AI in the public sector: Al Accelerate event, 2025 AI public sector survey results released
12 August 2025
The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) Paul James is hosting AI Accelerate: Ideas to Impact – a forum to inspire and equip the public service to harness artificial intelligence (AI) on 14 August in Wellington.
The event will be held in the Beehive Banquet Hall. The Minister for Digitising Government and the Public Service Judith Collins will be the guest speaker.
“This event will bring together senior leaders, digital experts, and innovators from across the public sector and industry,” says Mr James.
“We intend to empower attendees with the confidence, connections, information and inspiration to adopt AI in their agencies, so they can improve productivity and support New Zealand’s economic growth.”
AI Accelerate will feature panel discussions moderated by senior public service leaders, covering topics such as leadership in the era of AI, AI-driven economic growth and customer experience. Panellists include chief executives, deputy secretaries and digital leaders from agencies such as Accident Compensation Corporation and the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment, alongside industry experts.
“The AI Accelerate event and the other initiatives on the GCDO AI work programme will position New Zealand as a leader in responsible AI adoption, demonstrating effective use of this transformative technology by a small, advanced economy,” says Mr James.
2025 Public Service AI Use Survey
The GCDO has also published the results of the 2025 Public Service AI Use Case Survey on www.digital.govt.nz. The findings show agencies are progressing beyond pilot initiatives, with many now deploying AI tools in day-to-day operations.
The 2025 survey attracted responses from 70 agencies – nearly double last year’s participation – and recorded 272 AI cases, a significant rise from the 108 reported in 2024.
This growth highlights not only greater engagement but also a broader commitment to integrating AI across core public services, from digital operations to communications and policy work, says Mr James.
Fifty-five AI cases are now fully operational and in use, up from 15 in 2024.
Agencies also reported:
- 136 AI cases in the planning and design phase and
- 68 in development.
Barriers identified in previous surveys are being overcome, with technical challenges no longer featuring in the top five. Skills and capability, while still a focus, have progressed as more staff gain experience with AI tools.
“To embrace the opportunity AI offers, it’s important agencies build skills,” says Mr James.
“Learning content created by the Government Chief Digital Office to improve capability is available on the Public Service Commission’s Leadership Development Centre website. I recommend agencies provide training opportunities for staff so they understand how best to use AI technology to be more efficient and deliver better services, while managing risks.”
2025 cross-agency AI survey: highlights | Digital.govt.nz
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