Australians back AI rules as trust gap remains wide

Research from the Tech Policy Design Institute shows most Australians support government regulation of artificial intelligence, with 70% saying they would use AI more if strong rules were in place.

The findings are based on a nationally representative survey of more than 2,300 Australians, alongside focus groups on attitudes to AI, trust and regulation. They suggest hesitation is driven less by rejection of the technology than by concern about how it is used.

Trust in AI remains low. Just 1% of respondents said they had complete trust in AI, while 44% said they had little to no trust it would be used responsibly.

Support for regulation was widespread, with 85% backing government oversight. Nearly half of Australians said they were open to using AI but were waiting for safeguards before doing so.

A further 40% said they had already adopted AI but would feel more comfortable using it if governance improved. The findings suggest adoption and regulation are closely linked rather than in conflict.

Trust gap

The research places Australia among the lowest-ranked countries globally for trust in AI, according to the institute. It argues that stronger public confidence would give people a clearer basis for deciding whether and how to use the technology.

People with a general understanding of AI were 39% more likely to support regulation than those with low or no knowledge. That cuts against the idea that demands for oversight are driven mainly by unfamiliarity or alarm.

Instead, respondents who understood more about AI and its risks were more likely to favour formal rules. The report says this reinforces the view that trust, rather than fear, is the main barrier to broader use.

Australians also favoured a more targeted approach to oversight. Nearly half, or 49%, preferred sector-specific regulation, either on its own or combined with an overarching AI Act, rather than relying on a single standalone law.

That preference reflects varying levels of concern depending on where AI is being deployed. High-impact sectors identified in the research included healthcare, education and law enforcement, where expectations around safety, accountability and public confidence were stronger.

Policy priorities

When asked what government should address first, respondents ranked privacy and control of personal data, jobs and workers' rights, and misinformation as the top priorities. Those issues have been central to broader debate over how governments should respond to the rapid expansion of generative AI and automated decision-making tools.

The report was produced by the Canberra-based Tech Policy Design Institute, an independent think tank founded after incubation at the Australian National University. Its work focuses on technology policy across government, industry, civil society and academia.

Co-founder and executive director Johanna Weaver said the findings showed Australians were not fundamentally opposed to AI. "Australians aren't pushing back on AI, they just want to trust that AI is being used responsibly. This research shows AI regulation isn't red tape, it's the foundation for trust and adoption. And, in turn, it's adoption that will deliver on the productivity promises of AI."

The results point to a public mandate for more detailed action rather than broad principle alone. The institute argues that the design of rules will matter, particularly if policymakers want to increase use while addressing concern over harm.

Australia, like other countries, is weighing how to regulate AI systems used in consumer services, workplaces and public administration. Debate has centred on whether existing laws are enough or whether dedicated legislation is needed to address issues such as transparency, liability and bias.

The survey suggests many Australians do not see regulation as an obstacle to uptake. Instead, clear safeguards could make people more willing to use AI tools in daily life and in sectors where the consequences of mistakes are higher.

Weaver said there was a limited opportunity to build that confidence. "The message is clear. If we want Australians to embrace AI, government and industry need to earn social licence. We have a window right now to get this right. Done well, targeted AI regulation positions Australia to innovate fast, adopt AI with confidence, transform our economy, and deliver real benefits for Australians."