New Zealand's Two-Tiered AI Economy: Leaders Pull Ahead
A two-tiered economy is emerging in New Zealand's AI adoption, according to AWS. While half of businesses are consistently using AI, a small group of leaders with a formal strategy and investment are pulling ahead.
The company's Unlocking New Zealand's AI Potential 2026 report found that only 15% of businesses have a formal AI strategy in place, despite 50% consistently using the technology. This gap is growing, with those who have a strategy twice as likely to move to advanced AI usage and measure its returns.
New Zealand businesses adopting AI reported significant outcomes, including increased revenue (84%), new products or services (32%), and international expansion (27%). However, regulated industries like banking, insurance, and aviation are lagging behind in readiness for transformation.
Skills remain the biggest barrier to AI adoption, with 71% of those surveyed expecting their industry will be transformed over the next five years but only 11% feeling ready. To address this shortage, AWS launched its first AI certification for business leaders.