Culture and society news

AI and visual effects: does it work?

Lionsgate’s partnership with AI startup Runway has sparked concerns about whether visual effects will lose their ‘human touch’ with AI.

AUT winners at Best Awards 2024

This year at the 2024 Best Awards, staff and students achieved an incredible 48 pins, surpassing AUT’s record performance from last year.

High placing in trans-Tasman cook-off

An AUT culinary arts student has done well in a trans-Tasman live cook-off competition for apprentice and young chefs.

Public Money Well Spent?

New research shows that public funding for news media during Covid didn’t prevent long term layoffs and has led to unintended negative consequences.  

Can a $5 T-shirt ever be ethical?

Everyone loves a deal, but can a $5 t-shirt ever be ethical? Probably not, says Lisa McEwan, AUT senior lecturer in design for sustainability and fashion.

Jack and Jill can teach us about the CGT

In NZ, capital gains tax debates are like zombies, constantly getting killed off and coming back to life. The debate needs a broader definition of “fair”.

NZ sentencing reforms: dogma or data?

The proposals ignore the fact that most of the people in the judicial system have a reduced capacity to take personal responsibility for their actions.

Māori knowledge of animals

Teachers now have new groundbreaking classroom resources on Māori knowledge of animals, and Māori concepts as they relate to animal ethics.

LASFF 2024 links communities together

This month AUT put on the Auckland screenings for the 22nd Latin America & Spain Film Festival.

Ads from Hell: Do we love to hate them?

When it comes to controversial advertising, Hells Pizza is often pushing boundaries. But when does an ad cross the line of “acceptable” controversy?