Labour has unveiled a comprehensive AI policy that would impose new rules on data centres, establish an Office of AI, and strengthen copyright protections for creators, writes Henry Oliver in today’s excerpt from The Bulletin.
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Labour has released a wide-ranging AI policy that would require data centres to “pay their own way” by securing their own renewable energy supply, covering their own connection costs, and reducing electricity demand during peak periods, the Herald reported yesterday. The party says it wants to prevent data centres from driving up energy costs for New Zealanders. “Our approach is simple: the right-sized data centre in the right place, with the companies that benefit carrying their fair share of the cost,” Labour’s policy document states.
The Greens had previously called for a one-year moratorium on new AI data centres until “proper rules” were in place. National, meanwhile, has released a policy requiring new data centres to be accompanied by new energy generation so they wouldn’t put pressure on power prices.
An AI regulator and copyright protections
The broader AI policy includes establishing an Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to coordinate AI policy and develop standards for responsible use, RNZ reported. Labour would also establish an online safety regulator – widening the scope of the regulator the Government is already planning for its under-16s social media ban.
The party would develop a framework for how copyright material is used by AI, including how creators can control and be remunerated for their work. It would also ban non-consensual deepfake pornography. “Used well, AI has huge benefits,” Chris Hipkins said. “But we cannot leave it to big international tech companies to decide how it shapes our future.”
Technology spokesperson Reuben Davidson said Labour would “make sure New Zealand sets AI rules on its own terms” and ensure “there is always human accountability.”
Polls and vibes
The policy rollout comes as Labour struggles to appeal to voters. A Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll on Monday put Labour at 25.9% – its worst result in years. The Herald-Motu Research Poll of Polls, released Tuesday, put Labour at 27.9%.
Last night in Naenae, at his first public meeting of the campaign, Hipkins faced questions about his energy, reported RNZ, with one supporter telling him: “I hear someone with fire in his belly and fire in his voice. I don’t know why some of that just isn’t getting cut through.” Hipkins replied: “Well, you’ll be pleased to know I’m just getting warmed up.”
“He certainly spoke with passion, and I think that it’s not coming out … in the media about the clarity of their policies,” a Labour supporter said. Another, who told RNZ she would give Hipkins her candidate vote and Opportunity her party vote, was “pleasantly surprised” by Labour’s leader, describing him as articulate and passionate. Before that evening, that had not come across at all, she said.
Labour’s AI policy is its latest attempt to define itself, to take aim at a slightly bigger target. Whether it will help Hipkins, and Labour, break through remains to be seen.
