More young Aussies understand AI but they still fear it

Microsoft, KPMG and career platform Anyway revealed the contradictions on Tuesday from a survey of more than 1000 people under the age of 25, which found AI use had grown significantly since 2023. 

The study comes a day after Pope Leo XIV called on governments and companies to carefully regulate AI technology, and weeks after the federal government launched a National AI Centre to guide its adoption. 

The study, called Young Australians and the AI Workforce Transition, surveyed 1029 people between the ages of 15 and 24 years about their AI use.

It found more young people were confident about AI, with 45 per cent calling their understanding of the technology excellent or very good compared to 27 per cent in 2023. 

Two in five respondents said they used AI tools in their studies, with the most popular uses summarising information, researching assignments, and studying for exams. 

But AI use dropped to 15 per cent in tasks related to work or career development, which Anyway co-founder Will Stubley said could limit their potential. 

"It's great to see so many young Aussies trying out AI but what we're seeing is they're not always being supported to actually apply that in a career context," he said.

"There's a bit of a gap between learning and doing."

Young Australians were also concerned about AI's impact on the jobs market, the study found, with almost one in three participants (63 per cent) saying it would eliminate roles. 

Only two per cent thought it would create jobs, while 35 per cent thought it would have no impact. 

Almost half of those surveyed (47 per cent) were also worried about AI automation of early-career tasks and more than half (57 per cent) expressed concern about the ethics of the technology.

Some concerns could be addressed by providing greater professional assistance to school-leavers, Mr Stubley said.

"Fear will continue to own the narrative around AI unless industry and government work together to create clear career pathways and guidance for students during the school to work transition," he said.

Young Australians pursuing careers in technology, science and government were more likely to use AI, the study found, while those in rural areas and from low socio-economic backgrounds were less likely to do so.

This gap should be addressed, Microsoft Australia AI national skills director Tim Allen said, to ensure young workers were not disadvantaged. 

"It's important that everyone, regardless of where they live or the path they choose, has the opportunity to build these skills," he said.