Here's a thing you probably didn't know: if you've sought ACC cover in the past couple of years, your claim was very likely processed by artificial intelligence.

More precisely, your likelihood of cover was assessed by an algorithm trained on an anonymised dataset of 12 million claims made between 2010 and 2016. The AI system embodies a predictive model that decides whether or not your claim clearly falls within the criteria of the Accident Compensation Act 2001. Most claims do, and are thus swiftly and efficiently approved. Uncertain cases or potential refusals are then handled by human staff. It's designed so the computer literally can not say "no".

ACC's system is one of a number of case studies cited in Towards Our Intelligent Future: An AI Roadmap for New Zealand, the new report from the AI Forum New Zealand. The report is a substantial work – 180 pages dedicated to explanations of the key AI technologies, a look at the international AI landscape (which is dominated by two research and investment superpowers, the US and China) – and a polite, repeated request for a national AI strategy.

The forum made essentially the same call in a report last year and, in a landscape of task forces and working groups, we still haven't seen that strategy. Is government listening? Ben Reid, the AI Forum's executive director, is both diplomatic and optimistic.

"They're beginning to. Just recently a group of us from the AI Forum presented to the select committee on economic development, science and innovation and that was the first time I think that AI's been considered by Parliament. I think it's a really positive sign."

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