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Students explore AI ethics at debate event
Students stepped into Auckland’s tech scene last week at the Taitamariki Potentia Debate, where discussions around artificial intelligence, ethics, and innovation sparked new perspectives and industry connections.
A group of students attended the debate in downtown Auckland alongside Employability Manager Dani Mao. The event brought together industry professionals, academics, recruiters, and students to debate the motion: “This House would support a global moratorium on frontier AI development.” An interesting feature was the use of Symbai, an AI argument-mapping tool that judged the debate in real time.
Nadeeka Abeykoon said the debate was insightful for students thinking about their future careers, particularly around AI, ethical leadership, and industry expectations in New Zealand. She said the discussion explored issues including regulation, workforce changes, responsible AI development, and whether the benefits of AI are shared equally across society.
Nadeeka said the experience reinforced the importance of adaptability, communication skills, and critical thinking in the future workforce. She said networking with recruiters, technology professionals, and business leaders helped students gain confidence and better understand workplace expectations.
Patabandige Sayuri Dinakshi Perera said the event helped students connect classroom learning with real-world conversations taking place across New Zealand’s technology sector. She said the supportive environment encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and practise professional networking.
Charlie Dela Torre said the debate challenged his own views on regulating advanced AI development. He initially supported the idea of pausing frontier AI research but changed his perspective after hearing arguments that a global moratorium would be difficult to enforce internationally.
Charlie said the debate showed that while opposing sides disagreed on strategy, both ultimately wanted AI to be developed responsibly. He said the evening gave him a deeper understanding of the challenges surrounding international technology governance.
Students also had the opportunity to network informally over pizza and drinks before the debate, meeting industry members and learning more about emerging technology tools being used in the sector.
