AI Research

New AWS research shows one Australian business adopts AI every three minutes

Published

2 days ago

August 28, 2025

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly accelerating across Australia, with one business every three minutes adopting AI solutions between 2024 and 2025, according to the latest edition of Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) ‘Unlocking Australia’s AI Potential’ report. In total, 1.3 million or 50% of Australian businesses are now regularly using AI, showing a year-on-year growth rate of 16%.

These businesses demonstrate the productivity and economic potential of AI adoption, with 95% reporting an average increase in revenue of 34%. 86% of adopters have already experienced productivity gains, while 94% expect an average of 38% in cost savings.

The report, conducted by independent consultancy, Strand Partners, and commissioned by AWS, reveals that while AI adoption continues to accelerate in Australia, there is a growing gap between startups and large, more mature businesses in the depth of their AI adoption. This AI gap risks creating a two-tier economy in which tech-driven startups innovate more rapidly and outpace their established and less agile competitors.

A two-tier economy emerging

Australian startups, in particular, are enthusiastic and innovative in their use of AI, adopting AI’s most advanced uses far more rapidly than more established companies. 81% of startups in Australia are using AI in some way, of which 42% are building entirely new AI-driven products with AI, leveraging the technology to its full potential.

In contrast, 61% of large enterprises are using AI, but only 18% are delivering new AI products or services, and only 22% have a comprehensive AI strategy.

This gap in innovation risks the emergence of a two-tier economy, where startups are surging ahead of large enterprises in AI integration and adoption. Without deeper integration, these businesses risk missing out on the full potential of AI, falling behind more agile competitors, and driving a two-tier economy that will shape Australia’s prosperity for decades.

Widespread but basic adoption of AI across Australian businesses

While AI adoption is increasing, most Australian businesses are not yet harnessing its most advanced uses, with 58% focused primarily on basic use cases, like driving efficiencies and streamlining processes through chatbots.

Just 17% of Australian businesses are at the intermediate stage of integrating AI across various business functions, and only 24% have reached the most transformative stage of AI integration, where AI is no longer just a tool but a core part of product development, decision-making, and business models, that lead to innovation.

“While it’s encouraging to see a growing number of businesses in Australia innovate with AI and realise revenue, productivity, and cost benefits, our research has uncovered that barriers such as lack of skills and regulatory uncertainty remain, impacting the ability for larger enterprises to deepen their use of AI,” said Michelle Hardie, Head of Professional Services, ANZ, AWS.

“To accelerate Australia’s competitive edge on the global AI stage, it is essential that governments and industry take steps to address these barriers to unlock Australia’s full AI potential. At AWS, we are supporting the broad adoption of AI through our new AI Spring Australia program that is focused on building AI capability and skills across different sectors and industries, including large enterprises, as well as through infrastructure investments and skills training initiatives, including our recent investment of AU$20 billion in Australia.”

Tackling barriers to deeper AI adoption

To accelerate Australia’s competitive edge on the global AI stage, governments and industry must take steps to address the barriers businesses face in unlocking their full AI potential.

A lack of skilled personnel is the leading reason (39%) Australian businesses say is preventing them from adopting or expanding their use of AI. Many reported having the technology and the vision, but are unable to find the people to bring it to life.

This could impact Australia’s global competitiveness and limit economic growth, as 51% of businesses identified AI literacy as being important for future hiring, and only 37% of businesses feel prepared with their workforce’s current skillset. Funding is also a particularly important factor for startups in Australia, with 65% saying access to venture capital is crucial in creating an environment for growth.

A clear, streamlined regulatory landscape is also necessary to give businesses the confidence they need to adopt and invest in emerging technologies. The research found that only 24% of businesses are familiar with the consultation by the Australian government to implement AI regulation and could explain how the legislation would operate.

Those surveyed also estimated they spent 30% of their IT budget on compliance-related costs, such as data privacy and protection compliance, legal consultations, and cybersecurity measures. 73% expect this figure to increase in the next three years.

