Many big businesses look set to scale up their use of AI this year, with the Government now encouraging smaller businesses to do the same. New Curia polling of 200 senior leaders of organisations with more than 100 staff - commissioned by technology firm Datacom - has found 82% plan to increase spending on technology like AI. More than half see AI adoption and implementation as their biggest technology opportunity of 2026, although finding the budget and skilled staff remains a challenge. Research from the past two years suggests New Zealand has adopted AI more slowly than Australia with New Zealanders having more reservations about the technology than people in other countries. Most respondents in recent surveys said they were concerned about AI putting their job security at risk, organisations not using AI responsibly and the loss of human connections. But the Government is investing up to $70 million over seven years to support AI research under its AI strategy and sees AI adoption as important for driving growth and productivity. From today it's also offering to provide eligible businesses with funding for up to 50% of the cost of an AI plan, up to the maximum of $15,000 per business, under a $765,000 pilot programme. Datacom’s Director of AI, Louise Compagnone, said the conversation for senior business leaders had moved from whether to adopt AI at all, to how to deploy it strategically and effectively scale it. “Initially, we saw a lot of organisations deploying AI tools in an ad hoc way in specific areas of their business, but the net effect is they get stuck in pilot mode." Datacom NZ Managing Director Peter Nelson said its latest polling suggested businesses were looking to scale up their use of AI and remain competitive against other markets that were already adopting AI. "It's going to help our software businesses and other exporters with every area of their operations - everything from customer services, to sales and marketing, to internal operations." Small business minister Chris Penk said AI was already being used by many businesses to sort information, answer simple after-hours customer questions, draft and check documents, and handle repetitive digital tasks. "Small business owners tell me they want to use AI to clear space in their busy schedules, so they can focus on the parts of their business they enjoy, but many are unsure where to start or how to use these tools in a safe and practical way." Michael Sergel is Newstalk ZB’s business reporter, covering the daily life of business and the business of daily life. He’s been covering business, politics, local government and consumer affairs for over a decade.