Interest in artificial intelligence tools has soared in Australia, with internet searches for the technology rising by 20 per cent, according to Google.
But the internet giant revealed searches for AI-detection tools are also up, indicating many people are yet to grow comfortable with the technology.
The findings, released on Tuesday, come less than a week after the Senate’s Adopting Artificial Intelligence inquiry heard calls for guidelines and restrictions on the use of the technology to prevent unintended consequences.
Google’s quarterly trends report, which analysed Australian web searches on its platform between April and June, found search interest in AI hit a record in May and jumped by 20 per cent compared to the first quarter of the year.
Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Mel Silva said the data indicated more Australians were interested in using AI technology to learn new skills and to improve their work lives and processes.
“Aussies are increasingly aware of the potential of AI and the ways it can be used to develop new skills, create new applications and foster creativity,” she said.
“We’ve seen this reflected in our latest trends, with teachers, network engineers, managers, recruiters and business analysts among the top professions looking to incorporate the technologies into their work lives.”
Google found the most popular work-related web searches for AI technology were for writing tools, marketing ideas and, concerningly, AI litigation.
Australians also looked to AI to write messages, statements, cover letters and computer code, to create images, playlists and PowerPoint presentations, and to learn English, coding and Gaelic.
However, while apps to create images, artworks, voices and videos were popular, the most sought-after AI tools were for those that detected the use of AI, with searches for the technology rising more than 5000 per cent over the last two years, the report found.
Popular AI detection tools, which use machine learning to inspect language patterns and compare them to human-written and computer-generated text, include GPTZero, Originality.ai and Google’s own SynthID.
A Senate inquiry heard concerns about the use of AI at two public hearings last week, including calls from groups representing media outlets, voice actors and lawyers to introduce guidelines and limitations on AI use.
Adobe Asia Pacific public sector strategy director John Mackenney also told the inquiry AI detection tools and digital watermarking would be vital as people employed in creative fields were concerned their work could be stolen using AI software.
“One of the biggest concerns that we have heard from our customers and the creative community has been around the misappropriation of image, likeness, voice and artistic style,” he said.
The inquiry is expected to deliver its findings in September and Australia’s national AI expert advisory group is considering mandatory rules for risky AI deployments.
