Human In The Loop

This week we welcome back Derrick Edward who is a technical founder with deep software engineering & Al experience. He co-founded Harnex AI, an Al-native agency helping businesses adopt Al across ANZ, and now he’s building a global B2B Al platform called AuraScope so brands stay visible in the Al search era.We discuss:· Why AEO is the new frontier of digital visibility and why the brands that ignore it now will be playing catch-up fast· What it actually takes to get your business in front of AI-generated answers the practical steps leaders can take today· What possessed Derrick to come back again, what's changed since his first episode, and what impressions we're getting better atDerrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-edward/AuraScope website: https://aurascope.co/Harnex AI website: https://www.harnex.ai/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.· SpaceX secures option to buy Cursor: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/21/spacex-cursor-ai-startup· Vibe Code Cleaner blog: https://www.goudeketting.nl/posts/2026/03/10/vibe-code-cleanup-specialist· Allbirds goes AI: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonmarkman/2026/04/20/how-39-million-shoe-company-allbirds-turned-in-to-an-ai-company/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

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

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