The opportunity

AI has the power to make organisations more efficient, freeing up staff time and resources to focus on what really matters — supporting people. For providers under pressure, AI can ease workload and stretch limited resources further, without cutting quality.

By taking care of routine paperwork, admin, and other time-consuming tasks, AI gives teams more space to build relationships, strengthen communities, and deliver quality support.

Used well, AI doesn’t just improve efficiency — it also shifts control towards disabled people and whānau. Our focus is always that AI strengthens disabled people’s autonomy — not replaces human support. The right tools can create more choice, flexibility, and independence in everyday life and supports.

What we do

AI for People is a disability-led project that helps organisations use artificial intelligence (AI) in safe, practical, and inclusive ways.

We work alongside providers, community groups, and disabled people to show how AI can:

Save time on paperwork and admin so staff can spend more time with people.
Improve support planning and communication, making it easier for everyone to be on the same page.
Put disabled people in charge of their own supports, with tools that increase choice and control.
Build confidence with new tools so people can use AI safely in daily life.

All of our resources will be free and easy to use — things like guides, checklists, training videos, and plain language examples.

While live training is not covered by our Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngaimahi Anamata contract, we are happy to offer it separately on a fee-for-service basis. Click here to find out more about our AI trainings.

Why this matters

The disability sector is under pressure. Staff are stretched thin, and disabled people too often miss out on the support they need. AI can’t and shouldn’t replace people — but it can help free up time and improve quality.

At the same time, AI has risks. It can get things wrong, reinforce bias, or put privacy at risk. That’s why our training and resources focus on safe, ethical, and people-centred use of AI.

How we work

Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Enabling Good Lives (EGL): the EGL vision and principles, along with partnership, protection, and participation, guide everything we do
Co-designed: Disabled people, whānau, and providers shape the tools with us.
Person-centred: We focus on helping disabled people lead the lives they choose.
Accessible: Everything is in plain language and designed to be easy to use.
Open: All resources are free for the sector and communities.
Future-focused: Building skills people can keep using as AI evolves.