Graduating into a World of AI
What it means to start your career when AI is rewriting the rules.
30-45 min talk
AI Engineer · Speaker · Christchurch, New Zealand
Blake Harkness
AI talks that land with any room
Blake Harkness is an AI engineer and speaker based in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has delivered 35+ talks across the country, from a 340-person summit stage to hands-on Claude and MCP workshops. He runs Harkness AI and founded Young Kiwis in AI.
35+
Speaking events delivered
900+
People in the room
1M+
Social media views
150+
AI educational videos
Spoken for
- University of Canterbury
- University of Canterbury Business School
- University of Auckland
- AUT Computer Science and Engineering Association
- UC Marketing Society
- Global China Connection Canterbury
- AI Forum New Zealand
- Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau
- New Zealand China Council
- M2 Magazine
- Bed & Breakfast Association of New Zealand
- Survey and Spatial New Zealand
- Summer of Tech
- Whale Watch Kaikōura
- ZURU
- Aurora Energy
- Auckland Chinese Families Network
- Synergy Networking
Public Speaking
Recent engagements
Practical AI for conferences, corporates and communities across New Zealand - from technical teams to a room of business owners.
| Date | Event | Talk | Location | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 2026 | UC Business School | Graduating into a World of AI: How to Turn It into Your Unfair Advantage | University of Canterbury | - |
| 16 Sep 2026 | AI Forum NZ AEC webinar | AI in China: Firsthand Insights from the NZ Delegation (with Ming Cheuk, ElementX) | Online | - |
| 14 Sep 2026 | UC Marketing Society | AI in Marketing: What's Really Happening (and How to Stay Ahead) | University of Canterbury | - |
| 4 Sep 2026 | Whale Watch Kaikoura, Wananga AI Day | AI for Beginners (opening speaker) | Kaikoura | ~50 |
| 21 Aug 2026 | Young Kiwis in AI x Zuru | Pathways for young Kiwis in AI, and the China AI trip (host and speaker) | Zuru NZ HQ, Auckland | ~150 |
| 21 Aug 2026 | University of Auckland, Master of AI | Guest presentation to Master of AI students | University of Auckland | - |
| 21 Aug 2026 | AUT CSEA, Graduating into AI | Panellist and organiser | AUT, Auckland | ~50 |
| 10 Aug 2026 | GCC Canterbury, China Talks | The NZ AI and robotics delegation to China | University of Canterbury | ~20 |
| 9 Aug 2026 | NZ IT & AI Job Forum | Graduating into a World of AI: From Student to Founder in 18 Months | University of Auckland | 35 |
| 31 Jul 2026 | AI Forum NZ, AEC Working Group | Seven days inside China's AI build | Online | 24 |
| 15 Jul 2026 | Engineering New Zealand, AI 2026 Series | From Quick Wins to Bigger Projects: AI Inside a NZ Surveying & Engineering Firm | Online | 80 |
| 19 Jun 2026 | Bed & Breakfast Association NZ Conference | Elevating Your Online Presence with AI | Hotel Elms, Christchurch | 60 |
| 18 Jun 2026 | M2 AI SummitLargest room | Using AI to Make Your Team Great | Christchurch | 340 |
| 10 Jun 2026 | Summer of Tech | Social Media as Your Secret Weapon to Jobs | Online | 60 |
| 22 Apr 2026 | Survey and Spatial New Zealand | AI Beyond the Field | Auckland | 80 |
| 4 Mar 2026 | Graduating into a World of AI | From mechatronics student to AI engineer | University of Canterbury | 65 |
| 15 Jan 2026 | Beyond Chatbots | Connecting AI to Your Apps with MCP | Powerhouse Coworking, Christchurch | 40 |
Speaking next
- 25 Sep 2026IFAA Conference 2026Rydges Latimer, Christchurch
- 12 Feb 2027Young Kiwis in AI National Conference 2027 (organiser and host)Novotel Auckland Airport
Blake's AI presentation was among the most frequently cited as the most valuable session of the conference - consistently described as practical, relevant and immediately useful for delegates' businesses.
Just had Blake present at our conference and he was fantastic. Super informative but at a level we could all understand and very engaging. Highly recommend as a speaker for an event.
