Auckland, 31 July 2024 – Microsoft welcomes the New Zealand Government’s strategic approach to AI, set out in the recently released Cabinet paper by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). The forward-looking direction for AI recognises its potential benefits across New Zealand’s public and private sectors. It also aligns closely with Microsoft’s commitment to empowering every person and every organisation in New Zealand – and the world – to achieve more.
The paper notes how New Zealand is behind its peer nations in some aspects of AI adoption, and commits to promote an increased uptake of AI, especially in the nation’s public sector. Furthermore, the paper highlights AI’s potential to enable more modern, efficient, trusted and customer-centric public services, referring to the ACC’s successful trial of Copilot for Microsoft 365 to support back-office productivity as an example.
The MBIE recommends that New Zealand takes “a proportionate, risk-based approach to AI regulation where needed”, keeping a firm eye on international developments and mechanisms like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s AI Principles.
“Microsoft is dedicated to enabling digital transformation across the globe, and we are particularly excited about the potential for AI to drive innovation, efficiency and economic growth in New Zealand,” said Vanessa Sorenson, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand. “We look forward to collaborating with the government, businesses and the wider community to realise the benefits of AI while ensuring ethical and responsible use.”
With Microsoft’s New Zealand cloud region set to open later this year, businesses, government agencies and non-government organisations will have access to the scalable, highly available and resilient cloud services needed to support the government’s AI ambition. The cloud region will also enable users to meet their data residency, security and compliance requirements.
New Zealand is an innovative nation with many homegrown companies already leveraging AI to pioneer new solutions all over the world, across many cultures, disciplines and industries. They include Stuff Group Te Puna and Straker, which have partnered to increase the number of news articles in te reo Māori by combining AI with human translation. Another example is LawVu, which is reimagining the capabilities of in-house legal teams by adding AI enhancements to its legal workspace software. Meanwhile, agri-innovator Techion is collaborating with AI experts Aware to boost productivity and sustainability on farms, and also with Awanui Labs to potentially revolutionise medical diagnostics for humans.
“We believe that AI can be a force for good, helping to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing society today,” added Sorenson. “For New Zealand to compete – and win – in a highly interconnected world, this clear direction on the importance of AI adoption is very welcome, backed up by the computational power to make it happen.”
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About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.