Tech Suite | AI Impact Series: Highlights and insights

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In this episode, Technology partners, Kate Cruickshank and Tom Maasland, share their reflections on the AI Impact Series, drawing from their conversations with leaders and innovators across six major New Zealand sectors. 

They highlight some of the impressive real-world applications of AI in these industries, consider common challenges and emerging solutions, and explore what’s needed to unlock AI’s full potential for New Zealand.

[00:52] Kate and Tom reflect on the practical and creative adoption of AI across New Zealand’s key sectors, highlighting standout innovations shared by interviewees, from AI tools enhancing personalised teaching practices and levelling the playing field in game development, to boosting farm productivity and streamlining healthcare workflows.

[05:02] Kate observes that AI is no longer just a buzzword in these sectors; it is becoming deeply embedded in everyday industry practices, with many solutions tailored specifically to the New Zealand context.

[05:32] Tom and Kate discuss the unique and shared challenges faced by industries in New Zealand in adopting AI, including resistance to change and integration with legacy systems in public sectors like health and education and offer practical legal and strategic approaches to overcome them.

[06:49] Tom discusses the continuing industry concern on data quality, governance and ethics (including Māori data sovereignty), emphasising the importance of strong internal and external compliance and privacy and transparency frameworks to overcome these barriers. 

[07:47] Kate considers the human challenges of AI adoption, particularly resistance to change due to the fear of the unknown and job displacement. She underscores the importance of strong leadership, clear policies and ongoing training to build trust and understanding. Despite these concerns, she notes a sense of optimism in the series interviews that AI will enhance, rather than replace, human roles.

[09:21] Tom considers the common challenge of connectivity and infrastructure inequities in rural areas, calling for infrastructure investment and consideration of local cloud hosting to ensure AI accessibility for all regions and communities.

[10:28] They discuss the need for clear regulatory guidance and cross-sector collaboration to build AI capability and resilience in New Zealand, referencing the upcoming national AI Strategy and the role of organisations like the AI Forum of NZ.

Information in this episode is accurate as at the date of recording, 5 June 2025.

Please contact Kate Cruickshank, Tom Maasland or our Technology team if you need legal advice and guidance on any of the topics discussed in the episode.

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