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. […]
Toril
I love it! Where do you find all these jewels?? With friends in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton, it is especially hilarious read for me. I will pass it on to them! But marry an American? NO WAY!!
H?•kon Styri
I’ll just point out that Canadians are Americans too. I guess most of them will continue to marry other americans. 🙂
Eirik
Last time I checked, Venezuelans and Mexicans were Americans as well. Oh, and let’s not forget the Argentinians! 😉
Frank
I am glad that the silent majority in America has spoken so loudly on election day here. So much for Michael Moore,Hollywood,the bias media,the guardian calling for the assassination of our president,the endorsement of Kerry by known terrorists ,the endorsement for Kerry by the Coalition of the unwilling weasels…. CONTINUE INSULTING OUR COUNTRY AND OUR PEOPLE BUT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS FREED AND SAVED MORE PEOPLE THAN ALL THE WORLD COMBINED IN ONLY OVER 200 YEARS OF EXISTENCE…IF NOT FOR US THE FRENCH WOULD BE SPEAKING GERMAN AND SO ON……BUSH IS NO ANGEL BUT HE IS NOT A PATSY FOR THE UN OR ANYONE ELSE….GOD BLESS AMERICA AND LIKE BUSH FEELS SO DO WE…. TO HELL WITH EVERYONE WHO WOULD HAVE US BOW OUR KNEES AND SURRENDER…ANY NATION THAT HARBORS AIDS ABBETS SUPPORTS FUNDS….TERRORISM BETTER WHATCH YOUR ASSES CAUSE WE WILL BE COMING FOR YOU MUAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Jill
Good heavens. Are you in earnest?
nick
As a fellow American, Frank, I’d like you to know: I am far stronger than your hatred and your ignorance, the 82% of Manhattan and 80% of Philadelphia that fought with me are far stronger than your weakness and fear, and we will utterly defeat your unfounded anger and the lies that you vomit. This is a country that overcame slavery, worked for decades to give women the right to vote, and fought a protracted battle for civil rights and the equality of all Americans. Your fearmongering, your slanders, and your caps locks key are trivial, sick jokes by comparison, and we will demolish them easily.
Ghani
I think “Good heavens, are you in earnest?” is my favourite response ever, Jill. That’s freaking hilarious.
Nasreena
Yes, Toril, stay away from marrying any Americans because 51% of them are actually trolls. Uff. If that commenter is really American and is really in earnest, then I want to apologize, as another American (of the 49%), for his trollish outbreak. It has become a curse to live here. The site you linked to was touching.