Nelson AI Sandbox

28/05/2026

How great is this feedback from a mum who visited the cafe with her son and spent time with our AI Specialist Jack Manson. This is why the Nelson AI Sandbox exists.🔥

"I am a sole parent of a tech savvy young boy and I struggle to find opportunities for him to learn about AI. Jack is patient and knowledgeable and my son is enjoying learning from him. We really appreciate this opportunity for expanding our knowledge and capability regardless of our current income bracket!! It's great not to be left behind in our changing tech world." - 10/10 rating

Book your session with Jack here: https://aisandbox.org.nz/book-a-session/

27/05/2026

🤖👋It was great to share our story about the Nelson AI Sandbox and our new AI Cafe co-located at the Halifax Cafe, with local and national media and explain why helping the community upskill in AI technology is so important.

If you are curious about AI, or have questions about the technology, you can drop in or make a booking to talk to Jack our AI Specialist for a FREE appointment. We are here to help everyone no matter your skill level. See you at the Halifax Cafe!

AI Cafe Making Technology Accessible in Nelson RNZ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/science-and-technology/594017/ai-cafe-making-technology-accessible-in-nelson
Nine to Noon RNZ: Charity Running AI Lessons From a Local Cafe https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019033520/nelson-charity-running-ai-lessons-from-a-local-cafe
The Press - Nelson Mail: Community AI Initiative Sets up Cafe https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360994311/community-ai-initiative-sets-shop-cafe
Nelson AI Café offers homely AI learning | Top South Now https://www.topsouthnow.co.nz/news/69f7f00ca811a1fe181627ed

25/05/2026

🎉 We had a great time at the Nelson Tech Symposium 2026!

The Nelson AI Sandbox crew loved having a stand and getting to meet so many awesome people from the local tech industry. There's a real energy in the Nelson tech community and we're stoked to be a part of it.

Big shoutout to Sandy - who represented the Sandbox by showing some of her impressive dance moves! 💃🕺

We're looking forward to building on the connections we made and growing alongside the incredible tech community in our backyard. 🌿

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand — let's keep the conversation going!

21/05/2026

Team Spotlight – Jo Dellabarca

Jo Dellabarca has recently joined as the Sandbox's Operation and Project Coordinator. She will take over some of Sloane Bayley's work, following Sloane's move to Queenstown.

Jo moved to Nelson a year ago from the Wairarapa. She worked in Wellington for many years in marketing, project coordinator and membership management roles.

She came across the Nelson AI Sandbox not long after she moved to Whakatū/Nelson and was impressed by the concept of the Sandbox, as an approachable welcoming place where anyone can get hands on with technology.

Jo enjoys working with people and is looking forward to helping build Nelson Tasman’s capacity in AI. She's passionate about creating a community where everyone has an equitable relationship with technology and the benefits AI provides.

In her spare time, Jo dabbles in AI and currently has a couple of small projects on the go. She is excited about developing her skills through the Sandbox.

Outside of work she spends time painting landscapes in oil, gardening and she also enjoys craft beer.

She looks forward to meeting you at the Sandbox, a workshop or another NAIS event.

20/05/2026

Nicholas came into the AI Sandbox and didn't know what to expect but was "blown away" by the help he received from our AI Specialist Jack. Jack gave him a general introduction to AI and showed what it could do for him personally as a business owner.

Nicholas says the Sandbox is the "go-to-place" to learn about AI, and he "strongly recommends" people check us out. Thanks Nicholas it was our pleasure to work with you.

"I am the owner of a Strategic Communications company in the Middle East and I've been doing strategic brand and marketing work for a very long time," Nicholas wrote.

"I now realise, through Jack's help, just how effective AI can be in assisting me to perform my work - which involves my brain, my original thinking, of course - but to do it in a much simpler, faster, more cost-effective manner. And this is where AI really comes in. We explored Chat GPT, Claude for writing and more, Higgsfield for images and Sumo for music tracks and of course Wispr Flow.

