As US tech companies double down on artificial intelligence, pouring billions into new data centres and offering eye-watering compensation packages to secure the best talent, a different path is emerging for New Zealand.

Catalyst Cloud co-founder Don Christie returned to The Business of Tech podcast this week to lay out his vision for sovereign AI, one where open source models and local infrastructure pave the way for the country’s digital future.

While Christie welcomes the recent government effort to devise a national artificial intelligence strategy, he was clear-eyed about its limitations. 

“My take is that the government is making a start... I thought it was quite generic in its application,” he says, noting that while the strategy offers guidance for small businesses dipping their toes in AI, it stops short of investing in the infrastructure or innovation needed for real autonomy.

Christie is adamant that New Zealand can, and must, chart its own course by leveraging open source AI. Catalyst Cloud runs on the OpenStack cloud platform and has worked with the likes of Te Hiku Media to apply large language models in the cloud to New Zealand-specific applications.

“The technologies are there. You don’t have to build it from scratch. We’ve done this with Linux. We’ve done this with OpenStack in the cloud space. And as open source models begin to mature... the opportunities to build self-determination within New Zealand will explode,” he said.

Listen to episode 111 of The Business of Tech in full, powered by 2degrees Business, streaming on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

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