Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast becoming a baseline skill for professionals, according to a new report from Microsoft and LinkedIn, the Work Trend Index. The report's Australian findings indicate that 84% of workers are adopters of generative AI in the workplace, a figure that surpasses the global average of 75%.

But, while 80% of leaders believe their company needs to adopt AI to stay competitive, they aren't acting quickly enough. This has led to over 78% of workers bringing their own AI tools to work, and the biggest AI users at work are saving 30 minutes a day.

"Employees are driving uptake in generative AI across Australian workplaces," said National Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, Sarah Carney.

The report combines survey data from 31,000 workers and leaders across 31 countries, along with trillions of productivity signals, telemetry data, and LinkedIn jobs and labour data.

"2024 is the year AI at work becomes real," said Modern Work Business Director, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, Lucy Debono. "Shifting from experimentation phase to drive breakthrough return on investment requires organisations to foster a growth mindset, for leadership to lean in, and to facilitate knowledge transfer so all employees can feel empowered to use generative AI to deliver work that is more fulfilling and impactful."

According to the report, 75% of business leaders wouldn't hire someone without AI skills. Likewise, LinkedIn has seen a 142x increase in members globally adding AI skills like ChatGPT and Copilot to their LinkedIn profiles.

"Leaders have made their land grab for technical AI talent - with hiring up 323% globally in the last eight years," said Managing Director, LinkedIn Australia and New Zealand, Matt Tindale.

To help professionals jumpstart their AI learning journey, LinkedIn is making 50 AI courses available for free through July 8.