The AI Corner

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Steven Baker, co-founder of Node (formerly Vendor Sage), to explore how he's building an AI-native company that acts as a CIO in your pocket. You'll hear why the CIO role is disappearing in mid-market, how Node's "curiosity loop" diagnoses workflows by connecting to Notion, Slack, CRMs, and HRIS systems, plus Steven's take on why 70% of software implementations fail (and 90% of AI ones), why shadow IT isn't the real problem, and how he's building a transparent, bootstrapped business with customers like Halter, Tracksuit, and Partly.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:30 – From Salesforce to Vendor Sage to Node• 03:00 – What Node actually does• 06:00 – The curiosity loop and discovery• 09:00 – Mapping business goals to workflows• 13:00 – Data privacy and trust concerns• 18:00 – Avoiding regression to the mean• 21:00 – Customer base and growth• 25:00 – Shadow IT, AI sprawl, and source of truth• 30:00 – Multi-agent architecture under the hood• 33:00 – Pricing strategy and bootstrapped growth• 38:00 – Outro & next stepsSTEVEN'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-baker-395855128/MIKE'S LINKEDIN: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/in/mikebayly⁠SUBSCRIBE TO THE AI CORNER NEWSLETTER: ⁠https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Andrew Dentice, Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin, for a grounded look at the legal reality behind AI deployment in New Zealand. Andrew unpacks what AI procurement, governance and IP actually look like day-to-day, why developers building with generative models struggle to give clients a standard IP indemnity, and where agentic tools sit in the risk picture. You'll hear his take on the EU AI Act for NZ exporters, the shift from intelligence work to judgment work inside law firms, and why AI is quietly widening access to legal advice.• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:20 – What Hudson Gavin Martin actually does• 03:20 – Procuring Copilot vs bespoke AI builds• 05:30 – Why AI IP risk is different• 08:00 – Who's liable when AI infringes copyright• 11:30 – Output risk and agentic oversight• 12:45 – Indemnity gaps in AI builds• 15:00 – NZ as a regulation price-taker• 17:50 – EU AI Act and NZ exporters• 21:00 – Intelligence work vs judgment work• 27:30 – Juniors, Harvey and AI-native lawyering• 31:30 – Future of the entry-level lawyer• 37:40 – AI widening access to legal advice• 41:30 – Outro & next stepsANDREW'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-dentice/MIKE'S LINKEDIN: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/mikebaylySUBSCRIBE TO THE AI CORNER NEWSLETTER: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Dan Browne, creative agency owner in Napier with 16 years in video production, to explore how AI is reshaping the creative industry from the inside. You'll hear why Dan treats AI as a strategic tool rather than a sales pitch, how node-based workflows are collapsing VFX budgets, and where Nano Banana, Seedream and Kling 3 Omni are delivering real creative gains — from bringing pre-earthquake Napier Pā sites back to life for Ngāti Pārau, to helping tell the stories of the last remaining Holocaust survivors in New Zealand. In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 02:00 – Twofold AI: senior leadership coaching vs creative production• 04:30 – The Ben Lick / Netflix shift and creative identity• 05:00 – The "handcrafted furniture" analogy for human-led creative• 07:00 – Jevons Paradox and why the pie grows• 09:00 – AI slop, LinkedIn's authenticity algorithm and pushback• 10:30 – The Ngāti Pārau project: pre-1931-earthquake Napier• 14:00 – Cultural consultation, IP and the decision not to show faces• 17:00 – Inside the Krea node-based workflow• 18:30 – Landscape extension, colourisation and Kling start/end frames• 20:00 – Prompting LLMs to write your prompts• 22:30 – Model selection: Kling over Runway, Veo, Sora and Luma• 25:30 – Fireflies to reverse brief: the end-to-end agency workflow• 27:30 – The drone-through-a-logo shot that used to need a VFX budget• 29:00 – Why AI never leads the pitch — and why margins go up• 31:30 – The karaka seed and kete scene with the historian• 36:30 – The Holocaust documentary and the 102-year-old survivor• 40:30 – Working around Nano Banana and Seedream guardrails• 43:00 – Advice for creatives: experiment, stay grounded in craft• 45:00 – Outro & next stepsDAN'S LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in/dhtbrowne/?skipRedirect=trueSUBSCRIBE TO NZ'S AI NEWS: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Tom Lintern, Head of AI at New Zealand Post, to explore how a data scientist with experience at homes.co.nz and Trade Me is now driving AI transformation across one of New Zealand's oldest and most complex logistics networks. You'll hear why Tom treats governance as a value accelerator rather than a risk barrier, how being a late AI adopter creates strategic advantage through selectivity, and where parcel image classification and process automation are delivering real operational gains. Plus his view on the evolving data science role, why waiting for perfect data is organisational avoidance, and how agent commerce could reshape the logistics industry.• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:00 – Why Tom chose NZ Post and the complexity of logistics• 02:30 – Legacy data systems and the modernisation journey• 03:15 – AI maturity at a state-owned enterprise• 06:00 – Governance as value-first, not risk-first• 08:30 – Avoiding pilot purgatory and proof-of-concept traps• 10:00 – Building AI literacy and managing expectations• 13:30 – Productivity AI versus engineered process transformation• 16:00 – ROI beyond email summarisation• 19:00 – Parcel image classification and foundation-building• 22:00 – Building an AI centre of excellence• 26:15 – The changing role of data scientists• 31:00 – Why waiting for perfect data is avoidance• 36:30 – What NZ Post looks like in 10 years• 41:00 – Agent commerce and machine-readable logistics• 43:00 – Advice for new heads of AI• 46:15 – Outro & next stepsTOM'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomlintern/SUBSCRIBE TO NZ'S AI NEWS: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Fiona Millar, Digital Transformation Manager at Christchurch International Airport, to explore how a 200-person organisation running a campus of 7,000 daily workers is embedding AI across every layer of the business. You'll hear how controlled pilot cohorts led to choosing ChatGPT over Copilot, why a self-taught automation specialist became their biggest Copilot advocate, and the sprint-based model that's delivering use cases team by team. Plus her take on executive AI training mandates, the talent risk of blocking AI tools, and why proving value in high-performing environments is the hardest AI challenge of all.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:45 – Christchurch Airport as a small city• 02:15 – Where the AI journey started• 03:30 – Avocado AI training cohorts• 04:45 – ChatGPT vs Copilot pilot results• 05:15 – Executive team 12-week AI training• 07:00 – Three layers: productivity, process, strategic• 08:30 – Copilot Studio and Azure tooling• 09:00 – Sprint-based AI operating model with Jed• 11:30 – People & culture use cases first• 14:00 – Data warehouse chatbot and BI unlock• 19:15 – Use case prioritisation and governance• 23:15 – Strategic use cases: LiDAR, CCTV, forecasting• 28:00 – Change management in the AI era• 30:00 – Talent risk of blocking AI tools• 34:00 – CIO Awards and non-traditional tech careers• 36:00 – Outro & next stepsFIONA'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionamillar/SUBSCRIBE TO NZ'S AI NEWS: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Sean Narayan, AI and BI Lead at Bidfood New Zealand, to explore how a background in statistics and data led him to become one of the most hands-on AI builders in New Zealand enterprise. You'll hear how Sean secured exec buy-in at a billion-dollar food business using a concrete roadmap, why he chose to build custom AI over rolling out copilot, and the real-world pilots across sales, procurement, and cash flow that delivered measurable ROI. Plus his framework for build vs buy decisions, governing AI access across 2000 staff, and his honest advice on retooling your career before AI does it for you.