The GovTech roundtable brought together senior public-sector leaders to discuss the safe and responsible adoption of AI across New Zealand’s public sector. Featuring Paul Littlefair, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Kiwibank, the session explored the shift from AI principles to practical implementation, with a focus on productivity, service outcomes and maintaining public trust.

The discussion examined key challenges including AI governance, risk management, bias, data provenance, assurance, skills and capability uplift. Leaders shared practical perspectives on enabling innovation while meeting the expectations of Ministers, regulators and the public, particularly within complex and highly regulated environments.

Held under Chatham House Rule, the peer-led conversation provided a trusted setting for senior decision-makers to openly exchange experiences, challenges and approaches to building responsible AI capability at scale.