East Auckland local tech advocate tackles the environmental cost of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

A young woman from east Auckland is turning heads not just with her crown but with her kaupapa, carving out space where technology, sustainability, and Māori leadership intersect.

Shae Parsons, a proud alumni of Botany Downs Secondary College and recipient of the Flying Kiwis Scholarship in 2014, has been announced as a finalist for Miss Earth New Zealand 2024.

Raised in the heart of east Auckland, Shae’s journey reflects a powerful blend of academic achievement, tech leadership, and community-driven advocacy.

She says she’s on a mission to bring urgent attention to the environmental impact of the digital age.

Her platform focuses on the rapidly escalating issue of e-waste and the ecological footprint of artificial intelligence – a challenge not often considered by everyday tech users.

“We’re so focused on how AI can change the world, but we forget that these systems rely on vast computing power, significant electricity consumption, and the extraction of rare earth minerals.

“It’s time we talked about tech’s hidden environmental toll,” says Shae.

Her passion for environmental justice is rooted in her dual identity as both a technologist and a wāhine Māori, she says.

After earning her Master of Computer and Information Science degree, she completed a thesis.

That work explored how advanced AI models such as recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and transformers could be used to help Māori entrepreneurs grow sustainable, future-facing businesses.

“In everyday terms, I looked at how we can use smart AI tools – like the ones behind ChatGPT – to give our whānau an edge in the business world, empowering them to succeed in ways that align with tikanga and community values.”

Her work extends beyond academia, Shae says, collaborating with national organisations such as She Sharp, which champions gender diversity in tech, and the AI Forum of New Zealand, where she advocates for more ethical, inclusive approaches to AI development.

Last year, she delivered a presentation at the prestigious AI Summit, where she spoke about the cultural and environmental responsibilities that must accompany rapid technological advancement.

As a Miss Earth NZ finalist, Shae says she brings “a fresh, forward-thinking lens” to a pageant traditionally associated with glamour.

She believes her presence challenges stereotypes and redefines what it means to be a beauty queen.

“Miss Earth isn’t just about looking the part – it’s about living your purpose and raising your voice for causes that matter,” she says.

Shae will compete at the Miss Earth NZ finals on May 31 at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.

The winner will go on to represent Aotearoa at the Miss Earth international pageant, one of the world’s most prestigious and environmentally focused competitions.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent New Zealand and the east Auckland community that shaped me.

“Botany Downs was where my passion for innovation started, and that seed has grown into something far greater than I imagined.”