Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses
This voluntary resource helps New Zealand businesses, sole traders, and non-profits realize the benefits of artificial intelligence by using and developing AI systems in a trustworthy manner. It outlines considerations, risks, and safeguards aligned with OECD AI principles and New Zealand's proportionate risk-based approach to AI. The guidance is structured around understanding your purpose for AI, establishing good business foundations, and considering AI system-specific factors across the AI life cycle.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
This is for all New Zealand businesses, including sole traders, non-profits, developers, and deployers looking to adopt AI responsibly.
What the document contains
The guidance covers considerations for businesses adopting or developing AI, including understanding the purpose and objectives for AI use, leveraging existing business foundations for risk management, and addressing AI system-specific considerations across the AI life cycle. It addresses practical topics such as data protection, transparency, risk mitigations, and compliance with general legal obligations.
The text does not provide an exhaustive list of all legal requirements, nor does it replace specific industry regulations or sector-specific guidelines. It does not provide binding legal enforcement mechanisms or penalties.
- The guidance is a voluntary resource to help businesses use and develop AI systems responsibly.
- It draws on OECD AI principles and aligns with New Zealand's proportionate risk-based approach to AI.
- The guidance covers potential risks to cybersecurity, privacy, human rights, workplace culture, the environment, intellectual property, and physical safety.
- It applies to all New Zealand businesses regardless of size, sector, or where they sit in the AI supply chain.
- Businesses are advised to use the guidance in conjunction with relevant legal requirements and industry-specific standards.
· About this guidance · Understanding your 'why' for Artificial Intelligence · Good business foundations for responsible Artificial Intelligence · Artificial Intelligence system specific considerations · Continuing the conversation · Artificial Intelligence glossary
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
3/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
establishing accountability and a systematic risk management approach across an AI system lifecycle.
About this guidance
screening score · 2026-10-24
Fairness
3/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
human rights and democratic values, including fairness and privacy; transparency and explainability
About this guidance
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Dignity
0/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Oversight
0/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
screening score · 2026-10-24
Privacy
3/5Protection of personal data and private life
The guidance outlines various types of considerations that businesses can take into account when using or developing AI systems. These include potential risks to: cybersecurity; privacy; human rights
About this guidance
screening score · 2026-10-24
Transparency
3/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
building transparency and responsible disclosure regarding AI systems prioritising robustness, security and safety in AI systems
About this guidance
screening score · 2026-10-24
Enforcement
1/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
The guidance also does not remove the need to follow all relevant and applicable New Zealand legislation and regulations
About this guidance
screening score · 2026-10-24
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
New Zealand’s proportionate risk based approach to AI (agreed by Cabinet), commonly seen in other countries and international initiatives advancing AI, where potential risks are treated in proportion to their likelihood, magnitude and context.
About this guidance
screening score · 2026-10-24