North Rhine-Westphalia government acknowledges AI speechwriting help, denies full automation
A survey reveals that the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia uses artificial intelligence for drafting speeches and guest contributions, but officials insist human staff still review and finalize all content.
Background: AI speech controversies
Recent weeks have seen growing criticism after reports that politicians used artificial intelligence to write speeches and op-eds. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) faced scrutiny over several texts, including a Holocaust Remembrance Day speech, a eulogy, and a New Year's address, which were allegedly partly AI-generated. Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) also came under fire after an analysis by "Die Zeit" found that a "Handelsblatt" article under his name in April was almost entirely AI-written, and a contribution for the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung" in March was largely AI-generated.
NRW government's official line
A dpa survey of all government departments in North Rhine-Westphalia reveals that the state chancellery and many ministries use AI to support the creation of speeches and guest contributions, but no cabinet member lets AI write complete texts. The state chancellery stated that speeches by Minister President Hendrik Wüst and Chancellery Chief Nathanael Liminski are based on content and editorial preparation by staff and that AI is not used for the independent creation of finished speeches or contributions.
AI tools can be used as support, for instance for research, summarizing information or structuring topics. All drafts are checked, edited and approved. Sources, data and facts are not adopted unchecked, but verified against original sources.
Similar responses came from the economics, finance, family, science, education, and building ministries.
Ministries that decline AI
Several ministries in NRW are self-described AI refusers. The health ministry said Minister Karl-Josef Laumann does not use AI for speeches, greetings, or guest articles. The environment ministry noted that Oliver Krischer speaks freely, relying on bullet-point notes from his department and personal experiences "that AI cannot know." The agriculture ministry under Silke Gorißen and the interior ministry also reported no AI use.
Expert calls for transparency
Political consultant Martin Fuchs viewed the debate as overdue. He noted that AI has been standard in government communication at the state level for around three years, and he has conducted workshops on the topic.
I welcome it when political communication becomes more efficient and innovative technologies are used, especially to free up time for other communication.
Fuchs also called for transparency about AI use in political communication.