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:15 – From statistics and Stats NZ to enterprise AI• 03:30 – Getting exec buy-in at Bidfood• 07:45 – Early pilots: sales menus, procurement forecasting, cash flow• 13:00 – Why data insights beat process automation for ROI• 15:30 – Dealing with legacy systems and siloed data• 19:30 – Why Sean skipped copilot and built custom instead• 24:15 – Change management and why humans are the hardest part• 29:00 – Governing AI access across a large organisation• 32:15 – Build vs buy: Sean's decision framework• 35:30 – How to retool your career for the AI era• 40:45 – Intuition, asking good questions, and Jensen Huang's hiring lens• 45:45 – NZ vs Asia: what we're not seeing• 49:30 – Outro & next stepsSEAN'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-narayan-691546140/SUBSCRIBE TO NZ'S AI NEWS: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Derrick Edward, co-founder of Harnex AI and AuraScope, to explore his journey from software engineer at Datacom to AI entrepreneur. You'll hear how Derrick and co-founder Misha spotted the GPT-4 moment inside Air New Zealand and decided the pace of change was too fast for enterprise, the cultural challenge of convincing senior engineers that AI makes them more valuable, and why most NZ businesses are invisible in AI-generated search results. Plus, Derrick breaks down how AuraScope approaches AI engine optimisation differently from every other platform, and why agentic development is the unfair advantage nobody's talking about.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio02:00 – From DevOps engineer to AI founder05:30 – Why enterprise couldn't keep up with AI08:00 – The evolution of AI coding tools11:30 – Convincing engineers AI makes them better18:00 – What is AEO and why does it matter28:00 – Why you can't actually rank in ChatGPT35:00 – How AuraScope's recommendation engine works41:00 – Why small NZ brands are getting disintermediated43:00 – Agency-first go-to-market strategy48:00 – Should you build a startup in the AI era?51:00 – Outro & next stepsDERRICK'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-edward/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Habib Baluwala, AI Transformation Lead at Fonterra and former GM of AI and Data Foundations at One New Zealand, to explore what 15 years of enterprise AI leadership across telco, government, and dairy really looks like. You'll hear why most organisations get governance wrong, how Habib thinks about mapping processes before introducing AI, what New Zealand businesses can learn from more competitive markets, plus his original Human Delta framework — a new way to measure the direction, judgement, and relational trust that humans still bring to AI-assisted work.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:59 – Career journey: biomedical engineer to AI exec04:16 – Comparing Spark, One NZ, and Fonterra's AI maturity06:44 – Why NZ businesses lack competitive urgency for AI11:11 – How enterprise organisations approach responsible AI13:58 – Advising mid-market businesses on responsible first steps15:52 – Building trust with executives and the C-suite26:13 – Designing governance that feels like a service30:56 – Process mapping before introducing AI workflows35:15 – Shadow AI: real risks and how to manage them42:18 – The cognitive cost of AI-driven scale52:25 – The Human Delta framework explained01:00:30 – Outro & next stepsHABIB'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habibbaluwala/SUBSCRIBE TO NZ'S AI NEWS TO STAY AHEAD:: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly as he dives into Trade Me Property's launch as New Zealand's first ChatGPT app, and unpacks what this distribution shift means for every business. Mike walks through the live experience, exploring how property listings show up mid-conversation, why content written for humans falls short when AI agents are doing the shopping, and how structured data becomes your competitive moat. Plus, the parallels to the early smartphone app store era, what OpenAI's UX guidance tells us about building these experiences, and why early movers in this space could capture habits that are hard to break.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & the ChatGPT apps shift01:00 – App store parallels to smartphone era02:00 – Distribution moving from websites to chat03:00 – Live demo of Trade Me Property app05:00 – Why listings must be agent-readable07:00 – Context and personalisation as competitive edge09:00 – Agentic commerce in real time11:00 – Can the app invoke itself mid-conversation?14:00 – Data privacy and advertising concerns16:00 – Businesses losing control of the interface19:00 – Design shifts and experience fragmentation20:00 – OpenAI's UX rules and unit of value24:00 – Early mover advantage and low barriers26:00 – Outro & next stepsMIKE'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebayly/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Toby Cox, founder of Geodde, to explore how he went from leading 70 engineers at Paloma to building an entire B2B product solo using AI coding agents. You'll hear why AI search is creating a powerful new distribution channel for niche players, how Geodde helps businesses rank in ChatGPT and Google AI summaries, and Toby's approach to shipping fast with Ruby on Rails and Claude Code. Plus his take on the difference between vibe coding and agentic engineering, why product market fit hasn't changed, and how founders should stay lean as AI capabilities accelerate.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio01:15 – What Geodde does and the problem it solves03:00 – GEO vs SEO in plain terms05:15 – How AI search creates new opportunities07:30 – Observability and share of voice challenges08:00 – Why Toby chose GEO as a business09:00 – How the product works end to end12:15 – Why Webflow and B2B SaaS specifically14:45 – Using Geodde to grow Geodde17:00 – Precision marketing in the AI era18:00 – Tech stack and building with Claude Code21:00 – Vibe coding vs agentic engineering23:00 – The future pipeline for developers27:00 – Advice for new founders in the AI age32:45 – Outro & next stepsTOBY'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobycox/SUBSCRIBE TO NZ'S AI NEWS TO STAY AHEAD:https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Adam Holt, Co-founder of thecolab.ai & po2order, to explore how Adam's building autonomous AI agent teams that work 24/7, what OpenClaw (formerly ClaudeBot/MoltBot) can actually do, and why prompt injection is the biggest security risk most people ignore.You'll hear Adam's journey from developer to AI-first entrepreneur, how he contributes to the OpenClaw open-source project, why he grabbed the OpenClaw Academy domain, plus his take on building functional prototypes in minutes, managing AI agent memory systems, and the very real risks of giving agents access to your email and CRM without proper guardrails.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio01:00 – Journey from developer to AI-first03:15 – What is OpenClaw (ClaudeBot/MoltBot)05:00 – The rebrand to OpenClaw06:30 – Grabbing OpenClaw Academy domain08:15 – How autonomous agents differ from chat10:45 – Building AI agent teams that work 24/715:30 – Prompt injection security risks explained20:00 – Real examples of agent capabilities23:00 – From idea to prototype in minutes27:00 – Email access and CRM integration dangers30:00 – Memory systems and context management35:00 – Live demo: market research to dashboard48:30 – Building a beef/lamb market website live53:15 – Outro & next stepsADAM'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjohnholt/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Join hosts Mike and Erin Bayly for an anniversary episode reflecting on how The AI Corner went from an idea when living in a campervan in South American holiday to New Zealand's most-read AI newsletter. You'll hear how they grew from zero to 5,800+ subscribers in twelve months, the ACP (Audience-Community-Product) framework that guided their strategy, and why Claude Code became a tipping point for content production. Plus, their plans to take AI on the Couch further in 2026 and help more Kiwis move beyond surface-level AI knowledge.