<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/10/concerns-ai-slop-used-by-sydney-university-based-institute-to-lobby-for-20m-gambling-education-funding>
"The independent senator David Pocock says he is “deeply concerned” that a
report sent to politicians by a University of Sydney-based institute to support
a $20m funding request for gambling education “appears to just be slop written
by AI”.
Pocock was among at least 10 politicians and officials sent a
Youth Gambling
in Australia Evidence Review, by the OurFutures Institute. The report was used
as background to the institute’s budget submission for funding to deliver a
gambling prevention education program aimed at 15- to 20-year-olds.
The director of the OurFutures Institute put the errors down to the use of a
reference “editing tool”, and said the claims in the paper were evidence-based
and sound.
The review, analysed by
Guardian Australia, contained at least 21 references
where the reference link was broken; where the paper referenced did not appear
to exist at all; or where the paper cited appears to be different to the one
hyperlinked.
There were also multiple instances where a statement was not supported by the
paper referenced.
For example, the review states that a Productivity Commission inquiry into
gambling found: “Every $1 invested in school-based prevention returns $8–10
through avoided costs in healthcare, welfare, and justice.”
However, this assertion is nowhere to be found in the Productivity Commission’s
report, which states: “The Commission has reservations about the benefits of
school-based gambling education, which has been strongly advocated by the
gambling industry and has been finding a place in state and territory
curriculums.”
Pocock confirmed he had received the review and that his office had written to
the OurFutures Institute with concerns, asking for an explanation.
“I am deeply concerned about this $20m request for public funding and the
evidence review it is based on, which appears to just be slop written by AI,”
he said.
“From my preliminary assessment, the review is full of AI hallucinations,
including references to studies that don’t exist and statements presented as
fact that are completely false or grossly exaggerated.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
