AI is already paying off for some Australian small businesses. The question is how we help more of them get there.
NAB's latest SME research found that one in five SMEs using AI reported transformational improvements. Yet workforce readiness scored just 3.8 out of 10.
For me, that's one of the clearest signals in the research. Businesses are finding value in AI, but many still need support to build the confidence and capability to put it into practice.
That’s why, we're collaborating with NAB to deliver education to help small business and their staff get the traction they need to get started with AI to they can see that effort translate to value.
Insights from NAB’s latest quarterly SME insights report, Unlocking AI Potential: SME Adoption and Workforce Readiness, align with what we're learning through the National AI Centre's own AI adoption tracker.
NAB found (from their 40% SME customer base):
- 1 in 5 SMEs using AI report transformational improvements
- Business Services sector leads with 34% reporting strong gains
- Productivity, marketing and customer service functions show the greatest traction
- Workforce readiness is the critical barrier – rated 3.8/10.
What's particularly valuable about this research is its reach. NAB has Australia's largest SME banking customer base, offering valuable insight into how Australian businesses are using AI, where they're finding success, and where barriers remain.
The findings mirror what we're seeing through the National AI Centre's AI Adoption Tracker. We are seeing many businesses moving beyond curiosity and experimentation, looking for ways AI can save time, improve productivity and help them compete.
The next challenge is turning that understanding into action.
That's why we're working with NAB to deliver practical education and resources that help business owners and their staff identify opportunities for AI, learn from peers, and build the skills needed to put those ideas into practice.
Working together allows us to reach more businesses, share practical examples, and help more Australian SMEs put AI to work.
Updates on upcoming education sessions will be available through NAB’s Small Business View newsletter and the National AI Centre newsletter.
To learn more about NAB's SME research, visit the NAB website.