Independent Senator David Pocock has raised significant concerns regarding a report produced by the OurFutures Institute, based at the University of Sydney, which was sent to at least 10 politicians and officials as part of a funding request for a $20 million gambling education program targeting youth aged 15 to 20. Pocock described the report as 'slop written by AI', pointing to numerous inaccuracies and broken references that undermine the credibility of the document intended to support a campaign for gambling prevention education. This highlights the potential issues that may arise from the reliance on AI-generated content in crucial areas such as public health and education.

The report titled 'Youth Gambling in Australia Evidence Review' was utilized as background material for the institute's budget submission. Upon analysis by Guardian Australia, the review was discovered to contain at least 21 problematic references, including links that were broken, citations of papers that could not be verified, or discrepancies in the research being cited. This raises questions about the integrity of the evidence and data being presented by organizations aiming to influence public policy, particularly in sensitive areas involving the welfare of young individuals.

In response to the criticism, the director of the OurFutures Institute attributed the problems mainly to the use of a reference 'editing tool' but insisted the document's claims are based on solid evidence. This incident shines a light on broader issues related to the use of artificial intelligence in generating research and reports, particularly the responsibility that comes with disseminating information in fields like gambling education where accuracy and reliability are paramount. The implications of such oversight can have far-reaching effects on future funding strategies and trust in academic institutions, emphasizing the need for rigorous standards in research outputs.