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Group advocating for Australians to list ‘no religion’ on the census is called out over AI ads: ‘Fake humanity’
An Australian advocacy group campaigning for people to select 'no religion' on the census has faced criticism after using AI-generated imagery and voices in its promotional advertisements. Critics argue that using artificial figures to represent everyday Australians undermines the campaign's credibility and comes across as inauthentic, with one detractor branding the approach "fake humanity". The controversy highlights growing unease over the use of AI-generated content in political and public messaging campaigns.
The group is urging Australians to mark 'no religion' when completing the national census, aiming to boost the recorded proportion of non-religious citizens. However, the decision to use AI-generated actors and voiceovers, rather than real people, in its advertising has drawn backlash from commentators who say it contradicts the campaign's message of representing genuine, ordinary Australians. The episode reflects a broader debate about transparency and authenticity as AI tools become more widely used in advocacy and advertising.
In short
- Group is urging Aussies to tick 'no religion' on the census
- Its adverts used AI-generated people, sparking backlash
- Critics called the AI imagery "fake humanity", undermining its message
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Advocacy organisations often face genuine resource constraints that necessitate cost-effective content creation, and using AI allows rapid, professional-quality advertising without the expense and logistical burden of casting real actors. The substantive message about census choices remains unchanged by the medium of delivery; the focus should remain on whether the underlying argument is sound rather than becoming preoccupied with who delivers it.
The case against
When a campaign explicitly claims to represent ordinary Australians' views, deploying AI-generated faces and voices creates a fundamental authenticity problem that contradicts the campaign's promise. Using artificial figures whilst requesting public trust raises credibility concerns; genuine representation and transparency matter in advocacy, and declining to feature actual citizens prepared to support the position undermines the campaign's essential claim to speak for real Australians.
Explained simply
Australians who select 'no religion' on the national census help shape the official picture of religious belief in the country, a figure used by governments, researchers and community groups. An advocacy group has been running a campaign encouraging people to tick that option, aiming to increase the recorded number of non-religious citizens when the census is completed.
The row centres on how that campaign has been advertised. Rather than using real people, the group's adverts reportedly feature AI-generated images and voices, which critics say sits awkwardly with a campaign meant to speak on behalf of ordinary, everyday Australians.
The dispute taps into a wider argument about AI in public campaigning: whether audiences can tell synthetic content from real testimony, and whether groups seeking public trust should be transparent about using it.