Council
15 October, 2026
Bizarre AI presentation was all above board say council
The Southern Wire speaks to Yass Valley Council about the bizarre AI speech presented to council yesterday (14 October 2026).
A bizarre presentation generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and delivered as part of the public forum before Wednesday’s Yass Valley Council was all above board.
In what could be a first for the region, Antonius van de Zandt used an AI-generated voice to speak on the matter before council.
Council’s Manager of Governance and Risk Caitlin Flint confirmed that council had received an emailed request from Antonius van de Zandt to accept a pre-recorded message as he was unable to attend the public forum due to ill health.
Mr van de Zandt had emphasised that the use of AI was merely a tool for delivering his own voice and the thought, concerns, opinions and responsibility for the content remained entirely his own.
However, the clearly unrealistic voice took a number of councillors and residents sitting in the public gallery by surprise.
At one stage the voice rose to an almost audible scream when Mr van de Zandt asked who ended up paying when council started operating under different rules.
“We do,” the AI-generated voice screeched.
Ms Flint confirmed that Mr van de Zant was a real person.
She said anyone wanting to speak at a public forum had to register online via the Yass Valley Council website and provide an email address, phone number and residential address.
Mr van de Zandt, by admission of his own presentation, stated he was a Gundaroo resident.
“Council is satisfied this individual is a real person,” Ms Flint said.
And while Mr van de Zandt’s futuristic presentation might have been a first – it certainly won’t be the last.
Ms Flint said the Code of Meeting Practice, prescribed by the Office of Local Government, was silent on the use of AI for public forum presentations.
However, it is used in various other scenarios by members of the public in their dealings with council, including the preparation of submissions.
“This is a rapidly evolving space however, council’s priority is to be inclusive to all who may experience barriers to participation,” Ms Flint said.
Mr van de Zandt was extremely critical of council and accused it of having “champagne ambitions on a ratepayers’ beer budget”.
The AI-generated voice lacked the nuance of a normal human voice, but the underlying message came through loud and clear.
“We all know infrastructure costs money, but responsible management distinguishes necessity from luxury,” Mr van de Zandt said.
“Progress isn’t measured by grand council chambers – it’s measured by decent roads, reliable water, affordable rates and services actually delivered.”
Wednesday’s extraordinary meeting was called to discuss whether council should start engaging with the community on its financial position and the potential for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to repay loans and address a major funding shortfall, particularly with roads.
To check out the video read our story here https://www.thesouthernwire.com.au/australian-first-ai-speaker-screams-at-yass-valley-councillors-2026-10-15
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