As one of the fastest-growing tech industries, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, and New Zealand is at the forefront of this wave. Despite being a relatively small country, New Zealand has witnessed tremendous growth in the AI sector. With a unique combination of innovation, creativity, and a dynamic startup culture, the Kiwi tech sector has managed to create a distinct identity in this space. To understand the journey of AI pioneers in New Zealand, we spoke to industry leaders who have played a major role in shaping the AI sector in the country. Here are their insights on the state of AI in New Zealand and what the future holds. Scott Houston, CEO of GreenButton Scott Houston is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is the CEO and founder of GreenButton, a cloud computing company that provides a platform for complex data processing. Scott believes that the New Zealand tech industry has a unique opportunity to leverage AI and machine learning to drive innovation in various sectors. “The AI industry is still in its early stages, but it’s growing at an unprecedented rate. The potential for AI to transform various industries is incredible, and I see a lot of opportunities for New Zealand to lead the way,” says Houston. He adds that the country has an abundance of creative talent that can help drive the AI industry forward. Ben Reid, Executive Director of the AI Forum NZ Ben Reid is the Executive Director of the AI Forum NZ, a not-for-profit organization that promotes the use of AI in New Zealand. He believes that the AI industry in New Zealand is poised for explosive growth in the coming years. “New Zealand has a rich ecosystem of innovative startups, and we’re seeing a lot of investment in AI and machine learning in the country,” says Reid. He adds that there is a growing demand for AI talent in New Zealand, and that the government is playing a major role in supporting the development of the AI industry. “With the government’s support, we’re seeing a lot of growth in the AI sector. The government has invested in research and development, and they’ve created incentives for companies to invest in AI,” says Reid. Lillian Grace, Founder and CEO of Figure.NZ Lillian Grace is the Founder and CEO of Figure.NZ, a company that collects and shares data about New Zealand. She believes that AI has the potential to transform the way we understand data and make decisions. “With AI, we can analyze data at a much deeper level and uncover insights that we might not have discovered otherwise,” says Grace. She adds that the AI industry in New Zealand is still in its early stages, but she’s confident that it will continue to grow in the coming years. “The talent and creativity in New Zealand is unparalleled. I think we’re going to see some really exciting things happen in the AI industry in the next few years,” says Grace. In conclusion, the AI industry in New Zealand is still in its early stages, but it’s growing at an unprecedented rate. With an abundance of creative talent, innovative startups, and government support, the AI industry in New Zealand is poised for explosive growth in the coming years. As pioneers in this space, industry leaders like Scott Houston, Ben Reid, and Lillian Grace are leading the way and shaping the future of AI in New Zealand.