TLDR: Rotorua’s local elections mark the first since the advent of ChatGPT, prompting a debate among candidates regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence in campaigning. While some candidates embrace AI for efficiency in tasks like video editing and grammar checks, others express strong reservations, fearing it could undermine authenticity, critical thinking, and lead to misinformation. Experts warn about the potential for AI to produce unreliable content and deepfakes, emphasizing the need for transparency and human judgment.
Rotorua’s upcoming local elections are making headlines as they become the first in the region to take place since the widespread launch of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT. This technological shift has ignited a significant debate among the 31 candidates vying for mayoral, rural, general, and Māori ward vacancies within the Rotorua Lakes Council, with opinions sharply divided on the appropriate use of AI in political campaigning.
Dr. Bronwyn Isaacs, an anthropology lecturer at the University of Waikato specializing in the cultural politics of AI, has observed a notable increase in the use of generative AI in political content. She attributes this rise to the technology’s affordability, ease of access, and its ability to help manage the pressure for high-volume content creation. However, Dr. Isaacs cautions against over-reliance on these tools, likening the quality of some AI-generated content to ‘constant two-minute noodles’ and warning of the dangers of ‘hallucination’ and recommendations based on ‘poor sources of evidence.’ She further highlighted that ‘scraping the internet of data can result in something that is often unreliable and can reproduce common stereotypes and misunderstandings.’
A survey of the Rotorua candidates revealed a spectrum of approaches. Mayor Tania Tapsell, along with Māori ward candidates Trevor Maxwell and Te Whatanui Skipwith, confirmed they are not utilizing AI for their campaigns. General ward candidate Matthew Doidge echoed this sentiment, stating he is not using generative AI ‘in any form’ and hopes others are not either, emphasizing that ‘the electorate are voting for real people to represent them, genuine candidates who have thoughtfully considered the issues, not for a chatbot.’ This call for authenticity was supported by fellow general ward candidates Richard Collins, Pam Neilson, Frank Grapl, and Māori ward hopefuls Rawiri Waru and Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, many of whom believe that candidates using AI should disclose this fact.
Conversely, some candidates have integrated AI into their campaigns for specific purposes. Neville Raethel and Jared Adams have used AI for tasks such as spelling, grammar checks, logo creation, website development, and video editing. Both believe that the use of AI should be declared, with Raethel expressing concern over AI-generated imagery and Adams noting the technology’s limitations, stating, ‘It also says weird things Kiwis and locals wouldn’t say, and sometimes is plain wrong.’ Mayoral candidate Don Paterson has also employed AI for video editing and image generation, but stressed it should not be used to ‘distort facts or mislead,’ while expressing ‘no concerns’ over its ethical use.
Other candidates, like Mariana Morrison, view AI as a tool for efficiency and creativity, asserting that ‘all decisions and messaging ultimately reflect my own values and judgment.’ Mayoral candidate Robert Lee uses AI for research but avoids it for written text, expressing concern that it could make some candidates ‘appear more literate and coherent’ than they truly are. General ward candidate Ryan Gray shared this worry, stating, ‘Voters need to know candidates are capable of making a difference through fierce advocacy at the council table, as opposed to relying on AI to think for them.’ Jenny Chapman also voiced concerns that excessive reliance on AI might diminish candidates’ critical thinking abilities.
Reynold MacPherson, a returning council hopeful, considers AI use ‘standard practice’ but reminds voters that its effectiveness hinges on ‘the skill and judgment of the person using it.’ Mayoral candidate Shakaina Fraser offered a unique perspective, believing that God ‘created everything for our use’ when questioned about AI’s role in her campaign.
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The rapid advancement of AI, particularly in generating audio, images, and video (known as deepfakes), also raises significant concerns. A spokesperson for Local Government New Zealand highlighted the potential for ‘serious harm to the candidate if they are misrepresented by the manipulated content,’ underscoring the ethical challenges and the critical need for transparency in this evolving political landscape.
