Latest news with #AIStrategy
Scoop
03-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Cost Of Living Remains Priority In Q3
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Continuing to address cost of living pressures over the coming months is key as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reveals a fresh set of targeted Government actions in the Q3 Action Plan. 'While it's still tough out there for too many Kiwis, our Government's focus on unlocking economic growth is starting to show some promise with key indicators up across the board. Exports are rising, wages are increasing faster than inflation, and growth overall has been strong to start the year. 'Backing Kiwis to get on top of the cost of living is critical to that pro-growth agenda. It's not enough for businesses to grow and invest – New Zealanders deserve an economy that works for them, with more competition and lower prices. 'Whether it's the cost of food, housing, banking, or energy, we're taking action in the coming months to drive a better bargain for families across the country. 'That includes the Government's next steps to promote supermarket competition, ensuring more families have a shot at lower food prices and more choice. 'The cost of housing is also a priority, with significant improvements to the RMA enabling more construction in our biggest cities expected to become law. 'This quarter we'll also set out rules to enable and unleash open banking in New Zealand which will increase competition, transparency, drive down fees, and help Kiwis get a better deal on their mortgage. 'The cost of energy is also a focus. Kiwis are paying more for power because of the previous government's disastrous oil and gas ban. 'We're repealing that ban to unleash the energy New Zealand needs to keep the lights on and prevent power prices from skyrocketing in the years to come. 'Kiwis working hard deserve to be able to get ahead. Our Government is working at pace to make that a reality, with higher economic growth to create jobs and increase wages, and a plan to reduce the cost of living.' Notes: The Government's Q3 Action Plan is attached here. 36 of 38 actions from the Q2 Action plan were fully completed, two were partially completed and the Government will have more to say in the coming weeks. Regarding the two partially completed actions: publication of the AI Strategy will occur in the coming weeks. Regarding the action on capital markets: prospective financial information for initial public offerings is now voluntary. This change, which introduces flexibility and reduces the costs of listing, took effect in June. Further decisions on capital market settings are expected in quarter three.
Axios
20-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Google wants to help cities build AI strategies
Google is releasing a playbook on Friday to help mayors across the country adopt city-wide AI strategies, per an announcement shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: Cities are approaching the technology wildly differently and with varying levels of resources, interest and need. But the "AI divide" — like the "digital divide" that came before it with internet access — is projected to deepen tech access disparities. "Building Your City's AI Strategy," released in partnership with the United States Conference of Mayors, is meant to serve as a framework for mayors and other municipal leaders to assess and implement AI. What's inside: The guide has chapters on identifying staff to participate in an "AI workshop," conducting surveys on AI usage and needs, and drafting an AI strategy document. The survey asks questions like how staff are currently using AI tools and which areas of city services could use AI the most. The guide states that AI offers cities "significant advantages" and "can automate certain tasks while freeing up city staff for complex, human-centric work." What they're saying: "Whatever problem you've been dealing with that you've inherited from your predecessors, that you can't figure out the way to fix, AI is the once in a generation tool that gives you a shot at fixing it," Cris Turner, vice president of government affairs at Google, told Axios. By the numbers: 96% of 100 mayors across the globe surveyed by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2023 said they were interested in using generative AI, but only 2% surveyed were actively implementing it and 69% said they were exploring it. The bottom line: Companies like Google depend on people using their generative AI products for profit. But more users help the models get better, Turner noted.
Gulf News
26-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
Tired of red lights? Dubai's RTA deploys AI to cut traffic signal wait times by 20%
Dubai: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is applying AI to transform traffic signal control across the city, aiming to reduce waiting times for motorists by up to 20 per cent. As part of its AI Strategy, launched recently during the inaugural Dubai AI Week, the RTA will implement more than 80 projects and initiatives over the next five years. Enhancing public happiness and intelligent traffic management are among the six pillars of the strategy. Powered by AI, the real-time traffic signal control system will optimise traffic flow at intersections across Dubai, the RTA said. 'By analysing live and historical data, the AI system will predict traffic flow, simulate real-time scenarios, dynamically adjust signal timing, and reduce waiting times,' the RTA stated.