The path forward for AI innovation

The report uncovered three priority actions to overcome these barriers and unlock the full potential of AI across startups and large enterprises to avoid the emergence of a ‘two-tier’ economy:

Accelerate private sector digital adoption through skills efforts: A key barrier to AI adoption is not ambition, it’s capability. While 91% of businesses view AI-related skills as essential, only 37% feel their workforce is currently prepared. This gap highlights an urgent need for industry-specific digital skills programs, certifications, and practical training pathways to develop a digitally-skilled workforce that can drive AI-led innovation and growth.
Create a clear picture for Australia’s pro-growth regulation: A regulatory environment that fosters experimentation and provides certainty will be key to enabling AI adoption across all sectors. Ensuring that AI regulation is predictable and innovation-friendly – and maintains a lower-cost compliance model – will be critical to maintaining and strengthening Australia’s position as a global leader in AI-driven growth.
Modernise public sector technology: 86% of businesses saying they are more likely to adopt AI if the government leads. By using public procurement and prioritising digital transformation in critical areas like healthcare and education, the government can demonstrate the real-world benefits of AI to citizens, build public trust, and stimulate broader demand for innovative solutions.

AWS’s commitment to unlocking Australia’s AI potential

This important research shows that Australia has the ambition, talent, and tools to lead in AI. But it will take bold, coordinated action across government, industry, and education to ensure every business – of all sizes – can benefit from AI’s transformative potential.

In Australia, AWS is committed to realising the ambitions of local customers, partners, and communities, and creating economic opportunities in the country. We reinforced this in June by announcing AWS’s plans to invest AU$20 billion from 2025-2029 to expand Australian data centre infrastructure and strengthen the nation’s AI future.

AWS has also trained 400,000+ people in Australia since 2017 in digital skills, and will continue to support Australia’s current and future workforce through generative AI programs like AWS AI Spring Australia, AWS Generative AI Accelerator, and AWS AI Launchpad. AWS’s various programs are designed to help both individuals – whether students, career changers, or those new to the cloud – as well as businesses, build job-ready skills and pursue opportunities in the digital economy.

With growing concerns about the development of a ‘two-tier’ AI economy, more needs to be done to equip the workforce with the right skills at scale so organisations can innovate and grow in an AI-powered future.

Learn more about the Unlocking Australia’s AI Potential report.

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AI Research

TikTok Salaries Revealed: How Much AI, E-Commerce Workers Make in 2025

Published

18 minutes ago

August 31, 2025

Nathan McAlone

TikTok’s US plans are up in the air due to a divest-or-ban law that puts its future in jeopardy. But it’s still offering six-figure salaries to workers this year in key areas like e-commerce and artificial intelligence.

It’s sought to hire data scientists to sharpen its search algorithm, court workers to grow its e-commerce platform TikTok Shop, and bring in machine learning engineers to improve its content feed and recommendations.

The company’s jobs portal lists over 1,800 open roles in the US in cities like Austin, San Jose, Seattle, and New York.

Like other Big Tech firms, work expectations at TikTok and its owner, ByteDance, are demanding. The company runs performance reviews twice a year, and low scorers can be placed on performance-improvement plans or even shown the door. But the opportunity to work at one of the most influential tech companies in the world continues to draw in talent.

Outside e-commerce, TikTok is shaking up areas like music marketing and young people’s news habits. If it can navigate political tides in the US and China, where ByteDance was founded, it will stand alongside YouTube and a few other players in shaping the next phase of media.

“From a career growth standpoint, you have access to huge budgets and big names,” a former staffer said of working at TikTok. “Everyone in the industry wants to talk to you.”

While TikTok and ByteDance don’t disclose salary information publicly (unless required by state law), they do submit pay ranges in federal filings when they look to hire workers from outside the US.

