How Aussie workers are using AI to get ahead
People across Australia are getting curious about AI, and they aren't waiting for permission to start using it. According to a new survey from Google Workspace of more than 1,000 Australian employees, people are seeking out the best AI tools to help them do their best work.
And when they find the right tools, the payoff is huge. Workers estimate they could automate up to a quarter of their routine tasks and are already saving 2.5 hours a week thanks to AI. A massive 86% say they’re using that extra time for more creative and collaborative work, like solving complex problems and thinking strategically.
This initiative is driven by a desire to work faster and better. More than half of workers who bypass official company policy do so to experiment with AI tools on their own. This shows a powerful curiosity that organisations can tap into.
Xero began its Google Workspace with Gemini journey in 2024 and before successfully deploying it, the team undertook an extensive pilot phase with 250 employees. The result? High engagement, with around 70% of participants using Gemini multiple times a week. Thanks to Gemini, 88% of the team were able to reinvest time saved into higher-value, strategic work.
A new generation of AI teachers
The research also shows a clear generational divide in how people learn about AI.
- Three quarters of all workers (74%) say the best way to learn is by simply using the tools.
- Younger employees are leading the charge. Millennials and gen Z are not only more likely to look for AI tools on their own, but they're also teaching their colleagues, sharing tips and tricks they learn from social media and elsewhere.
- This confidence is contagious. Gen Z (89%) and millennials (86%) are far more likely than their older colleagues (70%) to say AI has made them feel more confident in their jobs.
From curiosity to company culture
This shift from individual exploration to team-wide learning is already starting to reshape workplaces. Encouragingly, nearly four in five (79%) employees say their organisation supports them in trying new AI tools.
As companies develop official AI policies, the lesson from this data is clear: the goal shouldn’t be to restrict curiosity, but to guide it. By partnering with employees and providing them with safe, powerful tools, organisations can create a culture where the best ideas can come from anywhere — helping teams and businesses grow together.
The most successful AI strategy isn't about technology — it’s about partnership. It's about leaders providing the trust and the tools, and employees providing the curiosity and the ingenuity. When you pair your team’s natural drive to learn with powerful, integrated AI, you’re not just rolling out software; you’re creating an engine for constant innovation.
