Business leaders, innovators and curious professionals are invited to explore the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence, which will also support scholarships at Mount Maunganui College.
The 2026 Tauranga AI Business Summit Scholarship Fundraiser will be held on Friday, June 12, from 1.15pm to 6pm at University of Waikato Tauranga Campus.
In its second year, the summit combines keynote presentations, practical workshops and networking opportunities, with proceeds going toward scholarships for Mount Maunganui College students.
“This is the second year we have done this,” co-organiser and Mount Maunganui College teacher James Critchley said.
“The Tauranga AI Business Summit Scholarship Fundraiser returns for 2026, supported by an incredible array of businesses.”
Critchley said the event is designed for business owners, professionals, educators and anyone interested in understanding how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and communities.
The summit will feature two high-profile keynote speakers, including Dr Amanda Williamson, director of the Deloitte New Zealand AI Institute and senior lecturer in Innovation and Strategy at the University of Waikato.
Williamson has advised corporate boards on AI governance and investment, led enterprise AI deployment to more than 2000 staff, and developed AI solutions delivering up to 76% productivity gains across multiple sectors.
“Her foundation is technical: a PhD using AI-driven analytics and certifications across five major AI platforms,” event co-organiser and Mount Maunganui College teacher Richard Cameron said.
“Amanda is a TEDx speaker, a regular commentator on AI in New Zealand media and concurrently holds a senior lecturer position in Innovation and Strategy at the University of Waikato.
“Attendees will explore how artificial intelligence is shaping industries, communities and the future of innovation, while gaining a clearer understanding of its opportunities and challenges.”
Also speaking is Glen Willoughby, a global technology and innovation executive with more than 25 years’ experience across health, infrastructure, and space exploration sectors.
Glen Willoughby. Photo / Supplied
In the US, Willoughby has held senior leadership roles, including serving as CIO of Singularity Group in Silicon Valley, and has worked alongside NASA since 2018. He has received a range of awards for his work in global innovation and AI and has been published by Forbes.
At the summit he will discuss NASA’s technological journey and also examine how artificial intelligence has evolved during the past decade and where it is heading.
“Rather than presenting AI as a replacement for people, Glen will frame the future as IA – Intelligent Assistance,” Critchley said.
“Technology that helps humans interpret complex data, make better decisions, work more safely and achieve goals beyond normal human limits – solving the ‘previously unsolvable’”.
“The session will touch on what this means for organisations, communities and industries, while taking a balanced view of opportunity, risk, trust and responsible adoption.”
The afternoon will include practical workshops led by industry professionals from organisations including Zespri, Parallo, The AI Assembly, LawVu and Datacom.
There is also a panel discussion and an audience Q&A session. Support from Rush Digital, Barfoot & Thompson and Priority One have enabled this event to occur without costs, ensuring 100% of ticket sales go towards the scholarships.
Cameron said the event offers valuable professional development and an opportunity to support local students.
“We raised over $10,000 in 2025 and have already helped fund two students to attend overseas trips and supported a bursary for a student attending the University of Waikato Tauranga Campus.”
Networking drinks and canapés are included in the ticket price. Tickets are for sale at Humanitix.