To understand more about the company’s pay rates, Business Insider reviewed thousands of TikTok salary offers for foreign hires at the company, as well as its owner, ByteDance, for the first three quarters of this reporting year that ran through June 30. The results don’t include equity or other benefits that employees often receive in addition to base pay. But they paint a picture of the range of pay a worker might expect in roles like software engineering, data science, or product management.

The foreign-hire data shows a wide range of salaries at the companies. For example, a finance representative could earn $65,000 a year, and a global head of product and design position could fetch a $949,349 annual salary.

Backend software engineers at TikTok could earn between $144,000 and $301,158, based on the salary data, though rates increased beyond that for specialties like trust and safety. Data scientist positions at TikTok were generally offered between $85,821 and $283,629 — or more in specific areas like e-commerce. For TikTok machine learning scientists, the range was between $168,000 and $390,000, while general marketing managers were offered between $85,000 and $430,000.

These salary offers fall in line with pay rates in federal applications at other Big Tech firms. Meta’s first-quarter visa filings revealed it offered data scientists between $122,760 and $270,000, for example. Meanwhile, a staff software engineer at Google could receive between $220,000 and $323,000, according to the company’s first-quarter filings.

Here are the salary ranges TikTok and ByteDance offered for other roles in key business areas, based on recent applications. TikTok and ByteDance did not respond to requests for comment.

E-commerce and TikTok Shop roles

TikTok Shop – Celebrity Team Live Operation Manager: $94,000

TikTok Shop – US Data Analyst – Logistics: $128,000

TikTok Shop – Campaign Strategy Operations Manager: $132,000

TikTok Shop – Category Manager – Health: $135,000

TikTok Shop – Anti-Fraud Ops Program Mgr – Global Selling: $180,000

TikTok Shop – Data Scientist: $218,000 to $304,000

Product Manager, User Growth Customer Lifecycle-TikTok Shop: $220,000

Strategy Manager, E-Commerce: $228,000 to $230,000

Software Engineer – E-commerce Recommendation Infrastructure: $237,000 to $315,207

TikTok Shop – Inventory Placement Strategy Manager: $250,000

TikTok Shop- Compliance Operation: $257,600

Senior Machine Learning Engineer, E-commerce: $320,000

Tech Lead – E-commerce Recommendation Infrastructure: $320,113

Logistics Procurement Lead, TikTok US E-commerce: $350,000

Senior Data Scientist, Content E-commerce: $350,000

Tech Lead, Global E-commerce Governance Platform: $365,000

Global E-commerce Solutions Manager: $480,000

AI and machine learning roles

Software Engineer (AI Platform): $144,000

Research Scientist (TikTok AI Privacy): $188,000

Product Manager GenAI Safety, Trust & Safety: $218,400

Senior Product Designer, Creation (AI Projects): $221,368

Machine Learning Engineer – Computer Vision: $228,960

Software Engineer, Machine Learning Infrastructure: $270,000 to $320,783

Site Reliability Engineer, AI Applications: $276,000

AI Product Manager: $300,010

Product Manager Lead, Emerging Product & AI Safety: $336,000

AI Security Researcher – Security Flow: $340,000

Senior Machine Learning Engineer, TikTok Recommendation: $386,115

Search roles

Search Product Operations – Creator Search Optimization: $110,000

Software Engineer – TikTok Search Business Infrastructure: $154,880 to $214,720

Product Manager, Search Ads: $205,000

Machine Learning Engineer – Search Ads: $229,200 to $354,000

Machine Learning Engineer – TikTok Search: $241,200 to $300,000

Senior Machine Learning Engineer – TikTok Search Business: $268,920

Product Manager – TikTok Search: $287,500

Product Manager, Search Content Ecosystem: $400,000

Leader of Search and Recommendation Product (ByteDance): $540,552

Search Ads Closed-loop Product Manager: $564,000

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AI Research

Prediction: 1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Will Be Worth More Than Nvidia and Palantir Technologies Combined by 2030

Published

1 hour ago

August 31, 2025

The Editors

Key Points

Nvidia and Palantir Technologies are collectively worth $4.6 trillion today. Meta Platforms could top that figure within five years.
Meta Platforms is using artificial intelligence to increase engagement and ad conversion rates across its social media platforms.
Meta is the undisputed leader in the burgeoning smart glasses market, a product that could eventually replace the smartphone.

