Aussies are using AI at an increasing rate: Google Trends report

New Google Trends data shows search interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has increased by 20% in Australia between Q1 and Q2 of 2024 as the country continues to explore the potential of this new technology and the ways it can boost productivity and creativity.

Search results reveal Aussies are using AI for everything from interior design, to garden landscaping and planning, learning new languages, writing code, and driving efficiencies at work by generating marketing ideas and drafting meeting minutes.

Aussies are asking questions like ‘what is an AI agent?’ and ‘what is multimodal AI?’, as well as searching for AI-powered tools like image, art, and voice generators.

Search interest in AI detection tools, which help to identify AI-generated content, has increased by more than 5000% in Australia in the past two years alone. Google is helping to address the growing interest in AI detection with SynthID – a toolkit which identifies AI-generated content by embedding digital watermarks directly into AI-generated images, audio, text or video.

“Australians are using AI tools in their daily lives already, and are discovering new applications of AI to address huge societal issues including climate change, wildlife conservation and healthcare,” said Mel Silva (pictured), Managing Director of Google Australia and New Zealand.

“As a country, we have an opportunity to be a global leader in AI innovation. Google’s 2024 Economic Impact Report highlights that AI could contribute $280 billion of economic benefits to Australia in 2030.

“Everyone has the opportunity to benefit from this technology, from butchers and hairdressers to any business innovating to improve processes and the overall customer experience. We’ve seen this reflected in our latest trends, as Australians are searching how AI can be incorporated across a range of professions, including  teachers, network engineers, managers, recruiters and business analysts,” ended Silva.