New Zealand’s first strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) was released by the Government in early July. The strategy focuses on AI adoption and application, to enable the benefits AI offers businesses to be more quickly realised, rather than waiting for foundational AI model development to mature locally. The Government’s stated role is: “to reduce barriers to adoption, provide clear regulatory guidance, build necessary capabilities, and ensure that adoption occurs responsibly.” Barriers identified that the strategy aims to address include the following. Regulatory uncertainty around how existing laws apply to AI, have resulted in a cautious approach to implementing AI. In addressing this, the Government intends to take an enabling and principles-based approach to AI policy, using our existing frameworks (e.g. privacy, consumer protection, human rights), which can be updated to enable AI innovation, and to deal with any issues that arise, with legislation. The lack of AI expertise, privacy and security concerns with managing sensitive customer information, and ethical considerations have also been raised. To support businesses through this, the Government released a companion document ‘Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses’ to provide advice on implementing AI, managing risks and meeting regulatory obligations. Lack of understanding of the capabilities of AI and/or how it might benefit one’s business have resulted in AI’s potential being undervalued. The publication of the AI strategy is intended to address this knowledge gap, and to spur the interest and experimentation necessary to lift AI capabilities. The AI strategy and supporting documents can be found on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website here.
