From Algorithms to Arctic Ice: AI's Role in Climate Adaptation from Ottawa to Oslo

This study contributes uniquely to the understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) policy development in smaller economies, with a focus on Canada and Norway. It examines the ethical, economic, and environmental aspects of AI regulation and presents insights into how these nations navigate AI poli...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: MacKay, Alexander Neal
Other Authors: Huang, Stella
Format: Master Thesis
Language:English
Published: UIS 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3127104
Description
Summary:This study contributes uniquely to the understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) policy development in smaller economies, with a focus on Canada and Norway. It examines the ethical, economic, and environmental aspects of AI regulation and presents insights into how these nations navigate AI policies in the context of global AI superpowers. Positioned adjacent to larger economies—the United States and the European Union (EU) for Canada and Norway, respectively—these countries provide a specialized perspective on the intersection of national AI strategies, international influences, and climate change imperatives. The comparative analysis uncovers key differences and similarities, leading to actionable policy recommendations. Qualitative research methods are employed to critically evaluate policy documents, expert commentaries and case studies, explaining the objectives, strategies, and approaches of the two nations. The findings indicate that both have made progress in applying AI to climate action, yet they encounter challenges such as policy coherence, rapid technological changes, and the influence of larger geopolitical forces. Recent innovations like OpenAI's ChatGPT are examined for their potential impact on forthcoming regulatory frameworks. Although rapid policy and technological shifts may soon date some aspects of this study, it lays a foundational groundwork for future research aimed at bridging the gaps between technology, policy, ethics, and global environmental imperatives.