The short version
- In the APS Copilot trial, people with three or more forms of training were the most confident users.
- Only about a third of participants used Copilot daily.
- Businesses that involve staff early build trust and better results.
You can buy every employee an AI licence by lunchtime. Getting them to use it well takes longer.
When 7,600 public servants trialled Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft reported that participants who received three or more forms of training felt most confident using it, and that only about a third used it daily.[1]
The usage gap
The trial's evaluation found "61% of managers in the pulse survey could not confidently identify Copilot outputs".[2] That isn't a software problem. It's a skills and habits problem.
Australian businesses face the same hurdle. NAB research cited by the National AI Centre put workforce readiness at 3.8 out of 10.[3]
What works
The Australian Industry Group's 2025 report on AI in Australian companies offers simple advice: "Involve employees early and transparently to build trust and address concerns."[4]
In practice, that means showing people how AI helps with their own tasks, not a generic demo. It means saved workflows they can reuse, and someone they can ask. Do that, and the licence starts paying for itself.
Sources
- Microsoft Australia News: Microsoft 365 Copilot delivers productivity gains with Australian public servants (23 Oct 2024)
- Digital Transformation Agency: Copilot trial evaluation findings
- National AI Centre: Building AI capability through collaboration (24 Aug 2026)
- Australian Industry Group: Artificial intelligence, positive for companies, their people and Australian industry (2025)
Sources checked 7 November 2026. Product features and prices change often, so check the vendor's site before you buy.