The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence
A curated Kiwi edition of TechDay news, analysis, interviews, reviews, job moves, and related resources for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
What to know about Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, reshaping business operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving innovation across sectors globally and in Australasia. From the surge in AI-driven cybersecurity threats and the adoption of AI in cloud infrastructure to the integration of generative AI in customer service, marketing, and financial sectors, this dynamic field demands close attention.
Experts emphasise the critical role of robust data management and infrastructure in successfully leveraging AI technologies, while organisations face challenges including skill gaps, ethical considerations, and regulatory developments. As AI adoption accelerates, businesses must balance innovation with security, sustainability, and human-centric strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape.
Readers exploring this tag will gain insights into the latest AI trends, practical applications, organisational strategies, technological advancements, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of AI. Understanding these developments is essential for anyone interested in the impact of artificial intelligence on business, technology, and society.
Kiwi Artificial Intelligence News
Regional stories with direct local relevance
FNZ deepens FirstCape partnership with platform shift
The deal gives FirstCape a new platform for its New Zealand wealth businesses, with FNZ taking over build, migration and ongoing operations.
FMG goes live with Workday HCM for core people systems
Staff at FMG can now update leave and pay details in one place after the insurer replaced legacy HR systems with Workday.
Aimer Farming wins NZD $600,000 for AI pasture tools
Government backing will help more than 10,000 farmers use AI pasture tools that speed grazing and feed decisions across New Zealand farms.
Gaze launches workplace intelligence tool in New Zealand
Hybrid work is leaving many New Zealand offices underused, with businesses risking about NZD $270,000 a year from poor space planning.
Visa expands agentic commerce testing with NZ banks
Four of New Zealand’s biggest lenders are testing AI-driven payments as Visa moves to safeguard shopping across merchants and platforms.
New Zealand faces widening innovation gap, TUANZ warns
Technology leaders say the country risks falling further behind as AI adoption, cyber threats and rising costs outpace progress.
Analyst Insights
Research and market analysis connected to Artificial Intelligence
Sapiens named in Everest Group's top 50 insurance lists
Cognizant launches Secure AI Services for enterprises
Strike Graph launches Trust Chain for supplier risk
Gartner: AI layoffs do not improve returns on investment
CrowdStrike leads Gartner cyberthreat intelligence quadrant
Featured News
TeamViewer utilising AI to cut costly digital friction
A survey of 4,000 workers found digital friction is fuelling burnout, tears and staff turnover as TeamViewer automates routine IT tasks.
Vanyar primed for success with Uriah Jacobs at the helm
A shortage of skilled partners is slowing wider adoption of Palantir Foundry and AIP, creating an opening for Vanyar in the commercial market.
Upwind Expands to Sydney: Real Time Cloud Security for APJ
The Sydney move follows a USD $250 million funding round as the cloud security firm bets on real-time protection for fast-growing AI workloads.
AI agents multiply risk, says DigiCert chief product officer
Many firms cannot see where their AI agents are, leaving identity, policy and supply-chain risks to grow as deployments scale.
Sage Intacct builds explainable AI into accounting
Accountants facing staff shortages may gain faster workflows, as Sage Intacct’s new agent exposes its calculations, sources and audit trail.
'Self-learning' AI big boon for Qualtrics' CX
Companies using AI for customer experience are cutting churn and lifting revenue, with Qualtrics saying richer feedback can triple insights.
Sage branding itself on trust in AI world of "big voices"
Trust is emerging as a selling point for finance software as Sage warns that opaque AI can leave CFOs answerable for costly errors.
Exclusive: Denodo's Dominic Sartorio on perfect data vs the right data
Trust in enterprise AI is being undermined as Denodo research finds most firms still lack live, context-aware data for production use.
Google flags urgency as AI reshapes cyber threats
Patching delays now carry greater risk as Google says AI is helping attackers scale intrusions, speed up breaches and automate operations.
Exclusive: Google Cloud reshaping finance with agentic AI
Banks must move beyond isolated pilots if they want agentic AI to deliver enterprise-wide gains, Google Cloud says.
Exclusive: Google Cloud on the road to autonomous SecOps
The new tools could cut analysts’ manual threat-response work from days to minutes as Google Cloud pushes SecOps towards an autonomous SOC.
Exclusive: Google Cloud accelerates shift to agentic data
Enterprises may soon design data systems for AI agents rather than staff, as Google Cloud adds real-time context, automation and cross-cloud access.
Exclusive: Adobe ANZ chief on AI adoption trends
AI is increasingly moving into live use across Australia and New Zealand, as regulated sectors test deployments while CEOs chase productivity gains.
Exclusive: Google sees success with niche AI playbooks
Enterprises are under pressure to prove AI returns as Google pushes reusable, sector-specific playbooks into production across 19 industries.
Kia Ora New Zealand: Microsoft AI Tour delivers a dose of He Tangata
Microsoft is betting on AI training to ease workplace fears, after pledging to skill another 200,000 people in New Zealand.
