The Problem
AI regulation is needed to protect New Zealanders’ creativity, data and jobs and ensure that the benefits of AI are shared and not captured by the massive technology companies running the AI sector.
The Green Party will make sure the right AI protections are in place. The growing pressures to adopt and embrace AI are unprecedented, but AI is not a force of nature that we have to surrender to. Government has a role to safeguard the interests of our creatives, our workers, our environment, and the New Zealand public.
New Zealanders are understandably cautious about AI. The Green Party shares this caution. When AI is used thoughtfully and with well-designed safeguards, there can be legitimate benefits, but the rapid and unregulated explosion of AI technologies presents significant risks across our society and our economy.
The enormous investments being made in AI are cause for concern. Trillions of dollars have been invested in new AI tools, and companies cannot hope to see the returns they expect. This growing bubble presents risks to jobs and economic stability.
We don’t have to surrender control of our data, our privacy and the things we create to massive overseas tech companies that don’t support the public interest.
The best way to protect us, our economy, and our sovereignty from an uncertain future is to ensure that AI is regulated properly. We should and will implement the right safeguards, before it’s too late to put it back in the box.
Safe, Sovereign AI
An AI Plan for Aotearoa
The Green Party's plan for Safe, Sovereign AI will ensure that:
AI will not replace human and democratic decision-making
Artificial intelligence should support human judgement, not replace it. Decisions that affect people's rights, welfare, health, education, employment, or access to public services must remain subject to meaningful human oversight and appeal.
Our data sovereignty and community consent are protected
Data is a taonga. The raw material of AI is data. New Zealanders, iwi, hapū, communities, and creators should retain meaningful control over how data about them is used. Language in particular is crucial to identity and culture, and must be protected.
AI must operate within environmental limits
AI is not a virtual technology. It consumes large amounts of electricity, water, land, and materials. New infrastructure should only proceed where environmental and community benefits are clear.
The benefits of AI are shared, not concentrated
AI is creating unprecedented concentrations of economic power, as well as enormous risks to the stability of the financial system. Government should ensure gains benefit workers and communities rather than being captured by global tech giants, and that the risks are not socialised.
AI tools are transparent, trustworthy, and accountable
People have a right to know when they are interacting with AI and how it is being used. To do this, we will align and cooperate with international best practice, particularly around disclosure requirements, labelling requirements, and establishing an independent regulator to conduct assurance, audits, and education, to ensure that AI and AI companies are held accountable.
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