We hope these focus areas will give you a clear view of how AI is really being used, and what it means for the future of work.
Whether you’re planning ahead, shaping your long-term strategy, or building in-house capability, these insights are meant to support your next steps.
We surveyed 864 business leaders and tech professionals across a range of industries, offering a better picture of what’s actually happening in teams and organisations across Australia and New Zealand.
How people feel about AI shapes how they engage with it. Understanding this sentiment helps cut through concerns and shows how ready your workforce is for change.
Just over half of our respondents feel ‘cautiously optimistic’, recognising both the potential and the risks. This suggests people are mostly open to AI – but they’ll need clarity, communication, and trust from leadership.
Before planning ahead, it’s important to know what’s already happening. Real-world use cases help reveal where AI is truly gaining traction and where it’s still just hype.
Over a third of workplaces have restrictions or policies in place limiting the use of external AI tools, showing many are still navigating how to balance innovation with risk.
Please note: This survey closed on 16 June 2025 and captures a moment in time in a rapidly developing space.
AI adoption without direction can quickly become messy, so we wanted to explore whether organisations are setting a clear vision for AI and how business leaders are driving progress.
Less than 5% feel their organisation is responding ‘extremely well’ to AI. This is a clear signal that many leaders are still finding their footing – and stronger direction, education, and support is urgently needed for businesses to remain competitive within their industries.
You can’t unlock the potential of AI without the right skills in place. This looks at how teams are being upskilled, what gaps remain, and what support your teams need to use AI confidently, responsibly, and effectively.
Over half of organisations are offering comprehensive AI training and development, recognising the early L&D efforts businesses are taking to stay ahead within their industries.
Not every organisation is charging ahead with AI, and we wanted to look at what’s holding people back – whether it’s technical, cultural, ethical, or just unclear.
For over 1 in 3 organisations, the biggest blocker is having no strategy, highlighting how critical it is for leadership alignment and a clear plan before exploring AI and automation.
As AI becomes more autonomous, new questions have emerged around trust, control, and human oversight. We explore whether people are ready to work with AI, and not just use it as a tool.
Ethical and compliance risks are the top concern for 55.6% of organisations. So, as agentic AI evolves, strong governance is essential.
