A national survey released this week shows that nearly half of Australian adults – 45.6 per cent – have recently used generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, marking a significant uptake since the debut of platforms like ChatGPT in late 2022. The data highlights both the rapid expansion of new AI technologies and the growing risk of a widening “AI divide” across demographic and geographic lines.

Usage varies sharply by age: around 69.1 per cent of Australians aged eighteen to thirty-four reported recent use, compared with only about 15.5 per cent of those aged sixty-five to seventy-four.

Educational attainment also correlates strongly with use, with 62.2 per cent of people holding a bachelor’s degree reporting usage, versus just 20.6 per cent among those who did not complete high school.

Occupational differences are similarly marked: professionals (67.9 per cent) and managers (52.2 per cent) are significantly more likely to engage with the tools than labourers (31.8 per cent) or machinery operators (26.7 per cent).

Interestingly, generative AI chat or conversational tools are more common in remote areas than metropolitan ones: 19 per cent of generative AI users in remote locations report using chat-based AI for connection, compared with 7.7 per cent in cities.

Those who speak a language other than English at home are also more frequent users (58.1 per cent) compared with English-only speakers (40.5 per cent).

Despite the growing reach of the technology, analysts caution that the same factors which inhibit digital inclusion—limited connectivity, lower digital literacy, regional disadvantage—also threaten equitable access to AI tools and benefits.

A noted expert warned that “people with lower digital skills may be less likely to benefit from AI, while being more exposed to new risks such as scams, misleading content and invasive data practices.”

Broader research underscores the significance of this divide: one report found that about one in five Australians continue to struggle with digital inclusion, with remote and very remote communities consistently scoring lowest in digital-access indices.

Another business-survey noted that 88 per cent of organisations reported difficulties integrating generative AI into legacy systems, and only 10 per cent of respondents possessed formal qualifications in AI governance or deployment.

To address the imbalance, experts emphasise the need for targeted policy and training strategies, inclusive digital-skills programmes and regional infrastructure investment.

Without these steps, Australia risks reinforcing structural inequalities in labour markets, education and civic participation as AI becomes more pervasive.

Monitoring adoption across cohorts and geographies will be critical as generative AI moves from novelty to ubiquity in the coming years.