NZTech Update – Techweek’18 programme launch

Last week, it was exciting to launch the Techweek’18 programme at an event connected to towns and cities across New Zealand via live streaming.  Vic Crone, Chief Executive of Callaghan Innovation shared why Techweek’s theme #GoodForTheWorld resonates so well.  Read more about that here in her blog.

The team hate it when I get all excited and start putting crazy numbers out there, but with the momentum building around Techweek I wouldn’t be surprised to see more than 400 tech and innovation events happening in the 30+ towns and cities involved during the week.  Delegations are also planning to arrive from around the world from countries like Singapore, Australia, USA and beyond.

The headline events will be spectacular, including the Good For The World Open Days across multiple sites in Auckland, the 10 Billion Mouths AgriTech event in Tauranga, the CreativeTech event Creative Realities in Wellington, the Fourth Revolution Hi-Tech manufacturing event in Christchurch and the Hi-Tech Awards in Christchurch.  So much to see and so many people to meet.

First however, is New Zealand’s largest ever AI event.  This week’s AI-Day has almost sold out with 500 attendees coming together to hear from leading international AI specialists including Alayna from Amazon, Steve from Microsoft, Adam from IBM, plus a host of leading AI experts from across New Zealand.  AI is moving so fast that an event like this is essential for anyone hoping to keep up!  See you there.

Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

Attend this week

Register now

Check out what’s on

CONNECT

Last chance to register for #AIDay18 this Wednesday in Auckland.  On Thursday, take a deep dive into tech platforms and methodology using AI.  Check out all the workshops here.

Canterbury Tech next meets on 12 April to discuss design thinking.  Save the date for the 2018 Canterbury Tech Summit on 12 September.  FinTechNZ’s next InsurTech meetup is 5 April in Auckland.

Register for 2018 Hi-Tech Awards entrant events in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington on 28 March.  Save these dates; Alumni event 24 May and the Gala Dinner 25 May.

PROMOTE

Early bird registration is open for ITx 2018, 11-13 July in Wellington.  ITx is a collaboration of 13 tech focused conferences and brings together IT professionals, leaders and academics to network, learn and engage.

This year, the Vodafone Xone Accelerator is focusing on IoT and AI.  Applications for the six month programme, close 15 April.  Applications are also open for New Horizons for Women Trust: Hine Kahukura Awards with 40 awards, including STEM categories.

Showcase your brand or product at Techweek’18 headline events;  10 Billion Mouths, The Fourth Revolution or Creative Realities.  Limited exhibition space available.  If you haven’t already, check out this year’s nationwide events.

ADVANCE

Last week, Minister Twyford announced the formation of a Future Technology Leadership Group to advise on intelligent transport.  If you would like to participate in transport scenario workshops on 13 and 20 April in Auckland, please contact Andrew Jackson.

The Payments NZ Fintech Innovation Challenge is accepting entries till 20 April.  Applicants could win $10,000 and a mentoring package.  Attend the payments industry conference, The Point 2018 26-27 June in Auckland.  This year’s theme is Shaping a Connected Future that Counts.

Digital transformation including automation and AI is set to impact many current jobs.  The TechLeaders Executive recently met with Minister Curran to discuss how industry can work with Government to prepare for digital disruption at work.  Read the briefing paper here.

Want to know more?  Sign up for the NZTech weekly update, it’s free and will take less than a minute!