Pioneering AI in Nelson
Founded in 2018, well before the rise of modern generative AI, NAI established world-class artificial intelligence capability in Te Tau Ihu. Today, our mission and technology live on through several independent initiatives.
A Regional Vision with Lasting Impact
In 2018, the Nelson Artificial Intelligence Institute (NAI) was founded with an ambitious goal: to prove that world-changing, high-tech AI ventures could be built right here in Te Tau Ihu.
Over seven years, NAI brought together more than 40 talented engineers, data scientists, researchers, and university students at our NMIT campus headquarters. Together, we delivered an order-of-magnitude leap in the region's high-tech capability, solving real-world challenges across climate change, biodiversity, and primary industries.
Deep Community Gratitude
This journey was made possible not only by our core team, but by the generosity and passion of numerous local volunteers, mentors, advisors, and community advocates who believed in regional technology innovation and gave freely of their time.
Today, as artificial intelligence enters the mainstream, we are proud to have given local businesses, researchers, and students a vital headstart. Having fulfilled its founding mission, NAI's technology, team, and purpose now continue through several independent initiatives.
Independent Initiatives & Spin-outs
Explore the active companies and community organizations carrying forward NAI's technology and mission.
CarbonCrop
NAI's flagship spin-out. CarbonCrop uses advanced satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to automate native forest carbon credit assessment and registration, unlocking millions in climate incentives for landowners across New Zealand.
Harvest Hub
Delivering intelligent data infrastructure and AI-driven predictive tools to optimize primary sector productivity, harvest planning, and agricultural supply chains.
Nelson AI Sandbox
A public discovery hub in Nelson CBD providing hands-on AI literacy, schools extension programs, Māori facilitation, and intergenerational business upskilling.
Research Legacy & Partnerships
Pioneering R&D developed in collaboration with New Zealand's leading research institutes:
Nelson AI Labs
Housing grant-funded research, including environmental DNA (eDNA) research under the EU’s Horizon Europe program and ongoing projects with Victoria University of Wellington.
Predator Free 2050
Trained state-of-the-art computer vision models on over 150,000 infra-red camera trap images to automatically detect predator threats to native wildlife.
Whale Lighthouse
Combined acoustic hydrophones with machine learning to detect, classify, and track marine mammal vocalizations in New Zealand waters.
Automated Taxonomy
Developed deep learning models to automatically classify microscopic organisms and algae, freeing environmental scientists for higher-level research.