Keynote: Building with AI without losing our values - Lauren Peate | NZ Tech Rally 2026
Lauren Peate reckons we can build brilliant things with AI while keeping our values intact - a timely reminder for a country still working out what responsible tech looks like.
Key takeaway Building with AI doesn't mean building without principles.
Lauren Peate took the stage at NZ Tech Rally 2026 in Wellington to tackle a question that's keeping a lot of Kiwi builders up at night: how do you actually use AI without compromising what matters to you?
Spoken at TĀKINA on 15 May 2026, Peate's keynote zeroed in on the practical challenge facing New Zealand's tech community - moving past the hype and grappling with how to build AI tools that don't just work, but do it in a way that aligns with your values. It's the kind of conversation that matters when you're building for real people, in a real country, with real responsibilities.
For New Zealand's tech sector, still finding its feet in the AI boom, this was a grounding moment: proof that you don't have to choose between innovation and integrity.
“Turns out you can have your AI cake and eat your values too.” — The Veteran Critic, The 6 O’Clock News