From Vision to Value: Highlights from the Aotearoa AI Summit 2025

Being part of the 2025 Aotearoa AI Awards & Summit (17–18 September) was a powerful reminder of the momentum building around AI in New Zealand and globally. The energy in the room - from innovators, developers, and business leaders - felt like a true inflection point. Not hype. Not theory. Action.

What excites us isn’t just what’s possible with AI, but what’s achievable when it’s applied with discipline and focus. Harnessed the right way, AI unlocks productivity in countless ways. To get there, we need to return to fundamentals: people, process, and technology—anchored to clear outcomes and measurable benefits.

As Enlighten's AI Account Manager, Kristy Darbyshire observed, two practical pathways stand out for business impact:

• Productivity at scale: equip teams with tools that make everyday work faster and smarter.

• Targeted process automation: use AI to simplify complex, repeatable workflows and unlock efficiency.

A Night of Innovation at the AI Awards

The evening showcased an impressive array of innovations - from AUT’s humanoid robots mingling with guests to compelling finalist showcases.

Enlighten Designs sponsored the Outstanding AI Implementation Award, recognising the successful deployment of AI in real-world settings. Finalists included:

• ALMA Team at PHF Science

• Hutt City Council

• Kiwa Digital

Enlighten's CEO, Damon Kelly, presented the award to Kiwa Digital, who took home the prize for their AI‑powered language and cultural platforms. Their work is delivering measurable value for organisations while uplifting Te Reo Māori and Pasifika languages across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

Key Takeaways from the Awards

• Solve specific problems: Small, contained use cases beat broad experiments

• Design the workflow first: Strong processes make AI adoption faster and safer

• Leverage your data: Start with Azure AI Search to index your documents, then use RAG to deliver trusted answers

• Prove ROI quickly: Aim for measurable gains in weeks, not years

• Build for trust: Transparency and QA are essential for sustained adoption

From Awards to Summit: Government Unveils $70M AI Investment

At the Summit’s opening, Shane Reti, New Zealand’s Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, announced a $70 million, seven-year investment fund to advance artificial intelligence development. This strategic commitment is designed to strengthen New Zealand’s AI capabilities, drive economic growth, and help organizations move from research and exploration to real-world execution.

What This Means for Leaders

• Treat AI like product: small scope, tight feedback loops, fast iteration.

• Invest in readiness: data foundations, process clarity, and change enablement.

• Measure what matters: time saved, error reduction, customer outcomes—not model metrics alone.

Ready to Turn AI Momentum into Measurable Results?

The Awards showcased what’s possible; the Summit mapped how to get there. If you’re exploring how AI can create tangible value in your organisation, let’s talk. We help teams apply AI with discipline - focused on outcomes and tailored to your data and workflows.