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
Labour unveils AI plan with tougher rules in New Zealand
Public anxiety over jobs, power bills and harmful content is pushing AI to the centre of New Zealand's election campaign.
Labour promises to set up AI regulator, copyright rules if elected
The plan would give New Zealand a dedicated AI office and tougher copyright protections, aiming to curb risks and share gains with workers.
Kiwi battery tech promises $2700 power bill cut
Auckland and Christchurch households could cut electricity costs by up to 65 percent with a battery that buys power at wholesale spot prices.
New Zealand firms turn to AI for productivity gains
Pressure to lift output is pushing Kiwi businesses to embed AI in daily communications, with labour productivity up to 40% below peers.
Equinox IT appoints Victoria MacLennan as director
The Wellington consultancy is strengthening oversight as clients demand safer AI, cyber and digital change advice across public and private sectors.
Mayor says 'large chunks' of Wellington council Deloitte report written by AI
Public trust in a costly staffing review is being tested after errors and AI use allegations prompted fresh scrutiny of Deloitte's analysis.
Analyst Insights
Research and market analysis connected to Artificial Intelligence
TP wins Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific customer service award
Extreme launches Agent ONE Coworker for network teams
AI drives enterprise storage demand as data piles up
Shufti wins Gartner honour for global identity coverage
Ataccama names Systemation Benelux distributor for AI push
Featured News
Future of AI is distributed infrastructure built on open source
Rising AI demand is exposing cloud bottlenecks, as firms eye in-house open source systems to cut costs and limit vendor lock-in.
AI transforms CX to go beyond the chatbot
Consumers now expect faster, more automated support as AI agents handle complex customer journeys, though many firms still struggle to prove ROI.
Open source is powering the next generation of frontier AI
Rising inference demand and custom hardware needs are pushing AI infrastructure beyond standard cloud setups, boosting open source tools.
Governance controls are crucial for AI adoption and modernisation
Trusted partners and tighter guardrails are becoming essential as AI agents expand the attack surface and put data sovereignty on the line.
Datadog targets enterprise risk with AI and automation
Australian enterprises are under pressure to tame AI-driven complexity, compliance risk and rising technology costs as Datadog broadens its platform.
The internet times are a'changing Fastly
Bot traffic is forcing Fastly to adapt its edge cloud tools as publishers and AI firms battle over caching, access and data protection.
Rimini Street offers AI magic without the forced ERP migration
CIOs can keep existing ERP systems and still adopt agentic AI, as Rimini Street pitches a cheaper path away from vendor-led migrations.
Customers at the centre of Adobe's new AI evangelist role
Adobe is using the post to help customers navigate AI adoption while feeding regional priorities back into its global product strategy.
Jamf launches AI Governance to enhance visibility, security
IT teams can now track AI models on Apple fleets to curb data leaks and token spend as businesses wrestle with shadow AI.
.webp)
AI models expose new attack surfaces through misconfiguration
Misconfigured models are giving attackers a fresh route into cloud systems, raising the risk of data theft and service compromise.
Zendesk's outcome-based pricing balances AI with human touch
Businesses will pay only for closed support cases under Zendesk's new model, as the software group ties AI automation to human fallback.
Cvent says event success lies in genuine human interaction
Hybrid formats are helping organisers broaden reach without losing the in-room relationships that still drive trust, leads and donations.
Thermomix moves HQ to Melbourne to capture Aussie kitchens
The shift will bring the appliance maker closer to eastern customers, as Australia and New Zealand now account for most of its sales.
AI will fade, says Dell Technologies' ephemeral Chief AI Officer
Dell says agentic AI should shift routine tasks below the machine line, freeing staff for expert work while making the role temporary.
Schrodinger's ERP both dead and alive, says Rimini Street
Businesses can avoid costly ERP rip-and-replace projects by layering AI and automation onto existing systems, Rimini Street says.
