The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence
A curated Kiwi edition of TechDay news, analysis, interviews, reviews, job moves, and related resources for Artificial Intelligence (AI).
What to know about Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, reshaping business operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving innovation across sectors globally and in Australasia. From the surge in AI-driven cybersecurity threats and the adoption of AI in cloud infrastructure to the integration of generative AI in customer service, marketing, and financial sectors, this dynamic field demands close attention.
Experts emphasise the critical role of robust data management and infrastructure in successfully leveraging AI technologies, while organisations face challenges including skill gaps, ethical considerations, and regulatory developments. As AI adoption accelerates, businesses must balance innovation with security, sustainability, and human-centric strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape.
Readers exploring this tag will gain insights into the latest AI trends, practical applications, organisational strategies, technological advancements, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of AI. Understanding these developments is essential for anyone interested in the impact of artificial intelligence on business, technology, and society.
Kiwi Artificial Intelligence News
Regional stories with direct local relevance
Young people say AI is eroding trust online, report finds
Generative AI and scams are making many rangatahi doubt what they see online, even as reliable internet remains vital for school, work and services.
Xero survey: AI reshapes NZ accounting firms, not jobs
Most New Zealand accounting firms expect AI to reshape workloads and lift advisory services, with 94% saying it will not cut jobs next year.
Harkness AI tops 50 clients as revenue surges in NZ
Bootstrapped and profitable, the Christchurch startup's rapid growth suggests Kiwi firms are paying for practical AI help rather than standalone tools.
Youth unemployment at 'crisis level' and AI may mean recovery is tough, NZIER says
Recovery alone may not ease youth joblessness, with 15 to 19-year-olds facing 25.3 percent unemployment and AI adding uncertainty.
Securecom goes live on Snowflake's New Zealand instance
The local launch gives New Zealand customers in regulated sectors in-country hosting, faster AI queries and tighter governance over sensitive data.
Westpac New Zealand replaces 26 HR systems with Workday
Westpac says the platform has cut leaders' admin by about two hours a week and improved trust in workforce data, freeing time for customer work.
Analyst Insights
Research and market analysis connected to Artificial Intelligence
Oracle launches Fusion Claw for autonomous business tasks
InfrOS launches tool to adapt cloud infrastructure for AI
Kore.ai launches Autoloop to optimise enterprise AI agents
FedEx study sees Asia Pacific semiconductor expansion
Smart Communications boosts AI migration for enterprises
Featured News
AI attacks demand operational change in the post Mythos era
Only 5% of Australian companies are ready for AI-driven attacks, leaving most exposed as threat actors move at machine speed.
UST: Businesses must rethink how AI returns are measured
Australian firms risk spending increasing resources on AI pilots that ultimately fail to prove gains in revenue, efficiency or customer service.
Data sovereignty is a strategic imperative in the AI era
AI is pushing boards to weigh local control against cloud convenience, with 80% of respondents saying sovereignty matters more in vendor selection.
Logitech makes largest B2B move yet with Rally Bar 2
The Swiss group is betting on extra processing power and AI-ready features to keep enterprise meeting rooms usable for longer.
Organisations need a strategic approach to skills in the AI world
Companies are missing out on returns from AI and other new tools because staff training and change management are lagging behind.
AI workloads & modern facilities driving Honeywell growth
Data centre operators are under pressure to supply their own electricity, opening the door for Honeywell to add on-site power and utilities.
Logitech blends style, work practicality with Zone Vibe Pro
Hybrid workers will soon be able to effortlessly swap between calls and music without changing headsets, as Logitech's new model lands in October.
AI demands network agility and better operational governance
Governance gaps are leaving most organisations exposed as AI traffic surges and networks struggle to keep pace with machine-speed demands.
Interview: Cloudera says open-ended AI spending is over
Enterprises are now demanding proof of value and tighter controls as AI budgets face scrutiny over compute costs and deployment choices.
