AUT Artificial Intelligence Initiative

This section describes the AUT AI Initiative’s objectives, activities and research related to AI at AUT.

AUT: leading the response to a technological revolution

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the current technological revolution in the world. A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts that AI will significantly increase the GDP of the world – up to 26% for China, 16% for the USA, and 10% for countries like New Zealand. AI is expected to change the professional activities of millions, threatening thousands of traditional jobs and creating job opportunities in new exciting areas.

​Stephen Hawking said: “AI could be either the best or the worst thing ever to happen to humanity”. Professor Nikola Kasabov’s view is that it will be neither, and perhaps in 20 years’ time, AI will become a common tool just as spread sheets are now. Regardless of the views, there are currently many activities world-wide and also starting in NZ that address both technological and societal issues of AI. Companies are in a race to develop new AI technologies in order to keep their competitive edge. Hence, AUT as a university promoting new technologies and innovation, and embracing the motto "for the changing world", is leading the response to this technological revolution.