At the Collaborative Aotearoa conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch at the end of March 2026, I spoke about something I’ve been reflecting on for a long time: how we make better decisions about digital and AI in healthcare.

Not long ago while I was on assignment as an interim CIO to a major brand, I attended a routine digital steering group meeting of senior leaders. On the agenda was an item from a well-intentioned colleague who had taken the initiative to explore what AI could offer the organisation. As the presentation unfolded, however, it became clear that enthusiasm had outpaced process in ways that raised serious concerns.

Last week a chap called Matt Shumer, the CEO of OthersideAI wrote a viral post on X that argued that AI progress is accelerating so fast that within 12 to 18 months it will automate much of today’s white-collar (including clinical) work.

In this episode of the CIO Studio podcast, Ray Delany is joined by Mark Laurence, founder of Ten Past Tomorrow and one of New Zealand’s leading voices on generative AI.

The narrative surrounding Artificial Intelligence often feels polarised: a dizzying "back-and-forth tennis rally between hype and disillusionment". On one side, we hear about major tech companies pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into sprawling data centres and chasing "super-intelligence". On the other, we see reports of underwhelming new products and organisations spending $US30-40 billion on generative AI with little to no return.

The potential of AI in healthcare is real: faster triage, earlier diagnoses, better use of stretched resources. But so are the risks. When used without care, AI can embed bias, reduce transparency, or even compromise patient trust. That's why good governance is not a barrier to innovation, it's the foundation of it.

At the TUANZ Tech Summit on 10 September 2025, two keynote speakers, educator Frances Valentine and the Prime Minister's Science Advisor Dr John Roche, delivered what felt less like speeches and more like a national call to arms. Listening to them back-to-back was to experience a one-two punch of exhilarating possibility and sobering reality.

It's a question that often sits just beneath the surface: "Is AI coming for my job?" For clinicians, that fear is understandable. The media often paints AI as a substitute for expertise, an all-knowing machine that might one day replace human decision-making.

Ask any clinician what's eating into their day, and you'll likely get the same answer: admin. Clinical notes. Letters. Repeat forms. Reporting. And unfortunately, the admin often continues at home, after hours. One estimate suggests doctors spend up to 40% of their time documenting care. That's not time spent with patients, or taking a breath between appointments. But that's starting to change.

Mention artificial intelligence in healthcare and most people picture diagnostics, predictive models, or robotic surgery. But here in New Zealand and Australia, the real success stories often begin somewhere much simpler - the back office.

There’s no denying it - AI is exciting. Every week brings a new vendor demo, a breakthrough story, a shiny solution. And for busy healthcare leaders, it’s tempting to leap toward the tool that promises quick wins.

AI is transforming healthcare in New Zealand and Australia. From smarter workflows to improved patient care, see how providers are using AI to get real results—and what to consider before you start.

For medium-sized enterprises, strong IT governance is the antidote to the uniqueness trap.

AI is undoubtedly disrupting business operations and usage will be expanding exponentially. How will your business cope?

Podcasts are the perfect piece of entertainment to have at your fingertips. Here are my suggestions for the top 11 digital tech podcasts.