15-07-2025
AI leaders urge ethics, data & trust to unlock value
As organisations across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) mark AI Appreciation Day, industry leaders are reflecting on the extraordinary progress of artificial intelligence, as well as the pressing challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead. While AI promises transformative benefits for business, security, and society, these experts stress that its success hinges on the quality of data, robust governance, and an unwavering prioritisation of ethics and human empowerment.
Wade Weirman, Principal Data Lead at Rackspace Technology ANZ, underscores that the real engine behind artificial intelligence is not the algorithms or technologies themselves, but the data that feeds them. "AI only works when data is trusted, accessible, and embedded across the organisation," Weirman says. He warns that without strong data leadership, AI deployments risk misfiring or even generating biased results that could erode public trust. "Getting this right isn't optional; it's essential for long-term scalability and societal trust."
For David Lloyd, Chief AI Officer at Dayforce, the spotlight is now on HR teams to steer their organisations through the current wave of AI-driven change. Lloyd believes HR has a unique opportunity to lead business transformation, emphasising the adoption of AI agents that automate complex, high-volume tasks and foster a more adaptable workforce. "HR can become the driving force behind ethical and trustworthy AI adoption, shaping how organisations align technology with values."
From a technology infrastructure perspective, Justin Hurst, Chief Technology Officer APAC at Extreme Networks, advises businesses to approach AI with careful planning rather than hasty adoption. Hurst suggests that teams should be given room to experiment and learn, while training in data literacy and network automation must become strategic priorities. "The future of network engineering is not about replacing people with AI, but about enabling them to work smarter and more strategically," he notes.
The environmental impact of AI is also under scrutiny. Simon Wistow, Co-Founder of Fastly, points to the growing significance of energy efficiency in AI development. With nearly half of respondents in Fastly's recent survey indicating a preference for energy-efficient AI models if costs were tied to consumption, Wistow calls for transparency and optimisation of infrastructure. "We all need to start thinking about AI and the internet as something physical - because it is. It uses real resources, generates emissions, and has real-world consequences," he observes.
Matthew Hardman, APAC Chief Technology Officer at Hitachi Vantara, reinforces the importance of enterprise-wide data governance and infrastructure. His company's survey found that 43% of successful AI projects in Australia attributed their success to strong governance and project management, with 35% highlighting high-quality data. "By addressing these challenges and responding to increased scrutiny from boards and regulators, businesses can unlock AI's transformative potential," Hardman says.
Cybersecurity emerges as both a risk and opportunity in today's AI landscape. Les Williamson, Regional Director ANZ at Check Point Software Technologies, points to a recent surge in AI-powered cyberattacks and urges organisations to embed security measures from the design stage. "A well-governed AI can revolutionise cyber security, streamline auditing processes, and ensure regulatory compliance across industries," he says.
Patrick Harding, Chief Product Architect at Ping Identity, and Gareth Cox of Exabeam both highlight the evolving nature of identity management in an AI-driven world - a landscape complicated by autonomous agents and deepfake technologies. Harding stresses, "Building and maintaining trust in every digital interaction is more essential than ever," urging organisations to rethink traditional security and identity models.
On the workforce front, Shaun Leisegang of Tecala and Pieter Danhieux of Secure Code Warrior see AI as an enabler rather than a replacement, shifting the focus from automation to human augmentation. "AI is not a replacement for human potential, but rather a partner in unlocking it," says Leisegang. Danhieux echoes this sentiment, emphasising the necessity for human expertise in navigating AI's vulnerabilities and maximising its productivity gains.
Across industries, the message is clear: to unlock the vast opportunities presented by AI, organisations in Australia and New Zealand must balance rapid innovation with responsibility, sustainability, and a relentless focus on both data quality and human talent. As companies integrate AI deeper into their operations, leadership, governance, and transparency will be key to realising not just smarter machines, but smarter organisations able to thrive in an increasingly AI-powered world.