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio01:00 – Reflecting on one year since launch02:00 – The South American holiday where it began03:00 – Why newsletters became valuable again04:00 – Greg Isenberg's ACP framework explained06:00 – Building audience before building product22:00 – How automation collapsed content effort23:00 – Claude Code as a tipping point24:00 – Erin's role and the newborn phase25:00 – Why AI on the Couch resonates27:00 – Plans for 2026 and beyond27:30 – Outro & next stepsMIKE'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebayly/ERIN'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-howard/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Damon Kelly, Founder and CEO of Enlighten Designs, to explore 26 years of building with AI—from cognitive science studies to today's generative revolution. You'll hear how Damon slashed a 290-hour recruitment process to just 10 hours using AI agents, why retrieval augmented generation isn't just bigger memory, and his take on conversational commerce reshaping brand discovery. Plus, his provocative prediction: the next five to ten years will be "a total bloodbath" for businesses that don't adapt, and why New Zealand needs sovereign GPU infrastructure.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:57 – Psychology, cognitive science and early AI03:19 – Founding Enlighten Designs 26 years ago05:07 – RAG, machine learning and voice interfaces08:27 – Why RAG isn't just bigger memory11:16 – When to use AI vs algorithms15:32 – The AI recruitment experiment: 290 to 10 hours21:15 – AI won't kill roles, just headcounts25:27 – The coming AI bloodbath for laggards29:15 – Agents, GEO and the collapse of the funnel36:16 – Conversational interfaces and NLWeb41:50 – Why NZ needs local GPU infrastructure49:35 – Quick-fire: Claude, underhyped AI, and getting started53:25 – Outro & next stepsDAMON'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonkellyenlighten/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Ben Reid, technology futurist and founder of Memia, to explore how exponential technology is reshaping New Zealand's future. You'll hear Ben's journey from philosophy student to founding executive director of the AI Forum NZ, his thesis on why Western nations have surrendered sovereignty to hyperscale cloud providers, and his prediction of an imminent AI investment correction. Plus his take on why AI agents are overhyped, how China is playing a three-horse race across software, energy and robotics, and why open source investment is the only path forward for countries outside the US and China.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:28 – Early computing and science fiction influences03:20 – Ray Kurzweil and the singularity thesis08:03 – Is the singularity scary or exciting?14:15 – Technology speciation and homo capitalists18:07 – New Zealand's AI position globally19:59 – The coming AI bubble correction23:17 – Tech feudalism and digital sovereignty29:31 – US versus China AI dynamics35:49 – Why AI agents are overhyped44:51 – Robotics and biotech as the next frontier49:09 – Tool recommendations and getting started55:17 – Outro & next stepsBEN'S LINKEDIN: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/benreidSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Hannah Hardy-Jones, co-founder of Contented and previous founder of mental health app The Kite Program, to explore how she moved from mental health tech into AI, what voice-powered conversation intelligence looks like across wealth management and enterprise, and why solving actual problems beats dabbling with recipes. You'll hear about the 70 coffee challenge that built product-market fit, how Contented creates thirty strategic assets from one conversation, plus Hannah's take on leading with problems not AI, managing bias through purposeful outputs, and why agent hype is overblown.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:30 – Journey into AI02:20 – From ChatGPT to consulting04:11 – Building custom AI tools05:05 – Conversations versus meetings06:29 – The 70 coffee challenge08:19 – How Contented works11:33 – Target markets and positioning13:21 – AI innovation layers15:15 – Data privacy and security16:39 – Managing bias purposefully19:07 – User-led insights not automation19:36 – Leading with problems not AI22:26 – Change management challenges23:26 – OpenAI and UN showcase25:17 – Visual outputs and future roadmapHANNAH'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-hardy-jones-63b3b238/MIKE'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebayly/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Dave Howden, CEO and co-founder of Superhuman AI with over two decades in emerging tech, to explore how he moved from cloud migrations to industrial AI applications, what automation looks like across regulated sectors, and why the cost of doing nothing falls hardest on employees. You'll hear Dave's take on knowledge work heading to zero cost, the fiduciary tension between protecting jobs and serving shareholders, plus his views on rare earth supply chains, Google's enterprise dominance, and why business-savvy CTOs will define the next wave of transformation.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio01:04 – AI as bigger than the internet03:25 – Jobs unfit for human biology06:16 – Fiduciary responsibility tension08:11 – Future of work and purpose11:34 – Anti-AI movements emerging14:24 – Acclimatisation to AI oversight16:22 – Philosophical tension for founders18:37 – Building consent automation example20:04 – Amazon's 30,000 layoffs pattern22:24 – Price disruption threshold26:00 – Incumbents' advantages and disadvantages30:35 – Executive excitement versus paralysis34:01 – Industry versus company solutions38:51 – Rare earth supply chain dynamics45:05 – OpenAI versus Google enterprise play53:15 – Data centre hype assessment56:47 – Stealth mode companies emerging58:05 – Leadership advice for transformation01:00:12 – CTO role evolutionDAVE'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davehowden/MIKE'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebayly/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Bindi Norwell, group CEO of ProCare and recent winner of the New Zealand Leadership Award for Innovation, to explore how she's leading New Zealand's largest primary care network through AI-driven transformation. You'll hear how Bindi moved from real estate to healthcare, why she started internal before going external with AI adoption, plus her approach to building innovation culture through empowerment rather than mandates. Discover the Health Accelerator joint venture reaching 2 million patients, how Heidi Health saves 7 minutes per consult, and why Singapore and Denmark are leading the way on AI in healthcare.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:30 – Early AI experiences in real estate02:51 – Transition into healthcare and identifying pain points04:41 – Internal AI adoption and empowerment strategy07:25 – Partnering with experts for transformation workshops09:44 – Change management and bringing detractors along12:38 – Strategic focus versus shiny toy syndrome13:37 – Health Accelerator launch and governance model18:24 – New Zealand as innovative test bed22:12 – Heidi Health implementation and patient trust27:48 – Data strategy for preventative healthcare32:24 – Wearables and open healthcare model34:49 – Cross-sector collaboration for national progressBINDI'S LINKEDIN: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/bindi-norwellSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Dr Guy Bate, thematic lead for artificial intelligence at the University of Auckland Business School, to explore how he moved from health tech consulting into education and why he sees AI as a mirror that reveals our assumptions, not just a tool for automation. You'll hear Guy's approach to auto-fabrication, how he uses custom GPTs to simulate board members and philosophers for leadership development, his work with young entrepreneurs building AI-first EdTech, plus why critical sensitivity to what we put into AI helps us grow reflexively alongside it.