As AI adoption accelerates across business and government, questions of data sovereignty, governance, trust and ethical use are becoming increasingly critical. This panel will bring together leaders from industry and academia to explore how organisations can harness AI’s potential while safeguarding data, respecting sovereignty, and maintaining public trust. The discussion would be practical, future-focused, and highly relevant to senior decision-makers navigating AI strategy today.

Esteemed Panel:

• Matt Bain, Chief Technology and AI Officer, Spark NZ
• Reuben Bijl, Managing Director, Smudge
• Megan Tapsell, General Manager Enterprise & Pacific Technology Delivery NZ, ANZ
• Moderated by: Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor, Auckland University of Technology