Kiwis grow wary of AI, privacy risks & unreliable online info
New Zealanders are displaying heightened caution and scepticism towards the Internet, with concerns growing around Artificial Intelligence (AI), privacy, and trust in online information, according to findings from the 2025 World Internet Project survey.
AI attitudes
The survey reveals that less than a quarter of respondents (23%) believe regulating AI is still possible, with the most cited reason for doubt being the sense that "It's already too late."
Usage of AI varies significantly by age. Among 16-24 year olds, 45% report frequent use of AI, compared to just 4% of those aged 75 and over. Most respondents, 52.2%, expect AI to cause large-scale unemployment in the future. Yet, in contrast, 71.7% do not feel personally threatened by the prospect of losing their current jobs to automation.
Older New Zealanders express heightened concerns, opposing the use of AI by those under 18 due to worries about brain development, and voicing stronger unease regarding issues of privacy and surveillance.
Online trust
Trust in the reliability of information encountered online remains low. About two-thirds (67.4%) are sceptical of at least half of the information they see online. Misinformation is a significant concern, with 67% identifying it as a serious issue for New Zealand.
Social media doubts
While most Internet users (66.9%) have an overall positive view of the Internet, opinions on social media are more divided. A considerable proportion, 41.9%, feel that social media is equally helpful and harmful.
There is significant support for tighter oversight of Internet and social media platforms, particularly TikTok and X. More than 60% of participants favour a mixed regulatory approach combining government measures and industry self-regulation.
Privacy concerns
Concerns over privacy are widespread. Over 80% of respondents express some degree of anxiety about the security of personal or banking information while shopping online or using social networking services.
Environmental awareness
More than half of Internet users (52%) now recognise the environmental impacts of digital technologies. Younger people in particular report taking action to lower their digital footprints. These steps include keeping devices longer, unplugging electronics when not in use, deleting unnecessary files, and choosing local rather than cloud storage.
Changing relationship
"To find so many people in NZ concerned about AI shows how pervasive it has become in our personal and work lives. The caution felt about AI is on par with our increasing wariness around social media and privacy concerns when doing online activities. This tempered response is appropriate given the seemingly endless flow of online content and information in our lives from so many internet-based sources," said Dr Lisa Meehan, Director, New Zealand Policy Research Institute.
Vivien Maidaborn, Chief Executive at InternetNZ, highlighted that ambitions for digital equity must now include more than just expanding access.
"Digital equity is not only about reducing barriers, but also about understanding what living well online means and knowing how to navigate its limits. The research points to a widespread desire for better regulation, an awareness that not all information online is reliable and that this has real impact on people's day to day life through privacy implications, politics and even the environment," said Maidaborn.
