As I prepare for the SOCAP Global, I want to highlight how western AI is at best limited, at worst dangerous and very costly, without partnership with, for example, Māori tikanga, our mana values and processes, what I now call Ātua Intelligence, to create AUGMENTED INFORMATION-INTELLIGENCE. AND+AND = BETTER?
ĀI + AI = AI? It is my AND + AND theory, not either / or.
Western AI is dominated by the individualistic, and magnifies western individualised, exclusive values and processes, an EITHER/OR approach. Below are examples of how that has negatively impacted Māori, in New Zealand.
Below are 3 examples of how Māori values, of inclusive, whilst protecting one's mana motuhake, one's unique status and right and responsibilty to the collective, of self autonomy. As I keep saying, our values and processes already add economic + social and environmental benefits.
So partnering with Indigenous communities who are creating their own technologies and AI will create real transformation, financially, socially, environmentally.
I have purposefully wanted to use language the western world understands, for the why partner with us, n $ and Cents, or is that Sense.
Below are 3 quick and easy wins in Aotearoa, NZ, of how Māori systems and values positively impact society already, not just for Māori but all New Zealanders, in the analogue world, to show what could be achieved if Māori are creators of ĀI and all throughout the AI lifecycle, and why partnering with our communities, and us with yours can only be a win-win.
The first example has some real $, ¢, data. It was more challenging to find that hard data for the other 2! I understand there is so much more to value and savings than money. I am usually the last one to think money, but I'm getting to understand how to talk more the language of those who may need to hear.
a) Justice - The value and financial savings of Restorative Justice system in Aotearoa, New Zealand , a Māori-value and practise example of Justice, compared with the traditional, British justice systems. https://thehub.sia.govt.nz/assets/documents/rj-Reoffending-Analysis-for-RJ-Cases.pdf
At the end of the article is written breakdown of actual cost of reoffending, and the savings and a graph.
But the how to measure the real benefits to the whole of Aotearoa New Zealand, for the inclusion of this alternative, Restorative Justice System. Better healing for the victim, if they choose to confront the offender, and with their whānau or community, with Victim Impact reports, leaving them to be able to continue to contribute in society if they feel safe, and well.
A more impacted and habilitated offender to have to confront their damage, to the victim and whānau or community, but also the inclusion of their own pre-sentence reports, to tell their stories, where they may have been victims. Less reoffending means a chance for those individuals to be contributing members of society. How can you put a $ sign on that.
b) Health - How our Hauora - health clinics, responded to Covid when traditional doctors' surgeries and medical clinics closed down. What we'd learned form the past, how we were ready 100 years later when global governments weren't. How our networks and people-power reached the whole community, not just Māori. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/10/e065430 - "In this conservative estimate, health inequities between Māori and non-Māori adults cost NZ$863.3 million per year. Direct costs of NZ$39.9 million per year included costs from ambulatory sensitive hospitalisations and outpatient care, with cost savings from underutilisation of primary care. Indirect costs of NZ$823.4 million per year came from years of life lost and lost wages.
Conclusions Indigenous adult health inequities in NZ create significant direct and indirect costs. The ‘cost of doing nothing’ is predominantly borne by Indigenous communities and society. The net cost of adult health inequities to the government conceals substantial savings to the government from underutilisation of primary care and accident/injury care."
There are no cost measurements as to how Māori networks and health organisations saved, and added value to the traditional health services of the NZ Government, let alone the ample value it added to lives at risk of imploding due to isolation.
But as I said there are few statistics on the value of the Māori Health Providers and Māori networks reaching so many more people. What that collectively provides, saves, adds and the compound positive affect.
c) The Environment - the savings, in so many ways, when our Tai Ao, Nature is given rightful, legal personhood status. Te Awa Tupua Act for Whanganui River.
There are no costs given for the decline and misuse of the River, nor financial calculations as to the savings, and the future benefit to all the stakeholders, mostly the River themselves, the legal personhood status gives to treating the River not as a commodity, but as a cherished and respected elder of all those communities.

Cost of Reoffending and Savings from a 20% Decrease
Cost Breakdown
Cost per 1 x Offender: NZ$112,000 per year.
Number of Offenders: 1 (for simplicity).
Total Annual Cost of Reoffending: Total Cost=1×NZ$112,000=NZ$112,000\text{Total Cost} = 1 \times NZ\$112,000 = NZ\$112,000Total Cost=1×NZ$112,000=NZ$112,000
Impact of 20% Decrease in Reoffending
Reoffenders After Reduction:
New Offenders=1×0.80=0.8 (round to 1)\text{New Offenders} = 1 \times 0.80 = 0.8 \text{ (round to 1)}New Offenders=1×0.80=0.8 (round to 1)
New Total Cost:
New Cost=0.8×NZ$112,000=NZ$89,600\text{New Cost} = 0.8 \times NZ\$112,000 = NZ\$89,600New Cost=0.8×NZ$112,000=NZ$89,600
Savings to Society:
Savings=Original Cost−New Cost=NZ$112,000−NZ$89,600=NZ$22,400\text{Savings} = \text{Original Cost} - \text{New Cost} = NZ\$112,000 - NZ\$89,600 = NZ\$22,400Savings=Original Cost−New Cost=NZ$112,000−NZ$89,600=NZ$22,400
Summary
Total Cost of Reoffending (1 Offender): NZ$112,000
Total Cost After 20% Reduction: NZ$89,600
Savings to Society: NZ$22,400 annually
This concise breakdown highlights the financial implications of reoffending and the potential savings achieved through a reduction in reoffending rates in New Zealand.
REAL COSTS TO SOCIETY
Criminal Justice Costs:
Law Enforcement: Costs incurred by police for arresting and processing offenders.
Court Costs: Expenses related to prosecuting cases, including court personnel, facilities, and legal aid.
Incarceration Costs: The expense of housing inmates in correctional facilities, which can vary significantly by jurisdiction. This often includes food, healthcare, and facility maintenance.
Probation/Parole: Costs associated with supervising offenders on probation or parole, including case management and monitoring.
Societal Costs:
Victim Costs: Economic losses to victims of crime, including property loss, medical expenses, and emotional distress.
Lost Productivity: Individuals who reoffend may not be contributing productively to the economy, resulting in lost potential earnings.
Social Services Costs: Increased demand for social services, such as mental health and addiction treatment, that may arise from reoffending.
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