Google and Minister Judith Collins co-host “an evening of AI” at Parliament
Government officials, business leaders and Google reps discussed AI’s potential to build a brighter future for New Zealand
Aug 22 - Google has reaffirmed its passion to support the New Zealand government in harnessing the power of AI to build a brighter future for the country. This was expressed during high-level discussions held yesterday in Wellington with Honourable Judith Collins, Minister for Digitising Government, and other key government officials.
At the event co-hosted by Minister Collins and Google New Zealand, a delegation of Google representatives, led by Country Director Caroline Rainsford, and including Urs Hölzle, one of Google’s earliest employees, shared their insights on AI's potential to drive economic growth, innovation, and societal progress. In attendance were key government figures including Paul James (Government Chief Digital Officer).
Google’s visit to Parliament aimed to showcase the exciting potential of AI to bring positive change to New Zealand. As a leader in AI innovation, Google also highlighted the company’s readiness to support this journey, while stressing the need for proactive engagement from government agencies to fully realise these opportunities.
Caroline Rainsford addresses the crowd at last night's Hui
Caroline Rainsford, Country Director of Google New Zealand, says: "The energy at Parliament House was palpable. There was definitely a shared excitement about AI's potential to transform New Zealand. From revolutionising healthcare to personalising education, the possibilities are immense.”
The discussions also highlighted the importance of smart regulations and collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors, to ensure the responsible and beneficial development of AI in New Zealand.
Rainsford adds: “Minister Collin’s optimistic approach to AI resonates with our vision. With our strong local presence, AI expertise, Cloud tools, and more, Google is ready to support the government’s vision for a digital New Zealand. We’re confident that we can help the country realise its AI aspirations with action and proactive engagement from government agencies."
