Research Outlines Emerging Sustainability AI Trust Challenge For Kiwi BusinessesPhoto/SuppliedWednesday 29 July, 2026 – As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in everyday products, workplaces and customer experiences, new research from One New Zealand suggests businesses need to consider social and environmental impacts to maintain customer and public trust in how AI is deployed. The One NZ AI Trust Report 2026: Sustainability Edition, released today, reveals almost half (45%) of New Zealanders are concerned about the environmental impacts of businesses using AI, rising to 63% among 18–24-year-olds. The findings suggest sustainability is emerging alongside privacy and transparency as important factors shaping trust in AI. The AI Trust Report forms part of One NZ's ongoing commitment to understanding how New Zealanders view AI and helping organisations build trust as adoption accelerates. The full One NZ AI Trust Report 2026: Sustainability Edition can be downloaded here.