Exclusive: Grafana Lab's Jen Villa on targeting the AI observability gap
The new tools aim to help firms spot faulty AI outputs and data risks sooner as production deployments outpace monitoring methods.
Netskope's Tony Burnside - visibility is key to AI security
AI tools are creating hidden east-west traffic that security teams struggle to monitor, raising the risk of data leakage and compromise.
Exclusive: Celonis global banking head says AI rollout hinges on process intelligence
Banks risk wasting AI spending unless they first map how work really flows, as Celonis says process intelligence is becoming phase zero.
Affirmo: Could AI make a reality of IoT dreams?
AI could help unlock the long-promised value of IoT, as Singapore-based Affirmo pushes real-time tracking into manufacturing and logistics.
TrendAI: Evolving the cybersecurity value proposition
New research shows two-thirds of Australian business and IT leaders feel pressured to approve AI projects while overlooking security risks.
Atturra's Chris Rae: Choose the happy path (or, why 'perfect' automation fails)
Western Australian mines have cut HR processing time by 80% after a new SAP-linked system let workers self-serve compliance records.
Diligence the watchword as oversight lags AI governance
Most boards are using AI for routine tasks, but only 3% have woven it into risk oversight, leaving organisations exposed to fresh hazards.
Scale By Avec says strategic hiring is the key in the age of AI
AI is forcing firms to rethink hiring, as Scale By Avec says training and human skills matter more than simple headcount cuts.
Milestone turns video data into AI-driven intelligence
Demand for real-time security insights is pushing airports and public spaces towards AI tools that can analyse hundreds of cameras at once.
Zetifi's connectivity solutions drive fleet and worker safety
Remote crews can now stay connected and monitored through Zetifi’s multi-network system, reducing risk and unnecessary check-ins in the field.
Exclusive: Orderfox pushes into autonomous execution with Gieni ABX
Orderfox launches Gieni ABX on Microsoft Azure to push industrial AI beyond insights, automating workflows across enterprise systems with governance.
'Human Risk' takes centre stage - Mimecast CEO
Mimecast chief warns human risk is now cybersecurity's 'eighth layer' as malicious insiders overtake negligence in Australian attacks.
UiPath Accelerates AI in Software Development and Testing
UiPath is pushing AI deeper into software testing, promising autonomous agents that transform quality assurance and developers' roles.
Strong growth for Irish tech imports across Australia and New Zealand
Irish tech exports to Australia and New Zealand have surged nearly 60% in five years, with Enterprise Ireland backing rapid sector growth.
Cloudera and Svitla Systems bring trusted AI to healthcare
Cloudera and Svitla team up to build trusted, clinician‑centric AI that unifies patient data while safeguarding privacy and consent.
Rise of AI Agents introduces new infosec risk: Okta
Okta warns that surging numbers of uncontrolled AI agents pose a major identity and access risk as they become the new digital workforce.
Confluent says data streaming will enable faster, better decisions
Confluent says organisations must shift to governed data streaming, with AI agents making millisecond decisions at scale.
Elastic says AI search & context now decide customer loyalty
Elastic argues that in an AI-obsessed market, robust search across messy data is the real foundation of trustworthy, profitable experiences.
Platform consolidation the path to strategic compliance value - Workiva
Consolidated GRC platforms are turning box-ticking compliance into strategic value, says Workiva, as AI raises the stakes on data quality.
AI may sound human...but whose values does it reflect?
Harvard research finds “human-like” AI mirrors Western liberal values, raising concerns over cultural bias as it spreads worldwide.
Grafana: Turning data chaos into developer efficiency and CFO savings
Grafana leans on AI-powered observability and Adaptive Telemetry to sharpen developer insight while slashing cloud bills by up to 50%.
The hidden data costs threatening enterprise AI plans
Hidden cloud data, egress fees and GPU 'double bubble' bills are quietly turning many enterprise AI ambitions into costly, slow ordeals.
Guidewire showcases GenAI's capabilities in insurance risks
Guidewire touts 'insurance-grade AI' as it uses generative tools to speed risk, claims and pricing decisions for cautious insurers.
Beyond silicon: AMD evolves AI processor performance, makes play for investment trillions
AMD shifts its AI pitch from raw silicon to open software and cloud access as it targets developers and a share of looming trillions.
Why Australian leaders are losing faith in IT spend
With 88% of Australian tech leaders doubting IT ROI, IT financial management emerges as the missing link between spend and value.
Composable, process‑aware AI key to enterprise ROI
Process intelligence and composable architecture are emerging as the missing ingredients to turn fragile AI pilots into resilient, traceable value.
