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. […]
jill/txt » going to be OK?
[…] the perfect expression of my love for my own child and for her friend who is missing. But I can’t protect her. And every time I hold my little girl close and tell her it’s going to be OK I’m […]
Scott
I’m sorry to hear, at the same time as I’m sure it’s a relief for the family to know for certain. Give Aurora a hug for me.
jen
I’m so sorry Jill. I’ve been following your blog for awhile, and this story in particular; as the mother of a dead child I took a particular interest. Protect Aurora as best you can, while realizing your limitations and the limitations of the world. Take care.
Jill
Thanks Scott, thanks Jen. I looked at your blog, Jen, and I’m so sorry. I hope blogging it is helping you in this difficult time. Children shouldn’t die.
Andy
No, children shouldn’t have to die. We just lost a friend who was 13, yesterday to cancer. Will you still travel so soon after this?
Jill
Oh, I’ll travel. Shyrin died nearly three months ago, you know. December 26. I didn’t even realise she was in Thailand till my daughter told me, on December 28, “Shyrin’s lucky! She’s in Thailand!”. That was when I started worrying, surreptitiously, at first, so as not to unnecessarily scare my daughter. We didn’t know she was missing until the next day when parents in my daughter and Shyrin’s class starting phoning each other and the day after it was in the newspaper. Or perhaps I’m getting the days mixed up, I’m not sure anymore.
I’ll shed more tears, for Shyrin, for her mother, for me and my daughter and all of us, but I’ll travel. I’m going to live as much and as fully and for as long as I can.
I’m so sorry about your friend, Andy.
jen
My condolences Andy.
I’m glad you will still travel, Jill. You are right to live life to the fullest and if travel is part of that then you should ocntinue.
LiL
I’m so sorry.
Andy
It’s good that you will still travel. If you are interested my friend who passed kept a blog with her parents. Thank you all for your condolenced. and condolences to you Jill and to your daughter on the loss of her friend.
jill/txt » funeral
[…] jill/txt 15/4/2005 [funeral] Today is Shyrin and Kirsti’s funeral. I wrote a long post but deleted it. Quiet. Filed under:General — Jill @ 0 […]
Anonymous
vi er s lei at dette alt sjede
Jill
Ja, det var trist, og det er fortsatt kjempetrist.
Martine
Shyrin was my very best friend in the hole world. And when i heard that she was in that axsident I diddent know how my life wode be if she was daid. After many days of wayting i found out that she was daid, was so hurt. I diddent do anyting the 2 days afterwords i was youst laying in bed, hoping for a mirical. And that diddent happen. But eaven if shes not hear, than she well always be whit me. And by mutch halp from frands and family, i vas begining being happy agand. But that wil alwas be inn my hart…