When AI Crosses a Line: What I Learned from a Pounamu Mistake

I’ll be honest — I stuffed up.

When I first started experimenting with AI tools for my personal content, I was fascinated by what they could create. Like many others exploring this new space, I wanted to push creative boundaries, test ideas, and bring visual stories to life.

I used ChatGPT to generate a few images for my posts, including one of a piece of pounamu (greenstone). I thought it looked beautiful, something that represented strength, grounding, and connection to whakapapa.

I’m no graphic designer, so AI became my go-to tool for bringing ideas to life. Before posting, I even asked my brother to check it — just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

But we both overlooked something important. The koru design in the pounamu was shaped in a way that would be impossible to carve in real life. It looked cool, but it wasn’t culturally or physically accurate.

And I got called out for it.

It was uncomfortable — but it was also fair.

A Hard but Valuable Lesson

Here I was, someone who constantly talks about walking in tikanga (customs and correct practice) and honouring te ao Māori (the Māori worldview). I had made a mistake that went against those very principles.

That moment taught me something powerful:

Just because AI can create something, doesn’t mean it should.

AI doesn’t understand the depth of culture. It doesn’t recognise the sacredness of pounamu, or the meaning carried in each curve of a koru. It doesn’t know that Māori art is more than aesthetic — it’s storytelling, whakapapa, and wairua (spirit).

What AI generates might look right, but it often feels wrong.

Why I’ve Moved Away from AI-Generated Imagery

After that experience, I decided to stop using AI-generated imagery for anything related to Māori design or symbolism.

I’m not a Māori designer, and I want to respect the mahi of those who are.

There are incredibly talented Māori artists, carvers, and designers who have spent years mastering their craft, guided by whakapapa and tikanga. They deserve recognition — not replacement by a machine that doesn’t understand their world.

These days, if my carousels or visuals look simple, that’s okay.
I’d rather use plain templates or photos than risk disrespecting someone’s culture or art.

Because for me, this isn’t about perfection — it’s about integrity.

What AI Reminded Me About Accountability

AI is evolving fast, and it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of what it can do. But as creators, researchers, and professionals, we also have to pause and ask:

Just because I can — should I?

AI is a tool, not a replacement for cultural knowledge or creative expertise.
It can amplify our ideas, but it can also unintentionally cross boundaries if we’re not careful.

That experience reminded me to slow down, reflect, and keep people — not technology — at the centre of everything I do.

My Takeaway

This was a big learning for me — he akoranga nui tēnei māku.

I’ll continue using AI in my work, but with stronger guardrails: cultural respect first, creativity second.

And to those exploring AI too — I encourage you to stay curious, stay humble, and stay accountable.
Mistakes happen, but how we respond and learn from them matters most.

So, have you ever had a moment with AI that made you stop and question whether what you were creating was truly right?