She Sharp & HCLTech: Do You Own Your AI Future?

She Sharp and HCLTech host an evening on the future of AI and the questions every organisation in Aotearoa needs to consider, framed around three themes: security (building genuine trust in the AI tools we deploy), governance (clear accountability for AI outputs) and sovereignty (where data lives and who controls it locally). The programme features five-minute lightning talks, a panel discussion with audience Q&A moderated by Theresa Corballis and Dr Mahsa McCauley (Mohaghegh), and small-group breakout discussions with the speakers. Speakers are Naved Shafiq (Country Leader, New Zealand, HCLTech), Theresa Corballis (Director for New Business, HCLTech), Renu Sharma (Cyber Security Woman of the Year winner, CyberSec Con), Delphine Ducaruge (Chair, Tech New Zealand), Grace de Leon (Smart City, AI & Innovation Lead, Christchurch City Council) and Caelan Huntress (Leader in AI Operations).

It runs on Tuesday 3 November 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at Rydges Latimer Christchurch, 30 Latimer Square, starting with registration, networking and food, with talks and Q&A from 5pm, breakouts from 6pm and networking to close. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for professionals through Humanitix. It is for students preparing to enter tech, team leaders, business decision-makers and anyone curious about how AI is shaping the future, and attendees are encouraged to bring a colleague or classmate.