AI growth outpaces skills acquisition in Australia
Research from Google and Accenture shows that a growing number of Australians and businesses are using artificial intelligence, which may not come as a surprise. However, there is a significant disparity in the number of employees who feel equipped to use AI, and C-suite executives recognize that number.
Google polled 1,000 Australians and found that 49% used generative AI in the past year, up from 38% in 2023. This growth is accompanied by a new level of optimism. The proportion who believe AI will replace them increased by 6%, and the percentage who think it will replace work for the better within five years increased by 7%.
Accenture surveyed 790 C-suite executives and 687 non-C-suite level employees in five Asia Pacific countries, including Australia. pulse of change report87% of leaders said they plan to boost their AI investments in 2025, and 91% believe their employees are able to use the technology efficiently.
Employees feel differently, however: only 70% feel ready to make the most of AI at work. Furthermore, only 30% of them claim to understand the potential value of Genai “to a great extent, to a great extent,” compared to 55% of APAC C-Suite leaders.
While 70% of workers feel they have received adequate AI training, 91% of C-suite leaders believe their employees are set up to use it. This suggests that the AI training being provided may not meet the specific needs of employees.
See: Australian IT skills shortage and self-upselling
Accenture research also looked at employee concerns around AI, which may shed light on areas where training should be focused. Non-users of AI at work cite concerns about inaccuracy (27%), lack of resources (26%), and integration conflicts (22%).
AI skilling has been identified as a key gap in Australia, with many employees consistently saying that their organizations talk about AI tools, but do not invest in the people who use them. The country needs 312,000 additional technical workers by 2030 to meet demand by 2030, or more than 60,000 new entrants annually into the technical workforce.
In December, Australia announced plans to develop a national AI strategy to strengthen its AI capabilities and attract investment, with the aim of unlocking the $600 billion productivity potential of these technologies. Microsoft also committed to equipping one million people in Australia and New Zealand with essential AI skills by 2026.
Matt Coates, technology lead for Accenture in Australia and New Zealand, said in a press release: “Too many organizations view generative AI solely as a technical solution, rather than as a driving force to rethink talent strategies. In form.
“While investments in AI continue to grow, many still face significant challenges in understanding, training, and implementation.”
AI skills gap must be addressed to prepare for continued change
Both reports show that Australian businesses are aware that changes related to AI adoption are underway. Google’s survey found that 54% of workers expect automation will free them up to focus on more rewarding work, but 46% think it will pressure them to do more with less resources.
Over time, Australians are becoming more optimistic, confirming that some aspects of AI doomsday were overblown. For example, the share of respondents who think that jobs and industries will change for the better within the next five years thanks to AI increased by 7% in one year.
Fewer Australians now think their roles will be absorbed by AI, with the number falling from 20% in 2023 to 12% in 2024.
“It’s incredible to see Australia step beyond experimentation to action, harnessing AI to create real-world benefits—and it’s exciting to think about the potential benefits to our economy,” Managing Director Mel Silva said. Said. Google Australia and New ZealandIn a blog post.
SEE ALSO: 5 Generative AI Trends to Watch in 2025
Accenture respondents also predict a shift, with 79% of employees believing their roles will be affected, and 69% of executives anticipating a high level of change in 2025. However, 61% of these leaders say their organizations are less prepared for this. Change this year compared to this year.
Specifically, executives say they are unprepared for geopolitical (66%), talent (58%), and economic (63%) disruptions. Workers agree, with 68% unconvinced about their company’s flexibility. This emphasizes that addressing the above skills gap should be a priority.
“Only a third of executives have a clear vision of how generative AI will impact their workforce,” Coates said. “This emphasizes the importance of a strategic approach that reconciles technology and human talent to harness the power that General AI provides.”
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