Kiwis could get right akin to 'judicial review' of decisions made by computers

Thursday, 22 February 2018

Communications Minister Clare Curran announced the Digital 5 would become the Digital 7, with NZ leading a new digital rights working group.

A club of digitally-advanced nations including New Zealand will consider whether their citizens should have the right to an explanation of decisions affecting them that have been arrived at using artificial intelligence.

Also up for consideration by the newly-expanded 'D7' group of nations is whether people should have a right to internet access, and to access and control data about them that is stored online.

Graeme Muller, NZTech chief executive, says Kiwis need to get on board with New Zealand being one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world.

New Zealand, which has been hosting a meeting of the D7 in Wellington, will lead a new working group on what has been dubbed a 'digital bill of rights', Communications Minister Clare Curran said.

The D7 was the 'D5' until Canada and Uruguay were admitted to the group on Thursday.

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The original members of the group are Britain, Estonia, Israel, New Zealand and South Korea.

The group was established in 2014 with the goal of improving countries' digital policies.

Curran said the D7 wanted to show leadership on digital issues. 'We are agile and innovative in trying new things.

'The sorts of rights we are talking about are the right to access the internet and digital inclusion – which is also about skills and awareness – the right to access your own data, and control over your own information.

'We cannot look at digital rights without looking at artificial intelligence – its ethical impact but also the opportunities. We have to be considering ethical issues around machine learning and the way it is affecting our lives, whether in public services or in the private sector.'

The discussions could lead to something equivalent to 'a judicial review' of decisions made by computers, Internal Affairs chief executive Colin MacDonald suggested.

Hello, world! Here we are, the #D7-ers: Canada, #eEstonia, Israel, Korea, New Zealend, UK, Uruguay, Aka the leading digital nations of the world. Ready to take on another year of deepening dialogue, sharing, joint work. pic.twitter.com/AseW3oRs0P

— Siim Sikkut (@sikkut) February 21, 2018

Canada's representative to the D7, parliamentary secretary to the president of the Canadian Treasury board Joyce Murray, said it was proud to have joined the group.

'Canada may be a leader in artificial intelligence and open government but we recognise that we can't do that alone and we are looking forward to collaborating with other leaders that are in front on these issues.

'It is not just about improving citizen-centric services – we are pleased to be tackling some core socio-economic issues.'

Membership of what is now the D7 is potentially open to countries that meet a set of prerequisites, which includes membership of the Open Government Partnership whose goal is to promote open government.

Curran said Mexico and Portugal had attended the meeting in Wellington as observers with a view to also becoming members.

MacDonald said countries that wished to join had to be sponsored by existing members.

It would not be appropriate to comment on whether the United States had expressed interest in joining the group, he said.

“Government exists to improve the lives of citizens.” – Min. Brison, as 🇨🇦 joins the Digital 7, affirming its commitment to a modernized, accessible #GC. #GCDigital #DigitalDisruption #D7 pic.twitter.com/TOlmFgCCKy

— TBS Canada (@TBS_Canada) February 21, 2018

NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller said many Kiwis might have trouble believing New Zealand was one of the world's most advanced digital nations 'but we are'.

'We are respected internationally for many things including the speed and breadth of our fibre roll-out, our digital technology curricula in schools, and the technological innovations we deliver to the world like carbon-fibre rockets, thanks to Peter Beck [of Rocket Lab].

'It's good to aspire to make things better all the time but I also think it's time for Kiwis to acknowledge and celebrate that we are a world leading digital nation.'

A report by the Fletcher School at Tufts University names New Zealand as one of the world's leading digital nations.

The notion of 'digital competitiveness' has become front and centre for countries, their policymakers, businesses, and indeed their citizens – to whom digital platforms are a ticket to inclusion into the global marketplace,' the report said.

New Zealand, alongside Singapore and the UAE, were named as 'standout' digital countries, thanks to their digital strategies and 'a narrative that may be considered by other nations as worthy of emulation or adoption'.

Mark Pascall, co-founder of technology company Blockchain Labs, said New Zealand had to act quickly to make the most of its opportunities, describing it as a 'window of opportunity'.

Niches it could pursue included using emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual reality, he said.