“AI is not coming. AI is here.” From eliminating dull tasks to tackling devilishly complex problems, futurist Kim Seeling Smith reveals how Consult Australia’s small business members can harness AI to work smarter.

Artificial intelligence dominates the daily headlines – tech giants in tug-of-war, professionals duped by hallucinations, companies crowning ChatGPT as CEO, or new models boasting blockbuster performance at a fraction of the cost.

How do resource-stretched small businesses make sense of the AI juggernaut? Where do they place their bets? How can Consult Australia members embrace the opportunities of AI?

Kim Seeling Smith is feature presenter of the latest episode in Consult Australia’s Empowering Small Business Series. A trend translator and CEO of Ignite Global, Kim has collaborated with Consult Australia for more than a decade to help members future-proof their businesses. 

In a fast-paced session packed with practical insights for busy small business leaders, Kim warns that Australian business leaders may be underestimating the disruptive power of AI. 

Decoding the future

According to PwC’s 2025 Global CEO Survey, 74% of Australian CEOs believe their businesses will thrive over the next decade without changing course – a figure 19% higher than the global average. 

This is an “astounding” statistic, Kim says. What do Australian CEOs know that the rest of the world doesn't? Or are they, in Kim’s words “a little bit delusional”?

“Resistance, to quote the Borg from Star Trek, is futile. AI is not coming. AI is here. AI is disrupting our businesses, our workforces and creating loads of opportunities… It is nothing we can stop.”

In her presentation, Kim demystifies the tech jargon with a practical AI vocabulary for business leaders. She also shares real-world use cases already delivering returns, from contract reviews and data analysis to generating job descriptions, reports, training guides and even podcasts in minutes.

The real game-changer, Kim explains, is that AI has made advanced technology accessible to everyone. No coding degree required; just the right prompts to get the right answers.

Shifting gears with engineering careers

The World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs report estimates that AI, along with structural shifts like the green transition, will create 170 million jobs over the next five years. This growth will be offset by the displacement of 92 million jobs, resulting in a net gain of 78 million.

Among the 15 fastest-growing jobs, alongside AI experts and data specialists, are several types of engineers – notably environmental and renewable energy specialists.

AI will eliminate “dull, dirty and dangerous” work and help solve “devilishly complex” problems, but human ingenuity remains essential. Companies that master hybrid intelligence – the synergy of human creativity with machine efficiency – will be in “fierce demand”.

Stay sharp, watch the video

Watch the full presentation of Consult Australia’s Empowering Small Business Series episode with Kim Seeling Smith to learn how AI can help your firm stay sharp, efficient and future-focused. And for more resources, check out the Empowering Small Business newsletter.