A Nelson cafe is at the centre of the city's AI expansion, showing customers just how easy it can be to use it in day-to-day life.
The Halifax Cafe in Nelson’s city centre has offered customers the chance to learn more about AI tools.
In partnership with the Nelson AI Sandbox, the aim has been to make the growing technology and innovation around AI more accessible. The cafe has been described as a place where customers can come and learn for free about AI, have a hands-on experience, have a tutored experience, or come as part of a group and make it a social experience.
The Nelson AI Sandbox was co-founded by Richard Brudvik-Linder, a former executive at Microsoft, who spent more than 20 years working in Silicon Valley before moving to New Zealand in 2010, where he decided to conclude his career in technology and become a secondary school teacher.
New data collected in the EY Global AI Sentiment Survey revealed that New Zealand has fallen behind other countries in its adoption of AI. The survey also navigated the risks for nations slow to incorporate AI literacy into day-to-day life would risk falling behind economically.
The Nelson AI Sandbox has operated for the past two years and has since worked with non-profit organisations, trained more than 500 staff and volunteers, and received funding from the Rātā Foundation.
Nelson was selected due to its large population of seniors, making the region a possible risk for being left behind as the AI revolution continues to expand throughout the country. Introducing the cafe concept has allowed residents to come and learn about AI and its outreach while being in a comfortable and familiar environment, speaking to experts face-to-face.
Deputy Mayor Pete Rainey said that the concept of the AI cafe was “very Nelson” and that, although it may be a small city, Nelson is not short of ideas.
Owners of the Halifax Cafe said that the decision to host the AI Sandbox was a no-brainer, and that it was good for people to come in, learn more about AI, and have a chit chat over a cup of coffee.
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