Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham has pledged to ensure that regulations concerning the use of artificial intelligence are strictly followed. This commitment follows the removal of a manipulated image from the government’s Facebook page last Friday.
The image, part of a public service announcement promoting vaccinations, depicted a woman with six fingers and her shirt sleeve rolled up, obscuring part of her forearm. The provincial government confirmed on Monday that the image had been altered using Photoshop, which includes an AI component for editing and resizing photos for social media. The statement clarified that the editing process unintentionally distorted the image during the review.
During a press briefing on Monday, Wakeham criticized the use of AI, emphasizing the need for accurate communication and the avoidance of such errors. He stressed the importance of tightening government policies regarding AI usage to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Notably, this is not the first time Wakeham has faced questions regarding AI-altered images. In April, Tourism Minister Andrea Barbour faced backlash for sharing a modified image of The Rooms in a graphic for national tourism week.
Wakeham acknowledged existing policies on AI use in the province but highlighted ongoing efforts to enforce them effectively. Meanwhile, Liberal Leader John Hogan disclosed that his party refrains from utilizing AI for photo manipulation, opting for tasks like copywriting and background verification.
Both Hogan and NDP Leader Jim Dinn urged the government to exercise caution in AI application and promptly update related policies. Hogan specifically called for legislative action and policy revisions to address the issue promptly.
The province’s attention to AI usage was further emphasized by concerns raised over the Education Accord released during Hogan’s tenure as premier. The document faced criticism for containing potentially AI-generated false citations, prompting calls for swift government action.
As the province navigates the complexities of AI integration, leaders across party lines advocate for vigilance and accountability in utilizing this technology to avoid recurrent errors.