AI Adoption in Australia: New Survey Reveals Increased Use & Belief in Potential

Over the last year, it’s been amazing to see the many ways Australians have been adopting AI for work, life, education and entertainment.

Now, a new survey we’ve conducted with IPSOS, as part of a global study of 21 countries, reveals more Australians than ever before are using the technology, recording a significant jump from a year earlier..

The poll of 1,000 Australians also shows increasing use of AI at work, and a growing belief in the technology’s potential to improve lives and boost the economy.

Australia’s use and optimism about AI is growing

Since last year, AI usage has increased around the world and Australia has been a big mover - 49% percent of Aussies now report using Generative AI in the last year, up from 38% in 2023.

While there are still some concerns in comparison to other countries, Australians are more excited and less worried about AI than they were last year, with the survey recording more Australians believe AI will benefit people like them (52%, compared to 46% last year).

And more Australians who believe AI will change jobs and industries in the next 5 years believe that change will be a good thing (47%, up from 40%). Looking ahead, Australians are most excited about AI applications that help find information online (59% excited), for personal assistants that can help shop online, organise schedules, and plan trips (55%), and as a personal tutor or homework helper (51%).

AI increasingly used across Australian workplaces

AI is rapidly becoming an essential tool in Australian workplaces, with 74% of Australian AI users report using it for work. It’s not a productivity tool, but something to help work at a more strategic level - used to assist with writing (75% of workplace users), brainstorming (69%), and problem solving (70%) as well as helping digest longer documents (68%) or complex information (60%).

Australians see the most important AI workforce applications as those that help the use of complex data or systems (82% important) and promote business problem solving (79%).

Looking ahead, more Australians believe AI will free up workers time so they can focus on the more rewarding aspects of work (54%) than feel AI will increase demands on workers to do more with less (46%). And more Australians who believe AI will change jobs and industries in the next 5 years believe that change will be a good thing (47%, up from 40%)

AI for boosting Australia’s productivity and solving challenges

Australians are excited about AI's potential to benefit society, particularly in areas like scientific discovery and healthcare. 68% of Australians expect AI to positively impact science, slightly ahead of medicine (67%). This optimism extends to other crucial areas like agriculture (55%) and cybersecurity (47%).

We've also seen a surge in optimism about AI's economic impact. More Australians believe AI will change the economy for the better (39%, compared to 29% last year), and fewer workers who believe they will be impacted by AI think they will have to find a new role or industry (12% this year, 20% in 2023).

As more people experience the benefits of AI firsthand, they understand its potential to drive progress and solve challenges. These findings, particularly around adoption and optimism are a positive sign for Australia’s future and our economy. While there are many factors that contribute to growth, the widespread adoption of transformative technologies like AI, by both consumers and businesses, can have a meaningful impact on Australia’s productivity.

It’s incredible to see Australia move beyond experimentation to action, harnessing AI to create real-world benefits - and it’s exciting to think about the potential benefits to our economy. Australians can also be proud that our country is at the forefront of applying AI to these challenges. This commitment is the foundation of our $1 billion Digital Future Initiative, where we're collaborating with leading Australian organisations to apply AI to areas like improving healthcare and protecting native wildlife.