📚 AI & Technology Glossary

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Atamai Tohunui / Atamai Rorohiko

Definition: Computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions.

Example: ChatGPT understanding and responding to questions, or facial recognition identifying people in photos.

Machine Learning

Ako Pūrere

Definition: A type of AI where computers learn patterns from data without being explicitly programmed for every situation.

Example: Netflix learning your preferences by observing what you watch, then recommending similar shows.

Algorithm

Hātepe Rorohiko

Definition: A set of step-by-step instructions that a computer follows to complete a task or solve a problem.

Example: The TikTok algorithm decides which videos to show you based on your past behavior and engagement.

Training Data

Raraunga Whakangungu

Definition: The information used to teach an AI system - the examples it learns from to make future predictions or decisions.

Example: Thousands of photos of faces used to train facial recognition AI to identify people.

Neural Network

Whatunga Ihoiho

Definition: An AI system loosely inspired by how the human brain works, with interconnected nodes that process information.

Example: Deep neural networks that power language AI like ChatGPT.

Bias (AI Bias)

Whakatakitaki / Whakatoihara

Definition: Systematic errors or unfairness in AI systems that disadvantage certain groups, often reflecting biases in training data or design decisions.

Example: Facial recognition that works better for light-skinned people than dark-skinned people due to biased training data.

Algorithmic Justice

Tika Hātepe

Definition: The principle that algorithmic systems should be fair, equitable, and not perpetuate or amplify social inequalities.

Example: Ensuring hiring AI doesn't discriminate based on race, gender, or cultural background.

Data Sovereignty

Mana Motuhake Raraunga / Rangatiratanga Raraunga

Definition: The right of a nation or people to govern the collection, ownership, and application of their own data.

Example: Te Hiku Media maintaining Māori ownership and control over te reo Māori voice data used to train their AI.

Indigenous Data Sovereignty

Rangatiratanga Raraunga Taketake

Definition: The right of Indigenous peoples to control data from, about, and for Indigenous communities, reflecting their worldviews and self-determination.

Example: Te Mana Raraunga's work establishing Māori data principles and governance.

Transparency

Māramatanga

Definition: The ability to understand how an AI system works, what data it uses, and how it makes decisions.

Example: AI systems explaining their reasoning rather than being "black boxes."

Privacy

Tūmataiti

Definition: The right to control your personal information and how it's collected, used, and shared.

Example: Choosing who can see your social media posts or declining to share location data.

Digital Footprint

Tapuwae Matihiko

Definition: The trail of data you leave behind through your online activities - everything you post, like, search, or click.

Example: Your Google search history, Instagram likes, and TikTok viewing patterns all form your digital footprint.

Consent

Whakaaetanga

Definition: Freely given, informed agreement to data collection or use, with full understanding of implications.

Example: Genuinely understanding what you're agreeing to when you click "I Accept" on terms and conditions.

Surveillance

Mataara Huna

Definition: Systematic monitoring and tracking of people's activities, often without their full awareness or consent.

Example: Apps tracking your location 24/7, or employers monitoring worker computer activity.

Digital Sovereignty

Rangatiratanga Matihiko

Definition: The right of Indigenous peoples to control their digital presence, data, and technological futures.

Example: Māori communities deciding how AI is developed for and with Māori, not just applied to Māori.

Culturally-Responsive Technology

Hangarau Whakaaro Ahurea

Definition: Technology designed with cultural values, protocols, and community needs at its core, not as an afterthought.

Example: Papa Reo (Te Hiku Media's AI) built by Māori, for te reo Māori, with Māori data governance.

Data as Taonga

Raraunga hei Taonga

Definition: Viewing data about people, land, and culture as treasures to be protected and governed with care, not commodities to be extracted.

Example: Treating health data about Māori patients as taonga requiring kaitiakitanga, not just information for commercial use.

Kaupapa Māori Technology

Hangarau Kaupapa Māori

Definition: Technology development grounded in Māori worldview, values, and self-determination from conception through implementation.

Example: Apps or systems where tikanga Māori principles guide every design decision, not just the final product's appearance.

Generative AI

Atamai Whakaputa

Definition: AI that creates new content (text, images, code, audio) based on patterns learned from training data.

Example: ChatGPT writing essays, DALL-E creating images, or AI generating music.

Large Language Model (LLM)

Tauira Reo Nui

Definition: AI trained on massive amounts of text to understand and generate human-like language.

Example: GPT-4 (ChatGPT), Claude, Gemini - all are large language models.

Prompt

Tohutohu Tīmata

Definition: The instruction or question you give to an AI system to get it to generate a response.

Example: Typing "Explain photosynthesis for a Year 9 student" into ChatGPT is a prompt.

Deepfake

Tāpatapahi Matihiko

Definition: AI-generated fake videos or audio that convincingly impersonate real people.

Example: Fake videos of politicians or celebrities saying things they never said.

Distributive Justice

Tika Tohatoha

Definition: Fair distribution of benefits and harms - ensuring technology's impacts are shared equitably across different groups.

Example: Asking whether AI benefits flow mostly to wealthy users while risks fall on marginalized communities.

Procedural Justice

Tika Tikanga

Definition: Fairness in decision-making processes - ensuring affected people can participate in decisions about technology.

Example: Māori communities having a voice in how AI systems affecting them are developed and deployed.

Recognition Justice

Tika Whakaae

Definition: Recognizing and valuing different groups' knowledge, cultures, and perspectives equally.

Example: AI systems respecting mātauranga Māori as equally valid to Western scientific knowledge.

Whakapapa

In Tech Context: Recognizing that data has relationships and connections - it's not isolated information but part of a larger web of knowledge about people, places, and culture.

Manaakitanga

In Tech Context: Technology should care for and support users, not extract from or exploit them. Design with generosity and respect.

Kaitiakitanga

In Tech Context: Guardianship and responsibility for data and digital systems - protecting what's valuable for future generations.

Tino Rangatiratanga

In Tech Context: Self-determination in digital spaces - Māori controlling Māori digital futures, data, and technology development.

Whanaungatanga

In Tech Context: Technology that strengthens community bonds and collective wellbeing, not just individual convenience.