Engagement Meets AI: New Benchmarking Study Released

Earlier this year, we invited engagement practitioners across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to share how they were using artificial intelligence in their work. Now, the results are in.

Developed in partnership by SenateSHJ and Engagement Institute, the new Engagement Meets AI 2026 Benchmarking Study provides a snapshot of how AI is being understood, adopted and applied across the engagement profession.

More than 100 practitioners contributed to the research, sharing their experiences of AI use, organisational readiness, capability, opportunities and concerns. Their input has created an evidence base that practitioners and organisations can use to see how their own approach compares with others across the profession.

Where Does Engagement Practice Stand on AI?

The findings point to a profession actively exploring AI, but still working through what responsible and effective adoption looks like.

While 80% of respondents are already using AI at least sometimes in their engagement work, the research also identifies important questions around governance, confidence, capability, accuracy, privacy and maintaining the human element of engagement.

Rather than providing a definitive answer on what AI should look like in engagement, the Study provides a useful benchmark for understanding where the profession is now — and a starting point for the conversations that need to come next.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the research and helped build this new picture of AI in engagement practice.

Explore the Findings

For a quick overview of the key findings:

VIEW THE INFOGRAPHIC

Or explore the data, comparisons and findings in more detail:

READ THE FULL REPORT