Skip to content
asb-xero-ai-bootcamp-for-business-logo-colour-light

Delivered by:     academyex-logo

Expressions of Interest for the ASB + Xero AI Bootcamp are now closed.

There has been incredible interest in our ASB + Xero AI Bootcamp and we have now reached our capacity for the current cohort. If you have already submitted an EOI, our team is reviewing applications and will contact you via email regarding the next steps.

To find out more about how you can utilise AI in your workflows, we encourage you to take a look at Xero's AI Guides resources. Plus, check out the ASB Business Hub – for expert guidance, insights, and practical resources for your business, all in one place.

8 June - 28 August | Registrations closing soon.

Go from AI curious to AI confident.

Join Aotearoa’s largest online AI Bootcamp for small and medium businesses, brought to you by ASB and Xero, delivered by academyEX. Learn how to use AI safely and practically to supercharge your day-to-day productivity. There are 4,000 funded spots available for NZ business owners, or their nominated person, with an allocation of one person per business.

  • Cost: Free
  • Format: 12 weeks of online learning (4 weeks self-guided + 8 weeks of live, expert-led sessions)
  • Time commitment: Approximately 20 hours total
Register your interest

Keep your business human – and let AI do the heavy lifting

Many small businesses have told us they worry AI will make their brand feel less authentic. This bootcamp shows you how to use AI as a behind-the-scenes helper – not a replacement.

You’ll learn where AI can quietly support you: tidying up comms, handling routine admin, surfacing insights and speeding up decisions, while you stay the human face of your business.
Register your interest

This bootcamp is designed to help you:

  • Use AI tools to automate everyday admin and routine tasks
  • Using Agents to streamline key workflows and reduce errors
  • Turn business data into clear, actionable insights
  • Improve customer experience with smarter, more personalised interactions
  • Move from one-off experiments to consistent, repeatable results

By the end, you’ll feel confident using AI to run your business more efficiently – with a clear plan for what to tackle next.

Who is it for?

This bootcamp is designed for Aotearoa New Zealand business owners and leaders.

Register your interest

What’s included

A fully funded programme designed to fit around your work, with:

  • Self-paced learning platform AI for Business
  • Live, expert-led online sessions
  • Access to tools, templates and a resource library

(Valued at $1,350 - free for selected participants)

See course content
Weeks 1–4 | Foundations course

Self-paced AI for Business learning platform

Build core AI knowledge through short, practical modules:

  • Introduction to AI

  • Everyday use of AI

  • Intelligent collaboration with AI

  • AI and the future of work

You’ll earn digital badges and unlock access to the tools and resource library.


Time commitment
90 – 120 minutes per week, at your own pace.

Weeks 5–12 | Live Sessions

Guided & applied

  • 8 × weekly live online sessions (90 minutes each)

  • Hands-on exercises using your own business context

You’ll:

  • Identify high-impact opportunities in your business

  • Test and refine AI use cases

  • Build practical AI automations you can apply immediately


Time commitment
1 × 90-minute session per week (8 weeks), plus optional time to apply learning in your business.

Register your interest

What you'll walk away with

Practical AI skills you can use across your business

A personalised AI opportunity map and action plan

Ready-to-use workflows, prompts and tools that save time

A clear understanding of AI’s value, risks and responsible use

A “12 wins in 12 weeks” mindset to keep building momentum

Register your interest

Key dates

8 June

Register your interest by 8 June

3 July

Complete self-guided AI for Business foundations course by 3 July

6 July

Live AI bootcamp starts the week of 6 July

Register your interest

Places are limited. There are 4,000 funded spots available for NZ business owners, or their nominated person, with an allocation of one person per business.
We’ll be in touch with successful applicants by email.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost?

The programme is funded by ASB and Xero, so it’s free to selected participants. Valued at $1,350.

What’s the time commitment?

Foundations are self guided and can be completed around your schedule. We recommend allowing four weeks to work through these modules, the estimated weekly time commitment is approximately 90 minutes. The live workshop is 8 weekly online sessions (90 minutes each), plus we recommend you spend some additional time each week applying learnings to your business.

What happens after I register?

Expressions of interest will be reviewed throughout the application window, and successful applicants will be sent a formal invitation to the course from the academyEX platform. The Foundations course will be available immediately after platform invitations have been accepted and will need to be completed in your own time, before 3 July.

Do I need prior AI experience?

No - this programme is designed for beginners through to early adopters.

Is this relevant to my industry?

Yes - the programme focuses on practical, business-first use cases that can be adapted to your specific context.

Why this bootcamp, why now?

AI is rapidly becoming a competitive advantage for businesses. This programme helps you:

  • Start with confidence
  • Focus on real outcomes
  • Avoid overwhelm and risk
  • Build capability that lasts
Does this AI Bootcamp count towards verifiable CPD hours?

Yes — the AI Bootcamp counts towards verifiable CPD hours for accounting professionals, we just need to provide evidence of completion.

Delivered by academyEX

academyEX is New Zealand’s only private postgraduate institute for mid-career professionals. They design Masters programmes and micro-credentials that build strategic, technological and leadership capability for the realities of modern work.