Nine out of ten Australians believe AI will change some or most jobs or industries in the next five years, according to research by Ipsos for Google Australia.
Australians also tend to be more optimistic about the positive impacts of AI on their work (42% positive impact vs 22% negative impact on their job over the next five years), outpacing less positive countries including the United States and Japan, where the perceptions are more split.
The research found that positive perceptions towards AI in Australia are being driven by workers who have talked about AI at their jobs (65% positive vs 16% negative) and workers who have used an AI application in the past 12 months (58% positive vs 17% negative).
The shift to AI will create new opportunities for economic impact and mobility, with demand for AI-related professional skills increasing across virtually every sector. Demand for advanced AI and machine learning specialists jobs is expected to grow by 40% over the five years to 2027.
Google has launched AI Essentials — a new self-paced, online course taught by AI experts at Google. This course requires no previous experience with AI, and is designed to help teach people across roles and industries through hands-on experience with a variety of AI tools.
With this course, people will learn how to use generative AI tools to brainstorm ideas and speed up daily work tasks, how to write effective prompts, and use AI responsibly. Graduates earn a skill badge they can show employers.
The course is taught by AI experts at Google. It includes the following study modules:
- An introduction to AI
- Maximising Productivity With AI Tools
- Discovering the Art of Prompt Engineering
- Using AI Responsibly
- Staying Ahead of the AI Curve
One of the biggest barriers that organisations face to digital and AI transformation is a lack of relevant skills and the ability to maintain them. The Ipsos research found that more than 4 in 10 (43%) workers say they will need to learn how to use AI in the next 5 years, while 1 in 3 (31%) anticipate needing to re-skill or pursue additional coursework to adapt.
“AI will have a transformative impact on how we work,” said Melanie Silva, Managing Director of Google Australia. “It can help people and organisations make decisions, solve problems, and be more productive and creative. Many existing jobs will be complemented by these technologies in different ways, and entirely new jobs and sectors will be created too.”
“Google’s goal is to ensure that everyone can benefit from AI and the opportunities it creates. We want Australians to feel confident about how AI can benefit their future careers - this starts with practical training from industry experts who are innovating with this technology everyday. We are combining our expertise in AI with our proven ability to help people gain the skills they need to grow their careers and businesses.”
Stela Solar, Director of the National Artificial Intelligence Centre (NAIC), coordinated by CSIRO, said: "More individuals, businesses, and industries are recognising the critical need to uplift their AI understanding. Education is vital to take advantage of AI opportunities and establish responsible AI practices, which, in turn, contribute to building a resilient, equitable, and competitive industry in Australia. Through AI education, Australians gain the knowledge and skills needed to harness AI's benefits while proactively addressing associated challenges and risks.”
Google AI Essentials is available via the Coursera platform, can be completed in 15 hours, and costs US$49 (approx AUD$76).
In 2021, Google Australia launched its Digital Future Initiative - a $1 billion investment in Australian infrastructure, research and partnerships, which continues to support many of the AI educational opportunities available to Australian workers today.
