Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a regular feature in New Zealand workplaces, but most employees are learning to use these tools without formal instruction from their employers, according to a recent study by recruitment firm Cultivate and advisory group NewZealand.AI.
The research, which surveyed 829 white-collar workers in May 2025, found that while optimism about AI is high, the majority of workers have not received company-led training.
The survey revealed that 76% of respondents have a positive outlook on AI’s role in their work, with many citing the technology’s ability to automate repetitive tasks and improve communication and information management.
This optimism has grown over the past year, with 62% of workers reporting a more favourable view of AI compared to 12 months ago.
Despite these attitudes, only 13% of those surveyed said they had participated in employer-provided AI training, and more than half had not received any training.
Nonetheless, 44% are using AI tools at least once a day in their jobs. General-purpose AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are the most commonly used, followed by productivity tools like Copilot and Gemini.
Custom or industry-specific AI solutions are less common, with only 14% of respondents reporting their use, indicating that AI adoption is primarily employee-driven.
AI uptake appears consistent across demographic groups, but certain sectors are leading in integration.
Workers in professional services, ICT, and utilities and energy are more likely to have incorporated AI into their daily routines.
Technology, consulting, and marketing roles report the highest usage rates.
Job displacement directly attributed to AI remains limited, with 10% of respondents observing job losses.
However, 45% expect their team’s headcount to decline within three years, and two-thirds anticipate that some of their current responsibilities will be automated.
Casual and temporary workers are experiencing these changes more acutely, with nearly a quarter expecting their jobs to be fully automated in the near future.
The research also indicated a shift in hiring practices. Forty-two percent of hiring managers have updated their requirements to prioritise AI-related skills, and 60% are willing to offer higher compensation for proven AI capability.
Employers are seeking candidates who not only understand how to use AI but can also evaluate its outputs critically and apply sound judgment.
Responsibility for AI preparedness is now shared between organisations and their staff. While daily AI use is common, one-third of workers use AI less frequently, and 36% believe their organisation is not ready to fully leverage AI’s potential.
Key barriers include limited time, insufficient internal expertise, and a lack of AI advocates within organisations.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), in its May 2025 Financial Stability Report, noted that AI’s growing presence in financial services is prompting changes in risk management.
The central bank pointed to improvements in data analysis, fraud detection, and cybersecurity, but also warned that increased reliance on complex technology and third-party AI providers could introduce new risks.
The RBNZ advised regulated entities to incorporate AI-related risks into their existing frameworks and called for ongoing updates to regulatory policy as technology evolves.
These insights come as businesses in New Zealand and Australia are allocating a significant portion of their technology budgets to generative AI (GenAI) platforms.
A study by Snowflake and the Enterprise Strategy Group found that 32% of firms in the region dedicate more than a quarter of their technology budgets to GenAI, compared to 25% globally.
These organisations report a 44% return on investment from GenAI, slightly higher than the global average.
In the insurance industry, public attitudes toward AI remain cautious. A GlobalData survey including New Zealand respondents found that while AI is recognised for expediting service and improving efficiency, concerns persist regarding data privacy, transparency, and automated decision-making.
