National AI readiness index report 2025
Australian SMEs are talking a big AI game. Eight out of ten say it will reshape their business within a year. But despite all the talk, most aren’t doing much about it.
The National AI Readiness Index 2025 cuts through the noise. It shows where businesses really stand, what’s holding them back and which ones are turning hype into results.
If you want to grow in the AI era, speed alone won’t cut it. You need clarity and direction and this is where you start.
In this report, you’ll get an understanding of:
- Where Australian SMEs really stand on AI, drawn from 1,000+ decision-makers
- The blockers, breakthroughs and industries pulling ahead
- A playbook to close the confidence gap and turn AI trials into action
Download the free report
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The research
We asked over 1,000 decision-makers what's fueling their ambition and what’s stalling execution. This index uncovers what leading SMEs are doing differently:
83%
believe AI will impact them within 12 months
90%
are using AI tools but stuck in the shallow end
44%
say it's a top priority, reflecting the growing urgency
39%
feel confident using it, while the rest struggle with its execution
What’s inside the report
The blockers
Legacy systems, tight budgets, no clear start
The big wins
Where AI is already delivering, beyond the back office
Leaders vs laggards
Which industries are ahead and which are falling behind
The four AI tribes
Trailblazers, White Knucklers, Tinkerers, Sleepwalkers
The gaps
What’s holding AI back and how to close them
The playbook
What high‑confidence SMEs are doing right now
The blockers
Legacy systems, tight budgets, no clear start
The big wins
Where AI is already delivering, beyond the back office
Leaders vs laggards
Which industries are ahead and which are falling behind
The four AI tribes
Trailblazers, White Knucklers, Tinkerers, Sleepwalkers
The gaps
What’s holding AI back and how to close them
The playbook
What high‑confidence SMEs are doing right now
Why this matters
AI is moving faster than any previous technology wave. Those who know exactly where they stand and act on it will set the pace for their industry. Those who guess will be left behind. This report gives you the benchmark to measure your AI maturity, spot the opportunities that will deliver real results and avoid the traps that slow everyone else down.
Ready to see where you stand and what to do next?
Download the report. Turn insight into action.
The Index shows it is not belief in AI that is holding businesses back, it is turning that belief into results.
DecidrOS is built for that next step.
Offering the world’s first agentic AI operating system that works across your entire company in one safe platform, connecting data, people and decisions so AI becomes part of how you operate every day.