REPORT – AUSTRALIA ‘FALLING BEHIND’ IN AI TRAINING AND TRUST
A new report from the University of Melbourne and KPMG has revealed that Australia is significantly lagging behind global counterparts in both trust and readiness when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI). While around half of Australians use AI regularly, only a third trust it, placing the country among the lowest globally in terms of optimism and perceived benefits of AI. Key contributing factors include widespread concerns about AI’s societal impact, low levels of AI education and training, and inadequate regulation.
Australians report experiencing or witnessing negative consequences of AI but do not feel they see enough tangible benefits to outweigh the risks. Just 24% of Australians surveyed have received any AI training, compared to nearly 40% globally. Furthermore, only a small portion believe current laws governing AI are sufficient, despite a strong public desire for better safeguards.
Proper training in AI use is becoming critical in professional settings. Unlike traditional web search engines, AI tools require structured and intentional prompting. Effective use involves clearly defining the task, identifying the intended audience, and adjusting settings such as “temperature” to control how creative or factual the AI’s output should be. These elements are essential when generating accurate and contextually appropriate content, such as business reports or written articles. Without this knowledge, users risk misusing AI, leading to inaccurate results, ethical breaches, or exposure of sensitive data.
Experts warn that without a significant shift toward stronger governance, education, and regulation, Australia risks missing out on major productivity gains AI can offer, especially in its service-driven economy. The report also raises alarm over how AI is being used in workplaces, with many employees breaching company policies and using AI tools unsafely or unethically, often without proper oversight.
Ultimately, the findings serve as a call to action, highlighting the urgent need for Australia to improve AI literacy, create clearer guidelines for its use, and invest in infrastructure to keep pace with global innovation.
Read the report here >>> Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025
