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. […]
Alex
fyi fwiw this is a salwar/salvar kameez – often known as a ‘suit’. And I’m not sure, but I think wearing it over your head would be sort of like using your socks as epaulets.
scott
alluring
Jill
Alex, you have me wanting to wear socks as epaulets this instant! But just as I was writing this comment, an email from an Indian blogger appeared in my inbox, saying that indeed the scarf can be worn over one’s head. Perhaps there are rules about times and places – I shall have to go to India some day and see for myself, I think. Brilliant timing, though!
But “suit” is a more correct term than dress, is it? I thought dress might not be completely descriptive, but could come up with nothing better. I might even try to remember salvar kameez…
Jill
AHA! Rajeev sent another email saying that yes, indeed, scarves are worn over the head in India, as looking at a few images of Benazir Bhutto rapidly proves. Until a hundred years ago, Rajeev writes, the purdah required women to cover their hair and part of their face with a veil, or scarf.
And there is something alluring about it. As long as you can take it off whenever you want to.
Mum
The ‘outfit’ was bought in a shop in Chennai in Madras. The docket describes it under two line items:
1. SALWAR AND KURTA
2. CHANNI/DUPATTA/SCRAF
(and repeats these in Items 3 & 4 for a similar set that was bought for your sister).
I’ve checked out the web site mentioned on the said docket (http://www.ritukumar.com/newcollection_showcase.htm) and checked the convenient glossary they provide there. It seems the Kurta is ‘a loose, stitched garment worn by men and women, most commonly described as a tunic (also known as a kameez)’. The Salwa/ Salwar Paijama is ‘a baggy style of paijama tapered at the ankle worn mainly in the Punjab’ and the Dupatta is ‘An unstitched length of material for the upper body traditionally worn by both sexes, but now mainly worn by women as part of a salwar kameez (paijama and tunic) ensemble’.
Alex
my bad.
I’m not giving up on the socks as epaulettes idea, however 😉
rajeev
Sorry Alex I never wanted to spoil your joke … but I just couldn’t hold back the truth 😉
Rorschach
As for sox as epaulettes, I’ve found my son’s sox work wonderfully well as ear warmers. But then, my ears get colder than my shoulders.
Jill
I’m dreading winter… ear warmers… oh dear…
Anonymous
poda patty
Anonymous
PODA PATTY