Interest in artificial intelligence went parabolic following the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. Since then, Nvidia stock has advanced 1,090% to a market value of $4.2 trillion. And Palantir Technologies stock has climbed 2,340% to a market value of $370 billion. That means the companies are collectively worth $4.6 trillion.

I predict Meta Platforms(NASDAQ: META) will surpass that figure in no more than five years (i.e., before the end of 2030). The company is currently worth $1.9 trillion, which means its share price must increase by about 247% for its market value to reach $4.7 trillion. Here’s why I think that could happen.

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Image source: Getty Images.

Meta Platforms is a digital advertising giant with deep AI expertise

Meta Platforms owns three of the four most popular social media platforms as measured by monthly active users. That competitive advantage lets it collect consumer data on a tremendous scale, and that data helps brands target ad campaigns. As a result, Meta is the second-largest adtech company worldwide and is likely to gain market share, according to Morningstar.

Meta has already made strides in boosting engagement with artificial intelligence (AI). CEO Mark Zuckerberg told analysts on the second-quarter earnings call, “Advancements in our recommendation systems have improved quality so much that it has led to a 5% increase in time spent on Facebook and 6% on Instagram.” He also said that advertising conversion rates increased across both social media platforms, meaning more clicks and purchases.

Importantly, Meta is investing aggressively in AI infrastructure and aspires to automate the entire ad creation process by next year. The Wall Street Journal writes, “Using the ad tools Meta is developing, a brand could present an image of the product it wants to promote along with a budgetary goal, and AI would create the entire ad, including imagery, video, and text.”

Meta’s Orion smart glasses could be the next big consumer electronics product

Meta Platforms is the market leader in smart glasses, a nascent market where shipments more than tripled last year and are forecast to increase faster than 60% annually through 2029. And Meta is actually gaining market share. Its Ray-Ban smart glasses accounted for nearly three-quarters of shipments in the first half of 2025, up from 60% in 2024.

Counterpoint Research writes, “Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses redefine the smart glasses experience by integrating wearable AI while combining a stylish design with enhanced smart functionalities.” The company sees a large opportunity on the horizon. Zuckerberg believes smart glasses could replace smartphones as the personal computing form factor of choice within the next 15 years.

To capitalize, Meta announced Orion last year, smart glasses that incorporate augmented reality (AR) that overlays the physical world with holographic displays. The company will not commercialize the product for several years while it works to make the technology less expensive. However, smart glasses that blend AR and AI could be revolutionary, as they would enable wearers to search the internet, talk with friends, and watch media content without phones.

Apple rose to great heights following its introduction of the iPhone in 2007. If Zuckerberg is correct about smart glasses being the next big breakthrough in consumer electronics, Meta could become the Apple of the next decade, which means its market value could increase substantially in the years ahead.

Meta Platforms could be a $4.7 billion company by mid-2030

To summarize, Meta has a strong presence in digital advertising and a leadership position in smart glasses. Adtech spending is forecasted to grow at a rate of 14% annually through 2032, while smart glasses sales are projected to increase by more than 60% annually through 2029. In total, that gives Meta a reasonable shot at annual earnings growth of 20%+ in the next five years.

That outlook makes the current valuation of 26.7 times earnings seem quite reasonable. And if Meta does grow earnings at 20% annually over the next five years, its share price could increase by 149% without any change in the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. That would bring its market value to $4.7 trillion by mid-2030, surpassing the current combined market value of Nvidia and Palantir.