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:28 – From health tech to AI in education02:41 – Pre-GenAI predictive analytics landscape06:19 – Data challenges in predictive AI09:35 – The AI mirror concept explained13:49 – Ethics and trust in AI15:11 – AI as mirror in practice20:50 – Auto-fabrication and personal development26:22 – Custom GPTs for leadership simulations30:39 – Young entrepreneurs building AI-first solutions32:33 – Outro & next stepsGUY'S LINKEDIN: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/guybateSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Asa Cox, founder and CEO of Arcanum AI, to explore his journey from pharmaceutical licensing to becoming New Zealand's self-described "grandfather of AI." Hear how Asa pivoted from enterprise projects with TransPower and NZ Police to building Numa, a platform specifically designed for SMBs that legacy tech providers overlooked. You'll discover why small data now unlocks more value than big data ever could, how the 2020 algorithm audit created an AI winter in New Zealand, plus Asa's partner-first go-to-market strategy and his vision for helping traditional businesses in manufacturing, construction, and engineering compete in the AI era.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:51 – Pharma background to AI pioneer02:20 – Early enterprise AI projects05:59 – Arcanum founding story08:26 – Shift from enterprise to SMB11:10 – Numa platform capabilities14:32 – Taking AI to data approach18:43 – Data barriers then versus now22:24 – Partner-first distribution model27:13 – New Zealand AI adoption challenges31:52 – Teaching kids to be human35:37 – Outro & next stepsASA'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asacoxnz/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Welcome to a new segment of Mike’s Musings. Focused breakdowns on the ideas shaping the future of AI, commerce and work.This week's topic: Agentic commerce is not a buzzword. It is what happens when AI agents start researching, comparing, negotiating and buying on our behalf, across multiple sites, in a single invisible transaction.In this video I break down:00:00 Intro and why agentic commerce matters now00:30 What agentic commerce actually is (vs ecommerce)01:28 Real example: agents planning and buying for you03:21 Why this is the biggest structural shift since ecommerce07:10 How agents change discovery, intent and buyer behaviour08:04 Trust, payments and why current rails start to break10:25 New protocols: Google AP2 and OpenAI / Stripe ACP26:07 Mandates explained and how AI agents execute safely33:07 What brands must do now: data, APIs, GEO, machine readability39:22 Discovery brands vs destination brands in an agent led world44:39 The two speed future: businesses ready for agents vs those that are notWhat agentic commerce actually is (in plain English)If you are in ecommerce, payments, B2B sales, marketing or product, this is a primer on how AI agents will change discovery, pricing, loyalty and the purpose of your website.👀 Watch this if you are asking:“What does agentic commerce actually mean for my business?”“Will agents still find my brand when humans stop clicking around my site?”If this was useful, hit subscribe, share it with someone in your team who needs to be thinking about this, and DM me your questions or ideas for a follow up deep dive.

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Cowan Henderson, co‑founder of Avocado AI, as we unpack how he’s helping New Zealand businesses move beyond AI hype into real‑world adoption. Cowan draws on his decade‑plus experience in digital growth and change management to show why AI works only when people lead it, not just tools.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:29 – What drew Cowan into AI and his first “paperless” project• 01:52 – Key learning: involve the users early, not after the build• 02:49 – Shift from consultancy model to education model at Avocado AI• 04:40 – The three offering tiers: leaders, teams and online platform• 06:02 – Why leadership alignment is the must‑start for AI success• 07:57 – Handling scepticism and resistance in the room• 09:46 – Mindset first, then roadmap: how to sequence AI adoption• 11:13 – The “wow” moment: prompting basics and custom GPTs• 13:27 – Foundational skills: habit formation and view AI as colleague• 18:15 – Case studies: plumbing apprentices, custom GPTs and knowledge bases• 20:41 – What a 12‑week training programme actually looks like• 23:14 – Measuring uplift: culture change and efficiency gains• 26:29 – Looking ahead: Avocado AI’s education ambition from primary to business level• 27:54 – Quick‑fire round: favourite model, overhyped trend, hidden NZ AI company• 28:48 – Final recommendation: first steps in AI and why ask for reasoning• 29:18 – Outro & next stepsSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:Cowan Henderson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cowanhenderson/Mike Bayly's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebayly/NZ's Weekly AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribe

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Fiona Hewitt, founder of Unboxable, for a candid look at how AI is reshaping work, leadership and organisational culture across New Zealand. Fiona has spent 20+ years leading transformation and now helps executives face the uncomfortable truth: AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a forcing function for how businesses are run.Discover why “standing still” is the real risk, how fast adopters will outpace laggards, and what future-ready leadership actually looks like (hint: control becomes a liability). We dig into AI councils, hybrid human / AI teams, New Zealand’s low confidence in AI, and what boards should be doing right now to avoid becoming obsolete.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:24 – Why Fiona moved from transformation to AI• 02:41 – Standing still is the real risk• 03:11 – Two-speed economy: fast adopters vs laggards• 06:30 – Rethinking org design for human + AI teams• 07:25 – Last generation of human-only teams• 08:24 – Range over rigidity in leadership• 10:15 – The internal AI forum that actually worked• 15:10 – When old leadership strengths become liabilities• 16:58 – Judgement, accountability and “defend your answer”• 21:38 – NZ’s low AI confidence and why that should light a fire• 25:48 – How leaders and boards should get startedFIONA HEWITT’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionahewitt/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Leo Garcia‑Curtis to explore how embedding conversational AI and voice agents is creating new revenue pathways and productivity gains for New Zealand businesses. Leo brings his journey from e‑commerce agency founder to AI growth strategist, showing why now is the time to move.Discover concrete takeaways: how to prioritise AI workflows vs simple automation, what “agentic commerce” really means (when the buyer isn’t a person), and actionable prompt‑engineering and voice‑agent strategies you can apply now.