Australians turning to AI to ease holiday planning stress

Australians are found to be dedicating a total of 540 million hours to holiday preparations, with many open to using artificial intelligence (AI) to alleviate stress, according to a report by Microsoft.

The Microsoft AI Holiday Hacks Report shows that Australians spend on average 27 hours on tasks related to the holiday season, such as planning travel, shopping for gifts, and organising events. This substantial amount of time is contributing to feelings of stress, with 77% of respondents indicating that aspects of holiday planning are overwhelming.

Choosing gifts and managing a budget are reported as the principal causes of stress, both cited by 36% of participants. The act of shopping itself, whether for food, decorations, or presents, adds to the tension for 33% of Australians participating in the survey.

Many Australians find themselves unprepared, with less than half planning ahead for the holiday festivities. A considerable 58% express a strong aversion to shopping on Christmas Eve, some preferring alternatives as drastic as taking an ice bath or assembling IKEA furniture without guidance rather than facing the retail rush.

Gift selection presents its own challenges: 72% of those surveyed struggle to find appropriate gifts for at least one person on their list. Partners often prove difficult to shop for, with 13% naming their girlfriend or wife and 11% citing their boyfriend or husband as most challenging. Gender differences are also apparent in these results, with men more frequently finding women hard to shop for, and a similar sentiment being reciprocated by women.

AI is gaining traction as a tool to ease holiday burdens, with nearly half of the respondents willing to employ AI to streamline their preparations. Tasks where AI could be beneficial include selecting gifts, meal planning and cooking, travel planning, and discovering unique holiday recipes.

Dan Johnson, Windows Category Lead for ANZ at Microsoft, explained, "This time of year can be hectic. With Microsoft Copilot, we want to help Australians reclaim their time, whether it's through smart scheduling, recipe ideas, or even travel coordination. Think of it as your personal assistant, ready to tackle the little tasks so you can enjoy more of what matters this season."

The appeal of AI is particularly strong among younger Australians, with 70% of Gen Z and Millennials open to using these technologies to save time. This contrasts sharply with the more reserved Gen X, Baby Boomer, and Silent Generation participants, where only 28% express similar openness.

Dealing with holiday stress relies on various strategies. While 31% of people adopt a "she'll be right" attitude, others prefer to delegate responsibilities to friends and family or employ relaxation methods like yoga or meditation. Increasingly, Australians (16%) are turning to preparation tools like meal prep and online shopping, and 8% are already using AI to simplify their holiday tasks.

Australians are also focused on spending their saved time productively. Around a third of survey respondents would prioritise hobbies or reading. There is also a pronounced desire to connect with family or catch up on sleep, each being chosen by 37% of the respondents.

The report finds organising Christmas lunches or dinners particularly stressful for 63% of Australians. Major challenges manifest in cooking, cleaning, budget management, and schedule coordination. AI is posited to ease these by offering streamlined solutions.

Utilising technology in holiday preparations offers Australians the chance to reclaim time and reduce stress. The report suggests that AI can fundamentally change how holiday tasks are managed, with an increasing number of Australians ready to adopt this assistance for a better experience.