As an initiative supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), TAIAO is committed to promoting and facilitating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in New Zealand's environmental sector.
In this newsletter, we wrap up and celebrate the many achievements this year in the AI and data science space by the TAIAO team.
TAIAO Wrapped
From launching a new website to showcasing our expertise at conferences and launching an AI Research Network, our team has made a significant impact this year. Some notable successes include:
launching a new website
hosting another successful AI Hackathon
presenting and facilitating workshops at major conferences and networking events
supporting DelphiQ as winners of the World Bank Climate Risk Challenge
releasing new datasets, tutorials, and software on the TAIAO website for our community
further developments on tools like CAPYmoa and the flood protection tool
traveling to Europe as part of a delegation to host Bridging Horizons
launching a new international TAIAO research network – the TAIAO AI Research Network
launching the new and easy to use AI tool https://weka.ai/, and
launching learning courses around AI for environmental science on https://www.aieducation.nz/.
These are just some of the incredible achievements our team has delivered this year, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed and helped to bring them to life.
What's coming up in 2026?
Association for the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) 2026
In the new year you can expect some exciting new things from the TAIAO team, starting with a workshop at the Association for the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) 2026 conference in Singapore. This workshop will explore how artificial intelligence can help address environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion and will be held on January 26 and 27, 2026.
A reminder for any interested AI researchers, the workshop program has been announced. A best paper award will be announced during the workshop.
To find out more visit: https://sites.google.com/view/ai4es/home
TAIAO AI Research Network
We’re focused on further developing the TAIAO AI Research Network which has been recently set up to foster enduring partnerships between AI researched based in New Zealand and in Europe to advance data-driven sustainability, agricultural innovation, and environmental monitoring.
We’ll have more to share with you on this in the new year.
TAIAO courses on AI Education NZ
This year, we worked alongside the AI Forum New Zealand and the Artificial Intelligence Institute to launch the AI Education NZ platform, offering free courses in AI.
Available courses include Quantum Machine Learning: A New Way to learn from Data, Implementing AI : Risks and Ethics, and Agentic Ai in 5 minutes.
We’ll continue to share more courses in the new year including:
A 60-minues course in Quantum Computing AI by Léa Casse, a student at the University of Waikato whose PHD research into AI is funded by TAIAO.
Māori Data Sovereignty hosted by Prof. Te Taka Keegan which will highlight how Maori rights, values and tikanga guide the governance, use and protection of data in the age of AI.
Take a look at https://www.aieducation.nz/ for more information.
Have a safe holiday, and we will see you next year!
This is our final update for the year, and we would like to wish you a Meri Kirihimete and a happy New Year.
You’ll hear from us again in early 2026 after a welcome break for our project team members and their families.
Ngā mihi,
The TAIAO team.
