Why is there a stall between GenAI proof of concepts (POCs) and production?

Chapters

Introduction to Generative AI Challenges

05:59 Understanding POCs, Pilots and Production

09:10 The Reality Check: From POC to Production

11:12 Readiness and Organisational Approach to Generative AI

14:30 Technical Challenges

17:00 Understanding GenAI Implementation Challenges

17:44 Data Quality and Change Management

19:46 Outcome-Driven AI Strategies

27:00 Accountability in AI Usage

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

 In this episode, we’ll be discussing how to ensure your organisation’s sensitive data remains secure and confidential with Microsoft Purview.

We'll cover:

• Why data protection has become critical with Copilot 
• What data sensitivity labelling is and how it works in Microsoft Purview 
• What’s driving organisations to start data classification (Copilot, compliance, governance) 
• What foundations are needed before implementing Purview (planning, policies, data understanding) 
• Key learnings from going live (encryption, internal vs external sharing, label clarity) 
• User-led vs auto-labelling approaches 
• Challenges with PDFs and document handling 
• Minimising user disruption and behaviour change 
• Designing labels for different business areas without over-complexity 
• Importance of UAT, pilot groups, and testing before rollout 
• Managing third-party systems and document templates 
• Co-authoring requirements for labelled documents 
• Controlling who can change or downgrade labels 
• Role of training, communication, and change management 
• What comes next: using DLP to enforce protection and control Copilot access 

Panellists

Gregg Taylor – Lead Consultant, Data and Insights

Liz Knight - Head of Cyber Security/Moderator

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Data Protection and Microsoft Purview
• 00:51 Understanding Data Sensitivity Labelling
• 04:06 Drivers for Data Classification and Compliance
• 05:57 Foundational Requirements for Data Protection
• 07:33 Lessons Learned from Implementing Sensitivity Labelling
• 10:29 Challenges with PDF and Document Management
• 13:42 Configuration and User Training for Labels
• 20:36 Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Its Importance

In this two-part series, we’re diving into emerging tech trends and their potential impact as we look ahead to 2026. The topics we explore are based on insights from a series of executive events we recently hosted with our customers.

Using a simple web app, we asked attendees to ‘swipe right’ if a tech trend would be relevant to their business in the next 12 months—or ‘swipe left’ if it wouldn’t. The result? A real-time snapshot of what business and tech leaders are prioritising for the near future.

In Part 2, we cover:

• Human-machine Synergy & Immersive experiences  
• AI everywhere  
• Responsible AI & AI trust  
• Workforce and skill evolution 

Presented by Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security at Theta, with guests Andrew Taylor, Head of Product & Innovation, and Jeff Wogen, Head of Digital.

If you missed Part 1, go back and give it a listen and catch up on all the tech trends we covered.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tech Trends for 2026 Part 2

01:06 Human-Machine Synergy and Immersive Experiences

05:42 AI everywhere 

07.15 Responsible AI &AI trust  

09.44 Workforce and skill evolution 

Resource links:

• Meta AI glasses | Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta & Display glasses | Meta Store
• New brain-computer interface allows man with ALS to ‘speak’ again
• How people are using ChatGPT | OpenAI
• What Is AI Governance? - Palo Alto Networks
• Vibe coding - Wikipedia
• Future of Jobs Report 2025: The jobs of the future – and the skills you need to get them | World Economic Forum
• The substantial role of companies in upskilling | McKinsey
• Microsoft to cut up to 9,000 jobs as it invests in AI
• From PhD dropout to US$250m deal: Meet the 24-year-old AI whiz kid | Stuff

In this two-part series, we’re diving into emerging tech trends and their potential impact as we look ahead to 2026. The topics we explore are based on insights from a series of executive events we recently hosted with our customers.

Using a simple web app, we asked attendees to ‘swipe right’ if a tech trend would be relevant to their business in the next 12 months—or ‘swipe left’ if it wouldn’t. The result? A real-time snapshot of what business and tech leaders are prioritising for the near future.

In Part 1, we cover:

• Evolving Computing Paradigms
• Preparing for the Quantum Era
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• Next-Generation Cyber Security

Presented by Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security at Theta, with guests Andrew Taylor, Head of Product & Innovation, and Jeff Wogen, Head of Digital.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon!

Resource links:

• Engineer turns disposable vape pen into a working web server
• One NZ’s Satellite TXT rockets to 2m milestone
• World Nuclear Association Welcomes Microsoft Corporation as Newest Member - World Nuclear Association
• Quantum Readiness Importance: A Comprehensive Guide | CSA
• Harvest now, decrypt later - Wikipedia
• Gemini Robotics 1.5 brings AI agents into the physical world - Google DeepMind
• Using generative AI to diversify virtual training grounds for robots | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Amazon deploys over 1 million robots and launches new AI foundation model
• Douglas Pharmaceuticals Installs New Zealand’s First AutoStore: 30% More Storage in 10% of the Space
• AI-powered drones track down fires in German forests
• How a North Korean Fake IT Worker Tried to Infiltrate Us
• Charlotte AI: Agentic Analyst for Cybersecurity

In today's episode, we explore FAQs around Microsoft's Azure NZ North Data Centre. The panel discusses the adoption of cloud services, data sovereignty vs data residency, environmental sustainability, government certification and the benefits of a local data centre for New Zealand organisations. They also address common myths about migrating to Azure NZ North and the importance of feasibility assessments for those looking to migrate.

Ron Chan, a prolific bug bounty hunter, was featured in Forbes as one of the elite few to surpass $1 million in rewards from ethical hacking programs. Throughout his career, he's made high-impact submissions to platforms such as Uber, GitLab, Yahoo, Google, PayPal and Spotify. Fast forward to 2025, Ron uses his exceptional skill set to help New Zealand organisations identify and address security vulnerabilities - now serving as Principal Consultant at Nova Security. In today's episode, we discuss the landscape of penetration testing and bug bounty programmes - and how the "builders" (product teams and technology creators) can work effectively with the "breakers" (penetration testers and ethical hackers like Ron) to create more secure digital solutions. 

Our panel pulls back the curtain on the evolving landscape of mobile applications. They dive into the role these apps play in our daily lives, what drives businesses to invest in them and the real-world challenges behind development - from fragmentation and maintenance to long-term sustainability. The conversation also explores future trends, including the rise of GenAI and the continued importance of user feedback in shaping app success.

Panellists

Mobile apps experts:

Philip Fourie - Practice Lead, Digital

Meg Hope - Senior Consultant, Digital

Hamish Norton - Lead Consultant, Digital

Moderator:

Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security

Welcome back! Today we're talking about vishing, deepfakes and some of the newest Anthropic research. Plus, we welcome new panellist, Jim Taylor - Emerging Technologies Architect at Theta.

Welcome back!

In today's virtual panel discussion, we're talking about the topic du jour - DeepSeek. Plus, we chat about the carrot & stick approach with GenAI tools and whether we're seeing any real efficiency and productivity gains within businesses.

• Recent AI projects in the news that have caught our attention. From Alaska Airlines' AI-powered travel agent to Google's Big Sleep team discovering a critical zero-day vulnerability using AI for the first time.
• Jumping feet first or small bites - what's happening out there?
• Security concerns and Microsoft's new tool to monitor GenAI use across your organisation.
• The mounting pressure on leaders to roll out GenAI.
• Our experience at Theta & how we're managing the rollout of GenAI, including the 'grunt work' as well as more exciting endeavours like Theta AI Assist, our private ChatGPT