Tech talks for everyone

We are excited to be hosting a new event in Christchurch on October 31 – NetTalks.

NetTalks features quickfire talks on tech: six speakers, six minutes each, six different perspectives on our digital world. 

The fast-paced event is about inviting everyone into the conversation about tech – while there will still be plenty for those immersed in the industry and issues already, the kōrero will be on tech ideas and issues relevant to the whole community. 

The first event is being held in Christchurch on October 31, at The Piano. With MC and comedian Michele A'Court, hear from:

• Mike Grimshaw on AI, the internet and the future of society
• Bronwyn Scott on how to bridge the digital divide
• Izzi Lithgow on why blaming people for cyber security issues misses the real problem
• Elle Archer on how Māori are re-shaping the digital realm
• Dr Cara Swit on how young people and adults can be allies in digital well-being
• Sam Sehnert on the real world impact of generative AI

Doors open at 5.30pm, talks start at 6pm, and we’d love people to stick around afterward for a free drink, nibbles and chats. Tickets $20 from Eventfinda. 

Ōtautahi Christchurch line-up

Bronwyn Scott 

Many of us are hand-wringing about the amount of time our kids spend online and AI’s foreboding presence in our lives right now.

Meanwhile, there are members of our community who have little to no access to the internet or the digital devices on which our systems are built around.

Bronwyn Scott, kaupapa lead for Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa (DECA) reckons we can fix that. She’s motivated by a vision in which everyone has the tools, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in a connected society. 

Dr Cara Swit

There is a lot of talk about young people’s use of social media right now, specifically about whether or not to ban its use by under-16s. 

Dr Cara Swit, Associate Professor at University of Canterbury, sees a crucial voice missing in the debate – young people.

Cara’s research focuses on the impact of digital media use on families, mental health and well-being and much of it is done with young people themselves. 

Izzi Lithgow

Izzi Lithgow thinks cyber security is less about firewalls and scary headlines, and more about people, curiosity, and the occasional 2am “all-hands” call. 

A seasoned communications professional with a security incident speciality, Izzi has handled her fair share of crises, from hospital power outages to cyber attacks.

And while she’s all about being ready for the worst case scenario, Izzi is not about box-ticking – she’s on a mission to make security something people actually want to do.

Mike Grimshaw

University of Canterbury sociologist Mike Grimshaw reckons AI is an uncontrolled social experiment and we’re the lab rats.

The Associate Professor describes himself as an “intellectual mongrel”, and as a proud GenXer he is happy to critique the digital world we have built around ourselves.

When viewed through a political and societal lens, what good - or harm - is AI really doing? 

Elle Archer 

Elle Archer is very clear on her why: unity. Her mahi in tech is about reimagining and reshaping how we do things and, with a te ao Māori lens, that’s got to start with kotahitanga.

At NetTalks Elle will talk about how Māori are shaping the digital realm from the ground up, defining what it means for Māori to thrive online, on their own terms. 

As the driving force behind digital equity framework Kaunuku, she’s uniquely placed to talk about what it takes. 

Sam Sehnert

When we give GenAI a little information to help us solve a problem, are we whispering a secret to the Internet? How do organisations make the best of what GenAI offers, while also keeping their data secure?

Sam Sehnert is CTO of Caitlyn, a New-Zealand built GenAI tool that balances technical rigour with real-world impact.

He’ll be at NetTalks to talk about how AI is changing the way organisations access, trust, and act on their own knowledge.