AI in New Zealand: Kiwis remain more wary than other countries

New Zealanders remain particularly wary about artificial intelligence, but one tech boss says we need to look beyond the “noise” to focus on how we can benefit from the technology.

A raft of research suggests New Zealand remains out of step with some other countries when it comes to attitudes and uptake of AI, with many people having concerns about the potential risks.

Research from Qualtrics shows 18% of New Zealanders trust companies to use AI responsibly, compared with 29% globally.

It found 62% of New Zealanders fear automated AI interactions will prevent them from being able to connect with a human, the most of any surveyed market.

KPMG and the University of Melbourne conducted separate research that found New Zealanders are less positive and confident about AI than people in most other surveyed countries.

A Younity survey of New Zealand tech workers found 64% are concerned AI will impact their job security and nearly 8% are “very concerned”.

Kantar polling showed 45% of Kiwis are also uneasy about government agencies using AI and 66% want the option of interacting with a human instead.

Polls commissioned by Datacom suggest New Zealand has been slower than Australia to adopt AI tech, with many businesses still trialling it in specific departments.

Leaders in this year’s NZ Herald Mood of the Boardroom survey recognised the potential of AI but noted uptake was slow, with cyber security a key concern.

Kerry Purcell, chief executive of platform engineering and cloud technology services firm LAB3, which operates in Australia, New Zealand and the US, said businesses and governments needed to focus on how AI could help them solve problems they’re facing.

“We all have ageing population issues, we have health issues, we’ve got to educate our kids, cheaper, better, faster.

“It is just a tool. Make sure you focus on your social or your business problem, your economic problem, whatever it might be, and getting that really clear upfront early.”

Talk of an AI bubble has been looming large, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis warning it could trigger the next global market crash and the Reserve Bank identifying it as an ongoing “real risk” to the economy.

Purcell said there had been “so much noise around this company, that company, and valuations” but businesses needed to look beyond that.

“I talk about this a lot with CEOs and CFOs and CIOs in New Zealand and Australia, having the same conversations: really double down and focus on what it is you’re trying to solve.

“AI – if deployed in the right way at the right time, with the right skills – can be a fantastic benefit.”

Datacom’s polling showed that where AI was used, it was mostly for automating repetitive tasks, analysing and reporting data, optimising workflow and enhancing customer experiences.

Key barriers where AI wasn’t being used included a lack of skills, challenges with data quality and integration, uncertainty about regulations and resistance from staff.

Purcell said New Zealand had been addressing core issues – data centre infrastructure, trust in AI applications and the readiness of businesses and organisations – but AI skills remained a “natural bottleneck”.

Michael Sergel is Newstalk ZB’s business reporter, covering the daily life of business and the business of daily life. He’s been covering business, politics, local government and consumer affairs for over a decade.