title: Human–AI friendship is possible and can be good

authors: Munn, Nicholas

subjects: friendship

abstract: This article argues that human–AI friendships are possible and, in some current and many future contexts, can be valuable—both for the humans participating in them and for the wider society in which such friendships exist. To begin, the article discusses some weaknesses in existing conceptions of friendship, including the theories of friendship commonly applied to human–AI relationships. It proposes a flexible conception of friendship that avoids these weaknesses. The article then analyzes the main objections to human–AI friendships being either possible or good—that humans cannot see AI as their friends; that these friendships are not good because they are unequal; that AI lack the capacity to be a friend; and that human–AI friendships displace (more valuable) human–human friendships. It argues that each of these objections fails to withstand critical scrutiny. In some cases, the analyses also amount to a rejection of existing views of friendship that require what are taken to be unnecessary features. Having dealt with these objections, the article shows that human–AI friendship is possible on the more flexible conception of friendship. It then provides some evidence that human–AI friendships can be good, such as by providing human users with the experience of being emotionally supported. The article also notes some practical concerns about the ways human–AI friendships might proliferate and the moral responsibilities that might accrue to governments and corporations accordingly. The article concludes that the new view of friendship means the value human–AI friendship should be re-evaluated as possible and potentially valuable today and in the future.

text: Human–AI friendship is possible and can be good This article argues that human–AI friendships are possible and, in some current and many future contexts, can be valuable—both for the humans participating in them and for the wider society in which such friendships exist. To begin, the article discusses some weaknesses in existing conceptions of friendship, including the theories of friendship commonly applied to human–AI relationships. It proposes a flexible conception of friendship that avoids these weaknesses. The article then analyzes the main objections to human–AI friendships being either possible or good—that humans cannot see AI as their friends; that these friendships are not good because they are unequal; that AI lack the capacity to be a friend; and that human–AI friendships displace (more valuable) human–human friendships. It argues that each of these objections fails to withstand critical scrutiny. In some cases, the analyses also amount to a rejection of existing views of friendship that require what are taken to be unnecessary features. Having dealt with these objections, the article shows that human–AI friendship is possible on the more flexible conception of friendship. It then provides some evidence that human–AI friendships can be good, such as by providing human users with the experience of being emotionally supported. The article also notes some practical concerns about the ways human–AI friendships might proliferate and the moral responsibilities that might accrue to governments and corporations accordingly. The article concludes that the new view of friendship means the value human–AI friendship should be re-evaluated as possible and potentially valuable today and in the future.

year: 2025

title: Behaviour of Captive North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)

authors: Davison, Katie Patricia Mary

subjects: Kiwi

abstract: The behaviour of captive North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) in nocturnal displays and how different aspects of their enclosure and management might affect their behaviour has been studied.  The most common behaviours expressed by all kiwi was feeding and sleeping/resting behaviour.  Kiwi behaviour was compared from observational data collected at four kiwi facilities in New Zealand; identified as Kiwi House A, Kiwi House B, Kiwi House C and Kiwi House D.  Kiwi husbandry (hutches and enrichment) and enclosure design (naturalistic and complex characteristics, size and lighting) varied between facilities.  There is evidence to suggest that kiwi husbandry and enclosure design may have had an effect on the behaviour of the kiwi, as well as the kiwi viewing experience for the public.  Disturbance sources (visitor-generated noise, visitor proximity, keeper disturbance and environmental disturbance) were observed to elicit abnormal behaviours (pacing, startle response) among the kiwi at Kiwi House A, Kiwi House B, and Kiwi House D.  Results suggest abnormal behaviours can be minimised among the captive kiwi population by eliminating or reducing disturbance sources.  The soundproofing qualities of the enclosure viewing windows at each facility were tested; the viewing window at Kiwi House C was the most effective in reducing sound.  Kiwi House C also had the most soundproof enclosures due to the insulation material (Bondor Panel) used throughout the structure of the building.  This research has resulted in more detailed information of captive kiwi and enclosures, as little information was available on the behaviour of captive kiwi.  Furthermore, this research can provide reasoning for normal and abnormal behaviour demonstrated by the kiwi as well as give recommendations on how management of captive kiwi, enclosure design and structure might be improved in the future.

text: Behaviour of Captive North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) The behaviour of captive North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) in nocturnal displays and how different aspects of their enclosure and management might affect their behaviour has been studied.  The most common behaviours expressed by all kiwi was feeding and sleeping/resting behaviour.  Kiwi behaviour was compared from observational data collected at four kiwi facilities in New Zealand; identified as Kiwi House A, Kiwi House B, Kiwi House C and Kiwi House D.  Kiwi husbandry (hutches and enrichment) and enclosure design (naturalistic and complex characteristics, size and lighting) varied between facilities.  There is evidence to suggest that kiwi husbandry and enclosure design may have had an effect on the behaviour of the kiwi, as well as the kiwi viewing experience for the public.  Disturbance sources (visitor-generated noise, visitor proximity, keeper disturbance and environmental disturbance) were observed to elicit abnormal behaviours (pacing, startle response) among the kiwi at Kiwi House A, Kiwi House B, and Kiwi House D.  Results suggest abnormal behaviours can be minimised among the captive kiwi population by eliminating or reducing disturbance sources.  The soundproofing qualities of the enclosure viewing windows at each facility were tested; the viewing window at Kiwi House C was the most effective in reducing sound.  Kiwi House C also had the most soundproof enclosures due to the insulation material (Bondor Panel) used throughout the structure of the building.  This research has resulted in more detailed information of captive kiwi and enclosures, as little information was available on the behaviour of captive kiwi.  Furthermore, this research can provide reasoning for normal and abnormal behaviour demonstrated by the kiwi as well as give recommendations on how management of captive kiwi, enclosure design and structure might be improved in the future.

year: 2015

title: ‘Inside Out’: The politics of enumerating the nation by ethnicity

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

abstract: Since the 1990s, state practices of counting and classifying populations by ethnicity have come under increased scrutiny within the social sciences (Arel 2002 ; Kertzer and Arel 2002 ; Nobles 2000 ; Perlmann and Waters 2002 ; Petersen 1997 ; Statistics Canada and U.S. Census Bureau 1993 ). A number of excellent case studies have provided critical insights into how and why ethnic enumeration is pursued in particular times and places. ¹ However, with some notable exceptions (Morning 2008 ; Rallu
et al. 2006 ), little attention has been given to theorizing or empirically testing a global
model of ethnic classifi cation and counting. Consequently, there is a limited understanding
about the general conditions that impede or encourage state recognition of ethnicity in the national census and the forms that such recognition takes.

text: ‘Inside Out’: The politics of enumerating the nation by ethnicity Since the 1990s, state practices of counting and classifying populations by ethnicity have come under increased scrutiny within the social sciences (Arel 2002 ; Kertzer and Arel 2002 ; Nobles 2000 ; Perlmann and Waters 2002 ; Petersen 1997 ; Statistics Canada and U.S. Census Bureau 1993 ). A number of excellent case studies have provided critical insights into how and why ethnic enumeration is pursued in particular times and places. ¹ However, with some notable exceptions (Morning 2008 ; Rallu
et al. 2006 ), little attention has been given to theorizing or empirically testing a global
model of ethnic classifi cation and counting. Consequently, there is a limited understanding
about the general conditions that impede or encourage state recognition of ethnicity in the national census and the forms that such recognition takes.

year: 2015