Digital & AI Whare

Accelerating AI and Web3 Innovation in New Zealand.

Our mission-led initiatives are rooted in the belief that emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Web3 have the potential to redefine industries, empower individuals, and foster collaboration like never before. We strive to be at the forefront of this revolution, steering innovation in ways that positively impact society.

Our approach

- Mission-Driven: Everything we undertake is guided by our commitment to deliver impact and commercially focused outcomes.
- Innovation: Our team of experts constantly pushes the boundaries of what's possible, staying ahead of the curve to deliver cutting-edge solutions.
- Collaboration: We believe in the power of partnerships. We collaborate with organisations, communities, and individuals who share our vision to amplify our impact.

Areas of focus

AI

AI has evolved beyond its traditional confines, extending its reach far beyond the realms of computer science and mathematics. Today, it stands as a potent catalyst propelling progress and innovation across diverse scientific domains.

Our commitment lies in harnessing the boundless potential of AI, with a dedicated focus on a wide spectrum of applications crucial to the advancement of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our approach amplifies and capitalises on the thriving research and development ecosystem, seamlessly integrating the strengths of government, academia, and industry.

Web3

Web3 represents the next evolution of the internet—a decentralised, trustless ecosystem that opens up fresh avenues for collaboration, ownership, and value generation. Encompassing decentralised finance (DeFi), distributed ledger technology (DLT), decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), it promises a digital landscape brimming with transformative potential.

Our mission is to unlock growth and ignite innovation within New Zealand's Web3 ecosystem.

- Champion: We champion the voices of Web3 businesses, acting as their advocates with partners and government entities to heighten awareness of their challenges.
- Enable: We foster co-creation and collaboration by establishing communication channels for knowledge sharing, networking, shared experiences, and storytelling.
- Accelerate: We forge global and local alliances spanning various Web3 verticals to expedite innovation and drive progress.

Web3NZ

Web3NZ is an open source initiative built to surface and publish insights that address challenges faced by New Zealand founders, creators and businesses innovating in Web3. New Zealand is already a hotbed of Web3 development and Web3NZ will serve as an information hub and networking platform for everyone involved in Web3.

AI Governance

Part of a collaboration between the AI Forum NZ and Callaghan Innovation, the website provides a curated set of frameworks, tools, and approaches that offers thought leadership and advice on responsible AI governance in this country.

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AI+

AI+ is a flexible and scalable framework focusing on converging AI with other technologies to unlock new capabilities across industries. Initial applications of AI+ include but are not limited to Agritech, Health, Digital, CleanTech, Food and Beverage, and Māori Economy.

AI Forum NZ

The AI Forum brings together New Zealand’s artificial intelligence community, working together to harness the power of AI technologies to enable a prosperous, inclusive and thriving future New Zealand.

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BlockchainNZ

We provide New Zealand businesses and individuals opportunities for connecting, promoting and advancing in all things blockchain, crypto and decentralisation. We believe that by working together and leveraging our globally recognised brand of trust and integrity, New Zealand can become a key player in the move to a decentralised global ecosystem.

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Edmund Hillary Fellowship

The Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) is a community of 500+ innovators, entrepreneurs and investors committed to New Zealand as a basecamp for global impact. Our purpose is to partner with Aotearoa NZ to find and build solutions to our toughest challenges. Our vision is that Aotearoa inspires global leadership and solutions for future generations, built on principles of Tangata Tiriti and values of Sir Edmund Hillary.

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Media release

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Media release

New website brings together latest thinking on AI governance

Callaghan Innovation and the AI Forum, New Zealand’s community of artificial intelligence technology champions, is today launching AI Governance, a new website to drive leadership in the responsible use and governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

News

Web3 sector celebrates its leading lights

Easy Crypto, the country’s largest non-custodial cryptocurrency exchange, won Web3 Business of the Year, while Grainger, who left the corporate world in 2017 to start Easy Crypto with her brother Alan, picked up the MinterEllisonRuddWatts Stand-Out Individual of the Year Award, and Hamilton Locke Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Meet our experts

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Kevin Whitmore Web3 Lead Decentralised internet technologies and products

I am the Web3 lead within the Digital and AI product team where I work as a Business Innovation Advisor with startup and scaleup ventures in Wellington. I have a deep interest in decentralised internet technologies and associated products.

Kevin Whitmore Web3 Lead

Kin Lung (KL) Chan Team Leader, AI Lead Leading business into transformative data journeys

I'm the Team Leader of the dynamic Data Vision Team and the AI Lead of Digital and AI Whare. We work to solve business challenges through innovative use of data and Artificial Intelligence. My journey includes having pioneered the Data Discovery and Data DIY services at Callaghan Innovation.

Kin Lung (KL) Chan Team Leader, AI Lead