Exclusive: Australians express rising concern over AI in Cohesity survey

A recent survey conducted by Cohesity has revealed that Australian consumers are growing increasingly worried about data security and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

The study highlights that a staggering 93% of Australians believe AI will complicate securing their personal data, surpassing concerns in other countries like the US and the UK.

Kit Beall, Chief Revenue Officer for Cohesity, and Paul Henaghan, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, discussed the key findings in an exclusive interview with TechDay, expressing their thoughts on the challenges businesses face as AI plays an increasingly central role in their operations.

"Data is the critical element for the current economy. Whether it's enterprises, governments, hospitals, or consumers, everyone runs on data," Beall explained.

He highlighted the growing awareness among consumers that their personal data is stored in multiple places, which they often cannot control. This has led to mounting concerns about how that data is managed, particularly with the increasing integration of AI.

Australians leading the charge in data concerns

The survey, which included respondents from Australia, the US, and the UK, found that 82% of Australians are critical of the amount of data companies collect from them.

This figure is higher than the 81% in the US and 73% in the UK. Australians are also more sceptical about AI, with 93% expressing concerns that AI could exacerbate data security issues.

"Australia has traditionally been a leading adopter of new technologies," Henaghan noted. "As a per capita ICT consumer, the country has often led the globe. The sophistication of Australian consumers means they are highly aware of the risks and rewards of new technologies like AI."

Henaghan also pointed out that recent high-profile data breaches, such as those experienced by Optus and Medibank, have made Australians more cautious. "There's a heightened awareness of data breaches here because a large portion of the population has been directly impacted," he said.

The survey results underscore how these breaches have affected public opinion. More than half of Australian respondents said they had been personally affected by a cyberattack, leading to a sharp increase in concerns about how their data is managed.

Fear of AI's impact on data security

A recurring theme in the survey is the fear that AI could make data security more challenging.

The majority of respondents across all countries expressed concerns about how AI might affect their data security. In Australia, 93% of respondents said they were worried, compared to 92% in the US and 87% in the UK.

"AI has been positioned for years as something we should be afraid of," Beall said, commenting on the portrayal of AI in media. "Almost all AI is good AI, but unfortunately, its depiction in movies and TV has created a branding problem. Consumers are concerned about the potential misuse of AI, particularly when it comes to their personal data."

These concerns were echoed by Henaghan, who noted that while Australians have embraced technologies like mobile payments and digital banking, they are becoming increasingly wary of how their data is used. "As people rely more on these technologies, they become more aware of the risks involved," he said.

The survey also revealed that 83% of Australians classify AI as a risk to data protection and security, with many calling for more transparency around AI's use in handling their data.

The risk of ransomware

Ransomware attacks have been a major concern for businesses and consumers alike. The survey found that 58% of Australians are opposed to companies paying ransoms in response to cyberattacks, although many remain conflicted.

"The idea of not having access to your bank account for a week is completely untenable," Henaghan said. "But at the same time, consumers don't want companies to pay ransoms. It's a difficult balance."

Beall added, "What surprised me the most from the survey was the number of respondents who were open to the idea of companies paying the ransom. It's a sign of how desperate people are to maintain access to their data."

The reality is that paying a ransom often does not result in the full recovery of data, and it can also create further complications.

"Paying a ransom brings logistical challenges and potential criminal liability," explained James Blake, Global Cyber Security Strategist at Cohesity, in the press release. He urged companies to focus on aligning themselves with the best cyber resilience vendors to prevent these situations from arising.

Transparency and consumer trust

One of the clearest takeaways from the survey is that consumers are demanding greater transparency from companies when it comes to their data. An overwhelming 90% of Australian respondents said they want to know who their data is being shared with, and 88% want to be asked for permission before their data is fed into AI models.

"Trust is everything," Beall said. "Consumers are prepared to punish companies that don't meet their expectations for data protection. In fact, more than 90% of respondents said they might stop doing business with a company if it falls victim to a cyberattack."

This demand for transparency extends to third-party providers. Respondents across all regions expressed concerns about companies sharing their data with other organisations, with 90% of Australians calling for more stringent vetting of third-party providers' data security practices.

The need for education and regulation

Beall and Henaghan both agreed that education plays a crucial role in addressing consumers' fears around AI and data security.

Many consumers are not fully aware of how much data they share or how it is used. "Education is a huge part of the equation," Beall said. "If consumers understand why certain security measures are in place, like multi-factor authentication, they may be more supportive of them."

As for regulation, Beall noted that it is still early days. "It's a nascent technology, and we're still learning how to best regulate it," he said. "But data security and resilience should be the core focus for now, as we continue to see how AI evolves."

Henaghan stressed that data security has now become a national security issue.

"This isn't just about protecting consumers anymore; it's about safeguarding the infrastructure that keeps society running."