New Zealand finally has a national AI strategy, along with guidance for responsible adoption and for many, some commentators suggest it landed with a bit of a thud.
The strategy opens with bold claims about positioning Aotearoa as a leader in responsible AI adoption, before swiftly cutting us back down to size: the last OECD country to develop one, lagging behind our peers, with 68% of SMEs having no plans to evaluate or invest in AI. You’d be forgiven for feeling a bit of whiplash.
The tone is overwhelmingly one of deficit. And if you’re running a business or organisation that’s already stretched thin, the message might feel uncomfortably clear: you’re falling short.
Here’s the thing though, the strategy largely delivers on what it set out to do. It’s the Government’s job to provide regulatory clarity, reduce barriers, and set the guardrails for responsible adoption. And, to its credit, it’s done that within a pretty swift timeframe by public sector standards (albeit AI-assisted, which may raise questions about efficiency vs effectiveness - we’ll come back to that).
But if you were hoping for something more useful, something that would show you where to begin, what to prioritise now vs later, or how to tailor the guidance to your context - that’s not what you’ve got.
And that gap between what it is and what people need is where many businesses might feel stuck.
Because let’s be honest: even if you’re a team of 20, you’re probably not resourced to assemble a governance group with a privacy officer, legal counsel, an AI scientist, and an ethics lead.
Sure, the guidance leans on “could” rather than “should,” and it does acknowledge the reality of shared roles. But without practical advice that bridges the real-world starting point with achievable steps forward, it risks being another document that gathers dust.
So where do you begin?
This isn’t a new take, but it’s an important one:
Start with purpose.
Not tech. Not tools. Not architecture.
Get really clear on why you’re exploring AI in the first place.
What would make people’s lives easier?
What does a better future look like for your team, your customers, your work?
Where are the pain points that are slowing you down?
You don’t need a fully-fledged strategy to start. You need a conversation.
That might look like gathering a few people around a whiteboard. Mapping out the risks and opportunities that matter most. Defining a few principles to guide how you’ll explore and test AI. Capturing your vision on a page so everyone’s aligned and confidence can grow over time.
It’s not about being “AI ready” in the way some strategies frame it.
It’s about being ready in your own way, for your own reasons - and doing it in a way that fits.
Getting your foundations in place might not feel shiny but skipping this step can cost you. It can set you back several steps in time, money, and team buy-in. Purpose is what turns your AI journey from confusing to constructive, building momentum and paving the path forward.
How are you thinking about AI in your business?
What feels doable, and what doesn’t?
We’d love to hear where your thinking’s at.
It’s ok to start small and build steps from there. Reach out to start a no-obligation conversation.
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