Zscaler takes zero trust beyond the corporate network
Critical infrastructure operators are using cellular links to secure distributed assets as outages and spoofing raise the stakes for resilience.
Workiva: The secret compliance and reporting arms race
Driven by improved tooling, finance teams are meeting higher standards as regulators and analysts scrutinise disclosures faster.
Exclusive: ABBYY says AI build costs will drive buying
Enterprises could cut AI spend by up to 80% by shifting document workflows away from custom builds and into standard platforms.
Exclusive: ABBYY brings zero-shot document AI to Vantage
Enterprises can now extract data from unseen document types without templates, as ABBYY rolls out zero-shot capabilities in Vantage.
ABB: Renewables usage puts NZ in data centre sweet spot
Renewables are leaving New Zealand well placed for data centres, but ABB says grid upgrades and smarter use of existing assets are needed.
Why businesses need more than technology to scale AI
Only 19 per cent of enterprise AI use cases hit most or all goals, as Infosys urges firms to pair technology with data, training and governance.
Interview: Cloudera bets on hybrid AI growth in JAPAC
Banks and large enterprises in Asia-Pacific are rethinking cloud-first AI plans as costs, sovereignty and regulation favour hybrid deployments.
Genetec: Open platforms key as physical security evolves
Businesses are prioritising hybrid, open security systems to protect existing hardware investments while adopting cloud and AI tools more gradually.
Docusign's next move: Own the contract, not just the signature
Rapid adoption as Docusign's IAM platform cuts contract delays and turns signed agreements into AI-driven workflows.
AI transforming physical security into enterprise data solution
AI and cloud tools are turning cameras into live operational data sources, helping firms cut costs, spot errors and manage fleets centrally.
Future of AI is distributed infrastructure built on open source
Rising AI demand is exposing cloud bottlenecks, as firms eye in-house open source systems to cut costs and limit vendor lock-in.
AI transforms CX to go beyond the chatbot
Consumers now expect faster, more automated support as AI agents handle complex customer journeys, though many firms still struggle to prove ROI.
Open source is powering the next generation of frontier AI
Rising inference demand and custom hardware needs are pushing AI infrastructure beyond standard cloud setups, boosting open source tools.
Governance controls are crucial for AI adoption and modernisation
Trusted partners and tighter guardrails are becoming essential as AI agents expand the attack surface and put data sovereignty on the line.
Datadog targets enterprise risk with AI and automation
Australian enterprises are under pressure to tame AI-driven complexity, compliance risk and rising technology costs as Datadog broadens its platform.
The internet times are a'changing Fastly
Bot traffic is forcing Fastly to adapt its edge cloud tools as publishers and AI firms battle over caching, access and data protection.
Rimini Street offers AI magic without the forced ERP migration
CIOs can keep existing ERP systems and still adopt agentic AI, as Rimini Street pitches a cheaper path away from vendor-led migrations.
Customers at the centre of Adobe's new AI evangelist role
Adobe is using the post to help customers navigate AI adoption while feeding regional priorities back into its global product strategy.
Jamf launches AI Governance to enhance visibility, security
IT teams can now track AI models on Apple fleets to curb data leaks and token spend as businesses wrestle with shadow AI.
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AI models expose new attack surfaces through misconfiguration
Misconfigured models are giving attackers a fresh route into cloud systems, raising the risk of data theft and service compromise.
Zendesk's outcome-based pricing balances AI with human touch
Businesses will pay only for closed support cases under Zendesk's new model, as the software group ties AI automation to human fallback.
Cvent says event success lies in genuine human interaction
Hybrid formats are helping organisers broaden reach without losing the in-room relationships that still drive trust, leads and donations.
Thermomix moves HQ to Melbourne to capture Aussie kitchens
The shift will bring the appliance maker closer to eastern customers, as Australia and New Zealand now account for most of its sales.
AI will fade, says Dell Technologies' ephemeral Chief AI Officer
Dell says agentic AI should shift routine tasks below the machine line, freeing staff for expert work while making the role temporary.
