Australian firms occupy the fourth position in an evaluation of how extensively enterprises in 16 countries are employing and integrating creative AI. The study, carried out by data analytics company SAS, reveals that 63% of Australian companies are presently leveraging creative AI.
The results, derived from feedback of 1,600 international AI and data analytics decision makers, demonstrate that Australia is leading in the deployment of policies related to creative AI and has outpaced the global average in creative AI adoption.
Which regions are fully embracing creative AI tools?
Sixty-three percent of Australian institutions indicate their use of creative AI. Australia stands behind China (83%), the U.K. (70%), and the U.S. (65%) in this aspect, according to SAS, but is ahead of the global mean, where 54% of entities are incorporating creative AI.
Businesses in the APAC area, led by China, are among the most enthusiastic adopters of AI worldwide. Despite North America leading in overall AI usage (70%), APAC enterprises are close behind, with 63% implementing AI at various levels within their organizations.
It’s important to note that usage doesn’t equate to full utilization of the tool. Merely 8% of Australian companies surveyed by SAS have fully operationalized creative AI, falling below the 11% global average. Numerous local enterprises are still exploring or experimenting with creative AI applications.
SEE: 9 Creative Use Cases of AI in Australian Businesses in 2024
A similar situation is observed in China, where, despite significant usage, only 19% of institutions have fully implemented creative AI. The U.S. is at the forefront in terms of complete integration, as per SAS’s findings, with 24% of entities having fully embraced the technology.
Satisfaction Levels of Australian Businesses with Creative AI Implementations
Australian enterprises witness positive outcomes in their AI implementations. For instance:
- 91% noted enhanced employee experience and satisfaction, surpassing the global figure of 89%.
- 85% reported cost savings in operations, compared to 82% globally.
- 89% stated that AI has bolstered customer retention, in contrast to the global rate of 82%.
Craig Jennings, Vice President and Managing Director of ANZ at SAS, mentioned observing local organizations enhancing employee satisfaction, operational efficiencies, while also freeing up resources for improved innovation and customer interactions.
Major Concerns Regarding Creative AI in Australia from a Data Security Perspective
Seventy-two percent of Australian participants identified data security as their primary concern related to creative AI. According to SAS, the subsequent concerns were:
- Data privacy (64%).
- Ethical considerations (64%).
- Overdependence on creative AI tools (59%).
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Australia seems relatively well-prepared to implement regulations addressing these concerns. SAS discovered that almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents from Australian organizations stated they are adequately prepared for creative AI regulations, either to a full or partial extent.
Challenges in Governance and Oversight
Australian decision-makers highlighted technological constraints (32%), lack of transparency and accountability (28%), and absence of clear directives or standards (21%) as the primary obstacles in establishing effective governance and monitoring frameworks for creative AI.
Skills Gap Comparisons Across Regions
Despite a shortage of skills relevant to creative AI, respondents from the APAC region, including Australians, face less difficulty in acquiring these skills (49%) compared to other regions. Europe struggles the most at 56%, while only 44% of North American companies encounter challenges in this regard.
Australia Poised for Significant Growth in Creative AI
Australian firms possess essential foundations to support the strategic and effective deployment of creative AI tools, although they lag behind other nations in fully unleashing these resources. These key components include:
- A thorough comprehension of creative AI technology.
- The extensive implementation of policies governing the application of creative AI.
- Allocations of dedicated budgets for new creative AI initiatives.
Further findings from the report indicate that:
- 87% of Australian respondents declared that they either have a strong grasp of AI or possess a moderate understanding, a higher percentage compared to the global average of 82%.
- A greater proportion of Australian firms (72%) have enacted creative AI implementation policies in contrast to counterparts in North America (63%), South West and Eastern Europe (60%), and Northern Europe (58%).
Nearly all (94%) Australian organizations intending to invest in creative AI in the upcoming fiscal year have secured dedicated funding for the technology. This accomplishment aligns with the APAC region’s rate (94%) and surpasses Northern Europe (91%), South West and Eastern Europe (91%), and North America (89%) as reported by SAS.
Jennings from SAS stated that various sectors in Australia, from financial services to life sciences and retail, are showing remarkable maturity in their comprehension and adoption of creative AI, holding promise for the technology’s future in the region.
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