Hannah Hardy-Jones

Hannah Hardy-Jones is a mental health advocate and 'AI optimist' with a passion for tech that can solve real problems.

She is the co-founder of Kiwi start-up Contented AI, with a mission to ensure small and medium-sized organisations have access to the power of AI.

Firstly, we know you best as a stalwart advocate for mental health and wellbeing. Could you tell us a bit about how this work has run alongside your professional career?

I’ve always made it a priority to intertwine my advocacy work with my career. Each week, I try to carve out time specifically for this purpose, whether posting on social media (mainly LinkedIn) to address topical mental health issues or responding to current events or government policies. I am a member of several global mental health groups and I write and contribute to articles, such as the one I authored for the New Zealand College of Psychologists.

In my role as a founder and business leader, I integrate mental health awareness into our company culture, ensuring it remains at the forefront of our team dynamics, and even more so the discussion of mental health is a part of our customer interactions and what we do at Contented AI.

I believe it's vital to be open about my own experiences with mental health. Despite my successes in business, I openly discuss my past struggles to illustrate that it's possible to thrive professionally while managing a mental illness. This ongoing transparency is key to my advocacy, as it challenges the stigma and shows that recovery, or managing well, doesn’t mean the absence of challenges. 

What brought you into this new space of embracing AI?

I began my journey into AI with the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. My co-founder Lucy and I were each spearheading our startups at the time and we turned to AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline our work and grow revenue, integrating these tools across all facets of our businesses. 

The results were incredible so we shared our knowledge by consulting for other startups and businesses. This experience showed common challenges and limitations within existing AI products, which pushed us towards creating our own tailored solutions. By mid-2023, we began developing bespoke AI tools that not only addressed specific business needs—integrating templates, best practices, and core values—but also upheld ethical standards and a human-centered approach. Our tools are designed to genuinely solve problems and enhance efficiency, steering clear of being gimmicky. This direction has not only shaped our business strategy but also reinforced our commitment to responsible AI development. 

What is the mission for Contented AI and your product, Satchel?

We develop AI tools that are impactful, meaningful, and represent an extremely high-quality output. Currently, the market is saturated with AI solutions that perform averagely or require extensive prompting. We aim to set a new standard by creating tools that are intuitive, effective, and accessible to every member of a team without the need for specialised governance or risk management. 

We want to empower grassroots businesses in New Zealand and globally—startups, small enterprises, and consultancies that often miss opportunities for innovation due to tools designed primarily for large corporations. By democratising access to cutting-edge AI, we are on a mission to transform lives, reduce burnout, and enable businesses to thrive in today's struggling economy. 

One of our flagship products, Satchel is designed specifically for the journalism industry. Satchel transforms lengthy local government/council sessions into concise, impactful news articles and insights. This tool not only supports journalists but also serves communities (eg in the U.S. communities are affected by 'news deserts'—areas with no local news coverage.) Our vision is to ensure everyone has access to the information necessary to make informed decisions and engage in democratic processes. We aim to positively change the world through meaningful, community-focused journalism. 

When looking back at your time at UC, what experiences or memories have stuck with you?

My best memories from uni are often centered around the library. I spent many hours there studying, especially since our flat was absolutely freezing! Big groups of our friends would study on the same floor so we had a lot of laughs there too. Walking through the university grounds also stands out - the beautiful trees and open spaces were a great escape, especially during stressful study times. 

I also had a number of lecturers who profoundly impacted my approach to learning, challenging me to think differently and deeply about various subjects. Their influence was huge and has stuck with me over the years.

Living in Uni Hall was a significant experience with moving far away from home in the central North Island - it was a big step! The relationships I made have not only supported me personally but have also been invaluable professionally.

What advice would you offer to fellow UC alumni who are in the early stages of getting a startup running?

It is so essential to stay open-minded and receptive to feedback. Building something new can often lead to becoming defensive about your work. Recognise this tendency and actively seek out and embrace constructive criticism to refine and improve your product- it's easier said than done but is so important!