New report shows Australian are embracing AI in the workplace
Australian workers are optimistic about Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption and the impact it will have in the workplace, with a new report from the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) finding most workers believe technology has improved their working lives.
Future Ready: Australians and AI Workplace Tech found 93% of Australian workers believe AI will impact jobs by augmenting them, not replacing them, with 72% reporting technology has had a positive or very positive impact on their lives over the past decade.
Despite economic headwinds and geopolitical flux, the report found that across all age groups, workers are positive about improving their working life over the next 5-10 years. This optimism was most marked among younger respondents and showed younger male workers are the most optimistic and the biggest advocates of AI and emerging technology.
When it comes to the worries of the Australian workforce, cost of living, inflation, healthcare and housing top the list of concerns, with the impact of emerging technologies ranking significantly lower.
AI is already being used widely, with 84% of Australians in office jobs reporting that they use AI at work.
TCA CEO Damian Kassabgi said the report highlighted a key opportunity for Australian organisations to accelerate AI adoption.
“There is a willingness from the workforce to engage and augment their jobs with AI,” Kassabgi said.
“That’s not to say there is zero concern, the main concerns raised by Australians on adopting new technologies relate to privacy, training and being involved in future decision making. But it’s positive to see that overall, Australians are optimistic and open minded.”
Kassabgi said accelerating AI adoption requires appropriate regulatory and legislative settings, noting that lifting productivity, strengthening economic resilience and ensuring economic sustainability are all underpinned by embracing technology.
“Our research found 49% of Australian workers do not think government officials understand technology well enough to regulate it effectively. This perception needs to shift and that means government must lead by example,” Kassabgi said
“That’s why the TCA continues to call for fit-for-purpose, interoperable and risk-based regulatory frameworks that facilitate domestic AI investment, talent and innovation.
“A clear, flexible and interoperable regulatory framework will give developers and organisations the confidence to invest in AI for the future, so Australia is not just a net consumer of AI, but a world leader.”
The report was conducted in collaboration with Datacom, Salesforce and King River. Insights from the report present the results of a survey of over 2500 Australian workers from a representative sample across the nation and was fielded by Qualtrics.