Blake gave us a great introduction about what is AI. The slides and explanations were clear and easy to understand. The demo using Claude was helpful as well. Highly recommend.
Signature talks
Hands-On with AI Agents, Claude & MCP
A practical, build-alongside session on modern AI tooling.
45-90 min workshop or technical talk
Tailored to Your Conference or Audience
Have a theme in mind? Blake builds the talk around your event.
Keynote, workshop, panel or fireside
Media
Podcasts, coverage and recognition
Where Blake has been interviewed, covered or named by someone else. Each link goes to the outlet, not to this site.
Profile
AI engineer and speaker based in Christchurch, New Zealand
Blake Harkness is an AI engineer and the founder of Harkness AI, an AI consultancy that has worked with 30+ New Zealand businesses across industries from financial services and energy to education and property.
He also founded Young Kiwis in AI, a community of 300+ young New Zealanders getting into AI and tech careers, with in-person meetups held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and Palmerston North, and a national conference in Auckland in February 2027.
30+NZ businesses advised
300+Young Kiwis in AI members
6Cities with meetups
Story
The story behind the work
Blake on the path from mechatronics student to AI engineer, in his own words.
Career
Work history
Professional experience in engineering and AI across New Zealand organisations.
Jan 2025 - Present1 yr 9 mos
Founder and AI Engineer
Harkness AI · Own business
Operating since January 2025, and incorporated as Harkness AI Limited in June 2025. An AI consultancy that has helped 30+ New Zealand businesses adopt AI and automation. Services include AI discovery workshops, custom AI application development, workflow automation, and fractional AI engineering. Clients span industries from financial services and energy to education and property.
- AI Consulting
- Workshops
- Custom Development
- Automation
Jan 2026 - Present9 mos
Fractional AI Engineer
Patersons · Contract
Three days a week on-site with Patersons, a New Zealand surveying and engineering firm: custom automations, internal tools, AI strategy and staff education.
- AI Engineering
- Automation
- Internal Tools
- AI Training
Nov 2024 - Nov 20251 yr
Graduate Engineer
MainPower New Zealand Limited · Full-time
Joined the Future Networks team, leveraging artificial intelligence to drive innovation and enhance business strategy for a smarter, more efficient future. Integrated AI solutions to optimise operations, improve decision-making, and allow smart people to focus on smart things.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning
Nov 2023 - Feb 20244 mos
Embedded Software Engineer Intern
Levno · Internship
Gained further experience working in the Hardware Team who are responsible for R&D of Levno's range of products.
- Debugging
- .NET Framework
Nov 2022 - Feb 20234 mos
Embedded Software Engineer Intern
Levno · Internship
Gained experience working in the Hardware Team who are responsible for R&D of Levno's range of products.
- Debugging
- .NET Framework
Credentials
Qualifications and certifications
| Institution | Qualification | Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Massey UniversityDegree | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), majoring in Mechatronics | 2024 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Managing AI Projects: From Strategy to Delivery | May 2025 |
| University of Pennsylvania | AI Strategy and Governance | March 2025 |
| IBM | AI Engineering Professional Certificate | January 2025 |
Expertise
Skills and technologies
AI & Data Engineering
Building the systems underneath - models, retrieval, and the pipelines that feed them.
- Large Language Models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini)
- Vector Databases (Supabase, Pinecone)
- RAG & Agent Workflows
- Python, TypeScript, Node.js
- Data Cleaning & Automation Pipelines
Integration & Product Development
Getting AI into the tools a team already uses, rather than adding another tab.
- ChatGPT Apps & Connectors (Gmail, Notion, GitHub, etc.)
- API Design & Orchestration
- Supabase Auth & Edge Functions
- Real-Time Voice Agents (ElevenLabs, VAPI)
- Web Apps (Vite + React, Vercel Hosting)
Consulting & Strategy
Deciding what is worth building, what it costs, and how a team adopts it.
- AI Strategy & Roadmapping
- Workflow Automation Consulting
- Technical Documentation & Compliance (Privacy, AML/KYC)
- Staff Training & Upskilling in AI Tools
- Fractional AI Engineering for NZ Businesses
Community Involvement
Professional commitments
Active contributor to the AI and engineering community in New Zealand.
