New Zealand Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Clare Curran has called for urgency in developing an AI action plan and ethical framework.

"An ethical framework will give people the tools to participate in conversations about artificial intelligence and its implications in our society and economy," Curran said.

"There are economic opportunities but also some pressing risks and ethical challenges with AI and New Zealand is lagging behind comparable countries in its work in these areas."

Curran also launched a report on the subject, Artificial Intelligence: Shaping a Future New Zealand [PDF][1].

The report said AI has the potential to increase New Zealand's GDP by up to $54 billion by 2035, and even though people fear AI will lead to mass unemployment, that scenario will not come to pass.

"Widespread adoption of AI could take 20-40 years until it is expected to fully impact employment patterns," the report said. "During that time natural changes in the labour market will be significantly larger than any expected impact from AI and existing labour market support policies should be able to cope."

"Some commentators argue that due to the speed and scale of labour market change expected, AI is different to previous technology cycles. Our research does not support this view.

"AI may also have a rapid impact on work patterns and education choices, but in unexpected ways. AI is often feared to have a major negative impact on jobs, however in this study we assert that AI will not lead to mass unemployment."

Recommendations made in the report included co-ordinated use of AI in government services, making sure AI weapons featured in the nation's cybersecurity strategy, and boosting the AI talent available

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