From Mt Everest to Mordor, the Kiwi number-8 wire spirit demonstrates fearlessness in the face of challenge. Are we bringing this mindset to the most significant people challenge facing businesses today?
With 83% of EMA Members already using AI but confidence plateauing and productivity benefits failing to materialise, it’s time to draw a line in the sand. We recognise that New Zealand’s AI story starts with people – curious, ready, and backed by strategy.
As a leader in your business, you’re critical to the success of AI adoption. But will your people be left behind as AI rolls out regardless of readiness? Leadership's role is to actively prepare your workforce for change by building the skills, confidence, and ways of working needed to adapt to ongoing technological shifts.
That’s why we’re here to light your path as you prepare your workforce to accelerate the impact of AI and technological change.
Workforce 2030 is a strategic response to AI-driven workforce change grounded in the realities of New Zealand business. With only 3.6% of businesses involving HR to lead their AI rollout, it’s clear that senior leaders and HR must engage today’s workforce and set the direction together for a human-centred, continuously evolving workforce.
A people-powered future, now – preparing New Zealand workforces for AI success
You’re invited to join us on 28 July to connect with like-minded leaders and experts to unpack why workforce preparation matters, and where this path leads.
Event Programme
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Introduction – Lisa Dean, EMA Head of Marketing & Transformation
Why we’re leading this conversation now. Setting the scene and raising not just the voice, but the evidence of business. |
The state of AI adoption in business – and why it matters with Deloitte
Experimentation and pilots are widespread, but are Kiwi businesses getting sustainable benefits? With insights from the 2026 New Zealand Human Capital Trends Report, this session includes:
- Addressing the need for confidence in responsible use
- Inconsistencies between governance and workforce capability
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A leadership call to arms – Andrew Nicol, Preductive founder
After interviewing 100 CEOs over 100 coffees, no one is better positioned to speak to the urgency of executive challenges in 2026 – AI, productivity, and leadership. This session includes:
- The cost of inaction – shadow AI, culture erosion, trust gaps and burnout
- Why leadership must lean into the conversation and set the direction
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The people connection – Fiona Hewitt, Unboxable founder
Work is changing, and businesses must think people-first with their AI strategy. This session includes:
- A mindset shift from roles to skills, what human capabilities you’ll need in the future, and how you can sow the seeds now
- How leaders redesign organisations and workforce models accordingly
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Responsibility, risk and governance – Asa Cox, Arcanum AI
AI adoption is inseparable from workforce policy, but leaders need clarity on the governance implications. This session includes:
- The horse has bolted – how to work with appropriate guadrails and governance for your business
- Designing an adoption plan to achieve actual ROI and impact, including a 90-day zero to hero framework
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Expert Speakers
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Andrew Nicol
CEO & Co-founder, Preductive
Through Preductive, Andrew works directly with CEOs and business owners to unlock clarity, establish solid foundations, and run hands-on “agentic sprints” that deliver AI-driven solutions within weeks, not years. He interviewed 100 senior leaders last year to understand their challenges, the rates of adoption and the market. His approach is software-agnostic, practical, and always centred on amplifying people rather than replacing them. |
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Fiona Hewitt
Managing Partner, Unboxable
With decades of senior executive experience leading strategy, transformation, and business growth, Fiona Hewitt has seen firsthand that the real challenge isn't just driving change—it's building the thinking and skills to continuously adapt. She founded Unboxable to help leaders and organisations develop the adaptive edge to anticipate shifts, navigate complexity, and sustain momentum. |
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Asa Cox
CEO & Founder, Arcanum
Asa leads Arcanum with over 15 years in business development and a deep dive into applied AI solutions for the past 7 years. His vision for AI is not just technological advancement but its potential for global betterment. He is passionate about supporting companies to see how AI can drive real business value without requiring technical expertise. |
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