Australia leads the world on responsible AI, but lags on productivity gains

14 April 2026

• Australian businesses lead the way in AI governance adoption, with 31% saying it was a focus area compared to 26% of businesses globally.
• Only 35% of Australian organisations said they prioritised AI-driven productivity, below the global average of 42%.
• Around 38% of Australian businesses use advanced analytics and real-time insights, compared to 41% globally. 

Australian organisations are taking a more measured approach to automating workflow through AI compared to their global counterparts, with only 35% of businesses prioritising productivity gains through automation, compared to 42% of organisations globally.

When it came to ensuring the trustworthy adoption of AI, Australian businesses lead the charge, according to KPMG’s latest Global AI Pulse survey. More than 31% of Australian businesses were actively focused on implementing AI governance policies to ensure the development of compliant and reliable AI solutions at scale, compared to 26% of businesses globally.

“Australian businesses are much more conscious about trust and the responsible use of AI, compared to businesses around the world and that's what sets us apart,” said KPMG Australia chief technology officer John Munnelly.

"There is still a lot to do when it comes to productivity, and Australia has all the right foundations to take advantage of what's coming. It’s now up to us to seize those opportunities."

Globally, advanced analytics and real-time insights are enabling faster and better decision making, with 41% of organisations leveraging these capabilities. But in Australia, just 38% of businesses are taking advantage of these tools.

“AI is the biggest lever for productivity change we have. It's up to us to pull it, sensibly, and be trusted in the process,” Mr Munnelly said.

“There are enormous productivity benefits with AI, but trust is what really matters.”

Strengthening cybersecurity, protecting data, and building stakeholder confidence remain top priorities for Australian organisations in an increasingly digital landscape, with 38% of businesses viewing trust and security as high priorities, significantly above the global average of 26%.

“Australia is demonstrating strong leadership in responsible AI adoption and risk management,” Mr Munnelly said.

About Global AI Pulse
The KPMG Global AI Pulse, conducted between 17 February and 17 March 2026 surveyed n=2,110 C‑suite and senior business leaders to provide timely insights into how organisations are adopting and investing in AI, as well as their strategic priorities and emerging risks. This study is a global expansion of KPMG US. AI Pulse, which has been conducted for the past two years, extending its insights to a broader international context.

All respondents represent companies with annual revenues of at least US$100 million, with three-quarters reporting revenues of US$1 billion+. Participants were drawn from 20 markets across US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, China (People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong, SAR and Taiwan), Japan, Korea (Republic), Singapore, India, Australia. Respondents were screened for seniority (Managing Director level or equivalent and above including > 40% C-Suite).