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AI Research

We ask AI the tough questions about Akron

Published

2 hours ago

August 31, 2025

, Akron Beacon Journal

We interviewed Google’s AI Mode, posing a series of random questions.
AI answered questions about Akron, ranging from its sex appeal to the likelihood of Godzilla attacking.
Was AI accurate in its answers? You be the judge.

Don’t you feel bad for guys named Al? Suddenly their name looks like the abbreviation for artificial intelligence.

AI seems to be everywhere these days.

I read somewhere that media companies plan to embrace AI technology to “realize efficiencies” in news coverage. I’m not sure what that will entail, but I’d better bone up on AI before someone realizes my inefficiencies.

Today, we present an exclusive interview with AI — and I don’t mean some guy named Albert, Alex or Alvin. I posed a series of random, silly and juvenile questions in Google’s AI Mode to see what answers it might generate.

The responses amused, surprised and kind of frightened me. I worry that there will be a lot of efficiencies realized before much longer.

Here is how artificial intelligence replied to my questions:

Is Akron sexy?

The word “sexy” is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Akron, Ohio, is generally not considered a traditionally “sexy” city, but it does have its own unique appeal and positive attributes. It offers a small-town feel with access to big city amenities, affordable living, and a growing arts and culture scene.

Will Taylor Swift move to Akron?

It’s unlikely Taylor Swift will move to Akron. While she has been spotted in the Northeast Ohio area, dining at a restaurant in Chagrin Falls with Travis Kelce, this doesn’t indicate a move to Akron specifically.

Reports suggest that she and Travis Kelce have been looking at properties in Cleveland’s Eastside suburbs. These suburbs, like Chagrin Falls, where she was seen, are known for their affluent properties and privacy, which would be desirable for a high-profile couple like them.

What’s that smell in Akron?

The “smell in Akron” that residents have been noticing recently is likely due to either a corpse flower blooming at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens or unpleasant-smelling water caused by algae blooms in the reservoir.

Is there chronic flatulence in Akron?

Yes, chronic flatulence can be a problem in Akron, Ohio, as it can be anywhere.

Is cannibalism illegal in Akron?

While the state of Ohio, where Akron is located, does not have a specific law explicitly banning the act of cannibalism itself, it has other laws that would effectively make the practice illegal.

Is Godzilla a threat in Akron?

It seems you’re referring to Godzilla, the fictional giant monster, in a humorous way. In reality, Godzilla is not a threat to Akron, Ohio. However, if you’re interested in the fictional Godzilla universe, some sources playfully suggest reasons why Godzilla might avoid Ohio, like being “a coastal elite” or simply not wanting to go there.

Is it OK to park on the devil strip in Akron?

No, it is generally not okay to park on the devil strip in Akron. The devil strip, also known as the treelawn or curb strip, is the area between the sidewalk and the street, and it’s typically prohibited to park there.

Is Akron for lovers?

Yes, Akron is sometimes referred to as “Akron is for lovers” and is considered a romantic place. A dating website even ranked Akron as the #1 city in Ohio for moving for love. Akron offers a friendly atmosphere, rich history, and cultural diversity, making it appealing for couples. Some dating articles suggest that couples can enjoy outdoor adventures, explore the arts and music scene, and participate in community events.

Does Canton hate Akron?

No, there’s no widespread evidence to suggest that people in Canton, Ohio, universally hate Akron, or vice versa. While friendly rivalry and occasional lighthearted banter might exist between the two cities, particularly in sports, it’s not indicative of genuine animosity. Both cities are located in Northeastern Ohio, about 24 miles apart, and share some cultural and historical ties.

Is it OK to fill a blimp with hydrogen?

While it is technically possible to fill a blimp with hydrogen, it is generally not recommended and often prohibited due to its high flammability and the risk of explosion, as demonstrated by the Hindenburg disaster.

Will construction ever end in Akron?

