A growing share of my work is applied AI: agentic and retrieval systems, mostly on self-hosted and open-source models.
When control is the constraint
This work is for organisations that cannot send their data elsewhere. The objective is to adopt useful capability without giving up ownership of the system or increasing dependence beyond what the organisation can accept.
Ownership and resilience
AI is powerful. Dependence is dangerous. Resilience comes from ownership. The aim is to adopt AI without losing control.
How the work proceeds
The work starts with a map of the system as it actually is. I make the architectural position explicit, document open questions rather than papering them over, and stay close to implementation. The systems include agentic and retrieval work on self-hosted and open-source models.
Working with the team
I work independently, usually embedded with an in-house team. The architecture and open questions stay with the team. The measure of an engagement is what the team can do after it ends.
Based in Tauranga
I am an independent solution architect and senior developer based in Tauranga, New Zealand.