use of AI in critical sectors like education and healthcare must ensure high transparency, accuracy, and human oversight. The EU legislation also restricts certain uses of AI, such as biometric categorization and emotion recognition, to protect privacy and ethical standards.

New Zealand currently lacks specific AI regulations, but Collins is determined to leverage AI to enhance government operations, including expediting OIA request processing. She acknowledged the need for caution, given the high public concern about AI in New Zealand. According to a recent Ipsos survey, New Zealanders exhibit significant apprehension towards AI, ranking second globally in AI-related anxiety.

Collins remains optimistic about AI’s potential, asserting that while vigilance is necessary, the technology’s benefits outweigh the risks. She advocates for a measured approach, proposing trials within government agencies before broader implementation. Collins stressed the importance of harnessing AI’s capabilities responsibly while preparing for potential misuse.