National Party leader Christopher Luxon (file photo).
photograph: RNZ / Samuel Rilston
National Party leader Christopher Luxon defended the use of AI for election campaign images, saying it was the same as buying stock images but smarter.
Reports surfaced Tuesday that the Kuomintang is using technology to generate images of fake nurses, robbers and crime victims in campaign materials.
Party officials confirmed the use of AI to the media, but Luxon himself was unaware of it until questioned by a reporter.
talk to RNZ morning report On Wednesday, he defended the decision.
“It’s up to my social media team, but I have no problem with it.
“You have a choice: go to an agency, buy a stock photo of the actor in the role, or create an AI-generated image for the stock image. And I don’t understand the difference between these two.” ”
“It’s very clear where the line is,” he said when asked if the party has a policy on the use of AI in campaigns.
“We are just using AI in quicker, faster, better, more efficient ways.”
After he was forced to pay him $225,000 for using music that closely resembled rapper Eminem in a 2014 TV ad, some of the criticism at the party was to avoid copyright entanglements. He suggested that it was a bit unfair, such as using AI. stretch.
“I don’t know what people are going to say there, but we are very smart about using AI responsibly and embracing new technology. It’s what we need to do in digitalization and what our business needs.” We’re doing it as well,” he said.
“We are clear about using AI responsibly, but I don’t think some of the overnight claims or long bows are fair.”
The issue raises questions about whether AI will be used more as an electoral tool in New Zealand this year, as the rapidly growing technology is already making an impact abroad.
Even if we can ensure that political parties are using technology responsibly, it is very likely that technology will be misused or misrepresent the truth.
Presenter Guyon Espiner asked if he was talking to the real Christopher Luxon.
“Haha, yes, yes. What I feel incredibly sad about is the kiwis in New Zealand because, again, the typical economic mismanagement of this Labor government has caused pain and suffering. because it is causing
“It doesn’t fit.”
Labor campaign manager Hayden Munroe said his party had never used AI in campaign design or advertising and had “no intention of doing so.”
“Mr Chris Hipkins has made it clear that he wants Labor to run an honest and frank campaign that New Zealanders can trust,” he said.
