AI & The Future of Work

Session 1 — Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm academyEX — Pikopiko Room, 99 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023 Our March HER WAKA session focuses on Artificial Intelligence and the evolving tech job market in 2026. This session will help participants understand how AI is influencing job opportunities, recruitment trends, and the skills that matter most right now.

​

What to Expect

• A dynamic AI Panel Discussion featuring industry professionals
• A short, hands-on workshop exploring practical AI tools and how they are shaping workplaces — by the end, each participant will have created something on their own computer
• A special guest speaker from RCSA sharing insights into the 2026 tech hiring landscape and what employers are looking for

​

Event Schedule

​

Panel Speakers

​

Chan Meng

Chan Meng is a Senior AI/ML Infrastructure and Full-Stack Engineer who specialises in architecting generative AI solutions, autonomous agentic systems, and highly scalable cloud-native applications. Currently serving as a Founding Engineer at Gavigo and CTO at Sanicle, she drives end-to-end technical execution using advanced frameworks including Next.js, Node.js, Python, Docker, and Kubernetes. Her deep engineering expertise spans advanced RAG architectures, LLM orchestration, and complex microservices. Chan holds a Master’s degree in Applied Computing (with Distinction, Dean’s List) and has professional experience at ByteDance. She is an active open-source contributor to projects including CopilotKit (24.6k+ GitHub stars) and Anthropic’s MCP Servers, and has built 30+ live commercial and open-source applications spanning AI agents, FemTech platforms, MCP servers, and developer tools. She is a recognised global speaker — presenting at UN CSW 69 in New York on AI-powered women’s workplace health solutions — and a dedicated STEM mentor through Forward with Her and SheSharp. She holds 25+ professional certifications from HackerRank, Microsoft, Google, GitHub, Docker, and Anthropic.

​

Dr. Mahsa McCauley

Dr. Mahsa McCauley is Chair of the AI Forum New Zealand and a leading expert in artificial intelligence whose work bridges technology, education and policy. She is an Associate Professor of AI at Auckland University of Technology and a Fulbright Scholar, with research spanning AI, machine learning, IoT and cybersecurity. She is the Founder and Director of SheSharp Charitable Trust, a volunteer-led organisation supporting women in technology. In January 2026, she was appointed Communication and Information Commissioner for the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. She is a recognised public speaker and commentator on AI, cybersecurity and the future of work.

​

Nikita Kumari

Nikita Kumari is a PMP-certified Product and Project Manager with over 6 years of experience delivering AI and digital products in B2B SaaS. She began her career as a Python developer, building a strong technical foundation before moving into product and agile delivery roles. Her work includes hands-on involvement in AI and machine learning initiatives, focused on real business outcomes — improving decision-making, automating workflows, and enhancing user experience. Now based in Auckland, she is passionate about practical leadership and sharing honest insights from her journey — especially for professionals building careers in product, tech, and AI in a new country.

​

Meeta Patel

Dr. Meeta Patel is Programme Lead and Lead Facilitator for Leading Change for Good at academyEX, with a career spanning industry, research and academia. With a background as a research scientist, she spent many years in applied research before moving into education, reflecting a commitment to learning and community. In this role, she leads and delivers the programme end-to-end, ensuring a meaningful and impactful experience for participants. Outside of professional work, she is an Ambassador for SheSharp, a non-profit organisation focused on bridging the gender gap, and is actively involved in the community, driven by a strong belief in equity and the power of people to create change.

​

RCSA Guest Speakers

Three recruitment leaders joined the March session to share insights into the 2026 tech hiring landscape, current trends, and what employers are looking for.

​

Abe Naus

Abe Naus is General Manager of Potentia. He works as the Kaitiaki for the Auckland business — driving the growth, success and cultural alignment of the Auckland consulting teams, ensuring they are building the right future-proofed business. An experienced IT, Projects and Change recruiter with 16+ years in recruitment, his team’s areas of expertise include Project Services, DevOps, Big Data & Analytics, Architects, Developers, Test Analysts, Business Analysts, AI, and Agile-skilled individuals.

​

Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly is Business Manager for Auckland at Randstad Digital, bringing over a decade of experience in recruitment — particularly within the banking, finance, insurance, and government industries. He is passionate about connecting top talent with leading organisations and has a proven ability to build strong relationships with both clients and candidates.

​

Neekee Reshamwala

As Business Manager for Auckland at Randstad Digital, Neekee is responsible for driving growth and overseeing daily operations, delivering exceptional results for clients and candidates. Before joining Randstad Digital, she held senior leadership roles in the recruitment industry, where she honed her skills in sales, business development and team management. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from Massey University and has an in-depth understanding of Auckland’s job market.

​

Facilitator

​

Dr. Mahsa McCauley

Founder and Director of SheSharp Charitable Trust. As Chair of AI Forum NZ and Associate Professor of AI at AUT, she serves on boards of NZTech, EdTechNZ and World Summit Awards. Appointed Communication and Information Commissioner for NZ National Commission for UNESCO in January 2026.

​

Prerequisites

• No prior tech experience required
• You must bring your own laptop to fully participate in the hands-on activity
• Come ready to explore and ask questions

​

What You Will Learn

• What AI is and how it is being used in workplaces today
• How AI is influencing job opportunities and recruitment trends
• The skills that matter most in the 2026 tech job market
• How to use practical AI tools in your job search
• What employers and recruiters are looking for right now

​

Photo Gallery

​

Next Session