Businesses deploying artificial intelligence drawing ahead of others
As small and medium-sized businesses using AI, from cafes to real estate agents, grow faster than their tech-shy competitors, employers are increasingly looking for people with the skills to use AI.
Three separate new studies published Monday show how artificial intelligence is rapidly impacting 2.7 million companies. Many are ready to use the technology despite believing their staff’s skills cannot be replicated by machines.
Adoption of artificial intelligence is seen as the main source of huge increases in productivity among US businesses. Some industry research shows that 75 percent of large companies use this technology. Usage among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the United States is approximately 50 percent.
A survey of SMEs by the National Australia Bank found that 42 per cent are using AI, 44 per cent are not, and 14 per cent plan to start implementing the technology.
But he found large differences across sectors. Almost 70 percent of real estate service businesses, 64 percent of finance and insurance companies, and 61 percent of commercial services operations use AI.
Only 21 percent of transportation businesses said they were using artificial intelligence, while 58 percent said they had no plans to use it.
NAB group business and private banking executive Andrew Auerbach said businesses that were heavily reliant on data, such as finance and business services, were the first to adopt AI.
But he said there was growing adoption in areas such as hospitality, with almost two in five SMEs – the largest share of any sector – planning to incorporate technology into their operations.
The proportion of businesses planning to invest in artificial intelligence has increased steadily in the past year. Auerbach said this will continue.
“I have no doubt that we will see a meaningful increase in the way SMEs invest in and use AI,” he said.
Research by business services firm MYOB shows that companies using artificial intelligence are gaining real productivity and cost-saving benefits.
It found that those using AI products grew 2.8 times faster than those who did not. 54 percent of those who use technology reported that it saved them time, and 34 percent reported that it increased productivity.
Despite the potential gains, MYOB’s research showed that 46 percent of small and medium-sized firms do not intend to introduce AI in the next year.
MYOB CEO Paul Robson said there was a widening gap between firms using AI and those choosing not to.
“AI is the most powerful productivity tool the SME economy has experienced in years and is already delivering measurable gains in productivity, growth and revenue,” he said.
“Early adopters stand out, and even a modest uptake could unlock billions of dollars of additional revenue for the economy.”
While businesses are paying more attention to artificial intelligence, workers are still cautious about what it will mean for them.
Figures compiled by online recruitment company Indeed show that more and more businesses are looking for potential staff with at least some knowledge of artificial intelligence. This year, 8.5 percent of employers on Indeed mentioned AI in job postings; this rate was 5.8 percent at the beginning of 2025.
Unsurprisingly, job postings in the data and IT industry are most likely looking for candidates with knowledge of artificial intelligence. But Indeed also found a significant proportion of jobs in fields where AI skills are needed, such as marketing (17.1%), sales (13.2%), and arts or entertainment (11.2%).
There are global concerns that the rise of artificial intelligence will lead to mass layoffs of workers as their output is replaced by technology. Last month, Australian software company Atlassian announced that it would lay off 10 percent of its 16,000 staff due to artificial intelligence.
In fact, Asia-Pacific economist Callam Pickering said that although the adoption of artificial intelligence is accelerating, its impact on the labor market appears limited at this stage.
He said workers have mixed views towards artificial intelligence. A survey for Indeed found that 47 percent of employees are “not particularly concerned” about AI taking their jobs, while 56 percent believe it could reduce their overall job opportunities.
A net 28 percent believe that artificial intelligence will make them more productive, while a net 15 percent hope that the technology will allow them to focus on more interesting work.
According to Pickering, most employees think they can withstand the arrival of artificial intelligence.
“Respondents overwhelmingly said they believed AI could not perform their jobs,” he said.
Shane Wright is senior economic correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
