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. […]
After a few days of headaches, a stiff neck and sore throat my nose joined the party and forced me to admit I’m sick. So I’m home, mostly in bed, snoozing, reading and drinking Lemsip out of my favourite cup. Isn’t the cup lovely? It’s a commemorative cup given to me when I was in England the year Charles and Di were married. I was ten and it’s followed me loyally from that childhood simplicity of loving a royal, romantic televised wedding through separation, divorce, and new attempts at love. I’m not planning on early death in a car crash, though, far from it, in fact, tomorrow I plan on being better again.
jon
Isn’t it typical that you get sick just for the start of term. Get well soon Jill !
Jill
Thanks! It’s no wonder I’m sick, actually, I’ve been so anxious and run down for the last couple of weeks. Then just as I start to calm down, of course: bang, you’re sick.
It’s just a cold though, I think I’ll be up and about tomorrow. And I definitely want to be up and about and sprightly by Saturday, because on Saturday I’m going to Copenhagen to visit Lisbeth and Susana and everyone!
vidar
Hope your`re feeling better soon….the lecture wouldn`t be the same without you! I find salvie tea an excellent cure for my colds, but I`m sure you have had plenty of advice on how to get well…strange how everyone has their own cure for things…nuf rambling tata
Jill
Why thank you, Vidar, and while you should possibly consider wearing a face mask tomorrow I do expect to make it to the lecture 🙂
I have some sage in my garden, perhaps I’ll make some tea?
Jorunn
For a fraction of a moment I thought you said the cup had followed you royally 😉 Feel better!
Anna
Nice cup! My boyfriend has also got a cup with lady di that’s his absoulute favourite. Its a memorial cup up of lady di. Get well!