Schrodinger's ERP both dead and alive, says Rimini Street
Businesses can avoid costly ERP rip-and-replace projects by layering AI and automation onto existing systems, Rimini Street says.
AI adoption races ahead of governance in businesses
Only one in six staff are getting enough AI training, leaving firms exposed to poor decisions, shadow tools and weak returns.
Network segmentation - you can't attack what you can't see
Fast-moving exploits are shrinking patch windows to hours, making network segmentation vital for protecting cameras, medical devices and other connected assets.
ClickHouse customer base soars on back of AI demand
AI agents are driving a sharp rise in demand for the real-time data platform, which added 1000 customers early in 2026 to top 4000.
Smart stuff in Dell's simplified approach to the venerable PC
Businesses need not necessarily rush to replace working PCs for AI, as Dell says those with accelerators can still handle workloads.
SUSE targets Australia's industrial edge to drive growth
Australian miners, shippers and utilities could be next to benefit as SUSE pushes edge computing and AI inference beyond data centres.
Pead: AI search transition reshaping corporate reputation
AI-generated answers are already shaping public perceptions, forcing firms to manage reputation across trusted third-party sources instead of search rankings.
SAS Innovate: New era of scams requires novel solutions
Australians are losing billions as AI-driven fraud pushes banks, telcos and platforms to share scam data faster and stop payments earlier.
Fresh perspective: New Gentrack CTO on AI-driven utility future
AI tools could cut utility costs and reduce customer friction as Gentrack's new Chief Technology Officer pushes a more proactive service model.
Check Point CTO on AI's double-edged sword
AI is shrinking the gap between vulnerability disclosure and real-world exploitation to hours, forcing security teams to adapt fast.
Meet the man behind the Saas-Pocalypse: Emergent's Mukund Jha
The new cash will help Emergent broaden from coding tools into an operating system for small and medium businesses as demand surges.
SonicWall boosts endpoint security for SMBs and mid-market
SMBs and mid-market firms facing AI-driven attacks are set for tighter device controls as SonicWall prepares a new endpoint security product.
Resilience over prevention as AI reshapes security landscape
Rising ransomware speed is pushing ANZ firms to increase spending on recovery strategies as AI gives attackers new ways in.
Check Point: Be the best, or get out the way
Rising AI-driven attacks are compel security buyers to cut vendor sprawl, though Check Point warns over-consolidation can still raise risk.
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Check Point: Hackers are already in. Act accordingly
Hackers are exploiting vulnerabilities in hours or minutes, leaving many organisations compromised before defenders spot the breach.
Future of enterprise software is agentic apps, says Oracle
Oracle is targeting a common blocker to AI adoption by adding governance, human checks and audit trails to its agentic app builder.
Reviews
Hands-on review: Samsung Z Fold8
Hands-on review: Google Fitbit Air
Hands-on review: Apple Creator Studio earns its keep
Game review: Pragmata (PC)
Hands-on review: Pocket AI Notetaker handy, not revolutionary
Hands-on review: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G smartphone
Hands-on review: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra refined flagship
Hands-on review: Avast Deepfake Guard and Scam Guardian
Game review: Taxi Chaos 2 (Xbox Series X)
Expert Columns
Designing for data sovereignty: Building architectures that keep control where it belongs
Private 5G in Australia and New Zealand: a guide for industrial organisations
AI in Retail is Only as Good as its Data Foundation
AI isn't the problem, Australia's natural resources industry needs business orchestration
AI will cost some jobs. Poor change management will cost more
From Clean to Trusted: Rethinking Healthcare Data Quality
Seven Cyber Controls Businesses Can No Longer Afford to Overlook
Building Infrastructure for an AI World in Motion
SOCtoberfest Kickoff: The 7 Deadly Sins of Cybersecurity Meet CISA's Core Steps
Why AI-Written Phishing Is Outpacing the Native Filters Built to Stop It
Interviews
Interviews and video coverage from the networkRecent Artificial Intelligence News
Thales launches data security tool amid AI access risk
The platform is designed to help firms expose and protect sensitive data as AI assistants and machine identities widen access paths across systems.
