Last week was a significant step forward for artificial intelligence (AI) policy and direction in New Zealand. The Office of the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Hon Judith Collins KC, published a cabinet paper titled "Approach to work on Artificial Intelligence" – and in doing so, affirmed the Government’s support for taking action to unlock the potential benefits of AI in, and for, New Zealand. Click here for a full copy of the Cabinet paper.
Approach to work on artificial intelligence
This paper presents a promising signal from the Government – particularly, in relation to its stance on the responsible growth and application of AI in New Zealand. It highlights the Government's commitment to boost the use (and development) of AI across the country and confirms its preference for a "light-touch" approach to regulation.Rather than introducing extensive AI-specific regulations like the EU AI Act, the Government plans to only make necessary adjustments to existing laws to address serious risks associated with AI, as any arise.
Despite acknowledging several current challenges, the paper clearly expresses the Government's desire for New Zealanders to engage more actively with AI. The benefits of doing so are manifold. They include enhanced productivity and efficiency, increased innovation, and even the potential for New Zealand’s global export opportunities. The Minister emphasised that New Zealand should remain engaged with key international AI developments, positioning New Zealand as a "fast follower".This suggests a strategy of staying up to date with global AI trends and quickly adopting successful practices from other nations.
AI Blueprint for New Zealand
In the same week, the Artificial Intelligence Forum of New Zealand (AI Forum) - Te Kāhui Atamai Iahiko o Aotearoa, unveiled its AI Blueprint (Blueprint).This Blueprint serves as a roadmap for strategic AI investments in the country, outlining the key steps to be taken in the next 12 months to unlock New Zealand's AI potential, and strategies to transform six critical sectors of our economy over the next five years with AI. The blueprint calls for the Government to play an active role in this journey, complimenting the Cabinet paper's insights. Click here for a full copy of the Blueprint.
Our view
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is thrilled by this call to action by the Government, and fully supports the Blueprint's vision. We have been at the forefront of promoting active engagement with AI in New Zealand, a commitment reflected in our ongoing collaboration with the AI Forum. TMT Partner and head of TMT Practice at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Tom Maasland, chairs the AI Forum’s AI Blueprint Working Group, which had a key responsibility in contributing to and preparing the Blueprint. We're proud to have played a significant role in shaping the Blueprint – in 2023, we hosted the original workshop on AI strategy for New Zealand, and subsequently in 2024, we facilitated the second AI Blueprint workshop, all leading to the Blueprint's finalisation. Tom also recently spoke with Madeline Newman, the Executive Director of the AI Forum, on one of our episodes of the Tech Suite podcast – we hope you will give it a listen.
Seeing the Government's clear direction for New Zealand's engagement with AI is encouraging. We echo the Blueprint's sentiment for practical action and look forward to partnering with the Government, businesses, and other organisations to unlock the benefits of AI in New Zealand – Waka Hourua.
This article was co-authored by Luke Han, a solicitor in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications team.
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