On Tuesday, a few of our team members joined more than 600 others from the Canterbury tech community for this year’s Canterbury Tech Summit. The theme “Thriving together through exponential change” set the tone for a day full of ideas, conversations and challenges to our usual ways of thinking.  

The programme covered a wide mix of topics, from AI and project management to cyber-security, neurodiversity and high-performance. It was a chance to get curious, learn something new and connect with others in our industry.  We caught up with Mudassar Shahzad, Network Technical Lead, and Dawn Munro, Head of Marketing and Engagement who were there on the day, to hear what stood out and what they took away from the experience.

One of the standout moments for both Dawn and Mudassar was Mark Pesce’s keynote. He spoke about how AI is pushing us to become better humans by forcing us to focus on the things machines can’t do, like empathy, humour and storytelling. He even predicted that by 2050, we might only be working two days a week, with AI taking care of most manual tasks. A bold call, but one that sparked plenty of conversation

The day wasn’t just about tech, it was also about people. There was a strong focus on the human side of innovation, and the community vibe was clear throughout. From reconnecting with familiar faces to meeting new ones, the networking was just as valuable as the sessions themselves. And yes, there was even a robotic dog.

Speakers covered a wide range of topics, including project management, AI, cyber-security, neurodiversity and high-performance. John McPherson’s talk on the rise of cybercrime was a timely reminder of the risks we face and the importance of staying ahead through awareness and collaboration. Mark Rocket and Mark Leadbetter also shared some great insights on aerospace innovation and how AI can support, rather than replace, human creativity.

All up, it was a day that reminded us how fast things are moving, and how important it is to keep learning, stay connected and focus on what makes us human.

We’re proud to be connected with Canterbury Tech through our ongoing partnership, which helps support events like this and keeps us plugged into the wider tech community in Ōtautahi. If you’re keen to get involved, Canterbury Tech runs regular events, including their Tech Tuesday series, which is a great way to hear from local speakers and stay across what’s happening in the sector. 

You can check out what’s coming up here: canterburytech.nz/events