Ching stressed that New Zealand’s advantage is in amplifying its strength in sectors that AI cannot touch, such as food production, care, and infrastructure.
“For New Zealand, the answer may be to double down on the work that cannot be coded – turning what once looked like a structural constraint into a defining strength,” he said.
The New Zealand government has been taking steps to boost the application of AI in businesses, starting with the introduction of a national strategy.
Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Shane Reti, however, noted that its AI policy aims to encourage the “smart adoption” of these tools in businesses.
“New Zealand’s strength lies in being smart adopters,” Reti said in a statement. “From AI-powered precision farming techniques to diagnostic technology in healthcare, Kiwi businesses can tailor AI to solve our unique challenges and deliver world-leading solutions.”