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:23 – Early web agency days and spotting tech shifts• 03:18 – Why Leo left his agency to go all‑in on AI• 08:02 – Consulting vs building: the two phases of AI adoption• 12:39 – What agentic commerce is (and why brands should care)• 14:57 – Websites, reviews & SEO in the age of AI agents• 22:45 – Real‑world use cases: voice agents handling orders via WhatsApp, phone, email• 27:27 – Voice‑to‑voice models, Kiwi accents & conversational design• 30:36 – Adoption in NZ vs overseas: where we standLEO GARCIA‑CURTIS’S LINKEDIN:LEO GARCIA‑CURTIS’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leogcurtis/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Emily Makere Broadmore, founder of trategic communications firm Heft, and Director of Creative Intelligence consultancy Beyond Logic, to explore how she moved from AI cynic to advocate, what changed her mind about Claude, and why she's making ethical decisions about hiring juniors in the AI era.You'll hear Emily's rules for good AI use (bad use is worse than none), how she's writing strategies for machines instead of humans, why creativity is about opinions not artistic skills, plus her take on training junior staff, the labour-intensive reality of AI education, and why human judgment remains essential even when outputs are AI-generated.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:28 – From AI cynic to advocate02:17 – Why Claude over ChatGPT03:19 – Team resistance and junior adoption04:45 – Entry level roles under threat06:11 – Ethical decision to hire juniors08:10 – Training staff to use AI10:55 – Bad AI versus no AI13:40 – Evaluating AI outputs properly16:25 – Voice, tone and audience nuance19:30 – Content grading framework explained22:50 – AI-generated versus AI-enhanced work25:15 – Leadership secretly using AI tools27:58 – Writing strategies for machines29:50 – Creativity redefined as opinions31:38 – Human accountability for outputs32:07 – Quick fire round33:30 – Outro & next stepsEMILY'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-makere-broadmore-388b1317/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Serge van Dam, Wellington-based tech investor and board director with portfolio companies spanning fintech, proptech, and AI, to explore how he guides founders through AI adoption, what makes people resistant versus receptive, and why New Zealand's small market size is actually an advantage.You'll hear Serge's four-persona framework for spotting AI adoption styles, how one Australian CEO went all-in on AI with 3,000 employees, why he switched from ChatGPT to Gemini, plus his disciplined two-hours-weekly training system that built genuine mastery, and why current LLMs are already sufficient for world-changing businesses.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:28 – First exposure to AI breakthrough01:27 – Guiding founders through adoption02:53 – Founders without AI conviction04:16 – Pre-AI versus AI-native companies05:43 – Four adoption personas framework06:39 – Australian CEO goes all-in09:15 – Board discussions around AI strategy12:30 – Showing versus forcing belief15:45 – Cultural shifts in organisations18:20 – Portfolio company transformations21:10 – Small market advantage for NZ24:05 – Room for multiple operators25:32 – ChatGPT to Gemini switch26:29 – Are LLMs over-hyped27:48 – Contented AI recognition28:43 – Two hours weekly training system29:39 – Outro & next stepsSERGE'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mistervandam/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Taru Peters‑Naug, founder of Do AI, who has led data‑science and AI strategy roles at ANZ and Squirrel, and now works with Kiwi businesses to build practical AI‑powered products.Hear how organisations in Aotearoa can move from planning with AI to actually using and building with AI. Taru shares how he applies human‑centred design and engineering to AI; his view on why big organisations should experiment fast rather than wait; and concrete examples of how product‑lab thinking helps founders and businesses deploy solutions rather than just talk strategy.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:27 – Taru’s origin: robotics, mechatronics and the wrong job interview• 01:26 – Building the data‑science team at ANZ• 02:24 – Does data science lead naturally into AI? Taru’s view• 03:23 – Why Taru left corporate to start Do AI• 05:15 – Readiness assessment and the 7‑pillars for AI adoption• 06:41 – Big corporates: experiment safely, start small• 08:59 – Do AI’s model: product‑lab vs consultancy• 10:24 – Ideal clients: businesses who know their problem or founders who live a problem• 12:48 – Ongoing support, training, platform partnerships at Do AI• 14:41 – Real‑world use case: vision + automation in plant nursery inventory• 17:00 – Interface vs functionality: when is it truly AI?• 18:50 – Data and AI: what’s most misunderstood in businesses• 21:44 – Example project: computer vision for plant health and sale automation• 24:10 – Off‑the‑shelf vs custom software: key trade‑offs• 29:19 – Big systems inertia: why change is so hardTARU'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taru-peters-naug/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Caelan Huntress, Head of Learning & Enablement at Agentic Intelligence, transforms everyday professionals into AI‑enabled performers. He blends his background in marketing and acrobatics with immersive, hands‑on workshops to help organisations embrace AI in a tangible way.We cover how to bring AI into your daily workflow (even something as simple as “what’s for dinner?” becomes a productivity hack), dive into the New Zealand AI ecosystem, and uncover the one mindset shift that moves people from curiosity to action with AI.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:26 – From marketing to generative AI: the leap and why it mattered• 02:18 – Hands‑on workshops: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini across browser tabs• 04:40 – Launching the Christchurch AI meetup and growing the community• 06:21 – NZ’s AI strategy, hesitation and the role of the AI Forum• 10:24 – Four types of people in the AI change curve (do‑mers, gloomers, zoomers, bloomers)• 15:07 – Workforce upskilling, job fear and AI’s productivity impact• 18:22 – A simple “fridge photo” prompt to spark personal‑to‑work use cases• 20:38 – Quick fire: ChatGPT vs Gemini vs Claude, most over‑hyped trendsCAELAN'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caelanhuntress/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Hitarth Sharma, founding engineer at a stealth AI startup backed by OpenAI, to explore how he moved into AI, what he’s building now, and why memory systems are central to the next frontier of agent design. You’ll hear Hitarth's rules for upgrading models (when a jump is worthwhile), how he handles hallucinations and blending personal vs professional memory, plus his take on “vibe coding”, hiring for AI teams, and how to turn technical curiosity into intuition.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:27 – Early journey into LLMs & aha moment• 03:22 – Building side projects inside company time• 06:12 – Hallucinations, hype, and staying grounded• 11:13 – When to adopt new models vs stick with reliable ones• 16:02 – Working on long‑term memory infrastructure• 19:48 – Personal vs enterprise memory separation• 22:14 – RAG, embeddings, and grounding memory systems• 23:41 – Vibe/wipe coding and engineering trade‑offs• 29:15 – Hiring AI engineers: traits over technical tests• 33:35 – Quick‑fire round: models, agents, startups• 34:57 – Advice for technical newcomers getting startedHITARTH'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hitarthsharma/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Gavin Sharkey, Managing Director of Kōwhai, as we explore how New Zealand organisations can move from AI curiosity to sustainable adoption. Hear why many AI pilots fail, how to prioritise high‑impact use cases, and why embedding governance, measurement and mindset change is just as important as the tech.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:28 – Gavin’s early AI journey• 02:21 – From corporate AI role to founding Kofi AI• 04:16 – How Kofi operates & builds client capability• 05:12 – Common mistakes & wrong starting points• 07:59 – Culture, innovation platforms & tooling choices• 09:44 – Leading with Microsoft & Databricks• 11:05 – Identifying use cases & ROI modelling• 14:00 – Proof of concept to production success rates• 17:44 – RPA → Intelligent process automation evolution• 19:05 – NZ market trends & sector interests• 21:26 – Change management & AI fluency• 22:44 – Quick‑fire round: tool picks & advice• 23:39 – How individuals and firms should get startedGAVIN'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-sharkey-87a5725/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Jacob Bank, founder & CEO of Relay.app, as they explore how AI agents are evolving beyond chatbots and copilots. You’ll hear how Relay pivoted through multiple prototypes to land on “agent + workflow” tooling, plus Jacob’s definitions of agents vs workflows, advice for trusting AI in business, and his predictions for how many junior knowledge roles will vanish by 2026.