A very worthwhile day at yesterday’s INFINZ 2024 Conference.

The lineup of speakers was excellent, and peppered with plenty of pragmatism, offering views on New Zealand’s (and the global) financial and economic landscape, alongside innovation, behavioural science and plenty of AI narrative.

A few points I took away, in addition to some good book recommendations:

1. There is a cautiously optimistic economic outlook, with a government plan to return to surplus by 2028, and heightened focus on people, trade and investment, regulation reform, and infrastructure.
2. Inflation models have been broken. Everything we thought we knew has been tested.
3. When it comes to innovation (i.e., AI), you’ll want to be on top of the wave, not get washed over by it.
4. Michael McQueen is worthy of his public speaking accolades (as too was Carl Tannenbaum). Michael did a good job of reminding us of our own cognitive biases, the danger of complacency and that we’re all pretty hopeless at year 10 science recall and recognition of AI faces.
5. That in times of rapid change, those who remain adaptable and curious will lead the way forward.
6. And, finally, when you’re flying through turbulence, you’ll want to have invested in a flight crew who’ve done it before – but until you have experienced heavy turbulence you won't fully appreciate it.

Well done INFINZ – I’m looking forward to next year already.