Today marks the opening of a globally ground-breaking
project, the Nelson AI (Artificial Intelligence) Sandbox,
which is set to educate, empower and adapt the community of
Nelson-Tasman through AI.
The AI Sandbox has been
created as a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Nelson AI
Institute and is open as a store-front discovery space in
the Nelson CBD. The Sandbox, located on Trafalgar Street,
will act as an inclusive space where all members of the
community can drop in to gain safe, free access to AI tools
and hands-on expertise.
A not-for-profit entity, and a
completely community-led effort, the space is run through
the efforts of 20-30 volunteers and one employee, including
12 AI experts and enthusiasts, some associated with the
Nelson AI Institute.
AI Sandbox founding team member,
Richard Brudvik-Lindner says the space is the
first-of-its-kind in the world, as far as they have found.
“There is a pressing need for New Zealand communities to
fully understand, explore, and cultivate the many
opportunities AI presents and to use these skills to
innovate and future-proof. AI is here, and that can be a
good thing, but we know many people are a bit wary of
it.
“We’ve developed the AI Sandbox to de-mystify AI
and foster a more confident, eyes-wide-open and innovative
attitude to using it. The overall aim is to make the Nelson
Tasman region of 115,000 people, a more prosperous,
equitable and connected place by building community capacity
– upskilling residents.”
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The opening comes at a
critical time for AI adoption says AI Sandbox co-founder
Mark Houghton-Brown. “It’s becoming clear that AI is a
rapidly evolving, transformational technology that is
inevitably changing our lives, but the breadth of its
potential is still unclear. If we can understand and make
full use of the rapidly developing suites of AI tools
available to us, then we will be better equipped to
participate in the economy of the future, and to help shape
it rather than simply consume it.”
In a survey
conducted by the NZ AI Forum, 44% of respondents identified
education as a key barrier to AI adoption so in a bid to
counter these existing barriers to entry the AI Sandbox will
offer both drop-in and scheduled
visits.
Brudvik-Lindner describes the Sandbox as “an
intergenerational space that strengthens the community’s
social fabric, as it targets capacity-building and
community-creation for all ages and all socio-economic
strata.”
It will operate on three levels to cater to
all needs and levels of experience:
- A
self-discovery space for those with some confidence with AI
where they can access various AI tools, engines, plug-ins,
and apps and develop their skills, and have peer-to-peer
interactions – educating each other about
AI.
2. A curated service, where experts create a
sequence of AI explorations – so beginners can develop
confidence in AI guided by experts and enthusiasts.
3.
A tutorial space for bespoke workshops designed for groups
who want to learn to use AI for specific
purposes.
Ultimately the Nelson AI Sandbox will also
add AI adaptability services, helping the community adjust
to the rapid pace of change likely to happen through
AI.
The Nelson AI Sandbox’s wider ambitions include
future programmes relating to local schools, Māori
facilitation alongside iwi partners, business outreach,
creative community access and local government
initiatives.
AI Sandbox co-founder Matthew Kidson
emphasised the vast opportunities the AI Sandbox would
provide the community. “This initiative is not limited to
economic endeavours, there are endless areas of opportunity
where AI can provide value, including in the arts, within
non-profit organisations and for the elderly population. AI
can help extend human potential in all areas and learning to
harness this potential will help Nelson to prosper now and
in the future. Come on down Nelson – the Sandbox is open
for you.”
The inclusive and collaborative space will
be open to all from 10 AM, on the 9th of March at 228
Trafalgar Street,
Nelson.
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