The AI Assembly Pro Online Speaker Series – Lacey Duncan

The age of the “Chatbot” is ending. While many are still focused on using AI to save a few minutes on an email, the real opportunity for New Zealand organizations lies in building autonomous engines that drive finished business results. In this session, Lacey explores how to move beyond micro-efficiencies to a state of Infrastructure as Outcome.

1. Stop Prompting, Start Architecting

The most significant gains in AI don’t come from “chatting”; they come from integration.

• The Efficiency Trap: Measuring ROI by minutes saved is a race to the bottom.
• Infrastructure as Outcome: Shifting the focus from “Infrastructure as Code” to systems that deliver completed work autonomously.

2. Moving from Assistants to Agents

Understanding the technical leap from a system that talks to a system that acts.

• Reactive vs. Proactive: While a standard chatbot waits for a prompt, an Agent is a goal-oriented system designed to navigate different software to get a job done from start to finish.
• Developer Velocity: How “Agentic” workflows handle the heavy lifting of orchestration, allowing small teams to achieve the output of global enterprises.

3. How NZ businesses can step straight to outcome-oriented AI.

In New Zealand, we often view our smaller scale or older systems as a disadvantage. The “Leapfrog” mindset turns this on its head: because we aren’t bogged down by the massive, rigid “super-tanker” infrastructures of global giants, we can jump straight to the newest architecture.

Featured Speaker: Lacey Duncan
The New AI ROI: The shift to outcome

Lacey leads Strategic Global Content at Google Cloud for Infrastructure with AI, where she architects the narratives that define the future of cloud and AI infrastructure. Having moved from New Zealand back in 2018 and now based in New York, Lacey brings a unique perspective on how “scrappy” Kiwi organisations can leapfrog global competitors by adopting an AI-native mindset.

With a background in strategic storytelling and deep technical infrastructure, she focuses on the human nuance required to lead AI effectively. Lacey is a vocal advocate for learning with AI. Helping others see the behind-the-scenes elements so humans can focus on high-level strategic thinking.

Join this session

We are thrilled to announce a special event in the AI Assembler Pro Speaker Series, where we are dedicated to cultivating innovative thinkers within our community. Our mission is to move beyond passive use of technology by showcasing pioneering experts and the creative applications of their work. Join us to be inspired by diverse career paths, groundbreaking projects, and the personal journeys of those actively forging the way in AI.

As an exclusive benefit, all of our valued AI Assemblers have automatic access to our distinguished guest speakers.

Limited Guest Spots Available: We offer only a few highly sought-after spots for guests interested in experiencing the value of joining the AI Assembler community. Register your interest promptly, and we will notify you if you are successful in securing a place.

This is an online event, so you can join us from the comfort of your home, office, or anywhere you have an internet connection, connecting our community throughout New Zealand (the motu) and across the globe.

Take the Next Step: Secure Your Place

For The AI Assembly Community Pro Members: If you are an AI Assembler Pro, you are already part of our community of innovative thinkers! Please check your calendar — we should have already added you, but you can fill in the form below if you don’t see it there!

For The AI Assembly Community Members (Free): We have reserved a limited number of guest spots for our valued Launchpad community members who are keen to experience our exclusive speaker sessions. To register your interest in attending, please fill in the form below, and our team will be in touch if a spare spot is available for you!

Register here: https://theaiassembly.com/web-hub/event/the-new-ai-roi-stop-prompting-start-architecting