I can’t help but notice that artificial intelligence (“AI”) appears to be increasingly prevalent in our lives every day, both in discussion and in terms of who is using it and how.

AI is here to stay and will disrupt nearly every business and sector in some way or form.

As such, I have taken a look at how AI may affect the key economic sectors of Central Otago to better understand what it may mean for our local economy.

I have found that AI is expected to significantly impact all the key sectors of Central Otago, including agriculture, tourism, viticulture, horticulture, local government, and healthcare. And more interestingly, the impact appears to be positive for each of those sectors, notably:

• Agriculture: AI is expected to revolutionise farming practices over time with enhanced precision agriculture, optimising irrigation, and improving crop management to increase efficiencies and yields.
• Horticulture: AI is expected to enable better forecasting within the sector, and new innovative technologies are expected to improve packhouse automation alongside picking and transport processes.
• Tourism: AI is expected to enhance visitor experience through personalised recommendations and improved business operations.
• Viticulture: The industry will benefit from improved vineyard management resulting in better wine production, and enhanced market management.
• Local government: AI will be adopted for work-related efficiency purposes, which should streamline administrative processes and improve public services.
• Healthcare: AI applications in healthcare could improve patient care and operational efficiencies within the region's medical facilities, and may even expand access to services remotely that are currently not provided in Central Otago.

At a high level, there appear to be numerous positives associated with AI with regards to how it may revolutionise the key economic sectors of Central Otago.

While we are still learning how AI will be used and applied, it appears that overall it will have a positive impact that should continue to improve the economic prosperity of Central Otago over time.

There are, of course, ethical considerations to be addressed accordingly over time in terms of the use of AI in some ways and forms, including ensuring the information we source using AI is factually correct.

However, regulation from central governments over time should look to address this in the western world economies over time.

As a business owner, the one thing that we can’t do is ignore it.

AI is here to stay, so my advice is to continue to monitor what useful innovative products arise over time with a view to implementing them in your business to generate efficiencies and enhance customer experience.

I know that other businesses and regions will be looking to do this, so if we don’t look to do the same, we may well get left behind.