New Māori AI Research Scholarship Launched by Awanuiārangi

Awanuiārangi Introduces $30,000 Scholarship to Grow Māori AI Research Capability

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi has launched a new research scholarship to strengthen Māori capability in artificial intelligence (AI). 

As AI continues to reshape global systems, questions of responsibility, ethics, and cultural impact are becoming increasingly urgent. Across the world, indigenous scholars are contributing to these conversations, ensuring that technological development does not occur without critical cultural engagement.  

Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith is one of those scholars, contributing to the international Abundant Intelligences research programme, an initiative exploring how indigenous knowledge systems can inform and challenge dominant approaches to AI.  

She explains how through collaborations such as these, opportunities are opening for Māori researchers to engage and contribute to the wider global conversations about AI.  

“It’s important that we have people who can engage with emergent technologies through a critical Māori lens and ensure these technologies don’t cause harm.” 

Her words hightlight an important point, that technology is not neutral. It affects our communities, our culture, and our future.  

“What is new technology for us now will most likely be old and redundant technology in the next generation. What we need to anticipate are the cultural and social changes that will impact on our whānau.” 

In this context, Māori engagement in AI is about safeguarding whānau, strengthening intellectual sovereignty, and anticipating the wider implications of technological change.  

In support of this growing area of inquiry, Awanuiārangi is now offering a $30,000 research scholarship for tauira whose chosen programme of study includes a significant focus on artificial intelligence. The scholarship aims to strengthen Māori research capability in emerging technological fields, ensuring that future developments are approached through informed, critical, and culturally grounded perspectives. 

Scholarship summary:

• The purpose of the award is to support doctoral tauira to complete their programme at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
• Applicants for the scholarship must be enrolled full-time in a doctoral programme at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi. 
• Applicants must be undertaking research that includes a significant AI component and a significant mātauranga Māori or kaupapa Māori component.