Ai Appreciation Day 2024: Industry Reactions

It’s Ai Appreciation Day. Below is what ANZ industry leaders have to say about it. We’ll add more quotes as they come in.

Newer quotes are higher up the page.

Mona Ghadiri – Senior Director of Product Management, BlueVoyant

On AI Appreciation Day, the best way to appreciate AI is to look at what AI models cannot do. We need both positive and negative test cases. We can build trust by celebrating the times AI can’t do things as much as when it is successful in our positive test cases. For those not comfortable with AI, negative test cases build trust because knowing what it can’t do is just as powerful as what it can do.

There is a lot of fear of AI taking people’s jobs to do tasks that are creative and innovative. It’s actually not good at that. By looking at what AI cannot do, we can see where human expertise is still key, and understand where AI has the most impact. With a mindset like this, we can continue to build trust in AI and enhance adoption.

Patrick Harding, Chief Product Architect at Ping Identity

AI has opened doors for nearly every industry, including cybersecurity, as it has allowed organisations to become more proactive against threats, create more frictionless user experiences, and stop attackers in their tracks faster than ever before. Yet, just as AI has been a force for good, it’s also been a catalyst for threat actors to increase their sophistication, putting identity under attack. This kind of activity is on the rise, with 41% of IT leaders expecting cybercriminals’ use of AI to significantly increase identity threats over the next year.

That said, today should serve as a reminder that while AI has created challenges for security, there is also a great opportunity to embrace the emerging technology. More specifically, organisations can (and should) use AI to combat AI-related threats and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals, to protect their customers and employees alike.

Brad Pulford – Vice President & Managing Director at HP Australia & New Zealand

The integration of AI into the education system is something I’m passionate about making happen in a positive way. At HP, we believe in the power of technology to enhance learning, but it’s crucial to remember the irreplaceable role of human connection and creativity in education. With our technology on the ground in many schools across Australia, we understand how AI can provide personalised learning experiences, streamline administrative tasks, and open new avenues for innovation.

An example of this in action is HP’s Reinvent the Classroom (RTC) initiative supports schools with their educational outcomes by delivering a digital transformation that will impact learning outcomes for students. Our program has recognised Berry Springs Primary School in the NT for the Most Digital Growth and Impact in Australia and New Zealand for 2023. Following their involvement in RTC, Berry Springs Primary School now boasts an innovation hub equipped with new laptops, leading to over 20% improvement in student performance and increased academic engagement.

When it comes to AI in schools, we can’t ignore that the human element—empathy, critical thinking, and creativity—remains essential to keeping learning standards high. Instead of choosing between AI and humanity, it’s about finding a balance where both can thrive together.

Anthony Spiteri – Regional CTO APJ at Veeam

AI Appreciation Day offers a moment to reflect on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in our industry. At Veeam, we’re leveraging AI in powerful ways to predict and mitigate risks, optimise operations, and enhance data protection strategies. This commitment is evident in our latest advancements, particularly in the core platform, our partnership with Microsoft and the technology preview of our advanced AI Assistant.

We introduced a cutting edge malware detection engine, showcasing how AI can significantly enhance backup and recovery processes. By analysing vast amounts of data, our AI-driven engine identifies patterns and anomalies, enabling proactive threat detection and response. This real-time monitoring and anomaly detection ensure that our customers’ data remains secure and recoverable, fortifying their security posture.

Our partnership with Microsoft takes this a step further, providing insights from Microsoft 365 backup data. This integration allows us to offer more efficient and effective data management solutions, ensuring our customers can confidently navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. Outside of M365, AI-driven insights and analysis of backup infrastructure and security posture will provide our customers with an unparalleled level of visibility and control and the ability to interact with these platforms with natural language analytics and observability.

AI is not just shaping the future; it’s fortifying our present, helping us build a more secure and resilient digital world. This AI Appreciation Day, let’s celebrate the incredible potential of AI and the advancements it brings to data resiliency.

Kumar Mitra – Managing Director, ANZ at Lenovo ISG

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept but a transformative force reshaping the business landscape. This AI Appreciation Day, we must recognize and emphasize the practical applications of this technology.

ANZ businesses have not shied away from embracing AI solutions to gain a competitive edge. According to a recent study by Lenovo, 83% of ANZ CIOs have expressed certainty that AI will create a competitive advantage, with 38% considering it to be a game changer for their organisations. As business needs expand and the opportunities for AI grow, hybrid Smarter Infrastructure becomes important to effectively manage AI complexities. This ensures generation and processing of data in real-time, helping businesses deliver superior customer experience.

Businesses must develop and evolve the entire industrial ecosystem to ensure AI is accessible across all development and application stages. Everyone should benefit from these advancements in a more sustainable future created through smarter AI. Lenovo is at the forefront of this exciting journey as it upholds its commitment to its vision of ‘AI for All’ – making AI accessible and inclusive to drive intelligent transformation.

Gavin Jones – Area Vice President, ANZ at Elastic, the Search Ai Company

AI has become integral to our daily lives, from simplifying routine tasks to tackling global challenges. One noteworthy application is Search AI, which combines the precision of search and the intelligence of AI to revolutionise how organisations manage and utilise their data, providing faster, smarter, and more efficient access to relevant information.

In healthcare, AI facilitates quick access to critical patient data and research, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient care. In business settings, AI enables the extraction of actionable insights from vast data sets, improving decision-making, customer service, and operational efficiency. It also aids IT and security teams by identifying threats in real time and enhancing targeted customer support efforts.

While we celebrate AI’s achievements, it’s crucial to prioritise ethical considerations in its development and deployment. At Elastic, we are dedicated to ensuring AI is applied ethically, emphasising transparency, accountability, and fairness. Our vision is to harness the power of Search AI while preventing biases and ensuring equitable benefits for everyone.”

Check out other Ai Appreciation Day reactions.

Last Updated on July 10, 2025 by Nick Ross