Australians see AI as biggest threat to people and businesses: survey

Threats related to technology, disinformation, economic security and foreign interference are overshadowing traditional security concerns in the minds of Australians, according to data released by the Australian National University’s National Security College.

More than 12,000 people were asked to rate the severity of 15 potential threats over the next decade in two surveys in November last year and July this year.

By combining the major and moderate categories, the five most serious concerns in July 2025 were rated as follows:

• the use of artificial intelligence to attack Australian people and businesses (77%)

• a severe economic crisis (75%)

• Interruption of critical deliveries due to a crisis abroad (74%)

• intentionally disseminating false information to mislead the Australian public and harm their interests (73%), and

• a foreign country that interferes in Australia’s politics, government, economy or society (72%).

Climate change comes sixth (67%), although…