New Zealand’s long-awaited AI strategy positions the country as a follower rather than a leader in artificial intelligence development.
First, by deliberately emphasising AI adoption over development, New Zealand surrenders the opportunity to create sovereign AI capabilities—while countries like Switzerland, Singapore, and Israel build their own systems reflecting their values and priorities.
Second, the strategy’s reluctance to provide clear regulatory frameworks creates the very business uncertainty it aims to avoid. Businesses need clarity, not regulatory ambiguity.
Third, the strategy ignores the fundamental question of who will control the AI systems that increasingly govern our economy and decision-making.
The upcoming New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology offers a chance to demonstrate that commercial success and clear governance can work together—but only if we move beyond the false choice between regulation and innovation.

A Practical Guide to GenAI Tools In the rapidly evolving landscape of novel technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the legal profession everywhere we look. New Zealand is no exception. AI dominates conversations in law firms across Aotearoa, from...

New Zealand’s long-awaited AI strategy positions the country as a follower rather than a leader in artificial intelligence development.
First, by deliberately emphasising AI adoption over development, New Zealand surrenders the opportunity to create sovereign AI capabilities—while countries like Switzerland, Singapore, and Israel build their own systems reflecting their values and priorities.
Second, the strategy’s reluctance to provide clear regulatory frameworks creates the very business uncertainty it aims to avoid. Businesses need clarity, not regulatory ambiguity.
Third, the strategy ignores the fundamental question of who will control the AI systems that increasingly govern our economy and decision-making.
The upcoming New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology offers a chance to demonstrate that commercial success and clear governance can work together—but only if we move beyond the false choice between regulation and innovation.