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 01:23 – From AI research to Calendar & Gmail at Google• 03:30 – Early prototypes & product pivots• 10:04 – Defining chatbot, copilot, and agent• 16:33 – Best use cases: research vs meeting follow‑up• 23:27 – How Relay’s assistant helps build agents• 27:27 – Feedback loops, prompt testing & model choice• 30:07 – Relay’s place in existing AI stacks• 34:18 – Pricing, predictability & credit anxiety• 45:05 – Future of work & roles in 2026JACOB BANK'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobbank/RELAY.APP:http://relay.app/?via=mikeSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Frances Valintine, founder of academyEX, to explore how AI is reshaping education, business, and national identity in New Zealand. Frances shares her views on generative AI revolution, and why now is the moment for NZ to step into an AI‑first future. You’ll hear about the real blockers holding back adoption (mindsets, scale, institutional inertia), concrete strategies for embedding AI skills into organisations, and her vision for NZ’s role as a trusted technology hub. In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:28 – Pre‑ChatGPT era & early career in tech• 03:22 – Why AI is a gift for SMEs & agents’ potential• 06:12 – Mindsets, barriers & demographic divides• 11:49 – How Academy X works with learners & businesses• 17:25 – The shakeout, tool proliferation, and consolidation• 23:49 – What NZ’s ambitions should be in AI & tech• 29:30 – Capital, “backing winners” & local funding gaps• 36:05 – Two futures: success or failure for NZFRANCES VALINTINE'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesvalintine/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Erin and Mike dive into one of ChatGPT’s most useful but least understood features: memory and instructions, spanning Custom Instructions, Projects, Custom GPTs, and even Connectors.They talk through how memory remembers context across chats, how custom instructions shape every reply, and how projects and custom GPTs let you organise files, rules, and even trigger outside actions.These features are critical for everyday users, and how marketers, creators, and teams can get more personalised, consistent output.SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Leslie Tan to discover how AI‑overviews, generative engine optimisation (GEO), and evolving search behaviour are reshaping SEO in New Zealand. In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:26 – AI‑overviews reshaping search experience• 03:19 – Google vs new AI search platforms• 07:24 – GEO & answer engine optimisation explained• 11:15 – Importance of long‑tail content and topical mapping• 14:28 – Advice for SMEs: competing without big domain authority• 18:30 – New metrics: visibility, mentions & attribution in AI‑led world• 19:55 – Product feeds & shopping results for AI / organic shopping• 21:48 – Will Google shopping feed optimizations help in generative AI outputs?• 22:43 – Preparing for future integrations with platforms like ChatGPTLESLIE TAN'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsleslietan/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

----- Clip produced in late August -----Erin joined Mike on the couch to check out Google’s latest AI tool, Nano Banana: the GenAI image editor built on Gemini.It lets anyone blend, edit and combine photos with realistic results. Faces stay consistent, scenes make sense and the whole process feels more fun than technical. No design skills required.In this episode of AI On The Couch, Mike and Erin run a live demo, test its limits and talk through what tools like this could mean for marketers, creators and everyday teams.SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Mark Laurence, founder of Ten Past Tomorrow, as he helps NZ organisations move from AI enthusiasm to real impact through senior leadership alignment, culture change, and strategic adoption. Learn why starting at the top matters, and how organisations can build a foundation for lasting transformation.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:28 – How Mark first got into AI & automation spark• 02:55 – The “ChatGPT moment” & why 2024 was a tipping point• 06:14 – Why leadership alignment matters more than just training operational staff• 10:46 – Culture, mindset & “reflexive” AI use vs technical use cases• 17:11 – Details of the flagship senior leadership team program & roadmap• 22:26 – What has changed in baseline AI literacy & how courses adapt• 24:17 – Off‑the‑shelf tools vs specialised/bespoke models for organisations• 28:38 – Challenges (“fish hooks”) in rolling out transformation top‑to‑bottomMARK LAURENCE'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-laurence/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guests Bex Rose (AI Surge ANZ) and Sam Gibson (Education Sector Lead, Noel Leeming) to explore how AI is reshaping education in New Zealand: what it means for teachers, school leaders, students, and even businesses. Discover why now is the time for schools to act, set guardrails, and bring everyone on board before they’re left behind.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:49 – What sparked their journeys into AI in education• 04:49 – Mindset shifts school leaders need to embrace AI• 09:03 – Real‑world examples: personalised learning & tutor use• 12:21 – What good AI literacy looks like for students and teachers• 15:32 – Will AI replace teachers, or change how they teach?• 18:48 – Applying AI in businesses vs classrooms• 23:47 – Google vs Microsoft adoption in NZ schools• 27:04 – The need for guidelines & policy in schools• 32:57 – First steps for teachers & leaders getting into AI• 35:48 – Key skills students should master for an AI futureBEX ROSE'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bex-rosenz/SAM GIBSON'S LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/in/samgibson1983/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Tom Barraclough, tech policy strategist and co‑founder of Brain Box Institute and Syncopate Lab, as he explores sovereign AI in New Zealand: why it matters, how law is being turned into code, and what New Zealanders should demand from AI systems that affect their lives. Discover the intersection of infrastructure, data, policy, and democracy in shaping AI’s future here. In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:27 – Tom’s journey: from access to justice to AI policy• 04:44 – What Syncopate Lab does: law‑as‑code & DocRef product• 07:05 – What is sovereign AI? Definition & levels of agency• 14:23 – Infrastructure, compute, energy & national leverage• 19:29 – Metrics & success: what would sovereign AI look like in NZ• 21:20 – International comparisons & what other countries are doing• 29:13 – Commercial use cases & risks in health & speech‑to‑text• 33:48 – Risks of pursuing sovereignty: cost, trust, ownershipTOM BARRACLOUGH'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-barraclough-9783b410a/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly as he sits down with Blake Harkness, graduate network engineer at MainPower and founder of Harkness AI. Blake is part of a new wave of engineers applying AI to real-world infrastructure: building customer service chatbots, automating regulatory compliance, and showing how even traditional industries can adopt AI.Discover how Blake balances quick wins with long-term innovation, why trust and communication are vital for adoption, and the practical AI use cases (from Excel lookups to knowledge retrieval) that are saving time, money, and energy across New Zealand’s essential services.