2025 Digital Future of Work Report shows Queensland businesses are cautiously engaging AI but need support to realise economic and productivity gains

By Gabi Leverett

Close to three quarters of Queensland businesses have only a basic understanding of AI, despite one in four expecting AI and technology will replace employees in the next five years, new data from Business Chamber Queensland’s 2025 Digital Future of Work Report shows.

The report, supported by Australian Retirement Trust, explores how Queensland businesses are adapting to technological change amid one of the most significant industrial and economic transformations in history.

The findings demonstrate Queensland businesses are eager to maximise the opportunities AI and digital transformation presents, but are still struggling to keep pace with rapid technological change, which is exasperated in SMEs.

More than half of businesses identified a strong or critical need for new skills and retraining to cope, and four out of five believe leadership skills are essential to drive the best use of AI and digital technologies.

Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper says the research shows the ‘tech fog’ that weighs down Queensland businesses is easing slightly but remains persistent as leaders grapple with the rise of AI, new skills requirements and workforce shifts.

“The digital future of work is here, and many Queensland businesses are already seeing improved market share, increased efficiencies and productivity by utilising new ways of doing business,” Ms Cooper said.

“In just 12 months, the number of businesses using AI extensively has doubled to 10% – and the vast majority say they’re eager to use technology to automate, simplify and streamline workflows, and to improve digital engagement with customers.

“But there is a clear need for support to ensure businesses can understand where the opportunities and risks exist in navigating the evolving technology and digital landscape, especially in light of the productivity issues being experienced across all industries.

“The opportunity, and challenge, lies in how Queensland businesses can position themselves to lead through this transformation, and remain competitive both locally and globally, especially in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This report lays the groundwork for businesses to anticipate change, adapt with agility, and lead with confidence in a digitally driven economy.”

Drawing on robust research and direct intelligence from Queensland businesses, the report reflects the realities leaders face today and what they must prepare for tomorrow. It builds on critical insights from the 2022 and 2024 editions, offering a forward-looking, business-first lens to guide digital decision-making and investment.

Australian Retirement Trust CEO Kathy Vincent says the fund is proud to work alongside Business Chamber Queensland to support Queensland businesses in navigating future challenges.

“For more than a century, Australian Retirement Trust has looked after the retirement savings and incomes of Queenslanders,” Ms Vincent said.

“We’re the super fund of choice for close to 200,000 employers, the majority of whom are here in Queensland.

“Businesses large and small are the backbone of our economy. They drive innovation, nurture local communities, and create a broad range of employment opportunities.

Image: Michael Rosemann, Director of the Centre of Future Enterprise at QUT, Fahim Khondakar, Partner for Digital at BDO, Brett Lightfoot, State Director for Queensland and Northern Territory at Microsoft, and Patrick Twomey, General Manager of Commercial Relationships at Australian Retirement Trust join CEO Heidi Cooper to discuss the Digital Future of Work.

“Partnering with Business Chamber Queensland to produce this report ensures that together, we can provide employers with the insights, tools and confidence they need to plan, invest and grow in the changing world of work.”

Join Digital Future of Work events in your region here.

The business perspective

As AI begins to reshape the workplace, soft skills such as how people communicate and interact to form relationships are more important than ever, according to GrowCFO CEO Deborah Harris.

Ms Harris’ company provides CFO and bookkeeping services to clients around the globe.

She said it was a top priority to build sustainable careers for her team, but soft skills were equally important to bridge the intelligence of AI with the hopes, needs and aspirations of clients or business owners.

“Businesses, schools and universities need to train their people so that they are respectful and know how to communicate,” Ms Harris said.

“AI can do a lot, but it cannot see inside the mind, it can’t feel feelings.”

This view is consistent with that of many Queensland businesses – in fact, more than 44% identified a critical or strong need for people with stronger communication, personal and soft skills, which can’t be effectively replicated by AI.

Ms Harris uses AI extensively in her business and is adamant that AI won’t replace employees but instead complement them.

“My role as CEO is to make sure my team stays relevant. If I train them, as they progress, they can start to evolve their skills and they will not become redundant,” said Ms Harris.

Download the 2025 Digital Future of Work Report

Key insights:

• The implications of AI: 96.7% don’t consider themselves experts in AI and 87.1% are struggling to keep up with developments.
• Leadership and digital engagement: 82% of Queensland businesses say leadership skills are needed to drive effective use of AI and other digital technologies.
• Workplace automation: 78.57% of Queensland businesses see a need to simplify workflows through automation, and 80.65% are focused on improving digital customer engagement.
• Skills and retraining: Just over half (51.61%) of Queensland businesses report a strong or critical need for new skills and retraining to cope with technological change.
• Olympics-driven demand: With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, more than half of businesses see a need to attract interstate or international workers to fill skill gaps.

About Business Chamber Queensland

Business Chamber Queensland is the state’s Chamber of Commerce. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Queensland businesses to thrive and ensuring our state is the best place to do business in Australia.

We are the largest and most representative business body in Queensland and represent businesses in every industry, of every size and in every region of our state. For 157 years, we have supported businesses to create a resilient, diversified, sustainable, and competitive economy.

Our extensive business insight and decades of real time intelligence is the state’s most trusted, comprehensive and authoritative snapshot of Queensland business sentiment, expectations and conditions.

About Australian Retirement Trust

Australian Retirement Trust is one of Australia’s largest super funds. Close to 2.4 million Australians trust us to take care of over $350 billion of their retirement savings. 

We’re here to help our members retire well with confidence, focused on strong long-term investment returns, lower fees and the information and access to advice our members need to manage their super and retirement.