Human In The Loop

James Bergin is EGM Technology Research & Advocacy at Xero, leading the company’s exploration of emerging technologies and their impact on small business. He has a background in technology strategy, enterprise architecture, and digital innovation leadership. James is an active member of Aotearoa’s technology community, and is a regular voice on how AI and other disruptive technologies can be adopted responsibly to create better outcomes for small businesses.We discuss:· The “green shoots” that make us hopeful we can use AI for good at work and in society· Where he's currently seeing AI move the needle most for small businesses· Frameworks he's using right now to think about AI and value creationJames on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jamesberginJames' website: https://jamesbergin.com/For more on Xero's approach to AI and building for the future of finance: https://blog.xero.com/us/news-events/accountable-intelligence-ai-jax/Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

Join us as we Loop Back to clarify comments and claims from last week's episode, as well as chat about any new news from the world of tech and AI.· Dissect Podcast season on Daft Punk: https://open.spotify.com/show/2b025hq3gJ17tQdxS3aV43· Google Stitch: https://stitch.withgoogle.com/· Are dogs bad for the environment? https://connectsci.au/pc/article/31/3/PC24071/200023/Bad-dog-The-environmental-effects-of-owned-dogsFollow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

Sir Graeme Dingle KNZM, MBE and Jo-anne Wilkinson, Lady Dingle CNZM, LLB, are adventurers, leaders and passionate champions for young people in Aotearoa.Sir Graeme is one of New Zealand’s most recognised explorers and mountaineers, known for decades of challenging expeditions and first ascents around the world. Beyond adventure, he’s also an author and lifelong advocate for resilience, teamwork and pushing beyond perceived limits.Jo-anne is an accomplished adventurer in her own right, a qualified lawyer, and an experienced governance leader across the arts, public and social sectors. Her work has consistently focused on strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others to thrive.Together, they co-founded the Graeme Dingle Foundation in 1995, a youth development charity with a bold vision: to make Aotearoa the best place in the world to be young. Through evidence based programmes delivered in schools and communities, the Foundation supports young people to build confidence, resilience and life skills that set them up for the future.We discuss:· the impetus for starting this foundation, and why there's more work to be done· the social responsibility people with platforms have to change the world for better· the impact that programmes like these have on the lives of children, as well as their mentorsDingle Foundation: https://dinglefoundation.org.nz/LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/company/dingle-foundationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinglefoundation/?hl=enAnd that wraps up this special episode, as part of Podcasthon. If you enjoyed it, visit https://podcasthon.org/ to discover many other charities through the voices and talents of amazing podcasters!Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

Scott Bishop is Chief Commercial Officer at Awanui Group, New Zealand's largest diagnostic testing provider, where he drives growth strategy, data innovation, and new service development. Originally from the United States, Scott has been in Aotearoa since 2015 and has built a reputation for strategic, hands-on leadership across some of the country's most recognisable brands.Before joining Awanui, Scott served as Chief Innovation Officer at Z Energy, where he led the Innovation Refinery and launched customer-focused solutions like Fastlane and Sharetank. He’s also held senior innovation and product roles at IAG, Amazon and Microsoft. He's known for coaching teams, launching new products, and helping organisations adapt to emerging market challenges.We discuss:· How to convince leadership teams to prioritise innovation - not as a side project, but as a strategic necessity· The importance of keeping the customer at the centre of innovation, and then how to go on to educate them to adopt new technologies/initiatives· The most effective thing in helping everyday employees think and act like entrepreneurs· What New Zealand companies most need to evolve to remain relevant on the global stageBODYiQ: https://bodyiq.co.nz/nzScott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkbishop/Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

This Loop Back is a special episode where we touch on the challenges and opportunities for women in tech, in advance of this month's International Women's Day. RUSH Head of People & Performance, Heather Polaschek, shares some recent stats and observations about what's working and what needs more work.For more info and resources check out:IWD United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-dayWomen in Tech Aotearoa: nz.linkedin.com/company/women-in-tech-nzHeather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-polaschek-b47b7a47/Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

Craig Boxall is Chief Product Officer & Founder of Nexties, an education technology venture focused on helping learners and organisations build future-ready skills. Alongside this, he is involved with Liven Labs, where he brings together his experience in AI-driven product innovation, venture building, and digital strategy. His work at Nexties and Liven Labs builds on nearly two decades of founding and scaling digital businesses, including Pixel Fusion and Onceit, plus senior product leadership roles in AI and Web3 companies.We discuss:· the functionality, technology, and philosophy of the Nexties platform· modern support tools and a new approach to career guidance · the undeniable impact of being able to envision a future Nexties: https://nexties.com/Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigboxall/Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

Join us as we Loop Back to clarify comments and claims from last week's episode, as well as chat about any new news from the world of tech and AI.· Plaud Notetaker (not sponsored) https://www.plaud.ai/· Resist & Unsubscribe https://www.resistandunsubscribe.com/Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL

In this episode, Alaina, Danu, and Hamish trade their usual guest format for a freewheeling conversation about what actually mattered in AI and tech over the past year, and what was just noise.From infrastructure realities like RAM shortages and power grid constraints to the hype around solid-state batteries at CES, we try to separate genuine breakthroughs from marketing spin including:· the evolution of robotics (Boston Dynamics, anyone?)· the messy ethics of training data collection· why cybersecurity in New Zealand still feels like we're living in 2015The discussion veers through disaster preparedness, the surprising complexity of getting robots to walk, and why slowing down - whether it's your reading habits or your AI implementation - might be the smartest strategy for 2026.Follow us on Instagram: @humaninthelooppodcastFind us on LinkedIn:Alaina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaina-luxmoore/Hamish: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hafriedlander/Danu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danuabey/Sign up to The RUSH newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hmARzL