Around 1.5 million Australians now turn to artificial intelligence (AI) before their manager or colleagues for workplace advice, according to the latest ELMO Employee Sentiment Index (ESI).
The report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 Australian employees between January and June 2026, found that 14% of workers would consult AI first. They cited speed (57%), convenience (44%), better-quality responses (44%) and avoiding interruptions to colleagues (28%) as the main reasons.
The figure rises to 26% among senior leaders and business owners. Another 44% said their choice depends on the task.
AI becomes a workplace adviser
AI is becoming a trusted part of everyday work.
More than seven in 10 Australians (72%) now use AI at work. Around 41% use it regularly to automate routine tasks. Two-thirds (66%) said it helps them perform their role.
But rising adoption is also changing expectations. Nearly two-thirds (65%) said AI is now an expected workplace skill. Almost three-quarters (72%) said AI has increased expectations around productivity. More than half (58%) believe employees who do not use AI risk falling behind.
At the same time, 49% said they have felt uncomfortable with how AI is used at work.
Joseph Lyons, Software President, Elmo said, "With adoption high, the question now is how organisations can systemise AI so it’s a trustworthy single source of truth.
He added, “Australian organisations are still struggling with unregulated shadow AI tools being used, and many employees aren’t always comfortable with how AI is used in the workplace."
"Organisations need to consider not only when employees should use AI, but how to validate its output and when it should be trusted over a human. Like any widespread change, this takes a consistent, planned approach. Regulated use won’t happen organically."
AI divide persists
AI adoption varies sharply across the workforce.
Employees under 50 are far more likely to use AI than those aged 50 to 64 (80% versus 49%). Usage is also higher among salaried workers than hourly-paid employees (84% versus 58%). Employees earning more than $100,000 are also more likely to use AI (83% versus 65%).
Among those earning more than $170,000, 64% regularly use AI to automate work.
Attitudes also differ. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of non-users said AI is not helpful in their role. By comparison, 87% of regular users said it improves their work. Around 84% of regular users see AI as an essential workplace skill.
Lyons said, "Some people are always slower to embrace new technology, but employers must focus on managing change, not just the tools themselves, to avoid workers being left behind."
"The good news is the more employees use AI, the more they see the benefits,” he further commented.
Regular AI users were also more likely to feel uncomfortable with workplace AI than non-users (59% versus 36%).
Lyons elaborated, "This is a huge advantage when building that systematic AI approach."
Burnout and financial stress increase
The report also points to growing pressure on employees.
Almost half (44%) said they feel burnt out, up from 39% in late 2025. Around 46% took a legitimate sick day in the past six months, while 41% went to work despite being unwell.
Financial confidence also declined. Only 28% said they feel economically secure, down from 37% six months earlier. Two in five employees (40%) said they do not earn enough, even though 72% believe they are paid fairly.
Dr Amantha Imber, organisational psychologist, AI consultant and ELMO partner, said employers should pay greater attention to employee wellbeing.
"While employers can’t control the broader economic landscape, they can consider how they support their team’s overall physical and mental wellbeing in these conditions, whether through flexible working arrangements, mental health days or extra support."
Concerns about redundancy eased slightly, falling from 39% to 34%. However, only 45% said they feel secure in their current role.