JOINT RESEARCH: TECH COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA & DATACOM
12 February 2026: Tech leaders see ‘real and immediate’ opportunity in AI as Australia’s tech ecosystem matures
The 2026 Tech Leaders Survey at a glance:
- 78% of leaders identify AI as the top influence for 2026, up from 67% last year.
- Cybersecurity as a defining trend fell from 17% to 9% as security becomes embedded in business operations.
- 47% of organisations are prioritising internal efficiency over global expansion to drive performance.
- 90% believe more must be done on national productivity, but only 7% feel the country is ready for future AI demand.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Australian technology leaders are moving beyond AI exploration to a broader, more strategic focus on embedding AI at an operational level, according to the Tech Leaders Survey 2026 released today by the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) and Datacom.
The findings from 108 senior founders and executives reflect a shared view that a “real and immediate” opportunity exists to lift performance across the economy through practical technology adoption.
Lucinda Longcroft, TCA Director of Policy & Government Affairs said: “The 2026 survey provides a constructive signal that the tech sector is moving from interest to impact. We see a sector increasingly confident in its unique character and focused on capturing the productivity upside of new technologies. The focus now is on the infrastructure needed to turn this momentum into long-term growth.”
Laura Malcolm, Managing Director of Datacom said: “At Datacom, we believe technology has a central role to play in lifting Australia’s productivity, and this research shows leaders are increasingly focused on using tools like AI to improve efficiency, resilience and performance within their organisations. At the same time, there is a real gap between ambition and readiness. Interest in AI is high, but capability, infrastructure and investment are not yet where they need to be to support adoption at scale. If we want productivity gains to translate into stronger growth, we need to make it easier for organisations to adopt and apply technology in practical ways – not just experiment but embed it into day-to-day operations.”
Meeting the national capability challenge
While momentum is strong, the report highlights a significant gap in national readiness. There is a near-unanimous call for action regarding national productivity, with 90% of tech leaders believing Australia is not doing enough to tackle macroeconomic challenges. Readiness for the AI wave also remains a concern with only 7% of leaders believing Australia currently has the capability and infrastructure to a “great extent” to meet future AI demand.
Moving from AI exploration to integration
AI remains the dominant focus for technology leaders, with 78% identifying AI and machine learning as the defining trend for 2026, up from 67% in 2025 and 66% in 2024. At the same time, cybersecurity appears less frequently as a standalone “defining trend” (17% in 2025 compared with 9% in 2026). This likely reflects its position as an established, embedded capability across organisations, alongside increasing convergence between AI and cybersecurity rather than a reduction in importance.
Efficiency as the engine for productivity
Nearly half (47%) of leaders believe using technology to drive operational efficiency is the greatest opportunity for Australian business in 2026 – a sharp rise from 35% last year. This shift comes as leaders prioritise domestic productivity over aggressive offshore expansion, which has fallen to a priority for only 10% of respondents.
A resilient and distinct local ecosystem
Despite the focus on internal efficiency, confidence in the local ecosystem remains high – 64% of respondents believe the Australian tech ecosystem remains distinct from other global hubs like Silicon Valley. There is a strong sense that the local market’s collaborative and resilient nature is a major advantage, helping build a version of tech that works for Australia’s specific needs and local innovation.
The Tech Leaders Survey 2026 provides a directional snapshot of participating industry leaders. The cohort represents a high level of seniority, with 82% of respondents at the C-Suite, Director, or VP level. The full report is available here.
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Amy Solomon
Tech Council of Australia
0403 339 038
media@techcouncil.com.au
About the Tech Council of Australia
The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) is the peak body for the nation’s tech sector. We represent a diverse ecosystem of innovators –from early-stage founders and scale-ups to global platforms and deep tech firms—all working to shape Australia’s digital future.
As the industry’s coordinated voice, we bridge the gap between tech expertise and government policy. Our work is focused on driving smart regulation, building a world-class workforce, and ensuring Australia stays competitive on the global stage. With more than 170 member companies employing hundreds of thousands of Australians, we exist to ensure our country thrives through technology. Our mission is to unite the tech ecosystem to drive jobs, growth, and investment for all Australians.
About Datacom
Built on strong values, Datacom has grown to be one of the region’s leading locally-owned technology businesses. We work across Australia and New Zealand to enhance people’s lives by turning the imaginable into reality. Datacom supports customers through a broad range of services and solutions that span technology, operations, digital and products, all underpinned by robust industry experience and insight. With more than 6100 people working across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Datacom is truly world-class in capability, and proudly local at heart. For more information visit www.datacom.com
