The AI Productivity Trap: Why Work is Getting Harder, Not Easier

Happy New Year and welcome to our first event for 2026:)

The event:
For some, AI promises to take businesses to new heights with mind-blowing productivity improvements, letting humans work less and focus on the "fun stuff." However, the reality on the ground often looks quite different. We are seeing high expectations for smaller teams, with mounting pressure to work longer and harder to "win."
As highlighted in the recent Harvard Business Review study, "AI Doesn't Reduce Work—It Intensifies It", the tools meant to liberate us are often creating a "hamster wheel" effect—accelerating the pace of tasks only to widen the scope of what we’re expected to achieve.
Join us as we host Iain Phillips for an honest discussion on the AI paradox. We’ll explore:

• Why productivity gains often lead to increased work density rather than free time.
• How leaders can distinguish between genuine efficiency and unsustainable intensity.
• Strategies for navigating the "smaller team, higher pressure" era without burning out your best people.

About our speaker:
Iain Phillips is the VP of Engineering at Pushpay and a veteran software engineering leader. His career has spanned influential roles at Groupon, IAG, and Xero, where he has led large-scale technical teams through periods of significant growth and transformation. Beyond his professional focus on building great software and fostering fulfilling careers, Iain is a passionate cyclist who can often be found out on his bike when he’s not tackling the complexities of modern engineering leadership.

Food & Drinks: As usual - we'll provide the pizza and drinks :)

Venue: Pushpay Auckland Offices:
Level 19, Vero Centre 48 Shortland Street, Auckland Central. Please enter via the main lobby on Shortland Street and take the lifts to Level 19.