Australia launches first national Responsible AI Self-Assessment Tool to drive productivity and trust

Fifth Quadrant has released the Australian Responsible AI Index 2025, revealing strong productivity gains from responsible AI and launching a new national benchmarking tool to guide organisations forward.

30% of Australian organisations report improved efficiency through responsible AI, but a confidence–implementation gap threatens progress as AI deployment scales.

The Index, sponsored by the National AI Centre (NAIC), shows a 4% rise in organisations reaching the ‘Leading’ stage of responsible AI maturity, compared to 2024. Yet, many overestimate their capabilities—only 23% have fully implemented human oversight despite 58% claiming confidence.

Australia’s first industry-wide Responsible AI Self-Assessment Tool empowers organisations to measure their AI maturity, align with the Voluntary AI Safety Standard (VAISS), and receive tailored guidance.

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Lee Hickin, Executive Director of NAIC, said: “It’s a practical way to understand where you are in your AI journey, benchmark against peers, and receive tailored guidance on your next steps. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach, this tool helps you move forward with confidence and clarity.”

Smaller businesses are falling behind, with only 9% reaching the Leading segment compared to 21% of larger enterprises. High-risk users, however, show stronger governance, implementing safeguards at nearly double the rate of low-risk users.

The Index calls for more collaboration between government and industry to bridge the confidence gap, promote tool uptake, and support smaller businesses with tailored frameworks.

Fifth Quadrant is a leading research and advisory firm focused on customer experience, technology, and responsible innovation. The National AI Centre (NAIC) is part of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, driving responsible AI adoption across Australia.

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