Data and AI Literacy: Who’s Leading and Who’s Lagging
Data and AI literacy are no longer optional, they are essential capabilities for individuals and organisations striving to stay competitive, innovative, and resilient. Evinact’s 2025 National Data & AI Literacy Benchmark Report sheds light on the current state of data and AI literacy across Australia, highlighting key findings, challenges, and actionable strategies to bridge the gap between curiosity and fluency.
What is Data & AI Literacy?
Data and AI literacy is the ability to access, interpret, question and apply data and AI, confidently and responsibly, to inform decisions and create value. It’s about turning raw information into actionable insights, enabling the ethical and responsible use of technology.
Why Do We Need Data & AI Literacy?
The rise of generative AI, the demand for efficiency, and the need for evidence-based decision-making have made data and AI literacy critical skills. Organisations that fail to invest in these capabilities risk falling behind, facing reputational damage, and missing out on the full value of their data and AI investments.
Key Findings from the Report
- National Average: Most participants fall between “Curious” and “Explorer” on the literacy maturity scale – below the desired “Fluent” level.
- Empowerment Gaps: 1 in 4 participants don’t feel empowered by their organisation to upskill their data and AI capabilities.
- AI Understanding: 58% of respondents don’t understand how AI can help achieve strategic goals, and 64% believe their organisation needs support in building an AI-literate workforce.
- Data Governance: 69% of respondents feel their organisation requires additional support to enable effective data governance.
- Sector Insights: The Private Sector leads in data and AI literacy, achieving “Explorer” status, while Government, Higher Education, and Not-for-Profit sectors remain at the “Curious” stage.
Building a Data & AI Literate Culture
A strong data culture is an essential foundation for literacy. It requires:
- Leadership Buy-In: Executives must champion data-driven decision-making and visibly support literacy programs.
- Champion Programs: Appointing data and AI ambassadors across business units to drive grassroots change.
- Ethical Practices: Open dialogue on AI ethics, bias and transparency to build trust and confidence.
- Accessible Learning: Learning through experience, mentoring, and formal training, to embed literacy into workflows.
Getting the Basics Right
Data fundamentals are the ABCs of data literacy. They include:
- Core Concepts: Understanding data structure, governance, and terminology.
- Effective Governance: Clear policies, accountability, and alignment with business strategy.
- Shared Language: Co-creating business glossaries to make data accessible across teams.
Turning Insights into Impact
Business value emerges when data and AI literacy enable action. Organisations must:
- Embed Data in Workflows: Regularly discuss and apply data insights in decision-making.
- Prioritise AI Use Cases: Focus on initiatives that balance feasibility with ROI.
- Foster Data Storytelling: Combine narrative, context, and visualisation to communicate insights effectively.
Sector Snapshots
- Private Sector: Leading the way at “Explorer” level, with strong performance in Data Fundamentals and Analytics.
- Government Sector: At “Curious” level, focusing on ethical and inclusive data use to improve public services.
- Higher Education: Exploring data and AI to enhance student outcomes and research impact.
- Not-for-Profit: Achieving “Fluent” in technical domains despite limited resources, but lagging in cultural adoption and AI maturity.
Future-Proofing with Data & AI Literacy
Building data and AI literacy is about preparing for the future. It equips individuals and organisations to adapt to emerging technologies, navigate change confidently, and use data and AI responsibly. The journey from curiosity to fluency requires deliberate investment in capability-building, cultural transformation, and ethical practices.
Organisations must take deliberate steps to uplift data and AI literacy:
- Assess workforce capabilities using structured frameworks.
- Develop tailored learning pathways and resources.
- Appoint champions to drive adoption and collaboration.
- Measure impact and celebrate progress to sustain momentum.
Evinact offers tailored solutions to help organisations move beyond curiosity and into fluency.
The 2025 National Data & AI Literacy Benchmark Report underscores the importance of data and AI literacy in driving organisational success. By investing in foundational skills, fostering a strong data culture, and prioritising ethical AI practices, organisations can unlock the full potential of data and AI, turning curiosity into confidence and capability.
