Community Scoop » US-based Harkness Fellow studies AI policy developments

Press Release – NZ Harkness Fellowship Trust

Sarah Box, Chief Digital Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, beat an impressive field of applicants to apply for the prestigious Harkness Fellowship in New Zealand for 2024.

As Aotearoa develops its approach to implementing and using AI, a senior government official will visit key centers of expertise on AI policy in WA as a Harkness Fellow in New Zealand in 2024.

Sarah Box, The Chief Policy Advisor for Digital Policy at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has beaten an impressive field of candidates to be considered for the prestigious New Zealand Harkness Fellowship for 2024.

As a senior member of MBIE Box’s digital policy team, he has worked on significant policy areas including the development of a digital strategy for Aotearoa and the games development sector rebate program.

He is currently focused on working with policy and operational staff in over 30 government agencies to consider the opportunities and challenges presented by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, and to help formulate policy to govern its use in New Zealand.

With many of the rapid changes in artificial intelligence now being driven by US companies and institutions, the US government has kicked into high gear in an effort to ensure that the technology is a force for good.

President Biden’s executive order on AI included policy initiatives such as the development of an internationally recognized AI risk management framework and the creation of the U.S. AI Security Institute to develop guidelines and conduct research to support AI security. The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) developed the U.S. draft AI Bill of Rights, runs the National Office of AI Initiatives, and is involved in drafting the implementing regulation.

Learning from America’s top artificial intelligence experts

During her fellowship, Box will be hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based Observer Research Foundation America, an independent nonprofit organization that studies the impact of new technologies on policy areas.

As part of her research, she will also spend time with experts from U.S. government agencies, standards bodies, and research institutions to gain insight into approaches to AI policy development that could inform our own efforts to support the responsible use of AI.

“The United States is a leader in AI policy and advocates for a pro-innovation, risk-based approach that is consistent with our need to leverage technologies like AI to support economic growth and economic resilience,” says Box, who also works closely with Department of the Interior Matters relating to the country’s approach to “digitizing government”.

The New Zealand government has established an Algorithms Charter to regulate the use of artificial intelligence systems by government agencies, and last year issued guidance on the use of generative artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

MBIE is currently leading the development of an AI roadmap to support the adoption of AI across the economy, as well as risk management-based guidance for enterprises, and Box’s visit to the US was timely to observe the latest developments.

Informing AI policy developments in Aotearoa

“The aim of undertaking this fellowship is to gain knowledge that can directly support the Government’s work on AI policy, which aims to support New Zealand’s economic performance, mitigate harm and engage with key international partners,” says Box.

Chair of the Harkness Fellowships Trust, Aphra Green, said this year’s focus on emerging technologies, following previous fellows’ work on social and environmental issues in recent years, demonstrates the wide range of important topics fellows can research in the US.

“Sarah’s research project has come at the perfect time to contribute to an issue that is being actively considered both in New Zealand and internationally,” he says.

Sarah Box will travel to the United States in September and upon her return, she will share the project’s findings with the New Zealand policy community.

Acting Public Services Commissioner Te Kawa Mataaho and Harkess Fellowships Trust Board member Heather Baggott says growing awareness of Harkness Fellowships across government has caught the attention of executive leaders working on issues integral to the country’s future.

“The Public Service Commission’s Center for Leadership Development promotes Harkness Fellowships as one of the best opportunities for executive leaders in the public sector to pursue U.S. research in policy-related areas relevant to their work.

“We are delighted that Sarah has been selected as a 2024 Fellow and look forward to both supporting her through the Fellowship and learning about the insights she has gained from this experience.”

About the Harkness Fellowships Trust

New Zealand Harkness Fellowships were established in 2009 by the Harkness Fellowships New Zealand Board of Trustees to strengthen links between New Zealand and the United States and enable public sector executives to benefit from study and travel to the US. The fellowships are valued at up to $70,000 and offer an emerging leader in the public sector the opportunity to spend 3-6 months conducting research in the United States.

The Fellowships enable successful candidates to gain first-hand knowledge and build contacts in their chosen field of endeavor that will be highly relevant to the New Zealand context and future links between New Zealand and the US. The Board of Trustees administers the scholarships in partnership with the Center for Leadership Development, which works on behalf of the New Zealand Government.

The current scholarships are a continuation of the Harkness scholarship program that has spanned over sixty years. Past fellows include scientist Professor Sir Richard Faull, former director-general of health Dr Karen Poutasi, businessman Sir Hugh Fletcher and Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes.

www.harkness.org.nz

www.ldc.govt.nz/research/harkness-fellowship

Content sourced from Scoop.co.nz
Original URL