How can Aotearoa New Zealand translate global AI principles into meaningful, locally relevant action?
This was the central question explored during the AI Researchers Association's recent webinar launching its discussion paper, Applying OECD AI Principles and Recommendations in Aotearoa New Zealand: Implications from a Research Perspective.
Held on 21 October 2026, the webinar brought together the paper's authors, Dr Alvaro Orsi, Professor Gill Dobbie (University of Auckland) and Professor Albert Bifet (University of Waikato), to discuss the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities associated with developing and deploying trustworthy AI in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The discussion explored how researchers, policymakers and organisations can move beyond statements of good intentions to implement responsible AI practices that deliver meaningful benefits for people, communities and the environment.
Moving Beyond Principles to Practice
The OECD AI Principles provide an internationally recognised framework for trustworthy AI, covering inclusive growth and sustainability, fairness, transparency, robustness, safety and accountability.
However, as Dr Orsi highlighted, these principles need to be interpreted within Aotearoa New Zealand's unique context, including Te Tiriti obligations, Māori data sovereignty, cultural considerations and locally relevant approaches to fairness.
Professor Dobbie emphasised the importance of moving beyond compliance checklists towards continuous evaluation, monitoring and assurance. Responsible AI requires evidence that systems perform as intended, recognition of their limitations and clear accountability when problems arise.
AI Sovereignty and the Importance of Local Control
A key theme was the challenge of maintaining sovereignty when organisations increasingly rely on AI models and infrastructure developed overseas.
Professor Bifet discussed opportunities for smaller, specialised AI models and locally deployed systems that offer greater control over data, privacy and environmental impacts.
Professor Dobbie expanded the discussion beyond data ownership, highlighting that sovereignty also involves authority over how AI systems operate, how their impacts are evaluated and who determines what happens when outcomes are unacceptable.
Both recognised the importance of drawing on international advances while ensuring that Aotearoa New Zealand retains the capability to evaluate and govern AI in ways that reflect local priorities.
The Changing Role of AI Researchers
The panel also considered how rapidly advancing AI capabilities are changing research itself.
While AI can accelerate scientific discovery and automate complex tasks, the speakers emphasised that it does not replace the need for researchers to interpret findings, understand underlying processes and determine their wider significance.
Professor Bifet encouraged Aotearoa New Zealand to focus strategically on areas where its distinctive strengths, data and research capabilities can deliver meaningful outcomes.
Professor Dobbie highlighted the need for larger collaborative research teams, shared capabilities and greater interdisciplinary approaches. She also emphasised the growing importance of ethics, fairness and societal impacts in educating future AI researchers.
Importantly, the discussion reinforced that AI research should be driven by the problems we need to solve and the value we want to create, rather than simply by the technologies available.
Building a Trustworthy AI Future
The audience Q&A explored the role of international standards, including ISO/IEC 42001, in supporting responsible AI governance. The panel agreed that established international frameworks offer a valuable foundation, provided they are appropriately adapted to Aotearoa New Zealand's circumstances.
A recurring message throughout the webinar was that researchers have a critical role not only as developers of AI technology, but also as independent evaluators, advisers and translators who help organisations and communities understand and use AI responsibly.
The key takeaway: Aotearoa New Zealand has an opportunity to build on its research strengths, cultural foundations and collaborative capabilities to shape an AI ecosystem that is trustworthy, locally relevant and internationally impactful.
The AI Researchers Association encourages researchers, industry, government and the wider community to engage with the discussion paper and contribute to the ongoing conversation about responsible AI in Aotearoa New Zealand.