The AI blind spot: Aussie businesses are using AI to cut costs, not grow revenue
In the media
Decidr has released its National AI Readiness Index Report 2025, highlighting a growing gap in how Australian businesses are using artificial intelligence.
The study shows that 57% of organisations are focused on cost-cutting through AI, while only 25% are using it to drive revenue. CEO David Brudenell told Forbes Australia this narrow view risks limiting innovation and letting competitors pull ahead with smarter strategies.
Agentic AI, which Decidr describes as “virtual coworkers” capable of planning and executing multistep workflows, offers far more than efficiency. By setting outcomes such as growing sales or improving cash flow, businesses can activate multiple AI agents to analyse markets, supply chains, and customer data in pursuit of real growth. AI operating systems like DecidrOS bring this capability together, giving organisations a central platform to orchestrate agents across the business.
The report also finds that 76% of SMEs are adopting AI without a roadmap. While marketing and customer support are the main areas of adoption, most are using AI to reduce costs rather than boost customer experience or revenue. Human resources is the least explored, despite its potential for talent and workforce growth.
Budget and security concerns remain barriers, but Decidr stresses the bigger challenge is a lack of strategy. As Brudenell explains, businesses that view AI only as a cost-saving tool risk falling behind. Those that embrace agentic AI and AI operating systems as drivers of growth and competitiveness will be better placed to capture its full potential.
Download the report here.
