Nearly half of Australian adults have used generative AI: report

CANBERRA -- Nearly half of Australian adults have used generative artificial intelligence (GAI), with many reporting improved productivity in work and study, a report has revealed.

The study, based on a survey of more than 3,500 adults and interviews with organizational leaders, found 48.6 percent of Australians had used GAI at least once, according to the report, AI Adoption in Australia, released Thursday by the Australian National University (ANU) with partners

Researchers said adoption was higher among younger, more educated people and those living in capital cities, highlighting "emerging digital capability divides."

Users reported time savings and increased capacity to handle complex tasks, higher workloads and more creative activities. Students and workers who used GAI also reported improvements in study quality and job performance.

However, concerns about privacy, lack of training or skills, and over-reliance were identified as key barriers to broader use.

Two-thirds of respondents said government should regulate GAI, while 48.1 percent supported oversight by an independent authority. About 79.4 percent expressed concern about GAI use in politics, particularly misinformation and data security risks, the report showed.

Organizations view AI as transformative but are seeking clear standards, shared responsibilities, and greater transparency from technology providers, according to the report.

GAI has moved rapidly "from a niche technological development to a widely recognized and increasingly used tool within Australian society," said report lead author Jessica Herrnington from the ANU School of Cybernetics.