While it might feel like construction in Akron never ends, it’s not permanent. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has several major projects underway, with some scheduled to wrap up in 2025, like the I-76/I-77/State Route 8 Akron Beltway reconstruction. Other projects, like the SR 8 bridge replacement, are expected to continue longer, with an estimated completion date of June 2028.

What is LeBron James’ favorite food?

LeBron James’ favorite food is Italian food, specifically pizza, and he enjoys it with a whopping 16 toppings, according to a YouTube video from a food review channel. In the past, he’s also mentioned a love for fish tacos, especially on Tuesdays, which he famously dubbed “Taco Tuesday.” While his diet is generally healthy and includes things like grilled chicken, fruits, and vegetables, he also enjoys treats like Fruity Pebbles cereal and Chunky Monkey ice cream.

Is it true that Akron tastes like bubble gum?

There’s a rumor circulating online that Akron, Ohio, smells like bubble gum. This rumor is similar to the urban legend that Bubble Yum gum’s soft texture was attributed to spider eggs. The rumor about Bubble Yum was debunked by the manufacturer, and it’s highly unlikely that Akron itself would taste or smell like bubble gum.

Will Akron declare war on Stow?

The notion of Akron “declaring war” on Stow appears to be based on a misunderstanding or a figurative expression. Akron and Stow are neighboring cities in Summit County, Ohio. While there can be local political differences or competition between cities, it’s highly unlikely that this would escalate to a declaration of war in any literal sense. One recent search result refers to a past situation where there was tension along the US-Canadian border and an Akron lawyer wanted to “grab the sword” and liberate Canada, but the Canadians did not want to be liberated.

When will Lake Erie swallow Akron?

Lake Erie will not swallow Akron. Akron is significantly inland and at a higher elevation than Lake Erie. The lake’s water levels fluctuate, but it will not expand to engulf a city located so far away.

Who is the weirdest dude in Akron?

Based on anecdotal evidence from Reddit users, one of the most talked-about “weird” or eccentric individuals in Akron, Ohio, is a man described as:

∎ Tall, white, with long hair and a beard.

∎ Frequently seen walking briskly on major roads, carrying an umbrella, day and night.

∎ Generally keeps to himself.

Is disco still popular in Akron?

While not widely popular in the same way it was in the 70s, disco music still exists and can be found in certain venues and events in Akron, Ohio. You can find disco bands for hire and even some venues that may have disco nights or feature disco music.

Does Akron have a favorite marsupial?

Zippy the Kangaroo, the female mascot for the University of Akron, is the city’s unofficial favorite marsupial. The kangaroo mascot is a widely recognized and celebrated figure throughout the Akron community.

Which bear is best?

The “best” bear is subjective and depends on the criteria used for evaluation. If “best” refers to adaptability, the American black bear is often cited as excelling due to its ability to live in various habitats, including areas close to humans, and its diverse diet. If “best” refers to strength and dominance, the grizzly bear or polar bear are often considered the strongest. Ultimately, the “best” bear is a matter of opinion and what one values most in a bear.

How many Akron residents does it take to change a light bulb?

This is a classic setup for a joke, and there are likely many versions floating around. Here are a couple of popular ones that play on common stereotypes or local knowledge:

“Five: One to change the lightbulb and four to lean on their shovels and watch.” This is a variation of a joke often told about council workers or others perceived to be lazy.

A variation poking fun at bureaucracy: “Five: One to change the lightbulb, and three committees to approve the change and decide who brings the potato salad and fried chicken.”

It’s important to remember that these are just jokes and shouldn’t be taken seriously or as an insult to Akron residents.

How old is Mark J. Price?

Mark J. Price’s age is not publicly disclosed in the search results. However, a column he wrote for the Akron Beacon Journal provides some context about his age based on his personal recollections. In the column, he reminisces about the Akron rubber companies, potholes on the North Hill Viaduct, the grated surface of the High Level Bridge, and early television broadcasts. While we can infer that Mark J. Price is likely older based on these memories, his specific birth date is not available in the search results.