Blake Harkness

Who is Blake Harkness?

I’m a Christchurch-based AI engineer and the founder of Harkness AI. I come from a mechatronics engineering background (Massey University), and I now spend my time helping New Zealand businesses work smarter with AI - through consulting, team training, and custom development.

Unlike traditional consultants, I don’t hand over a report and walk away. I stay hands-on from strategy through to a working solution - embedded in your team as a fractional AI engineering partner.

My week splits between fractional AI engineering - working inside client businesses, including Patersons Land Professionals, to build and run their AI systems - and Harkness AI’s consulting, training, and development work. Across those engagements the team has helped 25+ businesses in New Zealand and Australia and built 50+ automations.

I also publish what I learn: over 300 educational AI videos with more than 1 million views, so New Zealand businesses can see what actually works.

Educating New Zealand on AI

I run AI education across New Zealand - from small hands-on workshops to conference sessions of 300+ people, including the M2 AI Summit in Christchurch. I founded Young Kiwis in AI to build a nationwide community for young New Zealanders working in the field, and I joined a New Zealand AI delegation to China to see first-hand how AI is being deployed at national scale.

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