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Writer's pictureDerrick Edward

State of AI 2024: A Kiwi's Guide to Business Transformation

At Harnex AI, we've spent the last two years deeply embedded in the AI transformation landscape, and we'll tell you straight - what we're seeing in 2024 is nothing short of revolutionary. As a team that's been hands -on with everything from ChatGPT Enterprise to custom AI implementations, we're seeing patterns that every Kiwi business leader needs to understand.



The AI Landscape: It's Not Just About ChatGPT Anymore


Let's cut through the noise - while everyone's chatting about ChatGPT, the real story is much bigger. We're seeing multimodal AI systems becoming the new normal, with organisations like OpenAI and Anthropic pushing boundaries we didn't think possible two years ago. We're not just talking about text anymore - we're looking at systems that seamlessly handle text, images, audio, and video simultaneously.


Key Insight: The most significant shift we've observed is in open-source AI. While proprietary models still dominate performance-wise, the democratisation of AI through the release of Meta's Llama models and platforms like Hugging Face is changing the game for Kiwi businesses. We're consistently amazed by what the open source community can achieve with these tools.



The Infrastructure Reality Check


Previously the saying goes "If I could time travel, I would have invested in Apple Stocks", now its NVIDIA. Here's something we've learned the hard way - infrastructure matters more than ever. NVIDIA's dominance in the AI chip market isn't just a business story; it's reshaping how we implement AI solutions. The latest quarterly revenue reached $30.0 billion, marking a dramatic 122.4% increase year-over-year.


But here's what excites us: cloud AI services are becoming increasingly accessible. We remember when setting up an AI infrastructure meant massive upfront investments. Now, with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, our partner network is helping businesses implement AI solutions at a fraction of the cost.


The Kiwi Advantage: Our Unique Position



Working with businesses across Aotearoa, we've identified three key opportunities that make us uniquely positioned in the global AI landscape:


  1. Niche Market Leadership

    • Our primary sector is primed for AI transformation

    • Small to medium high tech businesses are incredibly innovative

    • Environmental management solutions using AI are gaining global attention

    • Indigenous knowledge integration creates unique AI applications

  2. Ethical AI Development

    • Our "Trustworthy AI in Aotearoa" guidelines set us apart

    • Focus on transparency aligns with global best practise

    • Strong emphasis on human-centric AI development

  3. Innovation Through Collaboration

    • AI Activator programme is accelerating adoption

    • Cross-industry partnerships are driving innovation

    • Strong focus on practical, results-driven implementations



The Reality of AI Implementation

Let's be straight up about the challenges we're seeing:


  1. Talent Retention

    • We're facing a 2,500+ worker shortage in digital technology

    • Global competition for AI talent is fierce

    • Need for innovative approaches to talent development

  2. Investment Landscape

    • Limited local capital compared to global tech hubs

    • Need for strategic international partnerships

    • Focus on sustainable, long-term funding models



Looking Ahead: What Every Kiwi Business Should Know


Based on our experience implementing AI solutions, here's what you need to focus on:

  1. Start Small, Think Big

    • Begin with well-defined, high-impact projects

    • Focus on measurable business outcomes

    • Build on successes incrementally

  2. Invest in People

    • Up-skill existing teams

    • Foster a culture of AI literacy

    • Balance automation with human expertise

  3. Plan for Scale

    • Design solutions with growth in mind

    • Consider infrastructure requirements early

    • Build with interoperability in mind



The Next Steps


The future of AI in Aotearoa isn't just about technology - it's about how we apply it to solve real problems. We're seeing businesses achieve remarkable results when they approach AI with clear objectives and a focus on practical implementation.


Keen to explore how AI can transform your business? Let's have a chat about your specific challenges and opportunities. The landscape is evolving rapidly, but with the right approach, Kiwi businesses can lead the way in ethical, effective AI implementation.


Remember: Our goal isn't to implement AI for its own sake - it's about solving real business problems and creating sustainable competitive advantages. Let's make that happen together.




Sources & Further Reading


Our analysis draws from leading global research and insights:

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