Nearly half of Canadian workers are now using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in their jobs, more than doubling last year’s adoption rate, according to KPMG in Canada’s latest Generative AI Adoption Index. However, as usage grows, concerns over risky behaviours and inadequate employer oversight are also rising.
The survey of 2,183 Canadian employees found that 46 per cent are using generative AI in their work, up from 22 per cent in 2023. The Index score, which measures adoption on a scale of 0 to 100, rose to 31.6, a 116 per cent increase from November 2023.
While this growth highlights the productivity benefits of generative AI, the survey also revealed trends. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of users admitted to inputting proprietary company data, such as human resources or supply chain information, into public AI platforms, up from 16 per cent last year. Additionally, 19 per cent have entered private financial data, an increase from 12 per cent in 2023.
“It’s great to see such a surge in employee adoption because generative AI boosts productivity,” said Lewis Curley, partner in KPMG in Canada’s People and Change practice. “But employers really need to get ahead of this to ensure their employees don’t unintentionally release private or confidential data.”
Lack of employer oversight
The survey found that while more than half of users (51 per cent) say their employer encourages the use of generative AI in projects, nearly 40 per cent reported being unaware of any company policies governing its use.
“Not only is it crucial for organizations to have policies in place, but they must also clearly communicate those expectations to their people,” Curley said.
Despite the risks, six in 10 Canadian organizations have implemented generative AI in some capacity, according to a separate KPMG survey of business leaders. However, fewer than two in 10 employees reported their employer having a comprehensive policy for AI use, with most describing existing policies as vague, non-existent, or discouraging of AI altogether.
The productivity promise
Generative AI is primarily used for tasks like generating ideas (33 per cent), conducting research (30 per cent), and drafting emails (26 per cent). According to the survey, more than half of employees (52 per cent) say AI saves them one to five hours of work weekly. Of those, 68 per cent said they use the time saved for high-value tasks, while 22 per cent admit to spending it on personal activities such as exercising or running errands.
Megan Jones, a director at KPMG in Canada, said business leaders need to look beyond AI as a tool for efficiency and integrate it into core business functions to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows, and drive innovation.
“If they don’t want to be left behind, leaders need to embed AI into their organizations strategically and foster a culture of innovation,” Jones said.
Balancing efficiency and well-being
While generative AI is lauded for reducing repetitive tasks, Curley cautioned against overloading employees with high-value work.
“Sometimes low-value tasks, like data entry, provide a mental break and help avoid burnout,” he said. “Leaders need to be intentional about how they expect employees to use generative AI to unlock its full productivity benefits while maintaining employee well-being.”
As organizations navigate this rapid adoption, experts stress the importance of establishing clear policies, training employees and fostering a balance between efficiency and innovation to maximize the potential of generative AI.
Leave a Reply