Report highlights AI & cybersecurity as top NZ priorities in 2024

New Zealand's digital landscape is at a critical juncture, with key concerns around generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity taking centre stage for 2024. This outlook has been detailed in a new report by the Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ), compiled with support from One New Zealand.

In 2023, New Zealand saw its ranking in the Portulans Network Readiness Index (NRI) drop from 19th to 23rd position. This decline mirrors worries expressed by Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and technology leaders, such as the concentration of AI talent, digital skills, and the state of high-tech and medium-high-tech manufacturing.

The fourth annual 'TUANZ Aotearoa's Digital Priorities in 2024' report highlights a range of digital trends and pressing issues. Craig Young, Chief Executive Officer of TUANZ, identified AI proliferation, bolstering cybersecurity, and enhancing digital equity as key themes brought forward by tech leaders.

Young stated, "Over the last few years, we've seen digital leaders trying to balance technological evolution with supporting business as usual. It's evident our world – and the technology we rely on – is developing at an ever-increasing pace."

"In order to stay ahead of the curve, Aotearoa New Zealand's business and technology leaders need to be flexible, adaptable and resilient to unexpected challenges and disruptions," he added.

In addressing these challenges, Young called for innovative thinking backed by government cooperation. "We require innovative thinking, in partnership with government, to create an environment that supports the progressive regulation of emerging tech and data privacy, particularly as AI is fast-approaching and is likely to impact jobs across the motu," he said.

Young also pointed out the lack of focus on new technology in the recent Budget. "The recent Budget was particularly lacking in any new technology focus areas, which feels like a missed opportunity as New Zealand looks to improve lagging productivity through high-tech solutions," he noted.

The TUANZ Digital Priorities Report, which surveyed 36 technology leaders across New Zealand, also drew insights from Tony Baird, Chief Technology Officer at One New Zealand. Baird underscored the swift adaptation by Kiwi businesses to new technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for this momentum to continue.

"The adoption of cloud technology has helped pave the way to emerging opportunities for AI as a tool to help augment and support human workers, freeing them up to focus on higher value tasks," said Baird.

He also emphasised the need to navigate data privacy and ethics alongside leveraging these technological advancements. "When it comes to these tools, it's essential we learn how to utilise them to our advantage to streamline business processes while navigating the challenges around data privacy and ethics policies to protect consumers," Baird remarked.

Further, the report identified other crucial priorities such as building resilience amid constant change, embracing cloud and off-site technology, addressing resource constraints, and promoting digital equity to ensure inclusive participation in digital transformation.

The "Aotearoa's Digital Priorities in 2024" report can be downloaded from the TUANZ website.