Gartner HR Survey Finds AI is Boosting Productivity but Widening Workforce Divisions in Australia

While AI is delivering significant productivity gains across Australian workplaces, it is also increasing workforce division and job uncertainty in 2026, according to Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company.

The Gartner Global Talent Monitor Survey, conducted in 1Q26 with 574 respondents from Australia, found that 38% of Australian employees are now expected to use AI in their role. Of these, 85% are provided with enterprise AI tools, yet 86% also use personal AI tools to improve efficiency or complete more complex tasks. Hybrid AI users are 2.2 times more likely to report significant time savings, but this behavior also introduces significant risks to the business that must be managed.

“While AI adoption is accelerating, many organizations overestimate workforce readiness and equate AI rollout with success, but access alone isn’t driving impact,” said Neal Woolrich, Director Analyst in the Gartner HR practice. “Without the right support, skills and clarity, AI risks widening performance gaps across the workforce rather than improving outcomes for all.”

The Gartner survey found that AI’s benefits are highly concentrated among a minority of Australian employees using AI extensively. Employees with high AI use are 6.7 times more likely to improve workflows and processes, and 4.6 times more likely to be identified as high-potential talent.

However, only 17% of employees qualify as “AI Champions” with high use and positive sentiment, while 56% are “AI Resisters” with low usage and negative sentiment. This divide is likely to shape workforce outcomes and productivity in the coming years. Gartner recommends organizations focus on targeted retention and reskilling for resisters to encourage increased use.

“AI isn’t just transforming work; it’s reshaping the employee experience and the structure of the labor market,” said Woolrich. “Organizations that fail to bring their workforce with them risk losing both productivity and talent.”

Managing a ‘Wait-and-See’ Workforce
The Gartner survey revealed the Australian workforce is divided between optimism and concern:

• Nearly half are enthusiastic about AI’s potential;
• Around one in four are frustrated by how AI is changing their role; and
• Many remain uncertain about long-term job security.

“AI adoption is rising against a backdrop of already weak labor market confidence in Australia, with employees more cautious about career moves and future prospects,” said Woolrich. “Employees are not only unsure about available jobs, but about how their skills will remain relevant as AI adoption accelerates.”

According to the Gartner survey, employee confidence is the strongest driver of successful AI adoption, not training. Employees with a positive outlook are significantly more productive, highlighting that AI adoption is as much a cultural and leadership challenge as a technical one. Meanwhile, concerns about accuracy, skills gaps and data privacy remain major barriers.

The survey found only half of Australian employees report clear guidance, training or support for AI use, and even fewer say their organization has communicated how roles will evolve. This lack of direction is emerging as one of the biggest barriers to unlocking value from AI.

“Organizations that fail to address employee anxiety risk slowing AI adoption and undermining productivity gains,” said Woolrich. “Clear communication about how jobs will and won’t change is critical.”

Gartner research highlights that employers need to intentionally redesign processes to unlock value and boost employee confidence in AI. Organisations are twice as likely to exceed their revenue goals if they redesign work compared to those that do not.

“Organizations experiencing the greatest returns from AI are those focused on workforce enablement, not just technology deployment,” said Woolrich. “Employees need clarity, confidence and support to fully integrate AI into their work.”