AI New Zealand platform launch helps businesses get in on the action

Tue, 8th Aug 2017

FYI, this story is more than a year old

By Kai Ping Lew, Editor-in-Chief & News Editor - Security

With New Zealand's artificial intelligence industry growing at a fast rate of knots, marketer and TEDxAuckland producer Justin Flitter has jumped on an opportunity to satisfy the demand for knowledge and advice from the business community.

Last month, Flitter launched NEWZEALAND.AI, a platform to inform, support and showcase Kiwi businesses utilising artificial intelligence.

He sees a significant community already actively supporting developers but very little to support the wider non-techie business community.

Flitter says, “In every industry, business leaders know artificial intelligence is going to impact their business planning, strategy and processes, customer engagement and marketing, even the roles and skills they'll need in the future.

“To manage these changes and leverage AI technology, business leaders need to focus on their data strategy and build internal capability.

“They want to know about the different types of AI, how to identify business opportunities to use AI and who they should be hiring or partnering with to make that happen.

His new business, AI New Zealand will work with partners to build out the website with resources and tools for anyone to start learning about AI and exploring the possibilities within their business.

“There's a massive industry developing here, world first technology being built right on our doorstep, it's amazing and damn exciting,” Flitter says.

“Our belief is that over the coming few years AI will play a big role across every industry. And to support that we need events, knowledge sharing and community to explore and maximise each and every new opportunity.

Flitter says AI's most important attribute isn't processing scores of data or executing programs-all computers do that-but rather learning to fulfil tasks humans cannot so we can reach further.

“It's a partnership: we humans guide AI and learn to ask better questions.

AI New Zealand hosts monthly AIHappyHour events attracting 100-150 people each event.

The next AIHappyHour is at Microsoft on August 23rd.

In 2018, Flitter is planning a series of AI Business Conferences with the first AI-DAY.com for Business Leaders to be hosted at the ASB Waterfront Theatre on March 28th and AI-DAY for Marketers scheduled for July 5th at the same venue.