"I am absolutely delighted to recommend AI-Sandbox to anyone who is looking to understand AI better or make it work for them - in whatever way. Jack and Jo and the people at AI-Sandbox are the go-to-place to find out all about AI and what it can do for you. The fact that they are a 'not-for-profit' and that I was able to spend time learning valuable insights at no charge is incredible.

"They run a variety of events at a modest charge, and I strongly recommend that you attend if you are in any way interested.

"We've all been talking about AI for a long time, but it's now a reality. Those that grasp it, use it wisely will prosper while others may well fall by the wayside. The future is now here."

Are you curious about how AI could help you? Book a session here, https://aisandbox.org.nz/book-a-session/

20/05/2026

Nicholas came into the AI Sandbox and didn't know what to expect but was "blown away" by the help he received from our AI Specialist Jack.

Jack gave Nicholas a general introduction to AI and showed what it could do for him personally as a business owner.

Nicholas says the Sandbox is the "go-to-place" to learn about AI, and he "strongly recommends" people check us out. Thanks Nicholas it was our pleasure to work with you.

"I am the owner of a Strategic Communications company in the Middle East and I've been doing strategic brand and marketing work for a very long time," Nicholas wrote.

"I now realise, through Jack's help, just how effective AI can be in assisting me to perform my work - which involves my brain, my original thinking, of course - but to do it in a much simpler, faster, more cost-effective manner. And this is where AI really comes in. We explored Chat GPT, Claude for writing and more, Higgsfield for images and Sumo for music tracks and of course Wispr Flow.

"I am absolutely delighted to recommend AI-Sandbox to anyone who is looking to understand AI better or make it work for them - in whatever way. Jack and Jo and the people at AI-Sandbox are the go-to-place to find out all about AI and what it can do for you. The fact that they are a 'not-for-profit' and that I was able to spend time learning valuable insights at no charge is incredible.

"They run a variety of events at a modest charge, and I strongly recommend that you attend if you are in any way interested.

"We've all been talking about AI for a long time, but it's now a reality. Those that grasp it, use it wisely will prosper while others may well fall by the wayside. The future is now here."

Are you curious about how AI could help you? Book a session here, https://aisandbox.org.nz/book-a-session/

18/05/2026

AI in Marketing & Communications.

We delivered this workshop in partnership with the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, this workshop explored how generative AI tools are reshaping content creation, communication planning, and audience engagement. Practical applications included campaign planning, social media content, newsletters, image generation, and customer communication — with a focus on removing repetitive work and accelerating the creative process.

Attendees also explored maintaining authentic organisational voice and human oversight when using AI-generated content. The strong attendance reflected growing local interest in adopting AI safely and effectively.

We are repeating this course on July 2, Get your tickets here: https://www.commerce.org.nz/event/ai-in-marketing-communications-nelson

17/05/2026

👂Our co-founder Richard Brudvik-Lindner spoke with RNZ's Morning Report about the cafe.

You can hear Richard talk about the Sandbox and how we are hoping to reach as many people as possible in our new location at the Halifax Cafe. Have a listen by clicking the link below.

If you haven't been to see us, drop in and say hello at the Halifax Cafe, we'd love to help you where ever you are on your AI Journey.

A Nelson charity helping people to understand and embrace artificial intelligence has moved to a new location - a local cafe.

14/05/2026

Liara came in as she wanted help with building an App in her spare time and didn't know where to start. She was directed to the Nelson AI Sandbox online, made an appointment, and meet with AI Specialist Jack at our AI Cafe who was able to help her and set her on her way.

"I was very grateful with the assistance. It has been really helpful."

Got a question about AI? Book a free appointment here at our AI Cafe co-located in Halifax Cafe, Nelson: https://aisandbox.org.nz/book-a-session/

13/05/2026

Thanks to the Nelson Weekly for this great coverage on our AI Cafe co-located in Halifax Cafe.

If you haven't been to see it yet, drop in for a coffee and check it out, or book a spot with our AI expert Jack via our website, or at the cafe.

“We know that the more you can put AI in a context that people are already comfortable with, the more willing they are to approach the topic, try the tools, have a conversation and not feel threatened,” co-founder Richard Brudvik-Linder says.

Nelson AI Café offers homely AI learning