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What procurement process, if any, was used for purchasing artificial intelligence tools, if any, currently being used within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any?

Answered Question 34211 (2026)
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Asked by

Francisco Hernandez

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • What procurement process, if any, was used for purchasing artificial intelligence tools, if any, currently being used within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any?

Answered by

Hon Penny Simmonds

Member for Invercargill · National Party · Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology

Answer

As Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, I have no responsibility for any government departments. With regard to agencies, Crown entities and other bodies under the Science, Innovation and Technology portfolio, I am advised that Microsoft Copilot is generally provided through existing Microsoft licensing arrangements, including All-of-Government and Department of Internal Affairs-negotiated agreements. However, limited licences for other artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and Claude, have been purchased under delegated authority for testing purposes and did not require a formal competitive procurement process under the Government Procurement Rules.