Building AI into your Business or Service

Bring one service or repetitive task from your business. Leave with a working AI agent that takes on one useful part of it.

For example, an agent that answers the questions customers ask you every week using your own information, turns rough notes into a quote or report in your format, or sorts new enquiries and drafts a reply for you to check.

You’ll map the process with Serge, decide what AI should and shouldn’t do, and build your agent in Autohive during the session. No coding required, and Autohive credits are provided, so there’s nothing to pay for on the day and nothing to set up beforehand.

This is a hands-on, in-person session for people who run a business or a service and want to put AI to work on something real. Serge will show you how it’s done, then you’ll build your own with help in the room.

If you’re comfortable using a laptop, you’ll be fine. If you’ve already used ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, even better.

About Serge
Serge van Dam is an investor in several New Zealand AI companies and an Operating Partner at the venture capital firm Movac. He co-founded the AI training company AI Supercharge and advises government agencies including MBIE and NZTE. He began his career as an organisational psychologist and change manager, so he came to AI through people rather than code.

A note on Autohive
The workshop runs on Autohive, a no-code platform for building AI agents. Serge is an investor in Autohive. We’re using it because it suits the session, and what you learn carries across to other tools.

Free talk the night before
Serge is also giving a free public talk, Wake Up to AI: A Call to Arms for Nelson, on Thursday 29 October at 7pm at the Nelson Function Centre. Everyone is welcome.
https://events.humanitix.com/wake-up-to-ai-a-call-to-arms-for-nelson

Places are limited, so please book early.

Date and time: Friday 30 October 2026, 9:00am to 12:15pm
Location: Trafalgar Park Pavilion, Nelson
Tickets: $195 (incl. GST)

Know before you go

• Bring a charged laptop.

• Bring one service or repetitive task from your work to build around.

• Wifi and Autohive credits are provided on the day.

About the AI Sandbox
The Nelson AI Sandbox is a not-for-profit community initiative based in Nelson and Christchurch. Our mission is to empower and educate the community in the use of AI, making the technology accessible to everyone, at whatever pace suits. Find us at aisandbox.org.nz

Any questions get in touch jo@aisandbox.org.nz