mar 26, 2018  -  Road Safety Week 2018 takes place 7-13 May and employers, especially those with staff who drive for work, are urged to register to take part and raise awareness of road safety issues.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will have an extreme impact on New Zealand’s agriculture and health sectors in the next decade. That’s according to a white paper launched today by New Zealand’s innovation agency, Callaghan Innovation, which involved leaders in AI, including technical experts and business innovators. Released ahead of AI Day on 28 March, the white paper predicts how AI will affect our agriculture, digital, energy and health sectors within the next few years. It details how different AI technologies will disrupt each sector in waves and showcases local examples of AI-powered businesses. Callaghan Innovation Chief Executive, Vic Crone, says that while there are outstanding Kiwi innovators using AI in these sectors, many businesses leaders are yet to embrace the incredible opportunities it presents and risk falling behind. “Artificial intelligence is not just a technology for tech companies. In New Zealand and around the world, businesses across diverse industries are using it in a host of ways to create serious competitive advantages,” says Ms Crone. “In agriculture AI is driving automated harvesting and milking, smart monitoring of plants and stock health, as well as more precise forecasting of crop and dairy yields. In the health sector we have a huge opportunity to lead the way in improving access to healthcare with AI powered self-diagnosis tools, such as smartphone apps. AI systems are also sifting through oceans of data to predict health issues in advance and with more precision than we ever imagined.” Forrester Research predicts that by 2020, businesses driven by AI insights, big data and the Internet of Things will “steal” $US 1.2 trillion a year from competitors who don’t embrace the opportunities. Jonathan Miller, Callaghan Innovation’s National Technology Manager and the white paper’s co-ordinator, says the risks and opportunities of AI ride on the ability of Kiwi firms to engage with the technology. “Kiwi businesses can absolutely thrive in a world where everyone is waking up to the potential of AI. To be successful, it’s important they understand the different types of AI technologies and how to apply them to create real value in their specific situation and environment,” says Mr Miller. “We hope this paper motivates more firms to find out how AI can solve their problems and create new opportunities, new enterprises, and even new sectors. Our AI experts and business advisors at Callaghan Innovation are happy to help with advice, connections, technical services, and R&D co-funding.” Callaghan Innovation's AI white paper aims to stimulate discussion ahead of AI Day and the release of a national report by the AI Forum New Zealand. Visit our website for more information about Callaghan Innovation’s services or have a look at the white paper here.

| A CallaghanInnovation release  ||  March26, 2018   |||

Mar 26, 2018  -   Chorus has today announced that it will commence a proof of concept trial using its fibre network to provide a direct broadcasting service to consumers’ homes.

Mar 26, 2018  - The NZ Transport Agency says 25 vehicles were escorted by police along a private forestry track this morning to bypass the washout that’s closed State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia.

Mar 26, 2018  -  Finance Minister Grant Robertson and incoming Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr today signed a new Policy Targets Agreement (PTA) setting out specific targets for maintaining price stability and a requirement for employment outcomes to be considered in the conduct of monetary policy.

Mar 23, 2018  -  The BusinessNZ Planning Forecast for the March 2018 quarter shows the New Zealand economy continuing to perform at a satisfactory level, assisted by continued improvement in the global economic outlook.

Mar 23, 2018  -  Christchurch-based Tait Communications has won a contract worth $30 million over several years to replace the British capital city’s bus radio communications system with a new digital mobile radio system aimed at preparing it for the future.

Mar 23, 2018  -  Lyttelton Port has offered the striking Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) members what they say they want - the same deal as offered to the other major Union at the Port (MUNZ).

Mar 23, 2018   -  An interview with university academic Atif Mian was published today in the Reserve Bank Bulletin.  Professor Mian was interviewed by Reserve Bank economists Özer Karagedikli and Anella Munro during a visit to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in December 2017. In the wide-ranging interview, Prof. Mian discusses why he entered economics, the effects of the Global Financial Crisis, why he does not consider the world has recovered from it, and the legacy and work of John Maynard Keynes. Prof. Mian is the John H. Laporte Jr. Class of 1967 Professor of Economics, Public Policy and Finance, and Director of the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy and Finance at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, at Princeton University. His work has included analysis of the Global Financial Crisis and its aftermath. Read the Bulletin article: An interview with Atif Mian, Princeton University

| A RBNZ release  ||  March 23, 2018   |||

Mar 23, 2018  -  Robotics Plus has secured investment from Yamaha Motor's venture investment arm to help accelerate the robot maker's expansion plans and give it a partner with a global footprint and deep knowledge of manufacturing.