Labour is following Australia's artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap, promising to introduce an Office of AI, a minister responsible for AI, tight new rules for data centre electricity use and copyright protections for artists and media.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said New Zealand "cannot leave it to big international tech companies to decide how it shapes our future."
The party's technology spokesperson Reuben Davidson said if elected in November's election, the party would "make big data centres pay their own way, securing their own renewable energy and covering their own connection costs."
"New Zealand households shouldn't be subsidising the power bills of overseas tech companies."
An Office of AI would coordinate AI policy across government.
National recently announced it would require new data centres to have a 'additionality test,' so they would be accompanied by new, firmed power generation.
"Requiring new firmed [back up power] generation alongside new data centres means the development of digital infrastructure doesn’t put upward pressure on power prices for households and businesses, while giving energy developers the committed customers they need to finance new generation," National's policy statement said.
Labour's plan includes:
- Establish an Office of AI to coordinate AI policy across government
- Establish an online safety regulator within the Department for Internal Affairs
- Develop a copyright framework so creators control and are paid for their work
- Set clear rules for data centres so households aren't left carrying the cost
- Support small businesses and community organisations to adopt AI safely
- Establish an AI in Education team to support schools, teachers and students
- Work with businesses and unions to make sure productivity gains show up in wages and conditions
It is similar to Australia's AI roadmap, released in July, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a plan to create a new Office of AI, new energy rules for data centres and legal protections for local content.
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