Aug 28, 2025
Canadian workers are warming up to artificial intelligence as a workplace tool, but the gap between enthusiasm and actual use remains big.
A new TD report finds 56% of workers who use AI say it improves productivity, yet only a fraction are doing so consistently — and even fewer have been trained by their employers.
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"AI is transforming the workplace and creating powerful new opportunities for growth, learning, and career advancement", Tina Robinet, senior vice president, Human Resources, Shared Services at TD, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, recent Statistics Canada data shows AI’s reach will be broad and uneven (1).
The agency estimates that about 60% of Canadian jobs could be transformed by AI, and the greatest potential for benefit will go to highly educated workers who can adapt these tools for complex tasks.
Without stronger training and integration, many Canadians risk being left behind.
Enthusiasm for AI, but confidence is uneven across generations
Younger workers are leading the way for AI integration. Sixty-nine per cent of Gen Z employees see AI as enhancing their work, compared with just 38% of boomers. But across age groups, adoption remains tentative: 58% of workers have tried AI tools at work, yet only 8% use them daily, leaving a lot of untapped potential.
And the optimism around AI is not equally shared. According to TD’s survey, nearly a third of Gen Z (32%) see AI as more of an opportunity than a threat to future jobs. They are followed by millennials (23%), while Gen X (18%) and boomers are least likely to see AI as an opportunity (19%).
These generational splits echo broader trends: Younger Canadians are quicker to experiment with new technology, while older workers tend to be more cautious.
That divide also shows up in how AI is shaping workplace dynamics. More than half of AI users (52%) say it gives them a competitive edge at work, but 27% admit to exaggerating their proficiency. Among younger cohorts, AI is increasingly seen as a skill worth showcasing — even if the expertise is not yet fully developed.
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Training gaps leaves productivity gains out of reach
Actual adoption of AI in the workplace is also mixed. While 58% of Canadian workers report some use of AI at work, almost half (42%) say they never use it at all.
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The reason, TD’s report suggests, is not reluctance, but readiness: 64% of users say their employer has not provided adequate training, and nearly half believe their managers don’t understand AI themselves.
This lack of investment could limit Canada’s overall economic performance. Statistics Canada estimates that about 29% of jobs are “highly exposed and highly complementary” to AI, meaning workers in these roles could see significant productivity gains if given the right tools and training.
Nearly half of Canadians with a university degree fall into this category, compared with far smaller shares of those with less formal education. But without meaningful adoption, AI could deepen rather than narrow inequalities in the labour market.
Why employers need to act
AI adoption across all developed economies, including Canada, is a question of how, not if. Workers across many industries have recognized the potential for increased productivity, yet the infrastructure for training and support has not yet been established. Employers that can invest in clear policies, hands-on instruction and overall education stand to unlock real gains across all levels of business.
"AI is transforming how Canadians work, but meaningful adoption requires more than just new tools. It takes trust, training, and thoughtful leadership," Luke Gee, chief analytics & AI officer, TD Bank Group, said in a statement.
As TD’s own pilot programs show — with high engagement around tools like GitHub Copilot — workers are ready to use AI effectively. The next step is ensuring that readiness is met with resources, so the optimism translates into tangible results.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
Statistics Canada (1)
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Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA and an MA from Maynooth University, Ireland. His work regularly appears at Canadian Mortgage Trends, Lowest Rates, Loans Canada and other Canadian and US brands, while also working as a ghostwriter for financial influencers.
