The New Zealand government on July 8 launched its first national AI strategy, outlining a roadmap to accelerate AI adoption, enhance productivity, and strengthen global competitiveness. The initiative comes as the country lags behind other advanced economies in AI readiness, with many businesses yet to plan AI adoption. Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Shane Reti stated the government will provide regulatory guidance to encourage responsible AI use, along with the Responsible AI Guide to help businesses use, develop and innovate AI in an ethical, transparent way that meets internati
The strategy aims to help New Zealand catch up with advanced economies in AI. It projects AI as a driver for economic growth, with potential applications in sectors like agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing. The government hopes the roadmap will encourage more enterprises to integrate AI into their operations, thereby lifting overall productivity and national competitiveness.
However, the strategy has faced criticism. Opponents point out that it was written with AI assistance, lacking substantial content. There are no commitments to new policies or investments, as it mainly relies on existing frameworks. They also argue that the projected economic benefits of AI might be overstated, failing to account for potential challenges like job displacement and ethical risks.
The Responsible AI Guide, released alongside the strategy, offers practical steps for businesses. It covers areas such as data usage, algorithmic transparency and avoiding bias in AI systems. The guide is designed to be flexible, adapting to different industry needs while ensuring basic ethical standards are met.
Despite the criticism, the government views the strategy as a starting point. Minister Reti noted that it will be updated based on feedback and technological developments. The focus, he said, is to create a supportive environment for AI innovation without overly burdensome regulation, striking a balance between progress and responsibility.
