Harnessing the potential of AI with the AI Forum

AI is at the forefront of New Zealand’s future. With AI technologies rapidly evolving, particularly with the advent of generative AI, companies and other organisations must keep up with the pace of change to remain competitive.

Established in 2017, the AI Forum of New Zealand aims to harness AI for a prosperous, inclusive and equitable future for Aotearoa. Gabriela Mazorra, a member of the executive council, explains that the Forum’s work is grounded in three strategic pillars, underpinned by Te Ao Māori: thought leadership, government partnerships and growing the AI ecosystem. Over the years, it has evolved into a vital influencer, uniting New Zealand’s AI community. The community encompasses innovators, end users, investors, regulators, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs and the general public.

“We are passionate about advancing the AI ecosystem through connections, advocacy, growing talent and collaboration,” Mazorra states. “The Forum promotes economic opportunities, supporting innovative AI applications and adopters while ensuring society can adapt to the rapid and far-reaching changes brought by AI technology.”

The Forum closely monitors emerging trends in AI. Mazorra highlights the growing integration of AI with other advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and advanced data analytics. "These integrations have the potential to revolutionise sectors including healthcare, agriculture and finance by enabling smarter, more efficient systems," she notes.

Driving responsible AI 

Mazorra emphasises the importance of developing and deploying responsible AI. As AI technologies become more pervasive, it is crucial to address ethical considerations to build public trust and ensure that AI benefits all members of society. 

Building trust and knowledge about AI technologies is a significant challenge. "AI’s reputation is still forming, and many are hesitant to embrace it due to concerns about privacy, security and job displacement. This issue is not unique to New Zealand. Additionally, there is much misinformation about AI’s capabilities, further hindering its acceptance and implementation," Mazorra acknowledges. “We are actively working to change this by bringing experts together, sharing stories of responsible AI use in New Zealand, and providing toolsets and information.” 

Engaging directors in the AI conversation 

For directors and boards, building sufficient capability is crucial for staying ahead in a fast-evolving AI world. Mazorra stresses the importance of director engagement in AI initiatives. "Directors need to be proactive in understanding and integrating AI into their organisational strategies and having oversight of the risks," she says.

The AI Forum shares stories of responsible AI use, provides toolkits and engages in continuous dialogue through masterclasses, hackathons and events. The self-service Workshop Essentials section on their website enables organisations without the financial capability to retain specialists to create their own AI governance frameworks. “These resources are essential for levelling the playing field, helping organisations kickstart conversations, understand challenges and document their organisation’s journey towards responsible AI use,” Mazorra adds. 

For those interested in contributing to the AI conversation, the AI Forum, in partnership with Callaghan Innovation and Victoria University, is running the “AI’s Impact on Productivity in Aotearoa NZ” survey. This quarterly survey provides valuable insights and trends on AI adoption. Directors and their organisations can register to participate, offering valuable perspectives from their respective industries. 

Callaghan Innovation, also a member of the AI Forum, provides insights on international standards like the EU AI Act, available on their website. 

It’s really important that directors ‘get on board’ with AI to ensure they have the capability to add value and drive innovation within their organisations. The "Governing AI Forum" on 25 July 2024 in Auckland and online offers an invaluable opportunity for directors to explore the technology, alongside with their governance peers. For more details, please visit the IoD NZ website.