The New Zealand government has announced two major artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives aimed at improving public services and boosting business adoption of AI technologies. Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Judith Collins, revealed these projects at the Aotearoa AI Summit in Auckland.
GovGPT: AI-Powered Government Assistant
The first initiative is an AI chatbot called GovGPT, developed by Callaghan Innovation in collaboration with Whāriki Māori Business Network and Microsoft. This pilot project, set to launch in October 2023, aims to provide businesses and individuals with easy access to government information and services.
Key features of GovGPT include:
- Multilingual support, including Te Reo Māori
- Multi-modal functionality, accepting both text and speech input
- Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technology to minimize AI “hallucinations”
- Customization options for voice, tone, and speech speed
Sarah Sun, Callaghan Innovation’s head of AI and digital, explained the rationale behind GovGPT: “We know there’s a lot of government support and information out there to help businesses thrive. But it can be hard to find and is often located across a number of different sites. Businesses often don’t have time to hunt around for what they need from government, so there’s a risk of missing out on support or crucial information.”
The development of GovGPT was remarkably efficient, taking less than two months and involving less than 100 hours of staff time. This rapid development was made possible by leveraging existing large language models (LLMs) and software modules.
Minister Collins emphasized that GovGPT represents “an exciting first step towards a vision of a ‘digital front-door’, where individuals can find answers to their questions about government in a convenient and timely way.” The initiative aims to reduce the need for direct human interactions with bureaucrats, potentially improving efficiency and accessibility of government services.
AI Activator: Boosting Business Adoption of AI
The second initiative announced is the AI Activator program, designed to help New Zealand businesses leverage AI technologies. This collaborative effort involves Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
The AI Activator will provide:
- Access to AI expertise and research and development resources
- Interactive learning modules and tools
- In-person workshops hosted by NZTE for export businesses
- Support from NIWA to strengthen relationships between researchers and businesses
Sun elaborated on the program’s purpose: “AI Activator was set up to help businesses which find it hard to know where to start with AI, and how to do it.” The initiative builds on Callaghan’s existing activator model, which has been successful in supporting other sectors such as health tech and agri-tech.
NIWA’s general manager of technology and innovation, Warrick Johnston, highlighted the agency’s role in supporting stronger relationships between researchers and scientists who can help businesses take advantage of AI advancements. NIWA itself already uses AI for research, operational forecasting, and flood management.
Economic Impact and Government Strategy
Minister Collins emphasized the potential economic impact of AI adoption, citing predictions that AI could contribute $76 billion to New Zealand’s annual GDP by 2038. “It is crucial we support businesses to improve their awareness and uptake of AI, so they can capitalize on the benefits as the rest of the world rapidly adopts this technology,” she stated.
The government’s approach to AI development and adoption focuses on safely maximizing its value for the economy and all New Zealanders. These initiatives align with Collins’ broader vision for more efficient government through digitization, which includes other projects like the NZ Transport Agency App launched in April 2023.
Funding and Implementation
Both the GovGPT and AI Activator projects are being funded through existing baselines, indicating a commitment to AI development without requiring additional budget allocations. The government’s strategy appears to be leveraging existing resources and partnerships to drive AI innovation and adoption across both public and private sectors.
As these initiatives roll out, they are expected to transform how businesses and individuals interact with government services and how New Zealand companies compete in the global AI-driven economy. The success of these programs could set a precedent for further AI integration in government operations and business practices throughout the country.
While the initiatives promise improved efficiency and accessibility, they also raise questions about data privacy, the role of human oversight in AI-driven government services, and the potential impact on government employment. As New Zealand moves forward with these AI projects, balancing innovation with ethical considerations and public trust will be crucial for their long-term success and acceptance.
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