83% of Australian Organisations Adopt AI as Governance and Training Lag

Australian organisations are rapidly embracing artificial intelligence, but AI governance in Australia is struggling to keep pace. New research from Konica Minolta Australia shows that businesses are adopting AI far faster than they are developing the governance, information management and workforce skills needed to support it.

Sydney, Australia, 1 September 2026 – The research found that 83 per cent of Australian organisations have adopted AI in at least one area. However, only 21 per cent have a formal AI governance or policy framework, while just 17 per cent provide structured AI training or data literacy programs.

The findings come from a survey of 305 IT and business decision-makers across Australia. The study is the second instalment in a three-part digital workplace research series developed by Konica Minolta Australia in partnership with global analyst firm Omdia.

AI Governance in Australia Trails Rapid Adoption

The findings reveal a widening gap between AI adoption and the information governance practices needed to support it.

Australian organisations already use AI for analytics and reporting, search and knowledge management, workflow automation, customer engagement and document processing.

However, many continue to struggle with fragmented information, integration challenges and gaps in AI governance and training.

Dr Giovanni Forero, Intelligent Information Management Team Lead, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Many organisations have moved quickly to adopt AI; however, the information governance foundations needed to support it have not always developed at the same pace. That gap creates risk because AI depends on information that is accurate, accessible, appropriately governed, and used by people who understand how to work with it safely and effectively.

“AI readiness starts with information readiness. Organisations need to understand what information they hold, where it sits, who owns it, and how it should be governed. Getting those foundations right can help organisations use AI with greater confidence while also improving how information is accessed and used across the business.”

Fragmented Information Complicates AI Governance in Australia

Information fragmentation remains a significant challenge for Australian businesses. The research found that 40 per cent of Australian organisations identify information spread across platforms and departments as their biggest information management challenge.

That fragmentation also affects productivity.

Most employees spend between one and five hours each week searching for information. Across a full year, Omdia estimates this represents approximately two to four working weeks per employee.

Despite these challenges, organisations recognise the potential business value of stronger information management, data governance and AI capabilities.

The research found that 57 per cent expect improvements in these areas to reduce operating costs, while 51 per cent expect productivity gains.

Privacy and Security Remain Major AI Barriers

Privacy and security concerns remain the most commonly cited barriers to AI adoption, with 49 per cent of Australian organisations identifying them as a challenge.

Integration with existing systems also remains a prominent obstacle. Organisations must increasingly connect information across multiple platforms and environments as they expand their use of AI.

Trevor Clarke, Chief Analyst, Omdia, said, “AI is already being used across a wide range of business functions; however, every AI project is also a data project. Organisations need to be able to find, integrate, govern, and securely access the information that sits underneath these tools.

“The research also shows a gap around AI and data literacy training. Organisations need to support technology adoption with change management and training, particularly when new tools change the way people work, to get the outcomes they expect.”

AI Governance and Workforce Readiness Remain Disconnected

The research also points to a gap between organisational confidence and formal AI readiness.

Brittany Miller, Product Marketing Manager – Services and Solutions, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “The research highlights a contrast between organisational confidence and formal readiness. Many organisations believe their information governance and data management practices are sufficient, despite continuing to report challenges around fragmented information, system integration, privacy, security, and workforce impacts.”

The findings suggest that successful AI adoption increasingly depends on more than deploying new technology. Organisations also need clear governance, accessible and reliable information, system integration and employees who understand how to use AI and data effectively.

Key AI Governance in Australia Findings

Key findings from The Information Readiness Gap: Data governance, digital transformation, and AI readiness report include:

• 83 per cent of Australian organisations have adopted AI in at least one area.
• Only 21 per cent of organisations have a formal AI governance or policy framework.
• Just 17 per cent provide structured AI training or data literacy programs.
• 40 per cent of Australian organisations identify information spread across platforms and departments as their biggest information management challenge.
• Employees spend between one and five hours each week searching for information, representing approximately two to four working weeks per employee each year.
• 57 per cent expect improved information management, data governance and AI capabilities to reduce operating costs, while 51 per cent expect productivity improvements.

The Information Readiness Gap: Data governance, digital transformation, and AI readiness report is available to download here.

About Konica Minolta Australia

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is a market-leading provider of trusted technology solutions to help Australian organisations keep pace with the needs of the future workplace through innovation and investment technology solutions that leverage the technology of tomorrow, today.

For more information, visit konicaminolta.com.au.

About Omdia

Omdia is a technology research and advisory firm focused on helping technology companies and enterprise decision-makers navigate the connected digital economy. Through a global network of analysts, Omdia delivers expert analysis and strategic insight across IT, telecoms and media sectors. Omdia is part of Informa TechTarget, listed on the London Stock Exchange.