IT departments in Australia and New Zealand had the lowest adoption rates of AI and machine learning worldwide (27%), according to research from ManageEngine that polled 3,300 global business decision-makers.
This is significant as AI is being widely touted as a solution to the ongoing skills shortages across Australia. Recently a NSW government report found adoption of these technologies could boost GDP by 12 per cent.
Other findings from the survey included:
- A/NZ IT departments ranked last in using AI/ML to combat cyber-attacks (50%).
- Among the last in using AI/ML to automate tasks (54%).
- The majority of A/NZ respondents feel it’s their IT teams’ responsibility to protect their organisation against cyber-attacks (53%)
- Despite lagging adoption, 82% of ANZ respondents either ‘strongly agree’ or ‘somewhat agree’ that AI will play a significant role in strengthening their organisation’s IT security framework in the near future.
ManageEngine is a provider of IT management, cyber-security and AI systems to more than 5,000 organisations in Australia and New Zealand (primarily those in the financial services, education and telecommunications sectors).
ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, today presented the results of its new global survey, IT at work: 2022 and beyond.
Also read: Is The Future Of Cybersecurity Automated?
“Business leaders need to arm themselves with the best technologies available when it comes to fighting dynamic threats and improving the quality of life for their IT staff,” said an executive at ManageEngine.
The results of the study revealed that IT departments in Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ) are the lowest adopters of AI and ML technologies of all countries surveyed, with only 27% having done so. In comparison, the global average stood at 44%.
The A/NZ region also ranked last in using AI and ML to combat cyberattacks (50%), which falls behind the global average of 57%. This disparity comes as Australia battles escalating cyber threats, with a record $33 billion lost to scams over the last year, which occurred despite local organisations increasing their cybersecurity budgets.
This is a surprising result as Australia faces a shortage of technology talent including cybersecurity and AI skills.
The losses from cybercrime in Australia reached over $33 billion last year. The frequency and impact of cyberattacks go hand in hand with a massive cybersecurity skills shortage. Australia will need 7,000 cybersecurity professionals by 2024, notes Australia’s Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan.
