Where AI Meets Industry: Work-Integrated Learning at MDS Drives Real-World Impact

This year, three students from the AI programme completed work-integrated learning placements with X is Y, an Auckland-based data and analytics consultancy. Another placement with Website World helped accelerate the integration of AI capabilities into their platform. Together, these experiences demonstrate why MDS graduates don’t just understand artificial intelligence – they learn how to apply it in environments where expectations are high and outcomes matter.

Jared Langguth, Director – Data & AI at X is Y, describes the collaboration as “the perfect mix of giving back and getting better”. He explains that in such a rapidly evolving field, “you can’t hire someone with four years’ experience in AI agents right now – that expertise doesn’t really exist”. For X is Y, working with students provided fresh insight at a time when the industry itself is still defining emerging best practice.

Learning by doing – and delivering value

Over the three-month placement, students worked three days a week as their own agile “intern team”. Rather than placing them into existing project groups, Jared created a self-contained unit, giving them ownership over tasks while guiding them through X is Y’s agile workflow.

Their projects ranged from early learning exercises in Model Context Protocol (MCP) and agent-assisted coding, through to software used at the Snowflake World Tour and workflow automation for client environments. Jared says the students “adapted to change, worked collaboratively and were eager to contribute”, adding that they quickly learned how teamwork, communication and real-world responsiveness shape the work of AI developers just as much as technical proficiency.

The more real-world experience students can gain during their studies, the more prepared they’ll be when they enter the industry.”
— Jared Langguth, Director – Data & AI, X is Y

Building AI that works in the real world

One of the most valuable aspects of the placement was helping students understand how AI-assisted coding is reshaping development practices. Jared recalls that when the students first accessed agent-assisted coding tools, “they were like kids in a toy store”. The challenge, he says, was teaching them that the real skill lies not in generating code but in reviewing it effectively – understanding what it does, questioning it, and ensuring the end result is reliable.

The placement also introduced them to practical considerations that classroom environments can only simulate: working across different operating systems, selecting models that balance performance and cost, and validating workflow behaviour at scale. “Our culture at X is Y is built on collaboration, transparency and trust,” Jared says. “The students responded well to that. They were prepared, motivated and willing to learn – and that’s what makes these placements worthwhile.”

They learned that being part of a team and communicating clearly are just as important as technical skill.”
— Jared Langguth, Director – Data & AI, X is Y

Accelerating innovation – Website World collaboration

Website World, a New Zealand-based website hosting and CMS provider, partnered with an MDS student on a project that accelerated their adoption of AI. Director Reuben Jackson describes the experience as “a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas”. Through the placement, the interning MDS student helped integrate AI for support interactions, gaining practical experience with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), API design and production-level deployment considerations.

The company is now planning to roll out AI-driven chatbots for its merchants and is exploring MCP integration to allow AI agents to interact directly with their CMS – opening doors for improved accessibility and future interoperability with private AI agents.

Why AI placements matter

Both industry partners emphasised the importance of real-world experience for students entering an emerging and fast-moving field. Jared notes that “with something this new, we’re all learning”, which is why collaborations like these are valuable not only for students but also for companies adapting to rapid technological change.

Reuben agrees, adding that working with a student helped Website World move faster while giving the interning student a deeper understanding of developing with production outcomes in mind. Both partners highlighted that while technical skills are important, the ability to work effectively in a team, communicate clearly and ask the right questions often determines long-term success. As Jared observes, “if students had an internship every year of their course, it would level them up significantly”.

Looking ahead

These collaborations demonstrate how work-integrated learning strengthens both sides of the partnership. Students gain experience applying AI in production environments, and companies benefit from fresh perspectives at a time when AI capability is in high demand across New Zealand’s tech sector.

For prospective students, the experiences of X is Y and Website World show what studying AI at MDS looks like in practice: engaging with real tools, collaborating with industry mentors, and learning how to turn algorithms into solutions that make a meaningful difference. In a field defined by rapid advancement, these partnerships ensure graduates are not only technically capable but also ready to contribute from day one.

Find out more about the Bachelor of Software Engineering (Artificial Intelligence)