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Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have gained substantial traction in Australia, with almost **** of respondents in a 2024 survey reporting usage in the 12 months to October 2024. Meanwhile, around percent of those surveyed said they were unsure if they had utilized AI applications in the year prior to the survey.

Popular GenAI services and usage motivations

Curiosity, the desire to streamline work or study tasks, and entertainment were the primary reasons for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) usage in Australia, according to a 2024 survey. ChatGPT emerged as the most popular choice across prevalent GenAI services among Australians, with more than ** percent of respondents having used it in the six months to November 2024. The version of Meta AI integrated into apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp had the next highest usage frequency, followed by Microsoft Copilot, writing support tool Grammarly, and Google Gemini.

Barriers to GenAI adoption and confidence levels

For those who had not used GenAI tools, lack of interest was the leading explanation, followed by uncertainty surrounding what these applications are, and self-doubt in their ability to use the services effectively. This hesitation is reflected in the broader population, with only ** percent of respondents expressing confidence in using generative AI tools, while around ** percent reported feeling unconfident. Furthermore, Australians’ low confidence in engaging with AI is exacerbated by anxieties, including misuse of data, privacy breaches, security concerns, and AI-led decisions without human input. Thus, while AI adoption in everyday life is growing nationwide, there is still a significant gap in user comfort and knowledge. Strong potential exists to increase AI acceptance and literacy among Australians through greater access to educational materials and support, ensuring dedicated AI-specific regulations are established, and that AI remains human-led.