Most New Zealanders worry about AI risks despite planning to use it
57 per cent expect to use AI, yet at least 80 per cent are concerned about its risks.
A New Zealand survey in September found the public split on AI's benefits but broadly united in worry about its dangers. Fifty-seven per cent of respondents expect to use AI in the future, yet concerns about risks ran deep: at least 80 per cent expressed concern about every risk tested.
The biggest worry was AI-generated images, videos or audio used to deceive or harm people, with 74 per cent very or extremely concerned. Māori and Asian respondents were notably more concerned about data privacy and overseas data storage than Pākehā respondents.
For Māori, these concerns reflect historical experiences of information being taken and used without consent.
- 57 per cent
- Plan to use AI
- At least 80 per cent
- Concerned about risks
- 74 per cent
- Very concerned about deepfakes
- 972 New Zealanders
- Survey respondents
Why it mattersPublic concern about AI risks is widespread, particularly among Māori and Asian communities, while New Zealand's approach to regulating the technology remains light-touch.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though Australia and New Zealand often align on tech regulation; public pressure in NZ may influence regional approaches to AI governance and data protection.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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