My Personal Journey, Blending Kiwi Values with Artificial Intelligence
From My Country Roots to Everyday AI, In the lush green heart of Tangiteroria, New Zealand, where rolling paddocks meet the morning mist, a young boy once ran barefoot across frosty fields, laughter mingling with the calls of magpies and the mooing of dairy cows. That boy was me, Kenton Patterson, a farm kid whose life lessons began long before he ever sat behind a computer screen or dreamed of teaching others about artificial intelligence.
I grew up on our family farm,” I can still recall. “It wasn’t just where we worked it was where we lived, played, and built memories that still shape who I am today.
Those early mornings on the land feeding out hay alongside my father on a horse-drawn sledge, or feeling the crisp grass underfoot taught me lessons no classroom could. “The land gave me more than a livelihood,” It gave me purpose, patience, and pride.
For three generations, the Patterson family worked the dairy fields of Tangiteroria NZ, I grew up watching my parents pour their lives into the soil, teaching me to care for animals, respect the environment, and find meaning in hard, honest work. It’s a legacy I still carries with quiet strength one that fuels everything I do today.
My journey took an unexpected turn in my late twenties, when I bought my first computer a second-hand machine that came with more questions than answers. But what started as curiosity soon became a calling. Self-taught and deeply motivated, I dove into the world of technology. That old computer opened up a new world for me, It showed me that it’s never too late to learn, grow, or start something new.
Today, I blend my rural values with digital innovation as the founder of Future Tech Wise, a movement dedicated to making technology and especially artificial intelligence accessible to everyone, particularly Gen X and Boomers.
My mission? To use AI to enhance, not replace, humanity, while staying true to the Kiwi spirit of connection, humility, and practical wisdom. “Technology should serve people,” It should make life richer, not colder. It’s about everyday AI tools that help us live with more intention, purpose, and ease.
A Father’s Strength and a Guardian’s Heart
Before Future Tech Wise, I walked a different path one built on responsibility, resilience, and quiet service.
As a single father, I entered into the world of security work, determined to create stability for myself and my daughter. When my daughter was five, I needed a career that could support us and give me a sense of purpose, So I threw myself into security training, completing all three levels of the security certification.
I began my security career in Dargaville, patrolling the town through long, quiet nights. For seven years I worked tirelessly, responding to alarms, protecting property, and keeping my community safe. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it mattered, I took pride in showing up and being someone people could rely on.
When my daughter came to live with him full-time, I made the move to Whangārei, continuing his security career while being a hands-on Dad. Eventually, he took on the role of overseeing security at the Rose Street Bus Depot, a position he’s held for many years with dedication and respect.
Now, nearly two decades later, I still remain actively involved in the security field, What began as a way to provide for my family turned into a lifelong commitment to service
Today, I stand at the intersection of two worlds, one rooted in the simple, timeless values of the land, and the other reaching boldly into the future of artificial intelligence.
Through my work with Future Tech Wise, I’m on a mission to help others especially those from my own generation feel confident, curious, and capable in the digital age. My story is a living testament to the belief that growth doesn’t have an age limit and that purpose is the bridge between who we were and who we can become.
“AI isn’t about replacing people, It’s about empowering them, It’s about using technology to make life more meaningful to stay connected, creative, and human.
From the frosty mornings of Tangiteroria to the bright screens of the modern world, my journey reminds us that true progress is not just about keeping up with change it’s about leading it with heart.
I believe in the power of purpose, connection, and positive change, my My mission is to live with intention, uplift others, and walk this journey together.
