Majority of Canadian Workers Optimistic About AI But Unprepared
Artificial intelligence is steadily becoming a key part of the workplace. Many Canadian employees recognize AI’s potential to boost productivity and support career development. However, despite this positive outlook, a significant number feel they lack the necessary training and support to use AI effectively.
A recent survey by TD Bank Group reveals that 56% of Canadian workers who use AI at work report it enhances their productivity. Younger generations, especially Gen Z (69%) and Millennials (59%), are more likely to see AI as a work enhancer compared to Gen X (50%) and Boomers (38%).
Tina Robinet, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at TD, says, “AI is transforming the workplace and creating powerful new opportunities for growth, learning, and career advancement. At TD, we see AI not just as a tool but as an opportunity to enable and empower employees. Our focus is on building colleague confidence around new technologies.”
AI as a Career Advantage and Source of Pressure
More than half (52%) of Canadian workers who use AI view AI skills as a competitive edge in their roles. However, 27% admit they exaggerate their AI proficiency, indicating pressure to keep pace with peers. The younger workforce leads this mindset shift: 32% of Gen Z see AI as an opportunity rather than a threat to jobs, followed by 23% of Millennials. In contrast, Gen X (18%) and Boomers (19%) are less optimistic.
Adoption of AI Tools Still Limited
While 58% of Canadian workers say they use AI tools provided by their workplace, actual regular use is low. Only 8% report daily use, 14% weekly, and 13% monthly. A notable 42% never use AI tools at work.
Kirsti Racine, Vice President of TD AI Technology Platform, notes, “Adopting new technologies can feel overwhelming for organizations and colleagues alike. At TD, we focus on targeted AI solutions that deliver visible benefits quickly. This approach has steadily increased engagement and excitement about AI tools.”
Training and Upskilling Are Critical
Lack of training is a major barrier to wider AI adoption. Nearly 64% of AI users feel their employers haven’t provided enough guidance on effective AI use. Over a quarter (27%) strongly disagree that adequate training has been offered. Many workers believe their colleagues and managers lack a clear understanding of AI’s capabilities and risks. Specifically, 58% say most colleagues are unsure how to use AI properly, and 48% think their boss is out of touch with AI.
TD is addressing this gap through targeted AI tool rollouts and extensive learning programs like TD Thrive. These programs offer virtual sessions, in-person training, coaching, and self-guided tutorials to build AI skills at a comfortable pace. Among TD’s AI tool users, engagement rates are high—80% with Microsoft Office 365 Copilot and 92% with GitHub Copilot—highlighting positive responses to AI-powered coding and document creation support.
Luke Gee, Chief Analytics & AI Officer at TD Bank Group, emphasizes, “Meaningful AI adoption requires more than tools. It takes trust, training, and leadership. Our goal is to make customer and colleague experiences smarter and more intuitive, freeing colleagues’ time by automating tasks and helping them build AI skills.”
What HR Professionals Can Do
- Prioritize clear AI training and ongoing support to build employee confidence.
- Encourage realistic conversations about AI skills to reduce pressure and exaggeration.
- Focus on targeted AI tool adoption that delivers quick, visible benefits.
- Promote leadership involvement to better align understanding of AI’s opportunities and risks.
- Provide diverse learning formats—virtual, in-person, coaching, and self-guided—to meet different learning preferences.
For HR professionals looking to enhance AI readiness within their organizations, investing in practical training and fostering a culture of continuous learning is essential. Resources like Complete AI Training’s latest courses offer flexible options to build AI skills across teams.
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