Braze launches AI tool to test billion customer mixes
The new software aims to help marketing teams automate customer outreach and campaign checks, reducing reliance on technical staff or manual testing.
Bloomberg launches enterprise MCP for AI data access
Financial firms can now let AI agents pull licensed Bloomberg data through a standardised interface that also supplies the context needed to use it correctly.
Transferra & Wallester warn card programmes need scaling
Payment firms are finding that card programmes take far more operational work to scale than to launch, with extra providers adding integration risk.
Juspay revenue rises 30% to USD $75 million in FY26
Core India operations stayed profitable as the payments firm expanded overseas and pushed into AI, even after a USD $10 million net loss.
New Zealand firms warned AI search could cost millions
Some New Zealand businesses could face a five-year bill of more than NZD $300 million as AI search shifts shoppers away from Google.
Amperity launches Pér AI agent for marketing workflows
The tool aims to cut delays between analysis and campaign action, letting marketers approve AI-suggested steps inside existing systems.
Oobit launches AI payments for stablecoin purchases
Users in more than 75 countries can now approve AI-made purchases without handing assistants ongoing access to funds or card details.
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HPE launches ProLiant Gen13 servers for AI workloads
Enterprises facing tougher AI security and operational demands can now choose four new systems built for inference, analytics and simulation.
Drone Forge & Arkeus to test Warden sensor in Asia-Pacific
Demand for faster target recognition is pushing Australian uncrewed systems firms to combine sensors and autonomous platforms across the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian executives & workers split on AI progress
The 17-point divide suggests many firms may be overestimating AI gains, especially in larger organisations where workers see weaker execution.
Microsoft unveils Maia 300 for 2027 AI deployments
The new chip is meant to lift Microsoft's AI services, with Maia 300 set for production deployments in 2027 and wider roll-out plans from then.
Australian CIOs blamed when AI agents make mistakes
In larger firms, 78% of Australian CIOs said they are personally on the hook when an AI agent fails, survey results show.
CAS picks NEWWORK platform for AI-enabled operations
The pilot will link sales, production and logistics data, giving CAS real-time visibility across orders and deliveries as it tests an AI operating layer.
Auckland startup Capiche seeks backers for dyslexia tool
Backed by more than 1,000 users and 75 schools, the startup is now chasing investors to turn its free tool into a paid business.
Cork Cyber adds automated patching & AI risk tools
The update could cut MSPs' manual remediation burden, with Cork saying 77% of eligible security tickets now close without human intervention.
NinjaTech launches fixed-price AI platform for enterprises
Enterprises can now run AI agents in their own cloud or data centre without unpredictable usage charges, easing cost and data-control concerns.
Balyasny deploys Gemini across internal research platforms
The hedge fund's analysts are getting faster access to market signals as Gemini scans transcripts, filings and data inside private systems.
Alteryx launches BigQuery invoice workflows for finance
Finance teams can now reconcile millions of invoices in BigQuery without code, as Alteryx keeps PDFs in Google Cloud Storage and flags duplicates.
Most EMEA & Asia Pacific firms lack mature security ops
Nearly two-thirds of organisations are still exposed to fast-moving cyber attacks because they lack round-the-clock security operations and automation.
Job Moves
Ingram Micro names Becs Paterson to New Zealand role
Equinox IT appoints Victoria MacLennan as director
Inde appoints Nish Sudhakaran as AI & data director
Microsoft appoints Nick Walton as NZ Managing Director
One New Zealand names CFO, CTO in executive succession
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Tax Traders appoints Chloe Kyrke-Smith as Head of Product
Dentsu Aotearoa launches technology practice with Knox
HP New Zealand appoints Daniel Roberts as Head of Enterprise
Spectrum Consulting names Darryl van Rensburg for AI drive
