Despite breathtaking headlines about robots taking our jobs, it turns out most Australians have a reaction to AI in the workplace that’s more akin to curiosity than panic.
A new survey from LinkedIn suggests that the national mood around artificial intelligence is far more pragmatic than apocalyptic. A new poll released this week found that 78% of Australians say they would feel relieved or curious when AI took over tasks they previously performed at work. Only 17% said they felt threatened.
The findings were shared by LinkedIn to mark the Australian launch of Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI, a new book aimed at helping professionals navigate the rapidly changing world of work.
If the data tells us anything, it’s that Australians are already settling into the idea that AI will become part of their professional lives.
Change is happening rapidly. Over the past decade, employment of AI talent has increased by more than 300% worldwide. And we’ve created over 1.3 million rolls. At the same time, AI literacy is rapidly building in Australian workplaces, with LinkedIn reporting a 32% year-on-year increase in employees developing AI-related skills. For large companies, that number jumps to 60%.
In other words, AI is no longer limited to Silicon Valley or tech startups. It is increasingly becoming part of daily operations.
However, workers’ emotional responses are complex. While many experts recognize the opportunity, the pace of change is clearly unsettling for some. According to a LinkedIn survey, 37% of Australians feel overwhelmed by how quickly they are required to understand and use AI tools at work.
This tension reflects a broader reality across all offices. Workers know this technology is here to stay, but many are still figuring out how to use it effectively.
LinkedIn Australia and New Zealand managing director Matt Tindale says the research suggests Australians may be more adaptable than they give themselves credit for.
“The world of work is changing faster than most of us anticipated, and it’s okay if that feels daunting,” he said. “But the data shows Australians are more prepared to adapt than they think.”
Still, the numbers come with a quiet warning. Nearly two-thirds of Australians believe those who resist AI tools risk falling behind in their careers. This is a reminder that curiosity about technology is quickly becoming more than just a good trait. It is becoming a professional necessity.
According to LinkedIn’s 2026 Skills on the Rise data, one of the fastest emerging skills is prompt engineering, or the ability to effectively guide AI tools to generate useful responses. Along with data literacy and AI fluency, these competencies are rapidly moving from niche expertise to mainstream workplace skills.
But despite all the talk about algorithms and automation, this study also confirms a reassuring truth: Humans aren’t going anywhere.
A whopping 82% of Australians say that even as AI capabilities improve, trusted human judgment remains irreplaceable. Qualities such as creativity, communication, and decision-making remain widely recognized as uniquely human strengths.
The balance between machine power and human insight was a central theme at LinkedIn’s book launch event in Sydney. The event brought together technology, media, and business leaders to discuss how AI is reshaping work.
The panel discussion included Brendan Wong, editor of LinkedIn News, Sarah Carney, national CTO of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, Sam Koslowski, co-founder of The Daily Aus, and Jessica Farrell, chief human resources officer of Publicis Groupe ANZ.
Their message was consistent. AI does not replace human workers, it simply changes the way work is done.
Carney said the key for professionals is not to master every new tool overnight, but simply to start experimenting.
“AI is moving from something people read to something people expect to use in their work,” she said. “The most important steps are to start small, stay curious, and practice, because confidence comes through action.”
If this advice sounds easy, it probably is. The reality is that most employees are learning about AI in real time alongside their colleagues and managers.
Perhaps the most interesting takeaway from the LinkedIn survey is that Australians appear to be approaching this change with a distinctly pragmatic mindset. It’s not blind enthusiasm, but it’s not panic either.
It’s a mixture of curiosity, caution, and cautious optimism.
In the age of AI, that may just be the right attitude.
