What We Heard at the 6DAI Conference 2025: Three Takeaways for Digital Leaders

⏱ 5 minutes to read

Last week, our team attended the 6DAI Conference in Auckland. It brought together technology and business leaders from across New Zealand to discuss the realities of AI adoption and data readiness. The conversations offered a clear picture of where organisations are seeing progress and where challenges remain.

Here are the key themes that stood out.

1. Data quality is still a major issue

There is strong focus across organisations on making data clean and available, yet it remains one of the hardest tasks to get right. Many teams are realising that before they can scale AI or automation, they first need to tackle the unglamorous but essential work of improving data structure, governance, and accessibility.

Reliable data underpins reliable outcomes. Real progress in AI depends on getting the basics right.

2. AI adoption is inconsistent

Many organisations have rolled out Copilot licences or other AI tools across teams but are not seeing the engagement or results they expected. The tools are there, but adoption is uneven.

This reflects a growing gap between interest and execution. While enthusiasm for AI remains high, many teams are still learning how to apply it in practical, everyday ways that deliver measurable value.

3. Different levels of AI confidence

Attendees at 6DAI reflected a wide spectrum of confidence. Some organisations are using AI actively and seeing early benefits. Others are experimenting, learning, and setting boundaries. Some remain cautious, waiting to see whether AI becomes essential or fades once the initial hype settles.

This range of views shows how quickly the landscape is shifting and how differently each organisation is approaching the journey.

Final thought

The conversations at 6DAI reinforced a consistent theme. The potential of AI is immense, but success depends on data quality, experimentation, and change management.

The challenge now is not adopting AI for its own sake, but building trust, capability, and readiness to use it well.

Unsurprisingly, this variety of perspectives reflects what we’re seeing with our clients as they navigate the realities of AI and modernisation.

If your organisation is exploring how to modernise and automate with AI, or looking for expertise in development, UX, or project delivery, we’d love to talk.