Reviews
Hands-on review: Pocket AI Notetaker handy, not revolutionary
Hands-on review: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G smartphone
Hands-on review: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra refined flagship
Hands-on review: Avast Deepfake Guard and Scam Guardian
Game review: Taxi Chaos 2 (Xbox Series X)
Hands-on Review: Dell Pro 13 Premium laptop
Hands-on Review: Norton 360 Advanced security suite
Hands-on Review: Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI
Hands-on Review: Apple AirPods Pro 3
Expert Columns
The Death of the Firewall
AI shopping boom puts checkout under pressure
Why trust is the bottleneck for AI-driven operations
Why workplace AI is creating a quiet legal risk most businesses haven't caught up with yet
Digital identity: How it powers APAC's fintech boom
Is your data ready for AI? 5 steps before deploying an agent
Energy for AI, AI for energy: designing AI-ready data centres
Why "strong passwords" can't save you from AI
Data quality charter vital for lasting business gains
The real-time data solution to the AI energy problem
Interviews
Interviews and video coverage from the networkRecent Artificial Intelligence News
AI adoption lifts NZ business revenue, study finds
AI users are already outperforming peers, with New Zealand SMEs earning about NZD $400,000 more and large firms NZD $59.1 million more in FY25.
Lancom joins AWS Anthropic reseller programme for Bedrock
Customers across New Zealand and Australia can now get broader access to Claude models through Lancom, as AI projects shift from trials to live use.
From scramble to certainty: rethinking tax time for Kiwi small businesses
Poor digital confidence is leaving 42% of Kiwi small businesses dreading tax time, as mixed systems and security gaps expose errors.
Girls shaping the future of AI: Why inclusivity matters now
Bias in AI systems could widen unless more women help shape the technology from the start, the Inde Women's Network warns.
Kia Ora New Zealand: Microsoft AI Tour delivers a dose of He Tangata
Microsoft is betting on AI training to ease workplace fears, after pledging to skill another 200,000 people in New Zealand.
2.5 tonnes of e-waste removed for large NZ logistics company
The warehouse clear-out freed space for a major supply chain group while diverting 2.5 tonnes of old electronics from landfill.
Inde appoints Matthew Flatt as Technical Director of Data
The hire strengthens the New Zealand technology company's push into data and AI as clients demand tighter governance and stronger foundations for machine learning.
Avanade expands in New Zealand on rising AI demand
More Kiwi firms are moving beyond AI pilots, prompting Avanade to bolster local delivery in New Zealand as demand for implementation grows.
Microsoft expands AI skills drive across New Zealand
The expansion follows early uptake of Microsoft’s previous pledge, as demand for AI training rises across business, schools and community groups.
Microsoft says NZ contribution hits NZ$9.4bn in FY25
Local firms and agencies are using Microsoft’s AI and cloud tools to lift productivity, as the company’s NZ impact reaches NZ$9.4 billion in FY25.
New Zealand firms seek energy certainty to boost investment
Energy uncertainty is delaying spending, with 39 per cent of firms postponing expansion plans as costs and supply stay volatile.
WitFoo opens 100 million-record cyber attack dataset
Researchers can now train on live attack traffic after a new open-source dataset adds 100 million labelled security records from production systems.
Areto founder Jacqueline Comer wins global AI safety award
The award lifts Areto’s profile as it expands software that has blocked more than 229,000 fraud attempts and illegal streams in a year.
Google adds restaurant bookings to AI Mode in Search
Diners in New Zealand can now skip several booking sites as Search surfaces tables with live availability and links straight to reservations.
EY New Zealand appoints Willett & Bremner to tech roles
Businesses are under pressure to prove returns on existing tech spend, prompting EY New Zealand to bolster its AI and SAP leadership.
The hidden risk in New Zealand's digital transformation
Wider use of cloud, remote access and suppliers is leaving New Zealand organisations with harder-to-track cyber risk and weaker control.
Datacom finds New Zealand firms lack cyber recovery plans
Only 30% of New Zealand organisations have a cyber recovery plan, leaving customers and operations exposed if attacks cause prolonged outages.
New Zealanders fear online fraud & AI-driven scams
Almost nine in 10 New Zealanders worry about online identity theft as Experian says fraud losses and AI scams are climbing.
TEKEVER & EPE join forces on NZ autonomous systems
New Zealand defence and security buyers could get faster access to uncrewed aircraft and intelligence tools through the new partnership.
Scentian Bio raises GBP £5.5 million for food sensor
The new funding will help Scentian Bio start shipping its handheld food quality sensor within months and set up manufacturing in Auckland.
Job Moves
Inde appoints Matthew Flatt as Technical Director of Data
EY New Zealand appoints Willett & Bremner to tech roles
TenPeaks appoints Whineray as Independent Chairman
Airwallex names Sir Bill English chair of New Zealand board
moomoo boosts New Zealand push with hires, premium tier
Gallagher Security names Josh Arnold Chief Product Lead
DLA Piper appoints Edward Eisdell-Moore as NZ tech partner
Paul Littlefair appointed Chair to lead TUANZ strategic future
Kordia appoints Willo Chapman Head of Sales for cyber & cloud
