AI & HUMANITY CONFERENCE
Friday 28th & Saturday 29th August 2026
|
The AI & Humanity Conference is a one-and-a-half-day public gathering designed to inform, equip and inspire a general audience about Artificial Intelligence — its rapid developments, its practical applications, and its deeper implications for our lives, communities and humanity itself. The conference is rooted in Cashmere Presbyterian Church but explicitly welcomes all people, regardless of faith background.
The event aims to:
|
|
SPEAKER PROFILES
Dr Stephen Garner - Keynote Speaker
Laidlaw College, Auckland
Dr Stephen Garner is a Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw College, New Zealand's largest interdenominational Christian college. He holds a PhD from the University of Auckland, an MSc in Computer Science, and worked extensively in the information technology sector before entering theological studies. This rare dual background — as both a technologist and a theologian — makes him an exceptionally well-suited keynote for an audience spanning faith and non-faith communities.
Laidlaw College, Auckland
Dr Stephen Garner is a Senior Research Fellow at Laidlaw College, New Zealand's largest interdenominational Christian college. He holds a PhD from the University of Auckland, an MSc in Computer Science, and worked extensively in the information technology sector before entering theological studies. This rare dual background — as both a technologist and a theologian — makes him an exceptionally well-suited keynote for an audience spanning faith and non-faith communities.
Dr Matthew Galloway - Featured Speaker
Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka)
Dr Matthew Galloway is the Learning Designer for the Ethical Use of AI at the Centre for Academic Development, Victoria University of Wellington. His role sits at the intersection of education, technology and ethics — specifically designing frameworks and workshops that help people engage AI tools responsibly, accurately and critically. He is actively engaged in applied AI ethics and has led workshops on ethical AI use in higher education contexts.
Victoria University of Wellington (Te Herenga Waka)
Dr Matthew Galloway is the Learning Designer for the Ethical Use of AI at the Centre for Academic Development, Victoria University of Wellington. His role sits at the intersection of education, technology and ethics — specifically designing frameworks and workshops that help people engage AI tools responsibly, accurately and critically. He is actively engaged in applied AI ethics and has led workshops on ethical AI use in higher education contexts.
Prof Kathryn MacCallum - Featured Speaker
University of Canterbury
Professor of Education and co-director of UC Digital of Futures Lab, is recognised in Aotearoa and abroad for her leadership of research and teaching of AI literacy and assessment. Her perspective on how learners and educators understand, use, critique, and govern AI systems foregrounds Indigenous perspectives and addresses gaps in dominant global AI narratives that often marginalise cultural, ethical, and relational dimensions of learning.
University of Canterbury
Professor of Education and co-director of UC Digital of Futures Lab, is recognised in Aotearoa and abroad for her leadership of research and teaching of AI literacy and assessment. Her perspective on how learners and educators understand, use, critique, and govern AI systems foregrounds Indigenous perspectives and addresses gaps in dominant global AI narratives that often marginalise cultural, ethical, and relational dimensions of learning.
Emma Humphrey - Featured Speaker
AI Safety Specialist & Social Entrepreneur
Emma Humphrey is an AI Safety Specialist, educator, and social entrepreneur dedicated to helping organisations and communities navigate the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence safely, ethically, and resiliently, and equipping society with the critical thinking, processes, and tools necessary to harness technology responsibly without losing sight of human safety and ethics. Her work actively addresses pressing contemporary issues, such as: over-trust in AI models and automation bias, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats to Māori data sovereignty.
Her career in data science is rooted in an academic background in Physics and Applied Mathematics and with hands-on expertise as an AI consultant for the UK Home Office.
Emma shares practical case studies and forward-looking insights to help everyday people and businesses build resilience against over 1,700 identified AI risks.
AI Safety Specialist & Social Entrepreneur
Emma Humphrey is an AI Safety Specialist, educator, and social entrepreneur dedicated to helping organisations and communities navigate the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence safely, ethically, and resiliently, and equipping society with the critical thinking, processes, and tools necessary to harness technology responsibly without losing sight of human safety and ethics. Her work actively addresses pressing contemporary issues, such as: over-trust in AI models and automation bias, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats to Māori data sovereignty.
Her career in data science is rooted in an academic background in Physics and Applied Mathematics and with hands-on expertise as an AI consultant for the UK Home Office.
Emma shares practical case studies and forward-looking insights to help everyday people and businesses build resilience against over 1,700 identified AI risks.