AI use in Aussie workplaces rises, boosting productivity

New research by Freshworks highlights an increase in daily use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace among Australian employees.

The report, surveying 4,000 full-time salaried employees across several countries including Australia, found that the proportion of Australians using AI daily at work has risen from 18% to 27% over the past six months. This adoption is credited with giving employees more time to tackle complex tasks, acquire new skills, and enhance their productivity.

While 80% of Australian employees view AI as a beneficial resource at work, the report reveals ongoing challenges, with only 32% receiving regular AI training and 21% working in organisations without a clear AI policy. Additionally, 48% of those surveyed feel that their organisations are too slow in adopting AI, hindering its full potential.

According to the findings, Australians spend an average of 3.2 hours daily on monotonous tasks, equivalent to approximately 4.8 months each year. The survey indicates that 71% of employees would prefer AI to manage these tasks, and over half report increased productivity due to AI. Notably, 34% attribute promotions or pay rises to their use of AI.

Andrew Phillips, Vice President of Australia and New Zealand at Freshworks, commented on the shifting role of AI in the workplace. "AI is no longer just a concept. It's a cornerstone of productivity in Australian workplaces, helping employees have a genuine impact on their businesses. AI's greatest promise lies in its collaboration with – not replacement of – people. Employees are seeing AI as a tool to amplify their talents, not to diminish their roles," he said.

Phillips also warned of disparities in AI adoption, stating, "The real danger is we have a two-tier AI adoption trend occurring in Australia right now. On the one hand, those that understand AI are racing ahead and seeing huge productivity and effectiveness gains, while those that don't are still spending a huge amount of time on busywork."

The report further notes that with AI handling routine tasks, 41% of employees utilise the extra time for creative endeavours, 46% focus on solving more challenging problems, and 51% engage in learning new skills.

Kade Brown, Workforce Solutions Director at RMIT Online, addressed the issue of slow AI adoption. "The rapid evolution of AI in the past two years has been game changing for Australian businesses. But internal adoption is still too slow and that is limiting the benefits organisations can realise from their AI investments. The biggest barrier to AI adoption inside organisations is capability. To unlock the commercial potential of AI, employers need to focus on targeted capability building across the workforce," Brown stated.