Quick Take
- AI adoption jumped to 60% from 47% in March, but only 34% see societal benefits
- 83% worry about privacy risks while 78% fear job displacement
- Canada ranks 4th-lowest globally in AI literacy among 47 countries
- 85% demand government regulation for ethical AI use
Canadian companies are grappling with a striking contradiction as artificial intelligence use climbs to 60% while public trust nosedives, forcing executives to rethink their AI strategies.
A fresh Leger survey of 1,500 Canadians reveals the challenge confronting Canadian businesses: rapid AI adoption combined with widespread public doubt that could hurt the country’s AI leadership goals. Even though 75% rate their AI experience as good or excellent, underlying trust problems may damage market acceptance of AI-powered products and services.
Trust Problems Create Real Business Headaches
The survey shows troubling gaps between use and confidence. While 83% worry about privacy risks and overdependence, 78% fear job losses and misinformation. This doubt creates immediate business problems for companies counting on AI-powered growth.
The numbers tell a conflicting story: 92% of small and medium business leaders feel confident about AI-powered growth prospects according to KPMG data shows yet consumer hesitation could seriously hurt market acceptance. Companies must balance innovation needs with public concerns that aren’t going away.
Leadership Teams Step Up Response
Canadian companies are moving past testing into serious governance systems. Research by Access Partnership and Amazon Web Services covering 424 IT decision-makers shows nearly 90% of organizations use generative AI tools, with 85% running active tests.
More than half have named Chief AI Officers, with another 23% planning similar roles by 2026. This marks a major organizational change: AI has shifted from tech experiment to boardroom priority needing dedicated leadership.
Investment Boom Hits Execution Roadblocks
Generative AI tops the budget list for 42% of Canadian IT decision-makers in 2025, matching cybersecurity spending at 34%. Organizations ran an average of 35 AI experiments in 2024, though only 14 are expected to go live this year.
The problem isn’t money but talent and trust. Nearly 90% plan to hire for AI-skilled positions in 2025, while 70% will train existing workers to fill skill gaps. This hiring surge shows how urgently organizations want to grab AI advantages before rivals do.
Trust Breakdown Hits Critical Industries
Research by Liaison Strategies reveals concerning usage patterns across Ontario businesses. While 71% use AI for marketing and 61% for finance, most avoid deeper integration because of trust issues that change dramatically by industry.
Universities face an 89% negative perception about AI impact. Healthcare shows 47% negative views, while insurance hits 58% disapproval. This institutional trust crisis threatens wider AI acceptance across Canadian markets, especially in sectors needing high public confidence.
Global Rankings Show Serious Education Gap
Canada ranks fourth-lowest globally in AI training and literacy among 47 countries, according to KPMG International and University of Melbourne research. Less than 24% of Canadians have received AI training, compared to 52% globally reporting moderate or high AI knowledge.
This education gap directly hurts productivity during Canada’s documented productivity crisis. Higher AI literacy usually drives higher adoption rates, creating a clear economic link: education equals competitive edge in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
Regulation Calls Reach Political Breaking Point
Canadians strongly want government action, with 85% believing AI should be regulated for ethical and safe use. Support reaches 87% among Canadians aged 55 and older, showing broad agreement across generations on regulatory needs.
Yet awareness stays dangerously low. KPMG data shows 92% of Canadians don’t know about existing AI laws or policies. This communication gap hurts public confidence and slows business adoption, creating a policy void organizations struggle to handle.
Clear Implementation Strategy Takes Shape
Successful AI rollout requires addressing workforce development, clear communication, and responsible implementation. Nearly 90% of organizations currently lack formal change management strategies for AI transformation, though this will drop to 32% by 2026 as governance improves.
The data privacy split shows basic disagreements: 64% of business leaders support uploading customer data into AI systems, while only 21% of the public agrees. Nearly 90% of Canadian organizations either have or plan to develop responsible AI guidelines by 2025.
Market Edge Through Trust Development
Despite widespread worries, opportunity exists for organizations willing to invest in transparency. 60% of Canadians say AI improves efficiency, while 44% believe it reduces human error. Companies that master ethical deployment while building public trust will gain significant competitive advantages.
The way forward requires balancing innovation with responsibility. Canadian businesses that successfully handle this balance will use AI’s full potential while building the trust needed for long-term market success in an increasingly AI-dependent economy.
