New Zealand has the potential to lead in ethical artificial intelligence (AI) governance, according to Dulani Jayasuriya, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland Business School.

In a recent opinion piece, she argues that while major global players like the United States and China compete for AI dominance, New Zealand is well-positioned to take a different approach—one focused on fairness, transparency, and efficiency.

Jayasuriya highlights New Zealand’s 2024 AI Bill as a crucial step towards responsible AI development.

The bill aims to regulate risks such as bias, misinformation, and job displacement, particularly in industries like healthcare, tourism, and small businesses.

She suggests that by establishing strong AI regulations early, New Zealand could play a role similar to its leadership in environmental policy, influencing global standards for ethical AI use.

In her analysis, Jayasuriya also discusses the rise of China’s DeepSeek, a Hangzhou-based AI company that has disrupted the market with low-cost, high-performing models.

She notes that DeepSeek’s flagship model, DeepSeek-R1, was developed for approximately NZD 10 million—a fraction of the estimated NZD 170 million required to train OpenAI’s GPT-4.

Dulani Jayasuriya, senior lecturer, University of Auckland Business School.

Because DeepSeek’s models are open-source, they offer opportunities for businesses and researchers worldwide to build upon them.

For New Zealand businesses, particularly in agriculture, logistics, and tourism, Jayasuriya sees these affordable AI solutions as an opportunity.

AI-driven chatbots, she suggests, could enhance real-time assistance for tourists, while AI-powered automation in farming could improve crop management tailored to local conditions.

By leveraging DeepSeek’s innovations alongside homegrown expertise, New Zealand could develop AI tools uniquely suited to its needs.

Jayasuriya also addresses concerns about AI’s impact on employment.

Citing a 2023 Goldman Sachs report, she notes that up to 300 million jobs could be affected by AI by 2035.

In Australia, customer service and administrative roles are already being reduced, while new positions—such as AI ethics officers and data curators—are emerging.

She argues that New Zealand’s focus on AI regulation and skills development could help businesses and workers adapt to these changes more effectively.

As AI development accelerates, Jayasuriya concludes that the countries investing in strong governance, infrastructure, and ethical frameworks will shape its future.

She suggests that by prioritising responsible AI adoption, New Zealand could not only benefit its own economy but also influence global AI standards.

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