AI-generated misinformation spreads in New Zealand elections and disaster response
AI-generated fake images and deepfake videos circulated widely in New Zealand, including false content about a January landslide disaster and misleading political content. Political parties have used AI to create attack ads and cartoon images of opponents, while regulations governing election campaigns have not kept pace with the technology.
What happened
AI-generated fake images of January's landslide at Mount Maunganui were widely shared, misleading people at a time of national disaster.
On Facebook, bogus news sites shared deepfake AI videos purporting to show New Zealand politicians meeting at Waitangi and making policy announcements.
The National Party was criticised for posting AI cartoon images of opposition leaders and creating AI attack ads in the 2023 campaign.
Reported impact
AI-generated material floods social media platforms with deliberately misleading text, images and video, confusing readers and siphoning clicks away from real news sources.
Research suggests people are more likely to believe someone is guilty of a crime when shown an AI-generated image, even when they know the content is fake, risking deepened political disengagement at a time when trust in politicians is already low.
Index analysis
New Zealand's election laws were written in a different technological era and current rules meant to govern election campaigns are struggling to keep pace with AI-driven misinformation.
At virtually no cost and with minimal technical skill, almost anyone can now create AI-generated smear campaigns, and foreign actors could potentially use AI to interfere in New Zealand's electoral process.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.