Indigenous Practitioner. Intelligence Scholar. Storyteller.#
Dr Gareth Jones is an Indigenous scholar–practitioner from Aotearoa New Zealand whose work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, Indigenous knowledge systems, and national security. His research and professional practice are grounded in a commitment to advancing culturally informed approaches to complex global challenges, particularly where emerging technologies intersect with human systems, identity, and governance. He is currently undertaking a PhD at the Australian National University School of Cybernetics, where he is investigating whether artificial intelligence can meaningfully engage with, reflect, or replicate Indigenous worldviews. His research adopts a comparative lens across Māori, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Pacific epistemologies, positioning Indigenous knowledge not as an artefact of the past, but as a living and adaptive system with critical relevance to the future of AI.
At the core of Dr Jones’ research is an exploration of relational knowledge systems and how these can inform the design, governance, and ethical deployment of AI technologies. Drawing on foundational Māori concepts such as whakapapa (relational identity and layered interconnectedness), whanaungatanga (networks of obligation, reciprocity, and belonging), and tikanga (values-based systems guiding correct and ethical conduct), his work challenges dominant computational paradigms that prioritise abstraction, reductionism, and decontextualised data. Instead, he advances a cybernetic perspective that recognises relationships, context, and responsibility as central organising principles. This approach contributes to emerging global discussions on culturally responsive AI, Indigenous data sovereignty, and the need for technology systems that are accountable not only to efficiency and performance, but to people, communities, and intergenerational wellbeing.
Dr Jones’ work also engages directly with national security and intelligence domains, where questions of trust, legitimacy, and cultural understanding are increasingly central. He holds postgraduate qualifications in terrorism, intelligence, and security studies, which underpin his applied and academic contributions to these fields. He examines how Indigenous epistemologies can inform more adaptive, ethical, and socially grounded intelligence practices, particularly in areas such as countering violent extremism, disinformation, and online harm. Through his involvement with international initiatives including the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism and the Christchurch Call Advisory Network, he contributes to global policy and practitioner conversations on digital safety, platform accountability, and the evolving threat landscape. His work highlights the importance of incorporating diverse knowledge systems into security frameworks, particularly within the Indo-Pacific context where cultural dynamics are deeply intertwined with geopolitical realities.
He holds a PhD examining relationship formation in international alliances through Māori values, providing a strong foundation for his current research by demonstrating how relational frameworks can strengthen collaboration, trust, and long-term strategic outcomes across cultures and institutions. In addition to his academic work, Dr Jones brings extensive practitioner experience, including his role as Chief Executive of Ngā Pou Mana, New Zealand’s largest Māori allied health professional membership organisation. In this capacity, he works closely with Indigenous Allied Health Australia, supporting trans-Tasman collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the strengthening of Indigenous health workforce and systems.
Across his research, leadership, and international engagement, Dr Jones advances a vision of cybernetic systems that are inclusive, relational, and grounded in diverse knowledge traditions. His work challenges conventional boundaries between technology, culture, and security, offering new pathways for designing systems that are not only intelligent, but also ethical, culturally attuned, and capable of supporting more resilient and cohesive societies.
Areas of Expertise: Culturally Responsive AI, Indigenous Data Sovereignty, National Security, Implications of Emerging Technologies.