Australian AI scepticism risks productivity push, according to new poll
Tech optimists argue mass adoption of AI could reverse decades of slowing productivity growth. But a new DemosAU poll shows a growing class divide on the tech.
Sluggish productivity is the bane of economic policymakers worldwide, and tech optimists argue that mass AI adoption is the answer.
However, new data from DemosAU warns that a growing class and social divide in Australia could undermine the technology’s benefits, just months ahead of Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ productivity-focused federal budget.
Fresh polling from the research house shows that Australians on lower incomes, those without a university degree, in regional and rural areas, and older people more frequently report “a scepticism or even a hostility towards AI”, DemosAU head of research George Hasanakos told Capital Brief.
“If people become very sceptical of it then you do have problems utilising it, problems in terms of getting the promise of AI in terms of improving productivity.”
