New Zealand adds Applied Intelligent Systems subject

The Electrotechnology, Information Technology and Creative Industry Skills Board will lead the development of Applied Intelligent Systems as a new senior secondary subject in New Zealand. The Minister of Education has confirmed it as one of nine new industry-led subjects.

The board will also support the Transport Industry Skills Board in developing Engineering Technology under the new senior secondary qualification system.

Applied Intelligent Systems is intended to give students an understanding of systems that take in information, make decisions, act, adapt and respond to feedback. The subject is expected to cover machine learning and agentic systems, alongside other forms of intelligent technology used in workplaces and industries.

The addition reflects a push to align school learning more closely with changes in the labour market, where digital tools and automated systems are being used across a broader range of roles. Relevant sectors include construction, agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, transport, logistics, the creative industries, the public sector and technology.

Subject scope

The course is expected to take a practical, project-based approach. Students would examine how intelligent systems can be applied to real-world problems, assess how those systems perform, and consider where human judgement, oversight and responsibility remain necessary.

Alongside technical understanding, the subject is also expected to build broader skills, including critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, systems thinking, communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning and responsible decision-making.

Graeme Muller, Chief Executive of Tech New Zealand, said the new subject reflects the way digital work is changing. "Applied Intelligent Systems is exactly the type of subject needed to ensure students have the best possible opportunity of being successful in a world that is increasingly using AI. Our research is showing that the demand for people that know how to build, manage and work with advanced digital technologies is continuing to increase, not decline, thanks to AI. It's no longer about coding, it's about understanding how to use these modern tools."

Industry role

Industry participation is expected to be central to the design of the subject. The board will work with employers, industry organisations, schools, kura, education providers, subject experts, other Industry Skills Boards and the Ministry of Education as development begins.

Mike Barr, Board Chair, ETITC ISB, said that involvement would help keep the curriculum tied to employment pathways and current practice. "Industry has an important role to play in ensuring education keeps pace with the changing world of work. Applied Intelligent Systems and Engineering Technology will give students opportunities to build relevant, transferable capabilities and explore how intelligent, engineering and technical systems are applied in real-world contexts."

Barr also linked the two subjects to student pathways beyond school. "Together, the subjects will help learners better understand the range of pathways available to them and how their skills and interests can connect to further study, training and rewarding careers across a wide range of industries."

The creation of Applied Intelligent Systems suggests a broader shift in how secondary education approaches digital literacy. Rather than focusing narrowly on software development, the subject description points to a wider understanding of how intelligent technologies are assessed, deployed and governed in practical settings.

That approach may also reflect concern that students entering the workforce will need to work alongside automated tools in many occupations, not only in specialist technology roles. By positioning the subject across multiple sectors, the framework places intelligent systems within mainstream career preparation rather than treating them as a niche topic.

Jenni Pethig, Chief Executive, ETITC ISB, said the aim is to help young people engage with those technologies in a confident and responsible way. "Applied Intelligent Systems recognises that a productive New Zealand economy will require high-level digital skills. Technology is in every industry, not just IT, and this subject will teach students the skills and tools to create our future workforce."