ChatGPT has become the clear leader in Australia's artificial intelligence adoption, with 10.5 million users relying on the tool in an average four-week period. According to new research from Roy Morgan, this represents 45% of Australians aged 14 and older, making OpenAI's chatbot more than twice as popular as any competing AI platform.

The broader picture shows explosive growth in AI tool adoption across the country. A total of 13.6 million Australians, equivalent to 58% of the population aged 14 and older, now use some form of artificial intelligence tool in an average four-week period, according to data collected between January and March 2026. This represents a significant shift in how everyday Australians interact with technology.

Which AI Tools Are Australians Actually Using?

While ChatGPT dominates the landscape, other AI platforms have carved out meaningful user bases. Google Gemini ranks as the second most popular tool, used by 5 million Australians, or 21% of the population. Microsoft Copilot follows closely with 4 million users, representing 17% of Australians aged 14 and older.

Beyond the major three platforms, smaller but growing audiences use specialized AI tools. Canva's Magic Studio, which focuses on AI-powered design and image generation, reaches 1.4 million Australians (6%), while Anthropic's Claude attracts approximately 777,000 users (3%).

• ChatGPT: 10.5 million users (45% of Australians aged 14+), the clear market leader
• Google Gemini: 5 million users (21%), the second most popular AI tool
• Microsoft Copilot: 4 million users (17%), closely trailing Gemini
• Canva Magic Studio: 1.4 million users (6%), specializing in AI design tools
• Anthropic Claude: 777,000 users (3%), a smaller but growing user base

What Age Groups Are Driving AI Adoption?

The data reveals a striking pattern in who is embracing AI tools. Australians aged 25 to 34 show the highest adoption rate, with 74% using AI tools regularly. This is closely followed by those aged 35 to 49, at 72% adoption. Younger adults aged 18 to 24 show strong engagement at 68%, while teenagers aged 14 to 17 reach 66% adoption.

The adoption curve shifts dramatically for older Australians. Only 50% of people aged 50 to 64 use AI tools, and adoption drops sharply to just 31% for those aged 65 and older. This generational divide suggests that middle-aged workers and younger adults are leading the AI revolution in Australia.

ChatGPT shows particularly strong penetration among younger users. The tool is used by 62% of Australians aged 25 to 34, the highest rate of any age group, with nearly equal adoption among teenagers aged 14 to 17 (59%), young adults aged 18 to 24 (58%), and those aged 35 to 49 (59%).

How to Assess Your AI Tool Needs Based on Your Age and Interests

Understanding which AI tools align with your needs depends on your age, profession, and use case. Here are practical considerations for different user groups:

• Young Professionals (18-34): ChatGPT dominates this demographic, with over 58% adoption, making it the default choice for writing, research, and brainstorming tasks across work and education
• Mid-Career Workers (35-49): This group shows balanced adoption across ChatGPT (59%), Google Gemini (27%), and Microsoft Copilot (24%), suggesting diverse tool preferences based on workplace integration and existing software ecosystems
• Older Adults (50+): Adoption drops significantly, but Microsoft Copilot shows relatively stronger appeal to those aged 50 to 64 (18%) compared to younger groups, likely due to integration with familiar Microsoft products
• Creative Professionals: Canva Magic Studio's 6% adoption rate suggests a niche but growing audience for AI-powered design, appealing to those focused on visual content creation
• Enterprise Users: Microsoft Copilot's stronger adoption among older workers hints at corporate deployment through Microsoft 365 integration, making it a default tool in business environments

Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan, emphasized the scale of this shift in Australian technology habits. "Artificial Intelligence software has taken the world by storm over the past few years, and the latest research from Roy Morgan shows 13.6 million Australians (58% of people aged 14+) are now using AI tools in an average four weeks," Levine stated. She added that "the most well-known AI tool, OpenAI's ChatGPT is also the most widely used, with 10.5 million Australians now using ChatGPT in an average four weeks, more than double nearest rivals Google Gemini (5 million users) and Microsoft Copilot (4 million)".

Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan

"Interestingly, it is Australians aged 25-34 (74%) and 35-49 (72%) that are the most likely to use AI tools, ahead of younger Australians aged 18-24 (68%) and 14-17 (66%). Usage of AI tools drops off for Australians aged 50-64 (50%) and especially for those aged 65+ (31%)," said Michele Levine.

Michele Levine, CEO at Roy Morgan

The research was conducted using Roy Morgan's Single Source survey methodology, which continuously tracks over 1,000 Australians weekly. The sample size for this analysis included 14,646 respondents aged 14 and older, providing robust statistical confidence in the findings. Roy Morgan has been collecting behavioral and attitudinal data on Australians for more than 80 years, making this one of the most reliable snapshots of technology adoption in the country.

The dominance of ChatGPT in Australia mirrors global trends but also reflects the tool's early-mover advantage and broad appeal. Unlike specialized tools like Canva Magic Studio, which targets designers, or Microsoft Copilot, which benefits from integration with workplace software, ChatGPT offers a general-purpose conversational interface that works for writing, coding, research, and creative tasks. This versatility has made it the default AI tool for millions of Australians across age groups and professions.