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. […]
kari
The firebirds make the sweetest nursery motif! If you’re looking for more embroidery patterns and tutorials, I’m a big fan of Jenny Hart’s Sublime Stitching site: http://www.sublimestitching.com/ I bought her stitch-it kit a couple of years ago and have since then purchased more of her patterns. Embroidering is incredibly relaxing, isn’t it? And I like that it’s a portable activity too . . .
Jill Walker Rettberg
Thanks for the tip, Kari! I do find embroidery very relaxing, and yes, it’s actually even more convenient than knitting, if you’re working on a small piece of fabric. I’ve not started on anything new yet, but I definitely will.
Catarina
Hi!
I was looking for this pattern in Jansdotter blog and I can’t find it. Could you help me out?
Thanks!
By the way: Beautifull baby!!
Jill
Thanks! I just had a look myself and I see Jansdotter’s archives only go back until 2010 – I was inspired by a photo she posted in May 2008, so a while ago now, and I can’t find it anymore. She didn’t post a pattern though, I just drew what seemed a pretty good copy of an embroidered design she posted a photo of, and I guess I mirrored the birds and added some extra tail feathers. The outline is done in backstitch, the red tail feathers in satin stitch and there are red french knots on the crests. It was fun and pretty quick – thanks for reminding me of it!!