Google is trying everything to sell AI to sceptics

(Image: Getty)

Sat, 23 Aug 2025

By Dave LeeIf you’re a tech company not called Apple Inc., getting regular people to pay attention to your smartphone launch is a challenge. Your executives, who simply must be involved, are stuffy, wooden and, more often than not, white and old. Even worse, they’re not famous.So what do you do? If you’re Google, the answer apparently is: everything. On Wednesday, to promote its new range of AI-enhanced Pixel devices, the Alphabet Inc. unit surely broke the record for celebrity and influencer endorsements packed into...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On The Money: CSI Hawkesby, Mainland, and more ...

Fonterra dumps Mainland, an AI Gareth Morgan and Mark Lister, plus CSI: RBNZ.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

World

End of a green delusion

Flummoxed as always, environmentalists may yet get a carbon tax thanks to Trump.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

Opinion

Eden Bradfield: The problem with independent directors

Has the NZSA lost its way?

Eden Bradfield 5:00am

Sponsored

The smarter way to invest in infrastructure

The global infrastructure ETF listed right here on NZX.

Blackrock, Smart Invest

Sponsored

How three bold campaigns turned creative risk into ROI

“Brand and performance aren’t opposites – they’re teammates. When they work together, you get compound growth.”

YoungShand

More Technology

Finance

FNZ employee shareholders case gets first NZ airing

Court case gets cross-jurisdictional.

Victoria Young 22 Aug 2025

News in Brief

ComCom recommends rural copper network deregulation

The Commerce Commission has recommended the deregulation of the rural copper network in New Zealand.Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson said that advancements in technology have made copper regulation unnecessary for promoting competition.He noted that many rural c...

BD AI 21 Aug 2025