Creative Tech Accelerator showcases the future of AI-enabled creativity in New Zealand

A Demo Day at Te Puna Creative Hub in West Auckland on 24 February showcased work by the first West Auckland cohort of life-long learners of the Creative Tech Accelerator creative technology micro-credential.

The 12-week programme teaches the latest technologies and AI-enabled techniques being used to deliver innovative, production-ready outcomes. It is co-designed by Microsoft, the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), and Seen Ventures and supported by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Auckland Council. Expressions of interest for a second cohort are now open.

“The programme was intentionally designed to bring together emerging creative talent, industry partners, and cutting-edge technology to explore how AI and creative tech can be applied to real-world challenges. Programme participants used the demo day to showcase their progress on the creative tech pathway, illustrating the success of the programme itself and so we’re excited to be preparing for a second cohort for the micro-credential,” said NZIST Chief Executive Gus Gilmore.

“This first cohort showed us how much they’d developed their tech capabilities in such a short time. The demo day really was a celebration of learning - using innovative tech as an integrated creative partner rather than a standalone tool. The teams blended human creativity with emerging technologies and were able to test ideas and receive real-world feedback.”

For NZSIT, the programme reflects a broader commitment to making skills development accessible to the people and communities who stand to benefit most, really building capability in the talent that exists in our communities.

“Not everyone enters the creative and digital sectors through traditional pathways, and not every community has had equal access to the tools and networks that accelerate careers. At the heart of the design of the Creative Tech Accelerator was meeting people where they are, connecting them with real industry, and building community capability,” said Mr Gilmore.

“It meant pairing this emerging talent across the community with live industry briefs, giving participants the chance to work across strategy, concept development, brand thinking and production. The result is a micro-credential that is relevant to the modern creative workplace, demonstrating genuine, practical application.”

Auckland-based Seen Ventures, which focuses on AI solutions, delivered the programme, bringing life to the vision. “We’re proud to have been part of the Creative Tech Accelerator,” said Midu Chandra, Co-Founder of Seen Ventures.

“Providing an environment for creatives to learn but also apply AI has helped unlock new pathways in building creativity and future ready industries for everyone. This is what real capability-building looks like.”

Participants collaborated with a diverse group of industry partners on challenges spanning social impact, healthcare, Software as a Service (SaaS), construction technology, and the creative economy. The programme featured guest speakers from across the creative and technology sectors, giving participants strong industry context and a sense of where the sector is heading.

Expressions of interest are now open for a second cohort to participate in the Creative Tech Accelerator. This includes emerging creatives, industry partners with a challenge to solve, and community organisations looking to connect their people with new opportunities. Register here.