Jan 2026 - Present
Founder
Young Kiwis in AI
Founded a community for young New Zealanders getting into AI and tech careers. 300+ members, with in-person meetups held in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and Palmerston North, and the YKIA National Conference 2027 in Auckland on 12 February 2027. Partnered with Summer of Tech for national webinars.
Jul 2025 - Present
AI Advisory Committee Member
Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau
Jul 2025 - Present
AEC Working Group workstream lead and webinar series organiser
AI Forum NZ
Workstream lead on the Living Whitepaper for the AI Forum NZ Architecture, Engineering and Construction working group, and since August 2026 the organiser of the working group's webinar series.
Jan 2025 - Present
Young Engineers Canterbury Committee Member
Engineering New Zealand Te Ao Rangahau
Helping organise local events for young engineers in the Canterbury region.
Feb 2023 - Jan 2025
Club President
Techensoc
Organised and ran over 10 events a year for the 80 student members. Helped manage club financials including grant rounds. Organised and moderated quarterly student staff liaison meetings.
Feb 2024 - Jan 2025
Club President
Massey Volleyball Club
Led the Massey Volleyball Club's 90 members, fostering a positive and inclusive team environment. Organised and coordinated club events, tournaments, and training sessions. Represented the club at the University Tertiary Championships.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who is Blake Harkness?
Blake Harkness is an AI engineer and public speaker based in Christchurch, New Zealand. He runs Harkness AI, an AI consultancy that has helped 30+ New Zealand businesses adopt AI and automation, works as a fractional AI engineer at Patersons, and founded Young Kiwis in AI, a 300+ member community for young New Zealanders getting into AI. He has delivered 35+ speaking events to more than 900 people in the room, published 150+ AI educational videos, was a finalist for Rising AI Star at the Aotearoa AI Awards in 2025 and 2026, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechatronics from Massey University.
Does Blake Harkness speak at conferences in New Zealand?
Yes. Blake Harkness has delivered 35+ speaking events at conferences, corporate events and community meetups across New Zealand. The largest was the M2 AI Summit in Christchurch on 18 June 2026 to 340 business owners and leaders. Recent engagements include the sold-out Young Kiwis in AI x Zuru meetup in Auckland on 21 August 2026, Whale Watch Kaikoura's Wananga AI Day on 4 September 2026 as opening speaker, the UC Marketing Society on 14 September 2026, the AI Forum NZ AEC webinar on AI in China with Ming Cheuk on 16 September 2026, and UC Business School on 17 September 2026. Next: the IFAA Conference in Christchurch on 25 September 2026 and the Young Kiwis in AI National Conference at Novotel Auckland Airport on 12 February 2027, which he organises and hosts.
What topics does Blake Harkness speak about?
Blake speaks on practical AI adoption. His signature talks are Graduating into a World of AI (a 30 to 45 minute talk on starting a career while AI rewrites the rules) and Hands-On with AI Agents, Claude & MCP (a 45 to 90 minute workshop or technical talk), and he also builds talks around a conference theme. Delivered talks include Using AI to Make Your Team Great, AI Beyond the Field, Elevating Your Online Presence with AI, From Quick Wins to Bigger Projects, AI for Beginners, AI in China: Firsthand Insights from the NZ Delegation, Social Media as Your Secret Weapon to Jobs, and Beyond Chatbots: Connecting AI to Your Apps (MCP).
How do you book Blake Harkness to speak at an event?
Speaking availability and enquiries go through the Harkness AI contact form at https://www.harknessai.nz/contact?subject=Public%20Speaking. Blake delivers keynotes, workshops, panels and fireside sessions, is based in Christchurch and speaks across New Zealand, and tailors the talk to the audience, from technical teams to a room of business owners.
What is Young Kiwis in AI?
Young Kiwis in AI (YKIA) is a community Blake Harkness founded in January 2026 for young New Zealanders getting into AI and tech careers. It has 300+ members, has held in-person meetups in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton and Palmerston North, and is holding its first national conference at Novotel Auckland Airport on 12 February 2027. Details are at https://www.youngkiwisai.nz.
Get in touch
Booking Blake to speak
Speaking enquiries go through Harkness AI, which also keeps the full talk list. Want an AI engineer embedded in your team? That’s Harkness AI.