Generational Divide in AI Confidence
New research by Amplitude, Inc. highlights a significant generational divide in AI trust among Australian business leaders. This divide may impact efficiency and AI skill development across the nation, widening Australia’s existing AI skills gap.
AI Usage and Trust Disparities
Only 4% of workers aged 55–64 trust AI recommendations over their own judgment, while 31% of 18–24-year-olds do, according to the study. This trust gap is also evident in AI tool usage. Among younger employees, 39% use AI tools daily, compared to only 20% of older professionals.
Despite frequent AI tool usage by younger workers, only 13% of those aged 18–24 and 9% of those aged 25–34 report that AI is core to their organisation’s work. Nearly half of the respondents, 48%, believe their organisation is improving with AI but still has room for growth.
A lack of strategic AI guidance from senior leadership may hinder AI skill development, especially among younger employees. The study found that 40% of young professionals upskill in AI outside work hours, compared to 32% who do so during work hours. Only 5% receive AI training through mentorship or peer learning.
Mark Drasutis, Amplitude’s Head of Value for Asia Pacific and Japan, said, “The age-based discrepancy in trust around AI means senior decision-makers may inadvertently downplay its potential, limiting the value organisations derive from these tools.”
AI usage is common, yet not universal. The study reveals that 27% of respondents use AI tools daily, while 33% use them a few times a week. However, 24% use AI tools only occasionally, and 15% do not use them at work at all.
Organisational maturity regarding AI remains low. Only 8% of respondents describe their organisation as AI-driven. The impact of AI on productivity is mixed, with some experiencing increased workloads due to AI integration.
This generational trust gap may create a structural adoption ceiling that restricts AI skills development, exacerbating Australia’s existing AI skills shortage. Senior leaders’ reluctance to fully embrace AI could limit the potential benefits of these technologies.
The research further indicates that 24% of organisations rarely use AI, and only a small percentage of professionals, about 5%, upskill in AI through mentorship or peer learning. There is a critical need for leadership-driven AI frameworks to bridge this gap and harness the full potential of AI tools.