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:28 – Discovering AI at university• 01:22 – Early experiments at MainPower• 04:08 – Knowledge retrieval & everyday how-tos• 05:34 – Research agents for infrastructure planning• 06:58 – Overcoming fear of AI in the workplace• 07:51 – Pitching use cases to leadership• 09:39 – Regulation bots & customer chatbots• 11:01 – Fresh perspective as a young engineer• 12:53 – Balancing quick wins vs long-term builds• 14:45 – Advice for small NZ businesses• 16:34 – Regional AI adoption & Christchurch scene• 18:24 – Next-gen tools: Google’s Veo3 video model• 22:09 – Outro & next stepsBLAKE HARKNESS'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-harkness/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events:⁠ https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guests Simon Archer, co‑founder of PolicyCheck, and tech veteran Scott Houston, as they champion agentic AI in the insurance sector.This episode explores why insurance is ripe for disruption and how AI-powered workflows can bring clarity, speed, and trust to policyholders and brokers alike. They break down three major breakthroughs (cutting admin overhead, improving policy comparisons, and personalising client communication) while ensuring brokers remain central, compliant, and trusted.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:28 – Simon’s builder journey into AI• 02:17 – Why insurance is primed for AI disruption• 03:15 – Scott’s path from Green Button to agentic AI• 05:14 – AGI: evolving definition and emerging challenges• 08:28 – How agentic AI can make insurance proactive• 12:16 – The three problems PolicyCheck solves• 16:08 – Who moves fastest—SMEs or incumbents?• 20:26 – Focus, focus, focus: owning your vertical• 21:50 – Avoiding disruption backlash: balancing AI & process• 24:11 – The moat: data, relationships & trust with brokers• 27:27 – Advice for Kiwi founders building AI in legacy industries• 31:07 – Government can help: buy local AI products• 32:02 – Fast‑fire round: trending models and NZ AI highlights• 33:58 – Outro & next steps SIMON ARCHER'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonparcher/SCOTT HOUSTON'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-houston-3612588/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Tane Van der Boon, founder of Inviol, to explore how AI and computer vision are being deployed to tackle complacency and prevent injuries in New Zealand’s most dangerous workplaces.Discover how Inviol builds AI that detects unsafe behaviour in real time, why edge computing matters for latency and reliability, and how startups can partner with legacy industries to scale. • 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:51 – Vulcan Steel hackathon origin story• 02:20 – Maui63 and marine conservation with AI• 04:00 – Building real-time vision on drones• 05:46 – What Inviol does• 07:38 – Startup-enterprise partnerships• 10:25 – Convincing customers who don’t know AI• 12:21 – Real-time AI on trucks and heat challenges• 14:11 – How the system works in practice• 15:28 – Cost to run Inviol on-site• 17:07 – Where else AI could help NZ• 19:56 – How ready NZ is for AI• 24:01 – What’s next for Inviol• 25:18 – How the team uses AI daily• 27:41 – Quick-fire round• 30:54 – Outro & next stepsTANE VAN DER BOON'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tane-/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and Matteo Castiello, founder of Insurgence, as he walks us through his journey from a planned career break to spearheading enterprise generative AI adoption across Australasia.Learn practical takeaways including: the power of low‑friction, task‑first AI use cases; how composable point solutions can scale into transformative systems; and why AI success depends on business‑led change management.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:28 – Matteo’s career pivot into AI• 01:25 – From SAP to generative AI design sprints• 02:53 – Launching Insurgence to tackle enterprise challenges• 04:12 – Balancing fast wins with longer‑term AI value• 05:09 – Augment workflows before transforming them• 07:02 – Selling business solutions, not tech first• 10:17 – Improving retention via efficiency (not cost cuts)• 12:05 – Views on NZ & Australia AI policy landscape• 14:02 – Everyday adoption of tools like ChatGPT in enterprises• 16:19 – Platform‑agnostic approach to AI ecosystems• 18:40 – Unexpected challenges of building an AI consulting firm• 19:38 – The evolving mix of products and services at Insurgence• 22:23 – Conditional value of verticalized agent startups• 25:18 – Outro & next stepsMATTEO CASTIELLO'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteocastiello/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Erin came to the couch overwhelmed. Too many AI tools. Too little time.And one big question: what tools do I actually need to stay ahead in the future of work?In this episode of AI On The Couch, Mike strips it back. Forget chasing every shiny new tool, the real game is getting really good at one. Whether it’s ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or something else, depth beats distraction.No fluff. No jargon. Just the essentials to keep pace with the future of work.SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and Justin Flitter, founder of New Zealand.ai, to hear how local business leaders unlock AI’s potential by anchoring adoption in business strategy, cultural heritage, and context.Learn how businesses can shift from ad‑hoc experimentation to sustainable AI adoption, create defensible IP using internal data, and safeguard cultural identity through context‑rich models.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:29 – Evolution of AI narrative since 2017• 01:52 – Tackling hallucinations through better inputs• 05:12 – Starting NZ.ai and early in‑person meetups• 07:30 – Who’s experimenting with AI and why ROI matters• 10:19 – Bottom‑up vs top‑down adoption and security concerns• 14:25 – NZ’s cultural and democratic edge in AI innovation• 15:46 – Using AI to enshrine business and iwi heritage• 18:06 – Embedding AI agents and rethinking workflows• 22:48 – Context is king—treat AI like an intern with memory• 24:12 – Essential human skills: critical thinking, questioning, language• 26:21 – AI‑native mindsets and speed as strategy• 27:12 – Privacy myths and demystifying prompt‑ing• 30:04 – Preparing people for AI‑reshaped roles as a growth opportunity• 34:15 – AI isn’t the answer to every problem: start with strategyJUSTIN FLITTER'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinflitter/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and 18‑year‑old guest Nicholas Hardwick, founder of Quela.io, an AI and IoT startup solving real-world business problems, while still at uni.In this episode, Nick shares how he built from failed ventures to global clients. Discover how Quela.io is pivoting from services to scalable products, why Nick hires locally while expanding in India, and what he's learned about AI adoption across generations and cultures.