Latest news with #JasonParis
Techday NZ
27-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
New Zealanders demand trust & ethics in AI adoption, study finds
Research commissioned by One NZ has found that transparency and trust are considered essential by the public for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in New Zealand. The One NZ AI Trust Report revealed that while 77% of New Zealanders have knowingly used AI-powered services in the past year, nearly half do not trust large companies to use the technology ethically. The study, which surveyed 1,000 New Zealanders, highlighted that 62% of respondents would discontinue using a company's services if they had concerns about its AI use. The primary concerns among participants centred around the misuse of personal data, cited by 67% of respondents, job losses at 65%, and unfair decision-making processes, noted by 62%. The report pointed to the growing prevalence of AI in everyday life across the country but found that a significant trust deficit remains when it comes to how larger organisations employ these tools. Further results from the survey indicated that 87% of New Zealanders believe strong data privacy protections are either important or essential when it comes to the deployment of artificial intelligence. Additionally, respondents saw potential advantages with AI, including increased productivity (43%), strengthened cybersecurity (42%), and new opportunities in innovation (41%). According to the findings, certain industries such as government, banking, and healthcare are facing greater challenges in earning public confidence in their use of AI technologies. The survey also showed that New Zealanders are far more likely to trust small businesses and large domestic firms to act responsibly and ethically with AI compared to multinational companies. Concerns regarding sustainability were also reported in the research, with 48% of New Zealanders expressing anxiety about AI-related energy consumption and the potential for greenwashing claims. The report encourages businesses in New Zealand to prioritise trust by embedding transparent and human-centred AI systems. The recommendations include clear communication, robust governance, and a commitment to fairness to address legitimate public concerns. One NZ Chief Executive Officer Jason Paris said, "The opportunity for New Zealand to boost productivity with AI is massive, but it'll only work if Kiwis trust the right steps are being taken when it comes to using these tools ethically." Paris added, "We commissioned this report to listen to New Zealanders and help businesses use AI in a way that's transparent, ethical, and ultimately human-led. Businesses that fail to earn trust will fail to realise AI's full potential." The study found that, despite public reservations, many New Zealanders see value in the technology provided there is effective oversight and safeguards in place. The report offers a roadmap that businesses can follow to earn and sustain public confidence in the evolving AI landscape. Paris commented, "At One NZ, we've done a lot of groundwork, making sure our approach is guided by the right ethics and data privacy frameworks. We're starting to see real world results from the technology as we roll it out, including better customer experiences and increased fraud protections." "The businesses that lead on AI will be the ones Kiwis choose to engage with, work for, and support. "While we recognise the enormous potential benefits of AI, it's important to appreciate many Kiwis have concerns, particularly around how their data will be used, how decisions will be made by these autonomous agents, and what this means for people's jobs. Importantly, people want to know when AI is being used, and how to get support from a human where needed." He continued, "That's why we believe communication and training go hand-in-hand with any rollout of these tools. Transparency is key, and we've committed a quarter of our budget to ensuring our staff gain AI skills that are transferable within the market." "We're hoping by sharing our experiences we can help other organisations to maximise AI tools, and boost productivity for New Zealand overall. It's also important to remember that to benefit from AI, businesses need to ensure they have the underlying technology in place, including an AI-ready network and digital infrastructure." Paris concluded, "AI isn't just about LLMs, algorithms and data science, it also requires a great connectivity network to underpin it. A robust, high performance, and secure network isn't a nice-to-have - it's essential for organisations to be able to truly harness the transformative power of AI."
Associated Press
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
One Nz Fortifies Its Network Against Disaster… Including a Zombie Apocalypse
AUCKLAND, NZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / One NZ has just received its most bizarre endorsement ever for its mobile network, from the US-based Zombie Research Society. In an outlandish move, the historical, cultural and scientific research group has awarded One NZ with an accolade, the 'most zombie resilient network' following the launch of their One NZ Satellite service. Launched late last year, One NZ Satellite enabled Kiwi to enjoy the groundbreaking technology before almost anyone else in the world. The service allows customers with an eligible One NZ phone and plan who are out of traditional cell tower coverage to send and receive TXTs from anywhere in New Zealand, with a line of sight to the sky. It also offers an additional layer of security when disaster strikes and traditional telecommunication infrastructure fails. In a critical analysis offered by the Zombie Research Society, founder Matt Mogk commented, 'This notable technical evolution from One NZ offers a more resilient and robust communication network in the face of disaster. 'Due to its remote operation from space, rather than a terrestrial network of cell-towers on the ground, it has more capacity to withstand damage and maintain connection.' Matt Mogk's expertise comes from his extensive work with the Zombie Research Society, where he's studied crisis scenarios and societal resilience in the face of extreme events. His research has focused on the critical role of communication networks in maintaining order and safety during emergencies, particularly in 'disaster situations'. The Zombie Research Society is supported by a wider array of academics, authors and cultural commentors, including Harvard Medical School assistant professor Steven Schlozman. New Zealand-born Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis, known for his leading role on Fear the Walking Dead has returned to Aotearoa to share the endorsement with Kiwi, on behalf of the Zombie Research Society. The message was captured in a short video on social media and in an official presentation with One NZ CEO Jason Paris. Curtis says, 'Look, a zombie apocalypse can be disruptive. After years pretending to fight them on TV, I would know. So, when I heard about the apparent 'zombie-resilient' network back home, I had to test it out.' 'And one thing about zombies? They sure don't communicate very well. They might growl and grumble, but you can't beat real connection. It's this sense of community, of being there for one another, that matters. It's something I love about being home. 'So, if you're going to survive an apocalypse, zombie or otherwise, you better make sure you can get a TXT out. Tried and tested, One NZ Satellite has got your back - even in the middle of nowhere. And trust me, when the dead start walking, you want a lifeline.' While a zombie apocalypse might seem far-fetched, unfortunately, there are plenty of common disasters that Kiwi face and need to be prepared for in the future. One NZ CEO Jason Paris says that the business elevated efforts to enable a Satellite network in New Zealand following Cyclone Gabriel, which left many New Zealanders impacted and without connection. 'Cyclone Gabrielle was the deadliest weather event New Zealand had experienced in 55 years,' he says. 'I heard how scary it was not being able to tell anyone you needed help or to know that the people you cared about were safe. It was important to us to deliver a resilient solution to help New Zealanders be safer and more connected to each other. 'This is about giving Kiwi peace of mind with a reliable lifeline, no matter what the world throws at them.' Satellite TXT services have already been used globally in times of disaster, including during the Los Angeles fires earlier this year. In the case of another local disaster event impacting traditional cell tower communication, One NZ will provide its satellite service to all One NZ customers who have a 4G VoLTE roaming capable phone, no matter their plan. 'If Cyclone Gabrielle was to happen again today, New Zealanders can rest assured that One NZ Satellite would remain operational, and we are working to provide its benefit to as many Kiwi as possible in times of crisis, regardless of if they are a customer or not,' continues Jason. 'Our aim is to enable emergency alert messages to be sent to Kiwi with an eligible phone when they are outside of cell-tower coverage, no matter who their mobile network provider is. This will greatly extend the reach of these invaluable alerts, helping to keep Kiwi safer.' 'Outside of disaster and crisis, we also see a whole range of additional exciting applications, including sectors with workers that find themselves in the middle of nowhere, like agriculture, transportation and conservation,' he concludes. For more information about One NZ Satellite, please visit: To view and download assets including Cliff Curtis' endorsement film, click here Contact InformationJessica Walker Senior PR Manager 021 0236 0040 Related Video SOURCE: One NZ press release
