Australians feel pressure as AI skills become vital in workplaces

New research from LinkedIn indicates that nearly half of Australian professionals feel that mastering artificial intelligence (AI) is akin to taking on a second job.

According to LinkedIn's recent survey, 46% of Australians in the workforce find that keeping up with AI skills significantly increases their workload. The study highlights substantial feelings of pressure and uncertainty among employees as they navigate the rapid integration of AI into their job roles.

Skills anxiety

The LinkedIn data shows that 37% of respondents feel overwhelmed by the speed at which they are expected to understand and apply AI tools. In addition, more than one in four (28%) admitted to feeling embarrassed about their limited understanding of AI, while 32% said they are nervous to discuss the topic at work due to concerns about appearing uninformed. These figures are particularly pronounced among younger workers: Gen Z and Millennial professionals are nearly twice as likely to exaggerate or misrepresent their AI capabilities at work or in job interviews, compared to older generations.

Almost two in three (63%) believe that colleagues who do not embrace AI are likely to fall behind in their careers. Correspondingly, nearly half (45%) of Australian executives report plans to assess employees' ability to use AI effectively as part of performance reviews or recruitment criteria in the coming year.

Industry perspectives

In the IT and telecommunications sector, reliance on AI is even more prevalent. About 34% of professionals in this industry report using AI daily, compared to 17% nationally. These workers are more confident using AI for complex tasks such as strategy and data analysis. Furthermore, 77% of IT and telecommunications professionals say those who fail to adopt AI will be left behind, and 59% feel assured about which skills will be most important over the next three to five years. Nevertheless, 62% would like more information on which human skills remain crucial alongside technological expertise.

Trust in human judgement

Despite the rising adoption of AI, the majority of respondents place a high value on human insight. The survey found that 82% of professionals regard trusted human input as irreplaceable, even as AI tools become more sophisticated. Just over half (51%) said they trust advice from their professional networks more than guidance generated by AI tools when faced with important work decisions. Two-thirds (66%) of professionals still depend on advice from colleagues or managers for increased confidence and speed in decision-making.

The preference for in-person training remains strong, with many Australians seeking mentorship, collaboration and relationship-building to bolster their ability to adapt to new workplace realities. When making significant decisions like negotiating a pay rise or considering a career change, respondents most frequently turn to their current colleagues (51%), friends and family (44%), or their manager (35%), while only a quarter (25%) would place their trust in AI-based tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot.

Brendan Wong, Career Expert at LinkedIn Australia, said: "Balancing day-to-day responsibilities with the need to quickly build AI skills isn't easy, but Australians are turning that pressure into progress. "Through AI, everyone has access to information and it's becoming a commodity. It's the guidance of colleagues and mentors that helps people make confident decisions. When the pressure's on, the uniquely Aussie instinct kicks-in. We still look to each other first – leaning on our mates, colleagues and mentors that help people cut through the noise and make confident decisions."

Impact on wellbeing

For many, the expectation to rapidly upskill in AI comes at a cost to their wellbeing. One in three (37%) Australians say the current rate of change is unsustainable, with younger professionals reporting higher instances of feeling under strain. LinkedIn's data reveals a 60% year-on-year rise in posts from professionals expressing feelings of being overwhelmed or navigating workplace changes, while posts on AI topics increased by 29% globally.

The research also shows that a significant number of employees feel they lack the necessary guidance on which skills are crucial for future career growth. In IT, 59% of workers expressed a desire for more support in identifying the most relevant skills for their career paths.

Advice for professionals

LinkedIn suggests that professionals can use their networks to build confidence while learning about AI. The platform recommends being candid about knowledge gaps, seeking guidance from trusted colleagues or mentors, and following expert voices within and beyond immediate circles for advice and resources. Taking proactive steps to upskill - such as participating in online courses at one's own pace - can also help alleviate the pressures brought on by the rapid evolution of workplace technology.