Coming up: AI & Creativity Summit + opportunities to get involved


The first quarter of the year has just zoomed by — and it’s time to celebrate some of the amazing things we have coming up in May and share some opportunities to get involved in from our community.

AI and Creativity Summit

We’re thrilled to be hosting the AI and Creativity Summit for the third year — and this year’s programme is shaping up to be our best yet. Join us in Auckland or Wellington for two days of ideas, practical insights, and inspiring examples of AI in the creative world.

In Auckland on Day 1, we’ll gather at Te Puna Creative Hub (thanks to Auckland Council) to kick off with The Future of News, featuring Lucky Gunesekara (Miso.ai), Carol Hirschfeld (Stuff), and Laura Ellis (BBC, UK). The day will also showcase creative work and stories — including projects from the Te Puna x Seen Ventures creative accelerator.

Then, in Wellington on Day 2, hosted by Datacom, we’ll dive into how we Reimagine, Reframe, and Redefine AI and creativity — from building and maintaining social licence to advancing sustainable AI. We’ll also launch the AI Blueprint Refresh Sustainable AI Series and the AI Governance Sustainable AI toolset.

Tickets are still available for both days, and we’d love to see you there.

Grab yours now 

Aotearoa AI 1 Minute Film Festival

Sponsored by NZ On AirNZ Film Commission, and Te Māngai Pāho, this is your opportunity to show your creative flair.

With two $1,000 cash prizes this year — thanks to Koawa Studios — there’s every reason to encourage the students and creatives in your life to participate. Entries close this Thursday, 24 April, and the winners will be announced during the AI and Creativity Summit.

Interested? Submit your entry here →

AI Solutioneering Day — stop talking about AI and build something

We’re organising tech experts to host tables at the Auckland Tech Council’s AI Solutioneering Day in Auckland on Tuesday 19 May, with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce bringing along 200 small and medium-sized businesses. More than 50% of table-host spots have already been assigned and they’re filling fast!

Get in touch with us here if you think this might be for you →

Community Updates

Double the impact of AI in your organisation

Give your teams the skills to use AI confidently, effectively and responsibly in their day-to-day work. AI for Business is a practical learning platform with bite-sized video learning and a continuously updated, curated resource hub to keep teams current in a fast-moving space.

Through academyEX’s AI for Good, every enterprise licence purchased provides the same training to a charity – a buy one, give one model that helps strengthen organisations supporting our communities across Aotearoa.

Learn more here →

American AI Exports Programme — call for proposals

The US has opened a call for proposals to enter a programme of full-stack American AI export packages from 1 April to 30 June 2026: AIexports.gov. The programme is for full-stack developers (including consortia) and is intended to enable the US to create a menu of priority AI export packages.

Learn more about the programme here →

Wishing everyone a wonderful ANZAC Day, and we hope to see you soon.

Ngā mihi nui,
Madeline Newman
Executive Director, AI Forum New Zealand



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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