AI is booming, but Aussie workers say they’re being left behind

Australia likes to think of itself as a nation of innovators, and to be fair, we punch above our weight when it comes to AI research and shiny new startups. But when it comes to actually preparing everyday workers for an AI-driven future? Turns out, we’re dragging our feet.

Fresh research from Salesforce and Morning Consult has laid out the problem: Aussie workplaces are lagging behind in AI readiness, and workers are crying out for proper training and support.

Just 4 in 10 workplaces are AI-ready

The survey covered more than 14,000 people across 13 countries, including 1,100 Australians. The results aren’t exactly flattering. Only 41 per cent of Aussie workers think their workplace is ready for AI. That’s well below the global average of 48 per cent, and miles behind leaders like India (83 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (70 per cent).

That puts us in the same basket as Canada (40 per cent) and the UK (44 per cent), hardly encouraging when Australia has been spruiking its AI credentials to the world.

Workers want training, not just tech hype

Australians aren’t anti-AI. Far from it. Nearly half (45 per cent) say they’d like to see more investment in the technology. But enthusiasm only gets you so far without the skills to back it up.

Workers want structured training programs and incentives, not another inspirational speech about the ‘future of work’. Globally, almost two-thirds of respondents said they’d happily take AI-related training if governments chipped in with financial support., and the majority of Australians, it seems, feel the same way.

So what’s he problem? The report suggests employers and governments haven’t delivered at scale. Only a third of workers expect their workplace to ramp up investment in AI training over the next year, and fewer than three in ten believe the federal government is putting enough money into upskilling programs.

Why the gap matters

Justin Tauber, GM of Agentic Technology, Trust & Adoption at Salesforce ANZ, said the disconnect between Australia’s AI ambition and workforce readiness could hold the country back if left unchecked.

“While Australia is rightfully highly regarded for its AI governance approaches, matching that momentum with worker training will unlock broader adoption and close the AI readiness gap,” he said.

“Investing in worker training is about more than just technology; it’s about building confidence, boosting national competitiveness, and ensuring AI adoption is sustainable and inclusive, while ensuring no one is left behind.”

It’s great to have smart policies and shiny AI tools, but if your average office worker hasn’t been trained to use them properly, it’s like giving a teen a car without driving lessons.

The talent crunch is real

Knowing how to prompt ChatGPT is just the beginning. As AI gets baked into industries from healthcare to retail, the skills businesses need are shifting fast. HR teams are rethinking entire job structures, while small business owners are wondering how to stay competitive without burning out their teams.

The research shows workers don’t believe the responsibility should sit on their shoulders alone. Instead, they want governments, businesses, and universities to pull together and deliver a team effort to ensure Australia’s workforce keeps pace.

That lines up with findings from Salesforce’s earlier Global AI Readiness Index, which showed that countries with strong coordination between institutions and employers are the ones most likely to succeed at scaling AI adoption.

Bridging the digital skills gap

If you’re running a brick-and-mortar store, all this might feel a bit big picture, but the ripple effects are real. Businesses of all types stand to gain from AI. Whether from automating mundane tasks to adopting marketing tools to reach new customers, AI opens up opportunities. The catch is you need skilled workers to unlock these cost and productivity benefits.

Australia’s AI future looks bright on paper, but the Salesforce report reminds us that ambition without action is a wasted opportunity. Workers are ready to upskill, but they can’t do it alone.

The message for policymakers and employers is invest now in training programs, incentives and education partnerships, or risk watching Australia’s competitive edge slip away.

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