Australian businesses need better practical training on how to use artificial intelligence if it’s to become a bedrock of the nation’s economy, experts say.
Business owners are becoming less scared of the technology but they need more understanding of how to use it in ways that generate innovation and income, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will tell a government AI inquiry on Thursday.
“The conversation needs to move beyond the hype and risks of AI toward what technological change means for how businesses compete, create value and drive productivity growth across the economy,” ACCI’s submission to the inquiry says.
“They (businesses) are increasingly seeking practical guidance tailored to their industry.
“At the same time, many businesses have not yet established the foundational capabilities required to fully realise the benefits of AI.”
The chamber’s appearance comes as the federal government unveils more than 100 pages of findings about AI safety.
The report, released late on Wednesday, found AI models that were acting correctly might use background information to subtly influence assumptions made by their users.
That promoted the need for better, more specific training in businesses on how AI could be affecting their thinking.
The government should focus on building data literacy skills and cyber-security awareness, ACCI will argue, ensuring businesses understand AI in an enduring way and not based on specific platforms.
The council is appearing at the inquiry in Melbourne as politicians continue to wrestle with the ethical and economic implications of AI uptake.
US-based big tech firms and data centre companies were first to be probed this week, before the focus turned domestic.
While businesses might be ready to embrace AI, most Australians are still hesitant to use it in their own lives, the Minderoo Foundation will say.
The philanthropic organisation, founded by billionaire Andrew Forrest and his then-wife Nicola, has been conducting research through its initiative SafeAI.
It found in 2025 that almost half of Australians believed the risk of AI outweighed the benefits.
Two-thirds of the country felt AI production was moving too fast and not properly considering privacy.
Overcoming those perceptions will be crucial to establishing Australia as a credible nation for technology development and sovereignty, Minderoo will tell the inquiry.
It will also argue that more safeguarding and AI research will ensure Australia can continue to lead the Indo-Pacific in this area.
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