Field Notes, sourced research
Short, fully sourced research briefs on the AI questions Australian businesses actually face. Every important number is traced to its source, its status is clear, and the practical implication is written plainly.
Latest field note
AI adoption, 8 minute read
Reputable Australian estimates run from 12% to 72%. Put the sample, question and adoption depth back beside each figure and the apparent contradiction makes sense.
The library
Five more published briefsEach brief shows its subject, review date, source count and primary finding before you open it.
Attackers still want passwords and valuable data. AI helps them find weak points, write malware and move through a compromised system faster.
of small businesses hold sensitive data
Primary sources ASD, auDA, QBE, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft
Veracode found models introduced a known flaw in 45% of tested generation tasks. Its July 2026 report shows security still trails function.
of tested generation tasks introduced a known flaw
Primary sources Veracode, GitGuardian, Snyk, Stanford, OWASP
The privacy and AI rules now landing in Australia, what they mean for businesses that handle customer data, and the numbers behind the new regime.
breaches notified to the OAIC in H1 2025
Primary sources OAIC, Privacy Act reform, DTA, WA PRIS
Most staff already use AI at work, often on personal accounts with company data, and most employers cannot see it. The scale, inputs and cost of shadow AI.
of AI users bring their own tools to work
Primary sources Microsoft, Cyberhaven, IBM, Jobs and Skills Australia, Josys
Companies are spending billions on AI and getting almost nothing back. The research on why, how staff really use it, and what the few winners do differently.
of AI pilots show no measurable return
Primary sources MIT NANDA, Harvard Business Review, Stanford, BetterUp, Microsoft
On the desk
Next questions under reviewAI automation ROI for Australian SMBs
ResearchingThe AI fraud bill for Australian business
SourcingWhen AI screens your job applicants
QueuedWant a brief on your sector? Suggest a topic. We research the questions clients ask first, then publish the useful evidence for everyone.
The standard
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