AI adoption races ahead of governance in businesses
Only one in six staff are getting enough AI training, leaving firms exposed to poor decisions, shadow tools and weak returns.
Network segmentation - you can't attack what you can't see
Fast-moving exploits are shrinking patch windows to hours, making network segmentation vital for protecting cameras, medical devices and other connected assets.
ClickHouse customer base soars on back of AI demand
AI agents are driving a sharp rise in demand for the real-time data platform, which added 1000 customers early in 2026 to top 4000.
Smart stuff in Dell's simplified approach to the venerable PC
Businesses need not necessarily rush to replace working PCs for AI, as Dell says those with accelerators can still handle workloads.
SUSE targets Australia's industrial edge to drive growth
Australian miners, shippers and utilities could be next to benefit as SUSE pushes edge computing and AI inference beyond data centres.
Pead: AI search transition reshaping corporate reputation
AI-generated answers are already shaping public perceptions, forcing firms to manage reputation across trusted third-party sources instead of search rankings.
SAS Innovate: New era of scams requires novel solutions
Australians are losing billions as AI-driven fraud pushes banks, telcos and platforms to share scam data faster and stop payments earlier.
Fresh perspective: New Gentrack CTO on AI-driven utility future
AI tools could cut utility costs and reduce customer friction as Gentrack's new Chief Technology Officer pushes a more proactive service model.
Check Point CTO on AI's double-edged sword
AI is shrinking the gap between vulnerability disclosure and real-world exploitation to hours, forcing security teams to adapt fast.
Meet the man behind the Saas-Pocalypse: Emergent's Mukund Jha
The new cash will help Emergent broaden from coding tools into an operating system for small and medium businesses as demand surges.
SonicWall boosts endpoint security for SMBs and mid-market
SMBs and mid-market firms facing AI-driven attacks are set for tighter device controls as SonicWall prepares a new endpoint security product.
Resilience over prevention as AI reshapes security landscape
Rising ransomware speed is pushing ANZ firms to increase spending on recovery strategies as AI gives attackers new ways in.
Check Point: Be the best, or get out the way
Rising AI-driven attacks are compel security buyers to cut vendor sprawl, though Check Point warns over-consolidation can still raise risk.
.webp)
Check Point: Hackers are already in. Act accordingly
Hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities in hours or minutes, leaving many organisations compromised before defenders spot the breach.
Future of enterprise software is agentic apps, says Oracle
Oracle is targeting a common blocker to AI adoption by adding governance, human checks and audit trails to its agentic app builder.
.webp)
OnBoard says board AI policy key, but lags behind in adoption
Most boards are using AI, but formal guidelines are still missing as adoption races ahead of governance, OnBoard's survey found.
John Margerison on the new class of employee: AI managers
Businesses should treat AI like a new hire, as weak oversight could expose sensitive data and leave staff needing fresh skills to stay relevant.
Archaic payment processes costing SMEs time and money
Australian SMEs are missing working capital gains as manual invoicing and EFTs leave payments slower and less secure.
SiteHive gains traction with unblinking eyes on the job
Construction firms can now monitor dust, noise and weather remotely, helping avoid delays and environmental breaches across hundreds of sites.
Agentic AI creates enterprise challenge beyond LLM boom
Enterprises face rising costs and governance gaps as thousands of AI agents begin operating alongside staff across multiple systems.
.webp)
CorPlan launches CoreEPM: Rapid return AI-powered Business Intelligence
By replacing spreadsheets and manual finance work, the new platform aims to cut months-long implementation times and free staff for higher-value tasks.
AI reshaping cybersecurity - on defence and attack
Criminals are using AI to scale phishing and hunt flaws faster, forcing firms to harden defences as alert volumes and risks rise.
TCL pivots to premium TV offering with Bang & Olufsen collab
TCL's new range features brighter flagship TVs, with certified high-end sound and Gemini features, targeting Sony and Samsung's premium turf.
