Techweek TV: Māori and the future of AI - brought to you by Callaghan Innovation

Speakers

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Karaitiana Taiuru

Doctoral Researcher/ STEAM and Property Rights Māori Cultural Adviser

A technologist and Māori cultural advisor for the past 25 years, Karaitiana advocates for Māori rights and representation, particularly around the publication and sharing of Māori data. Karaitiana has a wide range of experience in protecting digital Māori rights and representation, supporting the revitalisation of te reo Māori through technology, addressing online cultural appropriation and Mātauranga Māori. His most recent publication, Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti and Māori Ethics Guidelines for: AI, Algorithms, Data and IOT, is the first-ever published set of guidelines on indigenous perspectives for artificial intelligence (AI) and data.

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Aroha Armstrong

Group Manager Māori Economy, Callaghan Innovation

In her role at Callaghan Innovation, Aroha works alongside Māori businesses to identify opportunities and barriers to growth, and to connect these businesses with relevant Callaghan Innovation support options, including around partnerships, technological support and funding, such as R&D grants.
Working to connect, collaborate, and bring cultural diversity to a fragmented science and innovation ecosystem is a challenge, and an opportunity for Aotearoa.
Aroha has a solid background in creating and developing profitable and reputable businesses, such as Too Luscious, Playtopia Playland and Café Ltd. Her lifelong passion is supporting the development of Māori businesses and inspiring future generations through technology and innovation.

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Kirikowhai Mikaere

Founder, Te Wehi

Kirikowhai Mikaere is the founder of Te Wehi and is a leading Māori data and information specialist. Kirikowhai harnesses data to empower iwi, hapū, whānau and community development. Kirikowhai has more than 15 years’ experience using statistical analysis and innovative data solutions to advise ministers, government agencies, and tribal, community and private sector organisations. With a bi-cultural education and upbringing, intensive technical training, and hands-on experience in diverse communities, she brings a unique perspective to development opportunities. Kirikowhai is a technical advisor to the Iwi (Tribal) Chairs Forum - Data Leadership Group, a future director of the state sector on the Te Mangai Paho board and deputy chair of the Māori hauora provider, Manaaki Ora Trust.

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Keoni Mahelona

Chief Technology Officer

Keoni (Kanaka Māoli) is the chief technology officer at Te Hiku Media and a leading practitioner of indigenous data sovereignty. Originally from Anahola on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi, Keoni has been living and working in Te Hiku o Te Ika for 10 years, having first arrived in Aotearoa as a Fulbright Scholar. He’s a driving force behind digital innovation projects that seek to secure the future of te reo Māori and other indigenous languages. Keoni works tirelessly to protect the sovereignty of Māori data, from developing digital tools, to working on secure storage and sharing of data.

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Wairere Iti,

Director and Founder, Akudos

Wairere Eruera Iti has more than 30 years' experience in the entertainment industry and is known for his technical problem solving. Wairere, of Ngāi Tūhoe, Tainui & Te Arawa descent, balances strategic and creative thinking and works closely with media and key players in the entertainment and tech industries. He’s the director and founder of Akudos, a cloud-based awards management system that’s been used to help manage major events, including the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, Vodafone NZ Music Awards and the Huawei Mate20 NZ TV Awards. His software solution is also used to manage grants and scholarship applications, and for business incubation. Wairere also managed post-production tech for a number of years at Unitech’s Film and Television department. A key focus for Wairere is supporting a move away from ad-hoc management processes, to interconnected platforms and systems.

Teresa Pollard

Acting Head of Nothern region Datacom

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