ABC Wants Your AI Stories: What the Data Says About a Technology That's Both Useful and Feared

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is asking Australians to share how artificial intelligence has unexpectedly reshaped their everyday lives — a public call-out that underscores just how deeply and divisively the technology has already penetrated work, school, and personal decisions. The initiative comes at a time when survey after survey shows a public that is both rapidly adopting AI tools and profoundly skeptical of their consequences. From fears of job displacement to worries about plagiarism and unregulated health advice, the ABC is documenting a nation grappling with a technology that many feel is moving faster than society can adapt.

The ABC’s feature, published as part of its broader coverage on the rise of AI in Australia, invites readers to describe unexpected changes in areas such as work, study, creative activities, and personal life. The broadcaster has already highlighted key concerns emerging from its audience: that AI tools could replace or devalue jobs, especially in knowledge and creative fields; that students are using generative AI to complete assignments, raising questions about academic integrity; that artists see their styles and works being plagiarized or “stolen”; and that people are turning to AI for mental health support or legal advice without professional supervision. These themes are not unique to Australia — they reflect a global unease.

The ABC’s call-out is set against a backdrop of striking data on AI usage and attitudes. According to the Pew Research Center, about half of American adults (49%) have used chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot — up from 33% in 2024 — and 24% say they use them daily. Yet trust is low: 71% of adults believe AI will make personal information less secure, and 40% think AI will have a negative impact on society over the next 20 years, compared with just 16% who expect a positive impact. A Quinnipiac University survey found that 55% of Americans believe AI will do more harm than good in their daily lives. And a CNN/Quinnipiac poll showed that 69% of Americans trust AI companies only “a little” or “not at all” to act in users’ best interests, while 67% are skeptical that the U.S. government will regulate AI effectively. These numbers help explain why the ABC is seeking personal stories: the gap between usage and trust is widening, and policymakers are struggling to keep pace.

The impact on work is already being felt. Chris Callison-Burch, a professor of computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania, told ABC that AI is especially affecting entry-level white-collar jobs — writers, coders, mathematicians, researchers, and people producing survey articles. Experts warn that 40–60% of the workforce could be impacted by AI, mainly through job redesign, automation of tasks, or pressure on wages. Some industries, such as construction, trades, and hospitality, are assessed as less likely to be heavily displaced in the near term. At the same time, AI can help workers stay “on the cutting edge” by assisting with tasks like note-taking, summarizing meetings, drafting emails, and document preparation. For individuals, the Pew data shows a wide range of uses: 42% of chatbot users rely on them to search for information, 38% for work tasks, 25% for fun, 24% for creating or editing images or videos, and 20% each for medical advice or diet and fitness information. A KFF study found that 29% of Americans now use AI tools or chatbots at least monthly for health information, up from 17% in 2024.

The ABC has not yet announced when it will publish the results of its call-out, but the initiative signals a growing recognition that AI’s impact cannot be captured by statistics alone. As more Australians — and people around the world — share their experiences, a clearer picture will emerge of how a technology that promises efficiency is also generating anxiety, adaptation, and unexpected change. For now, the message from the ABC is clear: your story matters, and the conversation about AI is just beginning.