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The Latest Breaking News from Shane Jones

The fight for iron sands: the bitter battle to protect New Zealand’s sea-floor riches

Government’s push to fast-track projects in NZ stirs fears deep-sea mining off Taranaki, long opposed by the community, could go ahead

The Guardian - AU

Microsoft brings controversial AI app to iPhone and Android devices

One of the most controversial AI apps of 2024 arrives on iOS and Android as Microsoft brings AI magic to images on the go.

Laptop

NZ’s government wants to kick-start a mining boom – but they’re unlikely to hit paydirt

Minister of Resources and of Regional Development Shane Jones has been busy boosting the prospects of an expanded mining and oil industry in Aotearoa New Zealand. A new mining policy is “long overdue”, he has said, and will counter the country’s “excessive levels of environmental protection”.

The Conversation

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Resource management is always political – the Fast-track Approvals Bill is just honest about it

The government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill has been widely criticised for potentially handing too much power to three cabinet ministers, and raising the risk of conflicts of interest and political interference in environmental management.

The Conversation

‘How could they mine here?’ New Zealand grapples with new push for resource riches

Plan to double mineral exports by 2035 and proposed law to fast-track major projects stir fears over environmental impact

The Guardian - AU

By not mining vital minerals, NZ is ‘offshoring its own environmental footprint’ – is that fair?

When Resources Minister Shane Jones recently unveiled his draft strategy for mineral mining, it was quickly criticised by the Labour opposition as “taking New Zealand backwards”. One environmental group even called it a “love letter to mining companies”.

The Conversation

Microsoft Copilot AI Backtracks on Bias After Spreading Anti-Semitic Jewish Stereotypes

Microsoft's Copilot Designer, a free text-to-image tool, generates anti-Semitic stereotypes despite guardrails.

International Business Times UK

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Microsoft Scrambles To Block Copilot From Creating Nightmarish Images

Microsoft is blocking prompts and tightening controls to prevent misuse of its AI tool, Copilot Designer after facing safety concerns.

International Business Times UK

Microsoft censors Copilot following employee whistleblowing, but you can still trick the tool into making violent and vulgar images

Microsoft has blocked several prompts on its AI image generation tool within Copilot. The change comes shortly after a Microsoft employee wrote to FTC chair Lina Khan about Copilot being able to make violent and vulgar images.

Windows Central

Microsoft AI Tool Under Fire: Generates Violent, Sexual Images, Ignores Copyrights, Engineer Warns

Microsoft employee, Shane Jones has raised concerns about disturbing content generated by the company's AI image tool, Copilot Designer.

International Business Times UK

AI Tools Still Permitting Political Disinfo Creation, NGO Warns

Tests on generative AI tools found some continue to allow the creation of deceptive images related to political candidates and voting, an NGO warned in a report Wednesday, amid a busy year of high-stake elections around the world.

International Business Times

Microsoft ignored safety problems with AI image generator, engineer complains

Shane Jones said he warned management about the lack of safeguards several times, but it didn’t result in any action

The Guardian - US

Demons, Darth Vader mutilating babies, and sexualized women next to car crashes are just some what caused a Microsoft employee to report Copilot to the FTC

A Microsoft employee who red teams Copilot Designer flagged up vulgar and violent images generated by the tool. Now, he has written a letter to FTC chair Lina Khan.

Windows Central

Microsoft engineer says company was 'aware of the potential for abuse' before viral Taylor Swift deepfakes

Shane Jones went public with letters to Microsoft's board and the FTC on Wednesday, after "extraordinary efforts to try to raise this issue internally” led nowhere.

The Street

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AAP

Fast hands place Aussie stackers in reach of world cups

Deft young Australians are travelling abroad to reach for world glory in a novel sport that stacks up nicely for one proud mum.

AAP

Maori warn New Zealand PM Luxon off Treaty changes

Maori leaders have described the New Zealand government as "the enemy" during annual celebrations at Ratana.

AAP

Luxon's New Zealand government sworn in and take office

New Zealand's National-led coalition is in office, with Chris Luxon sworn in as prime minister along with his 30-strong team of ministers.

Newsroom.co.nz

The most Māori in Parliament ever. Significant? Or so what?

The final election results last Friday moved the dial bringing in two more Te Paati Māori MPs and with that electing the highest number of number of Māori MPs in a parliamentary term

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Newsroom.co.nz

A new-look government

Ahead of special votes being delivered, political editor Jo Moir looks at the shape of the executive and where the problem areas lie

Newsroom.co.nz

Ministers-in-waiting begin selling off shares – but not all

But National's commerce spokesperson Andrew Bayly says disclosure requirements make it hard to be an MP, and he'd prefer to manage conflicts rather than divesting his business interests. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Winston Peters now on Luxon's speed dial

Christopher Luxon has finally picked up the phone to Winston Peters and meetings between National and Act kicked off this week

Newsroom.co.nz

Back-channels shift sands on which National’s property and tax package is built

The luxury housing market is gearing up for National to lift the foreign buyer ban for properties over $2 million, but Christopher Luxon faces staunch opposition from NZ First. Jonathan Milne reports.

Newsroom.co.nz

Rolling back the red wave in Whangārei: 'I've got the strongest ground game'

Dr Shane Reti is quietly confident in Whangārei – but did 2020 show the country that the northern electorate can be anybody’s for the taking?

Newsroom.co.nz

Māori leaders' debate ricochets from one hot button to next

Comment: Aaron Smale tuned in to TVNZ’s Kaupapa Māori Debate which heard from Māori from each of the main parties. He didn't find a lot to get excited about.

Newsroom.co.nz

Defining issues: Infrastructure's bottomless well

How will each party approach New Zealand’s chronic infrastructure underinvestment?

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