Fitzgerald Construction General Manager and Quantity Surveyor Charlie Evans joins us to discuss how AI could help the business respond to more tenders, improve bid quality and protect commercial margins.With around 80% of Fitzgerald Construction’s work coming through tendering, the process can place significant pressure on a small team, particularly when large volumes of tenders arrive at once.In this conversation, Charlie explains how the business currently manages tender responses, where capacity constraints and margin risks arise, and how a data intelligence platform could help the team reuse information, identify risks and learn from previous bids.The goal is simple: spend less time repeating manual processes and more time submitting high-quality, commercially viable tenders.Timestamps00:00 — Introducing Fitzgerald Construction00:25 — Fitzgerald Construction’s services and nationwide reach02:19 — The role of tendering in winning work03:06 — Managing fluctuating tender volumes04:15 — The pressure and cost of outsourcing tender responses05:24 — Improving tender quality, win rates and margins06:32 — Fitzgerald’s current tender response process07:35 — The scale and complexity of tender documents09:01 — How the team is already using AI10:09 — Reusing information across tenders11:17 — What a data intelligence platform could enable12:53 — How AI could improve the day-to-day workflow14:31 — Learning from lost tenders15:49 — Reducing siloed knowledge and key-person risk16:54 — Building on existing business data17:16 — The importance of high-quality data17:55 — What success could look like over the next 12 months19:23 — Moving from tendering constraints to delivery capacity20:13 — Closing thoughtsRead the full story on our website: firstfocus.co.nz/insights/ai-in-construction-fitzgerald-case-study#Construction #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Tendering #QuantitySurveying #BusinessGrowth

Brendan and Ross catch up with Dr Jason Fox at IT Nation ANZ 2026 to explore why wisdom and discernment matter more than ever in an age of rapidly advancing AI. Jason discusses the “midwit trap” and how large language models can create an inflated sense of expertise, even when their answers sound convincing.They also explore how to think beyond purely rational systems, how leaders can create stability during uncertain times, and why doubt can be evidence of genuine thinking. The conversation covers AI, antifragility, best practice versus next practice, the value of disconnection and the importance of noticing anomalies before they become opportunities. They wrap up by discussing vocation, value and why businesses should look beyond profit alone.Timestamps[0:00] Introduction and meeting Dr Jason Fox at IT Nation ANZ 2026[0:20] How Jason became involved with IT Nation ANZ[1:43] Why wisdom matters more than intelligence[4:04] AI, relevance and the danger of overconfidence[5:03] The “midwit trap” and the illusion of expertise[7:40] Why we need to think beyond rationality[9:23] Leading through uncertainty and complexity[10:40] Creating “islands of coherence” for teams[11:23] The wizard’s path: using power without being corrupted[13:47] AI validation and “glazing psychosis”[15:02] Why doubt is evidence of thinking[16:01] Antifragility and becoming stronger through challenge[18:02] How teams notice the next big opportunity[19:14] Best practice versus next practice[20:24] Negative capability and the value of disconnection[22:40] Finding vocation and meaning beyond profit[24:14] Closing thoughtsFollow First Focus on LinkedIn for more conversations with technology leaders, innovators and industry experts 🔗 www.linkedin.com/company/first-focus-itSubscribe to the First Focus YouTube channel for more episodes from IT Nation ANZ 2026.Special thanks to ConnectWise and IT Nation for supporting these conversations.

Craig Nevatt from DNA Accountants joins us to discuss the firm’s winning AI initiative through the AI Investment NZ fund.With $20,000 in funding, DNA Accountants is developing an AI-powered review assistant designed to identify inconsistencies, omissions and errors in accounts, tax returns and supporting documents before they reach a manager for formal review.The potential impact is significant: saving 30–45 minutes per engagement, reducing rework, improving turnaround times and creating more space for accountants to focus on strategic advice and client relationships.Craig also shares his thoughts on AI adoption, changing hiring priorities, the future of accounting and why curiosity, empathy and commercial thinking will become increasingly important skills.Chapters:00:00 Introducing DNA Accountants and the AI initiative01:32 Craig’s background and the growth of the business04:17 DNA Accountants’ ideal clients05:47 The current review process08:00 How AI can reduce rework and double handling09:01 Measuring the return on investment11:23 Driving AI adoption across the team15:45 The changing skills required in accounting18:24 How AI is reshaping the profession20:14 The 12-month vision for DNA Accountants23:48 The next opportunities for AI in accounting25:53 Data intelligence, security and the future26:48 Closing thoughts#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Accounting #Automation #NewZealandBusiness #FutureOfWorkSubscribe for more conversations about AI, business transformation and the future of work.