RNZ understands there have been instances where staff used AI to draft formal reports such as Extended Supervision Order reports. Stewart said the uptake of Copilot remained "relatively low" with about 30% of Corrections staff engaging with the tool since it was introduced on Corrections devices in November 2025. "Corrections has an AI assurance officer, a function held by the director cybersecurity, who is accountable for guiding safe and secure adoption of AI. "If this is correct, then privacy concerns would be limited to any cases in which Corrections staff use Copilot in breach of Corrections policy. Where Copilot is used in a way that breaches Corrections policy, OPC would expect Corrections to take appropriate action to remedy this."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 15, 2026 19:09 UTC