Workshops aim to close NZ’s AI skills gap and boost productivity – no tech skills required.

Thousands of New Zealanders are being offered free AI courses this month to close the skills gap and boost productivity. 

From CEOs to tradies, anyone can take part.

“This is about making AI accessible,” said Leif Pedersen, Cloud & AI Product Manager at Lumify Work. “We want New Zealanders to feel confident using AI, not intimidated by it. That’s why we’re making the training free and easy to access.”

As an AWS New Zealand Region Launch Partner, Lumify Work is delivering the blitz of free online Generative AI workshops – a push to upskill 10,000 Kiwis in just three weeks. The training provider, formerly known as Auldhouse, has been a long-time name in tech education.

Generative AI refers to tools such as ChatGPT that can create text, images or video in response to simple prompts.

The blitz coincides with the launch of the AWS New Zealand Region, a $7.5b investment expected to create 1000 jobs and add billions to GDP over the next 15 years. It is New Zealand’s first AWS data centre network, designed to keep data onshore and speed up cloud services.

The new infrastructure lands at a time when most New Zealanders have had little or no exposure to AI.

Beth Carré, an Auckland hospitality professional, said she’s signing up. “I spend a lot of time on admin tasks like rosters and emails. If AI can help me do that faster, I get more time with staff and customers. I’ve been curious for a while but never had training. If it’s free, I’ll give it a go.”

In just three hours, participants will get a clear overview of how AI works, what it means in their day-to-day, and how to use it responsibly. “Hopefully people will walk away energised and enthusiastic, not scared at all of AI but open to adopting it going forward,” Pedersen said.

KPMG research shows only 41% of Kiwi workers use the technology at work, compared with 91% in India. Three-quarters have had no formal learning and 60% lack confidence.

“Kiwis are among the least confident in the world when it comes to AI,” said Pedersen. “We want to change that by showing people how simple it can be.”

What’s more, the AI Forum of New Zealand has reported that 93% of local businesses already see AI making their workers more efficient.

Pedersen says many people still picture AI as something out of a movie. “AI is incredibly powerful and can make our lives easier. What it isn’t is what Hollywood paints it as. It’s not a Terminator movie. It’s a tool we can embrace and use to better our lives.”

“AI is not going to take your job, but potentially someone that knows AI will,” he added. “So, to position yourself for the future, you really do need to know AI in a professional sense.”

An AWS survey of NZ employers found 63% of New Zealand businesses now prioritise AI skills in hiring, but 70% say they can’t find the talent. Employers report paying up to 30% more for AI-skilled staff, with productivity gains of nearly 50%.

There is also a pathway beyond the free workshops. “Once you’ve got that initial workshop under your belt, the next step is the six-week AWS CloudUp - AI Practioner Program

It’s a blended course, part digital content, part online instructor-led sessions, leading to AWS’s Certified AI Practitioner exam.

“The first 250 seats are $49, then $99 after that, with an exam voucher included. Normally these courses cost around $1000 for a one-day event, so it’s a really attractive offer. If we can get even 5% of 10,000 participants carrying on, that would be fantastic.”

The free workshops will run nine times over the three-week window, delivered by award-winning local trainers. They’re available nationwide and open to individuals, teams or organisations.

There are also 45-minute inspirational speaker sessions featuring guests from the AWS Hāpori Wahine and Dream House communities, sharing stories of career change, resilience and innovation in tech. 

“Be AI-curious,” said Pedersen. “Don’t be afraid of it. Embrace it, understand it, and take the first step.”

Registrations close September 21. Register here.