Reducing cyber risk is still hard: Why CTEM stalls at action
Security teams are still struggling to turn vulnerability alerts into fixes, leaving companies exposed for months when IT and operations must act separately.
Marketers turn to AI as personalisation revolution arrives
Australian marketers are turning to agentic AI to keep pace with fragmented customer journeys and rising demand for personalised content.
Quantum computers aren't here yet. But the data threat is
Hackers are already hoarding encrypted data, as businesses race to adopt quantum-safe protection before Q-Day arrives.
Don't lose the human connection in AI-supported recruitment
Human judgement is becoming more valuable as AI screens CVs, with candidates wary of being reduced to data points and overlooked for potential.
Exclusive: Virtuozzo sees GPU clouds reshape AI infrastructure
AI demand is pushing cloud providers towards GPU-as-a-service models, with efficiency and utilisation emerging as key differentiators.
UiPath assisting One NZ on journey to become AI leaders
Strict controls are now central to One NZ's AI push as it guards customer data and avoids costly errors in billing and finance.
'Lack of support' as Australia lags behind on blockchain
Years of regulatory delay risk leaving Australia behind as tokenised assets and digital investment platforms gather pace.
Data storage gets profitable as Exaba targets US expansion
Exaba's local cloud storage pitch could give US managed services providers higher margins as it challenges AWS and Azure in a crowded market.
Defence Australia puts data at core of national security
Sovereign AI is becoming vital to mission readiness as Defence Australia builds a connected data ecosystem for faster decisions.
Banks face AI balancing act as regulation tempers uptake
Australia's banks are steadily increasing their use of artificial intelligence, but regulation and data security fears are tempering adoption.
Data-driven transport: The future is here
Australia's truck driver shortage is set to triple by 2029, pushing fleets towards data tools that could make autonomy viable.
How the 'human hour' mentality influences the future of tech
AI pilots are faltering where firms still judge success by hours saved, leaving customer value and workforce design unresolved.
Tech reinvent as Hejaz teases 'Wahda' superapp launch
Weeks before a planned August debut, the app aims to entice more than 2 billion Muslims with chat, video and faith-based AI tools.
'Strong partnership': Canva, OpenAI team up for hackathon
Hundreds of admin hours are draining staff time from lifesaving, research and STEM work at Australian nonprofits.
Trane Technologies drives huge energy and cost saving
Data-centre operators face rising power bills as Trane's HFO shift and liquid-cooling push cut emissions and HVAC costs.
Samsung AI push focuses on proactivity, personalisation
Devices that anticipate routines could cut friction for New Zealand users as Samsung extends hyper-personalised AI across phones, wearables and the home.
Hype growing - but SMEs still face barriers to AI adoption
Small firms risk falling behind unless they adopt AI for practical gains, as SMEC AI says many are still confused by the technology.
'Smart people changing': How humans and agentic AI co-exist
Governance fears and skills gaps are pushing businesses to deploy agentic AI in secure systems while protecting staff from disruption.
Reviews
Hands-on review: Samsung Z Fold8
Hands-on review: Google Fitbit Air
Hands-on review: Apple Creator Studio earns its keep
Game review: Pragmata (PC)
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)
Expert Columns
Fewer servers, more performance: The new logic of the modern data center
The AI honeymoon is over. Now businesses must make it work
Weaponizing trust: How AI and social engineering bypass personal security boundaries
Three Industries, One Common Challenge: Getting Data Right Before MDM
When IT fails in manufacturing, the whole supply chain pays
AI closes vulnerability window as zero-day exploits surge
Collective cyber defence will be won or lost in how we act together
Most transformations don't fail loudly, they stall quietly
Four rules for outcome based SaaS pricing in the AI era
Infrastructure communications failures are putting major projects at risk
Interviews
Interviews and video coverage from the networkRecent Artificial Intelligence News
Inside A Fonterra Division's Data Overhaul: From Basement Servers to AI-Powered Insights
Engineering time freed from basement server upkeep as the division's new Databricks platform delivers faster market insights and AI analysis.