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:55 – Nick’s early interest in AI & generative models• 01:53 – First ventures: Be Better, BrandLaunch, then Quailer.io• 05:13 – Operating between NZ and India: hiring, clients & market insights• 06:34 – Pivoting Quailer into AI, cybersecurity & server hardware services• 10:17 – Insights from Uni: merging commerce, innovation & AI studies• 12:12 – Generational and cultural views on AI in NZ vs India• 17:01 – Uni support: the Atom innovation hub & AI‑inclusive coursework• 21:44 – AI education: when to allow it and how to use it responsibly• 22:10 – IoT x AI: from smart lighting to geo‑fenced phone access systems• 25:35 – Nick’s legacy: young entrepreneurship and innovation in NZ tech• 28:44 – Advice for AI beginners: free courses, YouTube, MIT, TEDx• 29:14 – Outro & next stepsNIKOLAS HARDWICK'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-hardwick-71839616b/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Erin left the AI hackathon buzzing with questions about a new buzzword she kept hearing: vibe coding.Love by some. Hated by others. Instead of typing lines of code, developers (and even non-developers) are now using natural language to spin up apps in minutes. Tools like Lovable make it possible to say “build me something like Airbnb” and instantly see a working prototype take shape.In this episode of AI On The Couch, Erin puts Mike on the spot to explain what vibe coding actually is, why it matters, and whether it really means anyone can build software without being technical.From prototypes that look like Slack to why great developers are more valuable than ever, we explore what vibe coding accelerates, where it falls short, and how it changes the future of building software.Chapters:00:00 – What is vibe coding?00:30 – How Lovable works01:29 – Talking to apps in natural language02:23 – Cloning Airbnb and Slack03:22 – Why developers still matter04:20 – The acceleration effectNo jargon, no hype, just clarity on what AI can actually do, how it saves time, and which tools are worth your attention.SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Dan Xu, CEO & Co-founder of Element X, for a candid look at how pragmatic, pre-hype AI development took root in New Zealand. From bioengineering to building one of NZ’s first AI consultancies, Dan explains what’s changed, and what hasn’t, since GenAI went mainstream.Learn why most AI pilots stall, what use cases are actually working, and how businesses can adopt AI without chasing buzzwords. Dan also unpacks NZ’s strengths as a global sandbox, the real promise of open source, and how student partnerships help bridge the research-to-industry gap.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:29 – From bioengineering to building with AI• 01:28 – What early AI in NZ looked like• 03:50 – Three mature AI use cases today• 05:42 – Where AI can do the most good• 07:26 – Element X’s build-first consulting model• 10:12 – Why most POCs don’t reach production• 12:04 – Customers are getting more realistic• 14:09 – NZ is behind—but uniquely positioned• 16:28 – Investment, talent, and global competition• 18:13 – NZ’s opportunity as a live AI sandbox• 19:12 – Research-to-product gap in universities• 21:36 – Quick fire: Gemini’s research mode• 23:03 – Overhyped: one-person AI unicorns• 23:32 – Open source levels the playing field• 24:31 – Underrated NZ AI: Unique Digital Humans• 25:00 – Advice: join the AI Forum, start smallDAN XU'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielxu64/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.co.nz/subscribeNZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.co.nz/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

35 weeks pregnant and still asking questions about AI 🤯.Erin’s curiosity hasn’t slowed down: every chat turns into questions about prompts, tools, or how AI is reshaping the way we work.That curiosity is what sparked the idea of AI On The Couch, where Erin asks questions and Mike does his best to break it all down in plain, practical ways.In this first episode they're tackling ChatGPT’s Agent Mode: what it is, how it works behind the scenes, and why it could completely collapse the gap between “I need something” and “it’s already in motion".From finding a concrete cutter in minutes to showing how agents take over repetitive tasks, we unpack the good, the risky, and why it matters for the future of work.00:28 – What is Agent Mode?01:26 – GPT-502:22 – Deep Research + Operator03:48 – Concrete cutter exampleNo jargon, no hype, just clarity on what AI can actually do, how it saves time, and which tools are worth your attention.

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Nadia Ellis, a former tourism marketing leader turned AI consultant, as they explore how AI agents, curiosity, and human-centred design can transform Kiwi businesses. From a personal health pivot into the AI space to building her consultancy “Curiosity”, Nadia shares how she helps leaders adopt AI in practical, joyful, and sustainable ways.Discover why starting small builds trust, how to think of AI as a teammate, and why evals are essential for quality outputs. Learn about Nadia’s go-to automation tools, tips for personal and process AI adoption, and how personality-driven AI assistants can boost engagement.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:52 – Nadia’s accidental entry into AI• 01:36 – Using AI in academic research• 03:01 – Curiosity: from marketing to AI consultancy• 04:43 – Helping leaders build AI capability• 06:00 – Why NZ’s AI adoption stats can be misleading• 07:23 – Treating AI as a teammate• 08:18 – Nadia’s go-to AI tools and platforms• 12:03 – Starting small to build AI trust• 14:21 – First-principles thinking in AI builds• 17:34 – Vibe-coding rapid AI solutions• 25:36 – Humanising AI assistants to drive engagement• 32:29 – Why SMBs may lead NZ’s AI adoption• 34:23 – Vertical vs horizontal AI agents• 36:12 – Nadia’s advice for AI beginners• 37:33 – Closing thoughts & outroNADIA ELLIS'S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-ellis/?originalSubdomain=nzSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/subscribeNZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly and guest Karrina Mountfort, founder of the AI Assembly and CTO at Web‑based AI, as she shares her journey from building enterprise systems to pioneering community‑focused AI in New Zealand. Discover why she reframes AI adoption as education and ethical licensing, and why real human connection matters just as much as the tech.In this episode we discuss:00:00 – Intro & guest bio00:32 – How Karrina entered the world of AI01:31 – Transition from ML systems to generative AI02:01 – The “AI license” concept: process before tech03:22 – Reason for founding AI Assembly & rebranding05:13 – Events, open learning and how to participate06:34 – Connecting businesses, grads and students08:27 – Her AI Story stream empowering women10:46 – Expanding beyond tech backgrounds14:03 – Karrina’s experience as a female AI leader16:15 – Advice for women getting into AI17:31 – Which industries are embracing AI first19:20 – Hesitancy and challenges among NZ SMEs20:47 – Managing hype vs sustainable implementation22:11 – Framing AI as change‑management, not silver bullet27:13 – Operational wins in education & healthcare29:02 – The underrated value of existing toolsKARINA MOUNTFORT’S LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karrinamountfort/SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/subscribeNZ AI Events: https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand

Join host Mike Bayly as he chats with Heath Waugh, founder of Matter Studio, New Zealand’s first AI-powered product photography studio. With two decades of experience in commercial photography, Heath is blending traditional studio craft with generative AI to create faster, more flexible, and more cost-effective brand imagery.Discover how hybrid workflows are transforming product shoots, from furniture brands showcasing full catalogues in 200+ virtual settings to exporters tailoring imagery to overseas markets. Heath also shares candid insights on creative resistance, future trends like AI-generated fashion shoots, and actionable advice for businesses keen to leverage AI-driven content.In this episode we discuss:• 00:00 – Intro & guest bio• 00:29 – Heath’s journey from photography to AI• 01:24 – What AI-powered photography really means• 02:18 – Why furniture brands adopted AI first• 04:11 – Cost and time savings for businesses• 05:31 – Testing and iterating product images• 06:18 – AI-generated humans and ethics• 07:16 – Creative community resistance to AI• 09:30 – Hybrid workflows combining old and new• 10:23 – Heath’s end-to-end creative process• 12:16 – Front-loaded workflows vs traditional shoots• 17:59 – Cost comparisons and ROI for brands• 19:48 – Working with international clients• 20:17 – Future of AI photography and control• 23:25 – Quick-fire round• 26:00 – Outro & next stepsHEATH WAUGH'S LINKEDINSUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD:NZ AI News: ⁠https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/NZ AI Events: ⁠https://theaicorner.beehiiv.com/p/ai-events-in-new-zealand