From the Beehive (the seat of the New Zealand Government) to Harvard. After resigning unexpectedly earlier this year due to burnout, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Wednesday that she will temporarily join the prestigious US university in the fall to do research - "talking, teaching and learning," she says. on the challenges linked to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including misinformation and data breaches.
Ardern stressed that Harvard, which has awarded him a total of three leadership scholarships, has been "an important partner" in the Christchurch Appeal, a global initiative he launched to fight hate messages on social media after the 2019 massacre. of 51 Muslims perpetrated in the New Zealand city of the same name, which was also partially broadcast on Facebook.
As part of these scholarships, Ardern will work for a semester on "the challenges posed by the growth of generative Artificial Intelligence tools" at the Harvard Kennedy School, which trains public leaders from the US state of Massachusetts, the former president said at the social networks.
The unregulated mass use of these tools, such as programs such as ChatGPT or Midjourney, which have the capacity to produce a large volume of content, including false images, but credible and difficult to filter, are causing great concern among experts and governments in everyone.
"Jacinda Ardern showed the world strong and empathetic political leadership," Harvard Kennedy School dean Douglas Elmendorf said in a statement. She “earned respect far beyond the shores of her country, she will provide important information for our students and spark vital conversations about the public policy choices facing leaders at all levels.”
Ardern, for his part, thanked him for the scholarship that, in addition to sharing his experience, will allow him to "learn." "As leaders, there is often very little time for reflection, but reflection is critical if we are to properly support the next generation of leaders," Ardern said.
"I will also share my experiences giving talks here and abroad, while taking a year to learn," said the New Zealander. And, when she finishes the scholarship, she will make the trip back: "After all, New Zealand is home," she concludes.
Ardern, who in 2017 and at the age of 37 became the world's youngest politician to hold the head of government, has been recognized worldwide for leading the response to the Christchurch supremacist attack with empathy, as well as his iron fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 or the promotion of "well-being" budgets. During the health emergency, she had several episodes of confrontations against the anti-vaccination groups, among which misinformation is also rampant.
The former president announced her resignation without prior notice in mid-January, feeling without the strength to continue leading the country, and at the beginning of the month she gave her last speech before the Wellington Parliament, vindicating her sensitive leadership style.
Since her departure from politics, Ardern, currently 42, has assumed the honorary positions of special envoy for the "Chirstchurch Appeal" and member of the Board of Trustees of the Earthshot Prize - chaired by Prince William of England - and awards prizes champions in the fight against the climate crisis.
