Australian organisations focus on AI, skills & resilience for growth
Australian organisations are rebalancing technology strategies to strengthen growth prospects while enhancing long-term resilience, according to new research from ASI Solutions and Tech Research Asia.
The 2025 Growth and resiliency report draws on responses from over 500 IT and business decision-makers across sectors including government, education, and commercial enterprises. The study identifies significant changes in priorities as leaders respond to an evolving threat landscape, skills shortages, and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies.
Shifting priorities
The research outlines a diverse technology landscape: 42 per cent of surveyed leaders report a focus on transformation, while 43 per cent pursue operational excellence, highlighting a near-equal split in emphasis. Twenty-five per cent of organisations describe their IT environment as 'purposefully hybrid'. However, concerns remain about preparedness, with 40 per cent of respondents admitting they are not fully equipped to handle contemporary cyber threats.
AI is expected to play a pivotal role in the near term, as more than half (54 per cent) of organisations anticipate the technology will reshape their IT and data strategies within two years. Concurrently, the persistent shortage of skilled IT professionals is affecting strategies, with 50 per cent of organisations struggling to hire and 20 per cent experiencing challenges retaining staff.
Australian organisations are under pressure to deliver sustainable growth. The leaders that will succeed are those turning IT from a cost centre into a driver of resilience, using technology to reduce risk, lift productivity, and create measurable business value.
This statement by Nathan Lowe, Managing Director at ASI Solutions, reflects the direction many organisations are taking: prioritising investments in security, upskilling, and AI-driven transformation to achieve performance and recovery readiness. The findings indicate a shift from reactive to proactive approaches, with governance, skills, and organisational culture becoming central to technology decision-making.
AI and hybrid models
The survey points towards an increasing reliance on AI and cloud technologies, with particular focus on hybrid cloud models that balance performance requirements, compliance obligations, and cost considerations. Skills shortages persist, especially in AI and cybersecurity, creating further impetus for targeted upskilling and strategic recruitment efforts.
Different sectors are responding to these trends in varied ways. Government agencies are focused on talent acquisition and recovery planning, education providers are directing attention to governance frameworks for generative AI, and commercial organisations are pursuing modernisation and cost optimisation. These industry-specific approaches underscore a collective emphasis on capability, compliance, and adaptability, shaped by each sector's business goals and risk environment.
Collaboration and capability building
The increased complexity of IT environments has led to a rise in co-managed services, as organisations work with technology providers to manage workloads, enhance cybersecurity, and upgrade infrastructure. This collaborative approach allows internal teams to focus on strategic tasks and capability building while maintaining core operations.
The most successful leaders are those who treat technology as both an accelerator and a stabiliser, driving efficiency and innovation while reducing risk. Whether it's improving time-to-recovery, embedding AI responsibly into workflows, or strengthening cyber resilience, the focus has shifted from growth at all costs to growth built on control, capability, and confidence.
These remarks from Nathan Lowe indicate that the priority now is to align technology investment with measurable business outcomes, resilience, and compliance.
Efficiency and measurable outcomes
The research highlights that nearly half of organisations are consolidating operations to boost resilience, with strategic investments flowing into security (14 per cent), digital technologies (13 per cent), and scalable IT platforms (16 per cent).
Trevor Clarke, Chief Analyst at Tech Research Asia, notes the gap between perceived and actual recovery capabilities:
One of the surprising findings from the research is the gap between confidence and capability. Many organisations believe they can recover quickly from a major outage, yet the data shows a significant number would take more than a full day to restore critical systems. I challenge organisations to test that assumption, to regularly measure, rehearse, and validate their recovery plans. True resilience isn't about what's written in policy, it's about how quickly you can get back to business when disruption hits.
As organisations navigate emerging technologies and threats, they are being urged to implement robust governance and regular testing of disaster recovery procedures.
AI governance and modernisation
Nathan Lowe sees AI as an integral element of this evolution, influencing risk, governance, and business strategy. He says:
AI is transforming how organisations think about strategy, governance, and risk. The opportunity now is to harness that potential responsibly, ensuring innovation is guided by strong frameworks and measurable outcomes. We're actively working with our customers to embed AI governance into their operations, helping them modernise securely, strengthen resilience, and realise the full business value of emerging technologies. Now is the time for leaders to turn intent into action and build the digital foundations for the future.
