Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shifting from a “curiosity” for Australian businesses to a practical tool.
NAB Economics research released today said the shift was reducing administation burdens for early adopters and helping them make better decisions.
The research showed 42 percent of Australian SMEs are already using AI and a further 14 percent planned to adopt it.
NAB Group Executive for Digital, Data & AI Pete Steel said Australians were inherently early adopters of technology.
“We’re seeing a clear shift from curiosity to practical use, with more businesses using AI to save time, reduce admin burdens and make better decisions,” he said.
“Unlocking this adoption at scale across the economy has real potential to help Australia increase productivity and lift our global competitiveness.
“The opportunity now is to help many more companies through something that feels complex and uncertain – to adopt this technology safely and with confidence.
Among SMEs already using AI, uptake is strongest in the most practical areas of business:
- Marketing and sales – 51 percent
- Operations and logistics – 39 percent
- Customer service – 25 percent
Adoption varies significantly by sector:
- Leaders: Property Services (69 percent), Finance & Insurance (65 percent), Business Services (61 percent)
- Laggards: Retail (22 percent), Transport & Storage (21 percent), Manufacturing (35 percent)
