Australians embrace agentic AI as younger users drive adoption surge

Australians are increasingly shifting from using basic AI assistants to adopting agentic AI systems capable of autonomous decision-making and task completion, according to new research by Adobe.

The recently released Adobe report, titled From Assistants to Agents: The AI Evolution in Australia, is based on a survey of over 1,000 Australians conducted across two periods, March and June 2025. The findings highlight a significant rise in agentic AI usage, particularly among younger generations.

Agentic AI uptake rises

The survey found that usage of agentic AI—platforms that can interpret user intent, make independent decisions, and perform tasks without manual oversight—rose by 50% in just three months. Nearly one in five Australians (18%) reported having used such advanced tools, while a further 42% anticipate adopting them within the next year.

One in three Australians now regularly uses AI assistants, representing a 7% increase since March. Of those surveyed, two in three noted a desire to use AI more as it evolves to offer new capabilities and services.

"We've seen a dramatic shift in just three months. Not only are more Australians adopting AI, but they are embracing new capabilities," said Katrina Troughton, Vice President and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Adobe.

"The surge in agentic AI adoption indicates that it's no longer just about getting smart answers; people want AI that can act and make decisions. It signals yet another shift in behaviour and expectations among consumers that are translating into new AI-assisted pathways to discover and engage with brands."

The research highlighted that millennials are especially prominent in driving agentic AI adoption, with 23% of this demographic stating they use such tools, an increase from 13% in March 2025. Millennials also ranked as the most trusting generation regarding this emerging technology's potential benefits.

Expanding use cases

The study indicates that Australians are diversifying the ways they use AI assistants. The most common use cases for agentic AI include comparing products (63%), finding deals and completing approved purchases (57%), and generating creative ideas tailored to individual preferences (55%).

A growing number of consumers also utilise AI for daily activities such as online shopping (30%), travel planning (29%), and banking (23%). Of the respondents who use AI for these purposes, over 87% expressed satisfaction with the experience.

Creative and professional applications

More than half (57%) of those surveyed reported having used AI for creative projects. There is strong interest in continuing to leverage AI for writing (52%), photography and photo editing (45%), and graphic design (45%) in the ensuing six months.

Adobe is incorporating agentic AI functionality into its product suite. For instance, the AI Assistant feature in Adobe Acrobat is poised to let users create custom agents for roles such as research assistants or academic tutors, carrying out document analysis, answering questions, and suggesting related topics for exploration. In Adobe Photoshop, the newly introduced Actions panel (in beta) can analyse images and recommend context-aware edits without the need for manual guidance.

Changing expectations in commerce and creativity

Millennials' higher rates of agentic AI engagement sets a benchmark for broader adoption in the near future as more Australians become acquainted with the technology. Once explained, most survey respondents indicated they would like agentic AI to support them in researching and purchasing consumer goods and stimulating their creative activities.

Commenting on the implications for businesses, Troughton added, "As consumers embrace new AI applications, the experiences brands deliver online must be designed to perform in an AI-powered world. At Adobe, we're partnering with businesses to unlock AI-assisted buying journeys, real-time and responsive customer experiences, and agentic AI that is balanced with the human support people strongly value."

"At the same time, we're helping individuals – both at work and at home – to unlock insights, scale their imagination and operate with speed, versatility, and impact."

The research demonstrates that as AI technologies evolve, Australians are open to using them in more autonomous and personalised ways, with expectations for brands and technology vendors to keep pace with their changing needs.