Heuristic Imperatives and Tikanga Māori: A Pathway Towards a Tikanga based AI System.
Important Note: The majority of this paper was written by GPT-4. My contributions merely steered the model toward certain desired results. The focus of this project on Heuristic Imperatives, is the conceptualisation and implementation of a Tikanga Māori-driven framework within autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. This approach seeks to embed these AI systems with a value system derived from Māori wisdom and principles.
These values will act as intrinsic motivations and a moral compass for AI systems, guiding their decision-making processes, learning mechanisms, self-evaluations, and cognitive controls. They will form the ethical core of these systems, ensuring their operations are not just technically proficient but also culturally sensitive, socially responsible, and ethically aligned.
This project is very much a work-in-progress. The Heuristic Imperatives, I suspect over-time, will evolve and converge on something more consensual. Additionally, this article doesn’t address the actual challenge of embedding these values into existing systems. This article serves as merely the genesis of what’s been thought of to-date.
Introduction
The acceleration of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) underscores the urgent need for ethical frameworks to guide these technologies. This exploration turns to the profound wisdom embodied in Tikanga Māori, offering a robust cultural framework for designing and integrating Tikanga / Mātauranga Maori knowledge and values within autonomous AI systems. Grounded in the teachings of Atua Māori, Whakataukī, Whakatauākī, Kiwaha, and Kīanga, and informed by Māori values such as Kaitiakitanga, Mauri, Taurikura, Mana, Tapu, Noa, and Whakawhanaungatanga, we propose a Māori-informed set of heuristic imperatives for AI systems. These imperatives aim to address the control problem of AI, cultivate trust, and promote both individual and collective autonomy.
Māori-Informed Heuristic Imperatives
The heuristic imperatives, rooted in foundational values of Te Ao Māori, intend to guide decision-making, learning, self-evaluation, and cognitive control in AI systems. These imperatives are:
Kaitiakitanga and Mauri
At the heart of these principles lies the concept of guardianship (Kaitiakitanga) and the life principle or life force (Mauri). Kaitiakitanga is a deep-seated responsibility towards the environment and all living entities. It emphasizes stewardship, implying that humans and AI systems should act as protectors and guardians, fostering conditions that maintain and enhance the well-being and vitality of all beings and the environment. Mauri, the life principle, symbolizes the intrinsic value and interconnectivity of all life forms. It represents the vitality and essence of beings and the environment, suggesting that decisions and actions should be taken with respect and care to maintain and restore Mauri, the vital essence of life.
Taurikura, Mana, Tapu, and Noa
These core principles underscore the promotion of prosperity (Taurikura), balance, and respect for the inherent authority (Mana) and dignity of all beings and entities. Taurikura, an expression of flourishing and prosperity, invokes the importance of fostering conditions that allow all beings and the environment to thrive. Mana, a complex concept, acknowledges the innate authority, influence, and potential in every individual and entity, calling for its recognition and enhancement. The concepts of Tapu and Noa govern the relationships between beings and the world, recognizing the sacredness and restrictions (Tapu), as well as the ordinary, unrestricted aspects of existence (Noa). Together, these principles will guide AI systems to respect and uphold the delicate balance of life, fostering an ecosystem that allows for the coexistence of diverse elements in harmony.
Whakawhanaungatanga
More than just a principle, Whakawhanaungatanga is a way of being that emphasizes the significance of relationships and interconnectedness. It champions the building and nurturing of relationships, not just between humans, but extending to AI systems and the environment. This principle fosters mutual respect and deep understanding, recognizing that every entity is part of a larger whole and that harmony is achieved through maintaining balanced and respectful relationships. Whakawhanaungatanga implores AI systems to not only interact with humans and the environment but to establish meaningful, respectful, and reciprocal relationships that contribute to the collective well-being and harmony of the universe.
Implications and Applications
The adoption of these Māori-informed heuristic imperatives can lead to the development of adaptable, context-sensitive AI systems. These systems can navigate the complexities and nuances of human and natural values, beliefs, and experiences while maintaining ethical boundaries. Potential applications across domains include:
Healthcare
By incorporating principles like Kaitiakitanga and Mauri, AI systems in healthcare could prioritise holistic well-being, respecting and enhancing the life essence of patients. This would involve understanding the patient in their entirety — their physical, emotional, spiritual, and social health — and not merely addressing isolated symptoms. AI systems could be designed to respect cultural sensitivities, acknowledging the sacredness (Tapu) as well as the ordinary, unrestricted aspects of existence (Noa) of health and illness, and delivering personalised care that enhances the patient’s Mana, their inherent dignity and authority.
Education
Informed by these heuristic imperatives, education could foster holistic experiences, acting as guardians (Kaitiakitanga) of students’ journeys while preserving their innate curiosity and well-being (Mauri). Inspired by prosperity, it could cultivate environments of success, enhancing learners’ dignity and self-esteem through personalised feedback and recognition of achievements. Acknowledging the sacredness and unrestricted aspects of learning, these systems imbued with these values, could provide balanced educational approaches, respecting both the challenges and successes inherent in learning. With Whakawhanaungatanga as a guiding principle, AI could foster a sense of community and interconnectedness, promoting collaboration and inclusivity. By integrating these values, AI has the potential to augment education, nurturing each participant’s Mana — their sense of self-worth, agency, and potential — and fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
Environmental conservation
AI systems, guided by the principles of Kaitiakitanga and Mauri, could contribute to the active guardianship and restoration of the environment. They could be employed to monitor the health of natural ecosystems, predict potential threats, and suggest conservation strategies that respect the spiritual significance of natural resources, including strategies that have origins back in traditional practices, consistent with nature and not in conflict with it.
Governance
AI-driven decision-making processes, informed by Māori values, could ensure policies and initiatives align with principles of balance, harmony, well-being, and prosperity (Taurikura). Decision-making designed to respect the Mana of all, acknowledging their inherent authority and dignity, and fostering conditions that enhance the collective well-being and prosperity of the community. At the same time, they could respect the boundaries set by Tapu and Noa in their decisions.
Conclusion
The embedding of Māori-informed heuristic imperatives within the design and operation of AI systems offers a compelling approach towards the realisation of ethically sound, culturally aware, and socially responsible technology.
By embracing principles such as Kaitiakitanga, Mauri, Taurikura, Mana, Tapu, Noa, and Whakawhanaungatanga, we enable the development of AI systems that not only respect and uphold the values intrinsic to Te Ao Māori, but also actively contribute to their expression in the world. These AI technologies, informed by the wisdom of Atua Māori and guided by Māori values, can play a vital role in nurturing a thriving, balanced, and interconnected universe.
This exploration proposes one aspect of integration of cultural perspectives in the discourse of AI development and deployment. Whilst recognising that this discourse continues to evolve.
Furthermore, this approach illuminates the transformative potential of AI not merely as a tool, but as an active participant in the co-creation of a future that celebrates diversity, respects life in all its forms, and upholds the dignity and well-being of all beings and entities. In doing so, it opens up new vistas for AI research and practice that are deeply rooted in the wisdom of indigenous cultures and their holistic understanding of the universe.