OpenAI says Kiwis use ChatGPT to save hours weekly
New Zealand users are saving hours a week with ChatGPT, as the tool is used for work, budgets, health checks and trip planning.
HEB Construction automates tender CVs with Boomi AI
Tender teams at HEB Construction now save hours per bid after AI turned scattered staff records into tailored CVs and bios.
NZ tech marketing awards finalists named across sector
Marketing is gaining strategic weight as nine tech businesses vie for honours in awards that spotlight New Zealand firms' push overseas.
New Zealand firms struggle to scale AI across business
Despite near-universal uptake, just 4% of New Zealand organisations say AI has transformed core operations, Datacom's survey shows.
Digital Island, RingCentral bring agentic voice AI to NZ
New Zealand businesses can now access RingCentral's agentic voice AI through Digital Island, easing deployment and support for local customers.
Four rules for outcome based SaaS pricing in the AI era
AI-driven automation is forcing SaaS groups to rethink licensing, as per-seat fees erode when fewer staff can do more work.
LearningPlanet launches Maia AI coach for workplace learning
Maia aims to give workers instant guidance in the flow of work, with managers able to turn its prompts into assignments.
NZ CIO of the Year 2026 - Tighe Wall on trust, culture and the cost of holding to strategy
Trust and culture, not technology, powered Contact Energy's transformation, delivering a 30% cost-to-serve cut and 100,000 new customers.
Salesforce & Anthropic launch Claudeforce partnership
Sales teams will soon be able to query live Salesforce data inside Claude as the pair deepen an AI tie-up across CRM and Slack.
MSP buyers focus on margins as AI reshapes M&A market
Private equity buyers are valuing managed service providers on recurring revenue and gross margins as AI uncertainty slows technology dealmaking.
Inde appoints Nish Sudhakaran as AI & data director
The hire bolsters Inde's push into AI and data services as New Zealand firms grapple with governance and security before deployment.
Architecture doesn't need AI to transform it; it needs AI to make it calmer
Routine design admin is where AI is already easing pressure on architects, leaving more time for judgement, care and client work.
Workday joins New Zealand government digital marketplace
Eligible New Zealand agencies can now buy Workday software through a pre-vetted channel, potentially speeding procurement and reducing risk.
Could Bitcoin collapse?
Bitcoin's slump has revived fears over whether investors could flee to the point that even the biggest cryptocurrency loses all value.
NZAero eyes AI pilot training as CT-4 production restarts
The revived trainer could give instructors richer flight data to spot safety and skills gaps as NZAero restarts CT-4 production after 14 years.
The human side of being future ready
Cyber defences falter when staff know the rules but still fail to act, making psychology as important as software for resilience.
OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT for Teens with NZ safety safeguards
The move gives under-18 users stronger safeguards and homework support as regulators and parents scrutinise AI chatbots' impact on teens.
AI search answers vary widely across major platforms
A New Zealand study found users can get markedly different brand recommendations from ChatGPT, Google AI Mode and Microsoft Copilot.
Accenture Song finds Kiwi brands still failing promises
A new survey suggests customer frustration is nudging more New Zealand shoppers towards AI tools, even as brands struggle to rebuild trust.
Job Moves
Equinox IT appoints Victoria MacLennan as director
Inde appoints Nish Sudhakaran as AI & data director
Microsoft appoints Nick Walton as NZ Managing Director
One New Zealand names CFO, CTO in executive succession
.webp)
Tax Traders appoints Chloe Kyrke-Smith as Head of Product
Dentsu Aotearoa launches technology practice with Knox
HP New Zealand appoints Daniel Roberts as Head of Enterprise
Spectrum Consulting names Darryl van Rensburg for AI drive
Inde appoints Matthew Flatt as Technical Director of Data
