I just signed a petition calling for Norwegian universities to use research expertise on AI when deciding how to implement it, rather than having decisions be made mostly administratively. , If you are a researcher in Norway, please read it and sign it if you agree – and share with anyone else who might be interested. The petition was written by three researchers at UiT: Maria Danielsen (a philosopher who completed her PhD in 2025 on AI and ethics, including discussions of art and working life), Knut Ørke (Norwegian as a second language), and Holger Pötzsch (a professor of media studies with many years of research on digital media, video games, disruption, and working life, among other topics). This is not about preventing researchers from exploring AI methods in their research. It is about not uncritically accepting the hype that everyone must use AI everywhere without critical reflection. It is about not introducing Copilot as the default option in word processors, or training PhD candidates to believe they will fall behind if they do not use AI when writing articles, without proper academic discussion. Changes like these should be knowledge-based and discussed academically, not merely decided administratively, because they alter the epistemological foundations of research. Maria wrote to me a couple of months ago because she had read my opinion piece in Aftenposten in which I called for a strong brake on the use of language models in knowledge work. She was part of a committee tasked with developing UiT’s AI strategy and was concerned because there was so much hype and so few members of the committee with actual expertise in AI. I fully support the petition. There are probably some good uses for AI in research, but the uncritical, hype-driven insistence that we must simply adopt it everywhere is highly risky. There are many researchers in Norway with strong expertise in AI, language, ethics, working life, and culture. We must make use of this expertise. This is also partly about respect for research in the humanities, social sciences, psychology, and law. Introducing AI at universities and university colleges is not merely a technical issue, and perhaps not even primarily a technical one. It concerns much more: philosophy of science, methodological reflection, epistemology, writing, publishing, the working environment, and more. […]
Matt Whyndham
I’ve been drifting around in a misty mood, as befits the season. It feels like the bottom of the year to me. Someone suggested the Winter Solstice for the DILO project. The should stand up and take the credit, but they don’t feel like celebrating.
vika
I lunched with my love, gorgeous wine and cheese and cold meats and homemade bread. We shared a kiss at solstice. Then I went and got my ass kicked by the rest of the day.
Lars
Counting the days until the sun reappears. 26. Also making hideously fatty, unhealthy but insanely tasty traditional foods (sylte, rull, postei, sursild) for those endless christmas breakfasts.
In Vard??, a few friends are celebrating the solstice with a bath in the ocean. I admire that.
Jill
But Lars, the photo you posted to your blog shows sort of sun. Or is that sunrise and sunset rolled into one? And it’s taken at noon. I guess that means it’s dark before and after?
The photo makes it look good, anyway!
One day I really will go North and experience winter. And I promised my daughter one day we’ll go see the Aurora Borealis. And I want to see midnight sun one day, too. Two separate trips I guess. At least.
Lars
Exactly, Jill. A sunrise followed by darkness and a sunset preceded by no daylight. Strange and beautiful, the picture does it no justice at all. Look here for some better images of winter lights (including the Aurora Borealis).
And actually, the midnight sun is really just the regular sun, staying up late 😉
Lars
Oh, and you’re always welcome if you fancy a stay in the Arctic, of course. Look for the red house and white fence opposite Gunnar’s groceries. There’s a big boat in the garden, you can’t miss it.
Jill
🙂
I really will come and visit one day. I promise. Though, uh, I know I’ve been saying that for almost a decade, now…