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 (TVNZ), 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.
Aotearoa AI 1 Minute Film Festival
Sponsored by NZ On Air, NZ 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.
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
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
