Spend five minutes talking to technology professionals today and AI will almost certainly come up.
What’s interesting, though, is that people are no longer talking about AI as a single technology. The conversation has evolved. Different tools are emerging for different purposes, users are becoming more selective about what they use and why, and perhaps most surprisingly, some of the people using AI the most are also becoming some of its biggest critics.
According to recent research from Roy Morgan, 13.6 million Australians now use AI tools each month, representing 58% of the population aged 14 and over. ChatGPT remains the most widely used platform, but Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Claude are all seeing significant growth as businesses and professionals find different uses for each tool.
So, what are people actually using these platforms for, and what does it tell us about where AI is heading next?
ChatGPT: The Go-To All-Rounder
If AI had a household name, it would probably be ChatGPT.
OpenAI’s workplace research found that writing, research and knowledge work remain among the platform’s most common use cases, helping users complete tasks faster and spend more time on higher-value work.
Technology professionals are using ChatGPT to:
- Research new technologiesÂ
- Troubleshoot technical challengesÂ
- Draft documentationÂ
- Summarise informationÂ
- Learn new skillsÂ
- Explore solutions to complex problemsÂ
Part of ChatGPT’s appeal is its versatility. It doesn’t specialise in one area. Instead, it acts as a general-purpose assistant that can support a wide range of tasks across technical and non-technical roles.
Microsoft Copilot: The Enterprise Favourite
While ChatGPT often dominates the headlines, Microsoft Copilot is quietly becoming one of the most influential AI tools in the workplace.
The reason is fairly simple. Unlike standalone AI platforms, Copilot sits directly within the tools many organisations already use every day.
From Outlook and Teams to Excel and PowerPoint, Copilot has been designed to work alongside existing workflows rather than introducing another platform into the mix.
Research analysing more than 5.5 million Copilot interactions found that employees most commonly use it for:
- Writing and communicationÂ
- Information retrievalÂ
- Data analysisÂ
- Planning and organisationÂ
- Decision supportÂ
For businesses already operating within the Microsoft ecosystem, that level of integration is proving difficult to ignore.
Google Gemini: Built Into the Google Ecosystem
Google Gemini may not receive as much attention as ChatGPT, but its adoption continues to grow rapidly.
Roy Morgan’s research shows Gemini now has around five million Australian users, making it one of the country’s most widely used AI platforms.
For organisations already working within Google Workspace, Gemini feels like a natural extension of the tools they already use.
Common use cases include:
- Research and information gatheringÂ
- Drafting documentsÂ
- Productivity supportÂ
- Data analysisÂ
- Search enhancementÂ
As Google continues embedding AI capabilities across its products, it’s likely we’ll see Gemini become an increasingly common part of everyday workplace technology.
Claude: Winning Over Developers
If there is one platform that has developed a particularly strong following within technical communities, it’s Claude.
Research from Anthropic’s Economic Index found that Claude usage is heavily concentrated around software development, technical analysis and complex problem-solving tasks.
Developers are commonly using Claude for:
- Reviewing codeÂ
- Writing codeÂ
- Technical documentationÂ
- System design discussionsÂ
- Technical problem-solvingÂ
What we find particularly interesting is that many developers aren’t choosing between Claude and ChatGPT. They’re using both.
Much like developers use different tools for different tasks, many are beginning to build AI into their workflows in the same way, selecting the platform that best suits the problem they’re trying to solve.
Why Gen Z Is Starting to Push Back
Perhaps the most surprising trend isn’t how many people are adopting AI. It’s the growing number of people questioning it.
Gallup’s latest workplace AI research found that 69% of Gen Z workers trust work completed without AI more than work produced with AI assistance.
At first glance, that feels counterintuitive. Gen Z are among the most active users of AI tools, so why the scepticism?
The reality is that many younger professionals have spent enough time using AI to understand both its strengths and its weaknesses.
They’ve seen it produce inaccurate information. They’ve watched it confidently provide incorrect answers. They’ve experienced first-hand how useful it can be, but also where it falls short.
There are also growing concerns around skill development. Many early-career professionals are asking a fair question: if AI starts doing the tasks we traditionally learned from, how do we build those skills ourselves?
For technology professionals in particular, learning often comes from problem-solving, trial and error, and working through challenges. There is a growing recognition that while AI can accelerate work, it shouldn’t replace the learning process entirely.
This doesn’t mean AI adoption is slowing down. If anything, usage continues to grow. But the conversation is maturing. The excitement around what AI can do is increasingly being balanced by a more practical discussion about what it should do.
What Are Employers Looking For?
We’ve spoken to organisations that have embraced AI across their teams, and others that have placed strict limits on its use. Neither approach is right or wrong. What matters is having a clear reason behind it and understanding how it fits into the way the business operates.
What’s becoming clear is that employers aren’t looking for candidates who can simply prompt ChatGPT or generate code with Claude. They’re looking for people who understand the opportunities AI presents, recognise its limitations and know when human judgement is still required.
As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, organisations are placing greater value on critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills alongside technical expertise.
Across the organisations Exclaim IT recruits for, we’re seeing AI literacy become an expectation rather than a differentiator. Employers are increasingly interested in how candidates use AI tools to improve productivity, solve problems and support decision-making, not simply whether they have access to the tools.
As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, organisations are placing greater value on critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills alongside technical expertise. We’re also seeing more clients ask candidates how they use AI in their day-to-day work, what processes they follow to validate AI-generated outputs, and how they balance automation with sound judgement.
What Does This Mean for Technology Professionals?
For technology professionals, AI isn’t reducing the importance of human skills. If anything, it’s increasing it.
A developer still needs to understand why code works, not just whether an AI tool can generate it. A business analyst still needs to ask the right questions. A project manager still needs to manage stakeholders. AI can support those activities, but it can’t replace the experience and judgement behind them.
That’s why we’re not seeing demand for technology professionals disappear. We’re seeing expectations evolve.
The people who are likely to be most successful over the next few years won’t be those resisting AI, nor will they be those relying on it for everything. They’ll be the professionals who understand how to use it effectively while continuing to develop the skills that technology can’t automate.
Connect with the Tech Recruitment Specialists
As AI continues to reshape the technology landscape, the skills employers need and the expectations placed on technology professionals are evolving just as quickly. Whether you’re building an AI-enabled technology team or looking for your next opportunity in a rapidly evolving market, Exclaim IT can help you navigate the changing skills landscape.
