According to a recent poll, a majority of New Zealanders are concerned about the future use of artificial intelligence. The concerns of New Zealanders regarding artificial intelligence (AI) reflect a prudent view towards the rapid development and potential misuse of AI technologies, an in-depth survey of New Zealand's online behaviours reveals.

InternetNZ, a non-profit that operates the .nz domain name, commissioned 'Internet Insights' from market research firm Verian, an annual survey of over 1000 people to measure their awareness, sentiments, and concerns regarding AI technology.

The study revealed that a significant majority, 72%, of New Zealanders are worried about AI being used for harmful purposes and without adequate regulation. Additionally, 42% of New Zealanders are more concerned than excited about AI, with only 11% expressing more excitement than concern.
A lack of deep knowledge about AI is also apparent, with 63% of respondents admitting they only understand 'a little' about AI, and 13% saying they know nothing at all.

Why does it matter?

New Zealanders' apprehensions about AI are a cautious and appropriate response to the technology's rapid progress and its societal implications. The concern is also rooted in a broader context of declining favourable impressions of the internet, with the proportion of New Zealanders who feel the benefits exceed the drawbacks falling from 84% in 2022 to 80%.

The study highlights a notable concern about online harm and harassment, with nearly one in five New Zealanders reporting personal experiences of such issues. The concerns raised by New Zealanders align with more global apprehensions about AI, including issues of transparency, bias and discrimination, privacy concerns, ethical dilemmas, security risks, and the potential concentration of power.
In response to these concerns, InternetNZ's Chief Executive, Vivien Maidaborn, has stressed the need for government action in developing guidelines, policies, and laws to navigate the challenges presented by AI and keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of technology. The call to action is consistent with the 2023 Government AI Readiness Index, which ranked the country 42nd in the world, significantly behind neighbouring Australia's 12th place.