Why we use AI.

Why We’re Using AI Images: A Commitment to Your Wallet

At tum.co.nz, we’ve always believed that technology should work for people, not the other way around. Lately, you might have noticed something a little different about the visuals on our site. From our product showcases to our lifestyle banners, we’ve made the conscious choice to lean into AI-generated imagery.

We know that "AI" can be a loaded term. We also know that in the past, when big companies adopted new tech, the benefits rarely made it to the customer's receipt. We want to do things differently. Here’s why we’re making the shift and—more importantly—what it means for you.

The Goal: Fighting the Cost of Living

It’s no secret that the cost of living in New Zealand has been a challenge for all of us. As a business, we face a choice: we can keep doing things the "traditional" way and pass those rising costs on to you, or we can innovate to find savings.

Traditional commercial photography is incredibly expensive. Between hiring studios, transporting equipment, professional lighting, and post-production, a single high-end shoot can cost thousands. By using AI, we can create world-class visuals at a fraction of that cost.

Where do those savings go? Unlike the old corporate playbook, we aren't using this tech just to pad our margins. We are using it to lower our overheads so we can keep our prices as low as possible. When we save on a photoshoot, you save on your order.

Efficiency at Scale

AI allows us to be agile. If we need to show you how a product looks in a Kiwi backyard versus a modern apartment, we can do that in minutes, not weeks.

This efficiency means:

• Faster Updates: We can bring new products to you sooner.

• Better Accuracy: We can generate multiple angles and contexts to help you see exactly what you’re getting.

• Sustainable Practices: No transport emissions, no physical waste from one-off sets, and no international travel for "location" shoots.

A Different Approach to Tech

We understand the skepticism. Many people feel that technology has often been used to replace human connection or increase corporate profits while the "little guy" pays more.

Our mission is the opposite. We view AI as a tool for democratizing quality. It allows a local New Zealand business like ours to compete with global giants without needing a global giant’s budget. By keeping our internal costs "lean," we stay resilient and keep our services accessible to every New Zealander.

We’re Still Human

While the images might be generated by code, the vision behind them—and the service you receive—is 100% human. Our team still hand-picks every visual to ensure it meets our standards and reflects the quality you expect from tum.co.nz.

We are committed to being transparent about how we work because we value the trust you put in us. We’re using the future of tech to protect your budget today.

Have questions about our new look or how we’re working to keep costs down?

We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to our support team or leave a comment below!