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. […]
PZ Myers
So, like, you told him to address you as “Ms. Doctor Professor”?
Jill
Of course!
bob
i personally like professor, as technically speaking, the honorific of professor in terms of academic standing is higher than that of doctor, but hey, whatever floats your boat. I’m still shocked that people call me any of those things!
jeremy hunsinger
as a proponent of informality, i’d say you are ‘jill’ and let them salute someone else;)
anders
Comrade Jill, please say hello to Brown from me! Reading your post just gave me a pang of homesickness. Say hi to everyone, and to the campus. And do have a coffee at Ocean, a sandwich at Geoff’s, pizza form Pizza Pier…
Now, wait. Just have a good time and make your own memories. I should probably go there myself to revisit mine.
Silje Stavrum Norevik
I have been trying to get in touch with you in order to arrange an interview with Bergensavisen where I work. However, I get this funny feeling you re in the States right now:). Please e-mail me, it would be very interesting to talk about your Ph.D, if you are interested.
Yours,
Silje Norevik
Jamie
I prefer Dr. because Prof. refers to a profession and I don’t think the degree and the profession are synonymous.
When someone call me Ms. or Mr. I insist on being referred either as Jamie or Dr. Blustein. It is a personality quirk of mine I suppose.
I’ll see you at Mark’s soon!
Anonymous
I have “On-Star” and told them that I prefer to be addressed as “Dr.” When the advisor comes on to assist me they say “How can I help you Miss Collins?” I say, “Dr.” and I then make my request. Or, the advisor will say “Good morning, Dr. Collins. What can I do for you sir?” I say, there’s no “sir” here. Then they say, “I’m sorry how can I help you.” I make my request. Then they say, “Thank you for using On Star Miss Collins.” You gotta love it!!