Kitea Health founder Simon Malpas explains the transformative potential of its world-first implantable brain sensor
Plus Microsoft on Judith's AI strategy; the tech leaders flocking to Mar-A-Lago to rebuild Trump ties; and the Kiwi CEO named among top global healthcare leaders to watch in 2025
Welcome to your Tuesday morning fix.
As part of our holiday season cheer, today’s shot is FREE for all so you can see what you’re missing beyond our intro rambles. Here’s the Daily Shot news you won’t want to miss today…AND that you can read in full no less [don’t worry we make it snappy as we know you’re time poor].
Microsoft’s Bret Arsenault on AI, Cybersecurity, and Judith Collins’ Strategy
Why the most powerful word in your vocabularly is no
Job Ads Rise in November, But Challenges Persist for Job Seekers
Microsoft Unveils NZ's Most Sustainable Datacentre, Aiming to Drive Tech-Driven Growth
Tech Leaders Flock to Mar-a-Lago to Rebuild Ties with President-elect Trump
Kiwi CEO Sarah Kennedy Named Among Top Global Healthcare Leaders to Watch in 2025
How silent is the ‘silent’ reading in your head? 🤔
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Microsoft’s Bret Arsenault on AI, Cybersecurity, and Judith Collins’ Strategy: Microsoft's Bret Arsenault, in Auckland for the launch of the company’s $1 billion data centre, praised New Zealand's balanced approach to AI under Technology Minister Judith Collins. Arsenault outlined Microsoft’s major security overhaul following breaches linked to China and Russia. The Secure Future Initiative (SFI) now ensures products meet stringent security standards before release. He emphasised the rise in cyber threats fuelled by AI, with Microsoft investing in advanced threat-hunting teams across Australia and New Zealand. Balancing innovation with security is critical, he noted, aligning with Collins’ “light-touch, risk-based” AI strategy. Full story from Chris Keall here.
Job Ads Rise in November, But Challenges Persist for Job Seekers:
The Seek Employment Report shows a 1% rise in job ads for November, the first increase since July, with construction and industrial sectors driving growth. However, applications per job ad also rose 3%, reflecting tough competition. Banking and financial services bucked the trend with booming ad volumes, while healthcare and IT sectors saw declines. Advertised salaries grew 3.1% annually, outpacing inflation, with government and education sectors leading the way. Regional stability was noted in Wellington, Canterbury, and Auckland after months of declines. Full piece here.
Microsoft Unveils NZ's Most Sustainable Datacentre, Aiming to Drive Tech-Driven Growth: Microsoft’s $1 billion hyperscale datacentre in Auckland is now live, marking a significant investment in New Zealand’s cloud infrastructure. Boasting 100% renewable energy and water-free cooling, the datacentre is Microsoft’s most sustainable globally. It aims to support AI growth and lower latency for local businesses. Despite a sluggish economy, Microsoft remains confident in the demand for hyperscale data capacity, pledging to upskill 100,000 Kiwis in digital and AI skills by 2027. The project is expected to contribute significantly to NZ’s GDP, with government and private sector clients among its first adopters. More from Peter Griffin here.
Tech Leaders Flock to Mar-a-Lago to Rebuild Ties with President-elect Trump: Top tech CEOs, including Sundar Pichai, Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, are visiting Mar-a-Lago to mend fences with President-elect Trump. With Trump poised to influence key policies, companies like Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI have pledged $1 million each to his inaugural fund, signalling a strategic shift after years of strained relations. The efforts come amid concerns that Elon Musk’s close ties with Trump could shape the competitive landscape, with rivals wary of potential political leverage. This charm offensive underscores the tech industry's pragmatic approach to navigating shifting political dynamics. Full Morning Brew piece here.
Kiwi CEO Sarah Kennedy Named Among Top Global Healthcare Leaders to Watch in 2025: Sarah Kennedy, CEO of New Zealand-based Calocurb, has been recognised by Fortune magazine as one of the top 36 global healthcare leaders to follow in 2025. Calocurb’s natural GLP-1 activator, Amarasate, offers a safer, more affordable alternative to synthetic weight management medications like Ozempic, addressing rising demand and shortages. With rapid growth of 400–600% per quarter and significant interest from medical professionals, Calocurb is poised for a breakthrough year in the booming GLP-1 industry, projected to surpass $100 billion by 2030. Kennedy calls the recognition a testament to Calocurb’s innovative approach to tackling global health challenges. Full list here.
I don’t just hear words - I’m a full blown narrator with different character voices and everything! 😆 Could never have imagined people could read this way - goes to show we never really know what’s happening inside someone else’s mind. How silent is your reading?
That’s it for today, thanks for reading. Want to get in touch with a news tip, bit of feedback or just to chat? Email hello@caffeinedaily.co