2026-02-17
AI Is Already Harming NZ Youth – Here’s What We Must Do
AI deepfakes are fuelling a sextortion surge in New Zealand. Here's what the law gets wrong, what NZ youth need now, and what you can do about it.
Read full reportEST. 2025 · WELLINGTON AOTEAROA
We're an independent initiative making AI safety relevant to Aotearoa. We cover the everyday risks affecting kiwis so you can confidently navigate these changes and take meaningful action in your community.
01 - Our purpose
The technology is moving incredibly fast, showing up quietly in our workplaces, our schools, and our personal finances. While global tech giants build these tools, everyday Kiwis are the ones navigating the real-world impacts.
Most of the discussion around AI safety is either buried in dense technical jargon or confined to academic debates. That makes it hard to get a clear look at the risks, and it stops us from having the essential conversations we need to have as a country.
We are an independent public education initiative dedicated to changing that. We translate complex concepts into plain language and spotlight the specific AI risks hitting Kiwis today. Our goal is to give you the straightforward facts you need to navigate these changes confidently, so together we can keep New Zealand safer.
02 - Featured
2026-02-17
AI deepfakes are fuelling a sextortion surge in New Zealand. Here's what the law gets wrong, what NZ youth need now, and what you can do about it.
Read full report03 - The blog
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise our world, but it also comes with significant risks. One of the most serious risks is the…
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to impact various aspects of society, from healthcare to transportation. However, it also poses significant risks, particularly if AI…
Reward functions are the mechanisms that guide AI systems towards their desired goals. They essentially provide a score or rating to the AI based on its…
04 - Signal
What we’re reading
A hand-picked selection of New Zealand AI stories worth paying attention to. Updated monthly.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
EU AI transparency rules take effect, with flow-on impact for NZ businesses
Waatea News
Auckland professor warns AI boom is deepening NZ’s digital sovereignty risk
NZ Herald
Government bans AI deepfake celebrity endorsements in online casino ads
The Spinoff
Greens the only party with AI election policy so far, data centre debate heats up
NZ Herald
Rotorua school wins national recognition for AI curriculum bot
05 - Subscribe
06 - Take action
Add your name to the trustworthyai.nz petition calling for a cross-party commitment to AI governance in New Zealand.
Sign nowFind your electorate, get a draft email, and let your local MP know AI safety matters to their constituents.
Write to your MPAsk your bank, insurer, or employer what AI oversight they have. You're a customer - you have every right to know.
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