The inaugural Corporate Affairs Circle was launched by the Trans-Tasman Business Circle in collaboration with Pead, bringing together in-house corporate affairs professionals from across New Zealand. The first virtual briefing focused on “Influencing AI – What Comms Leaders Need to Know”, examining the growing influence of AI search and generative platforms on corporate reputation, stakeholder perception and organisational visibility.

Featuring Jack Wheeler, Partner at Pead and GEO/AEO specialist, the session explored how platforms such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini were increasingly shaping how people researched and formed opinions about businesses. The discussion highlighted the implications for corporate affairs leaders and the need to understand how AI systems represented organisations, influenced reputation and affected online relevance.

The session provided practical insights into how communications teams could adapt their strategies, strengthen organisational visibility and ensure accurate representation in an increasingly AI-driven information environment, setting the foundation for the Corporate Affairs Circle’s ongoing programme of expert briefings and peer learning.