AI Texts: Mario Voigt Accepts Responsibility

Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt is taking a more hands-on approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in his communications following criticism over AI-generated speeches and guest articles. Voigt stated that if errors occurred in content produced under his name, they must be clearly identified, and he accepts full responsibility.

“

If errors occurred, I think they must be clearly named.

Voigt's administration faced scrutiny after it was revealed that several of his speeches and guest contributions were created with AI assistance. One particular guest article for the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" included unverified quotes from scientists, leading the newspaper to retract the piece. Voigt acknowledged this as a mistake that should be marked as such.

“

Clearly, I bear responsibility for everything that goes out in my name.

To address these issues, Voigt plans to enhance quality control measures for AI-generated content. He is considering implementing a 'four-eyes principle,' where a second person reviews the material, and is seeking to deepen his understanding of AI by reading books on the subject during the summer break. Voigt also intends to consult with experts to ensure the responsible and appropriate use of AI technologies.

“

I think that must be marked as a mistake, and it is.

Despite the recent criticism, Voigt remains optimistic about AI's potential. He warned against avoiding the technology out of fear, advocating instead for a "courageous" approach to identify "smart applications." Voigt believes Germany has a significant opportunity to leverage its technological data and should not resist the future by attempting to function without AI. He stressed the importance of a societal debate on AI, including the need for clear labeling of AI-generated texts, describing it as a crucial "societal negotiation process."

“

One must approach it very courageously and consider what the smart application is.