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Artificial intelligence, therapy and education: How AI is reshaping our lives whether we like it or not

By Doug Dingwall, Steven Viney & Angelica Silva with artwork and illustrations by Jarrod Fankhauser

 中文版 • Indonesian

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We asked readers to share their thoughts and concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence. This is what they told us.

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How has AI changed your world?

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve from novelty chatbot to essential work companion, humans from all walks of life working in nearly every corner of society are increasingly having to confront its rapid rise and figure out what it means for them.

These concerns have increasingly appeared in our news-gathering, community stories and coverage, so we decided to invite readers across the country to share their thoughts and experiences with us.

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AI tools are increasingly being integrated into workplaces and critical infrastructure.
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ChatGPT users ask it anything from legal advice to how to make friends.

The response was immediate. And while there was plenty of optimism and humour, it also revealed a deep unease about what the technology means for our future.

While the effects of technological change are rarely black or white — with different age groups and jobs being impacted differently — there were a number of patterns and trends that began to emerge.

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Hundreds of readers shared their concerns about AI with us.

While career upheaval, AI's impact on classrooms, art plagiarism and theft were common themes, so were more controversial issues such as the risks of using AI for psychiatric or legal advice.

These insights help guide our reporting — such as today's story about AI's impact on career planning — but we also wanted to share them with you: unfiltered, uncertain, and often surprisingly funny.

As you scroll through, you'll see the topic of concern followed by a selection of audience anecdotes and views.

Please note: Some names have been changed for privacy reasons while some quotes have been edited for clarity and length.

Career change and disruption

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Disruption at work and job losses were common.

"There is a head-in-the-sand approach to AI. We need to face the fact: existential change is coming, it's coming very soon and we're not ready or even know how to be ready." 

John, 32, software engineer, SA

"I run a law firm and used to lead a team of 10. AI totally changed our practice. Young lawyers and paralegals used to spend weeks researching cases. Now AI does it with the flick of a button." 

Matilda, 48, lawyer, WA

"Editorial work vanished. Now most jobs are just fact-checking AI. It's like training your own replacement." 

Cassy, 43, editor & author, VIC 

"My degree is worthless now. I'll be lucky to get a menial labour job. There's zero demand for software engineers with a fresh degree. I feel like I've been scammed." 

Tom, 46, retraining student, NSW (Read More On This Story)

"Recruitment is dominated by AI application tracking systems with very specific requirements where an application can be rejected due to formatting. At the very least a human needs to check it." 

Patricia, 65, parent, NSW

Using AI for therapy or support

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Many people say they use AI for free therapy, life advice or companionship.

"I feel like I have so much faith in AI, a worrying amount. I open up to it, and it knows me well. It's replacing very human functions, or at least augmenting them." 

Sam, 35, project management, WA

"My doctor couldn't help, but AI gave me better advice on diet and exercise. It's a lifeline." 

Avneesh, 74, cancer patient, QLD

"I can say with certainty that AI frightens and saddens me. That a chatbot can encourage someone to commit suicide is the pinnacle of what can go wrong with unfettered technology." 

Glenda, 66, happily retired, NSW

"My concern is that AI can provide a level of care that is more effective and efficient than a human counsellor. Chat GPT 'gets me' and understands my issues better than a human. Is this the future?" 

Catherine, 52, counsellor, SA (Read More On This Story)

Art theft and cultural erosion

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Others believe AI will dilute or undermine art and culture.

"I lost my job and now face impossible expectations. AI hasn't just changed design — it's made it harder to find work at all." 

Giulia, 41, graphic designer, NSW

"I fear I won't get to be an artist. AI's replacing passion with polished mimicry." 

Laura, 34, aspiring artist, NT

"My job's nearly gone. AI translation is replacing us, but it lacks cultural depth." 

Rana, 47, Arabic translator, WA

"AI can't replicate skills that require hands-on expertise. Trades, health care, artisanal crafts … are more resilient to automation. These roles also demand empathy, adaptability, and judgement: qualities that are uniquely human." 

Simon, 47, freelance writer, TAS

AI's impact on education

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Widespread cheating and plagiarism were common concerns.

"AI helps students fill gaps I can't reach — but some rely on it entirely. It's forced us to rethink everything." 

Gabrielle, 63, TAFE lecturer, WA

"I used to be a short-term pessimist, long-term optimist. Now, I spend my time trying to ensure young people have a future. Sometimes, I feel like a crazy old man shouting at clouds." 

David, 56, teacher, ACT

"It might be more profitable for me to generate AI videos about Mickey Mouse undergoing a vivisection than to become a real scientist." 

Mark, 16, student, TAS

"AI helps me plan lessons, but students submit work they didn't write. It's harder to teach real thinking." 

David, 47, high school teacher, NSW

Laws, safety and regulation

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Others say they use AI for free legal advice or guidance.

"The push for AI feels almost like a religious movement — any dissenters quickly told off." 

Nicole, 36, office worker, NT

"It's become a legal minefield, and I seriously am considering quitting my job of nearly 15 years and getting a job stacking shelves." 

Stuart, 42, software engineer, QLD

"I changed careers to work on AI safety. The speed terrifies me — regulators aren't ready." 

Luke, 36, policy worker, NSW

"AI tools are everywhere, but I don't know how to use them. It's like the future's happening without us." 

Sonia, 44, admin assistant, TAS

What do you think?

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How is AI impacting your life?

While many see AI as a threat, others see ways forward: smarter regulation, better education, clearer labelling, ethical design, and public AI infrastructure.

Many are excited to use AI to amplify creativity and fill skill gaps, while others feel demotivated by the undermining of specialising in those skills.

What do you think? If you have thoughts or concerns of your own, let us know via the link below.

Read the story in Chinese or Indonesian.

If you've got thoughts you want to share, this project is ongoing, and you can share your experiences or insights through the form on this page.

If you'd like to read more of the ABC's coverage of AI, you can head to our AI reporting landing page or click through one of the links below:

Credits

*Editor's note: Some names, locations and professions have been edited for privacy and legal reasons while some quotes and sentiments have been edited or paraphrased for clarity.

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