- 79% of Canadian office workers use AI tools – only a quarter uses enterprise-grade AI solutions
- 97% said AI will increase productivity. Almost 80% said they would strengthen their strategic or creative work
- 46% of employees quit their jobs to companies that use AI more effectively
Markham, on, September 3, 2025 /CNW/ – A new study commissioned by IBM (NYSE: IBM) reveals that the use of Shadow AI, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and applications in the workplace, is becoming increasingly common, without formal approval or oversight from the IT department of a company. Canada. While 79% of full-time office workers said they use AI in their workplaces, only 25% rely on enterprise-grade AI tools, indicating an increase in employee expectations and corporate readiness.
The rest relies on a combination of personal and employer tools (33%) or a completely personal app (21%). Relying on the use of personal AI tools in the workplace poses serious risks for Canadian businesses, from potential data leaks and compliance issues to losing control over sensitive business information.
“The recruitment of AI in the workplace is no longer theoretical – it's happening and is being guided by employees,” he said. Deb PimentelPresident, IBM Canada and General Manager, Technology, IBM Canada. “To safely and efficiently utilize the value of AI for smarter business operations, leaders need to prioritize safe solutions, adjust tangible business goals for AI, and promote a data-driven culture. The urgency to action is clear. Canada.“
While AI offers organizations the opportunity to significantly increase productivity, the technology presents new challenges that organizations need to tackle to ensure the security of their business data, especially in many Canadian employees, to test their personal AI tools in the workplace. Data Breach Report 2025 IBM Cost highlights the increased risk posed by “Shadow AI,” an action by employees using unauthorized AI tools in the workplace. Over the past year, Shadow AI has added nearly 308,000 cases per data breaches.
Rob WillmottGeneral Manager and Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Canada “The AI workplace revolution faces a huge gap between employee expectations and corporate readiness. To transform core systems and processes without a safe, enterprise-grade solution, businesses risk losing productivity and data exposure as employees seek alternatives. The challenge is to expand this with thoughtfulness, but at speed.”
Employee-led AI recruitment is changing the way we work
Canadian workers see AI as a tool that will make it even better at work. In this study, 97% said they agreed that AI would increase productivity in the workplace. 86% felt confident using AI, and AI said that AI could spend more time on the strategic or creative aspects of the role.
Canadian workers also believe that productivity gains from AI are concrete. Over half (55%) said that AI stores 1-3 hours a week. 26% reported savings up to 6 hours. Some of the best identified benefits include:
- Faster task completion (61%)
- More efficient workload management (43%)
- Improved accuracy (40%)
- Improve your creativity (39%)
Business AI adoption in Canada delays employee adoption
Despite high usage and clear benefits, only 29% of workers thought their employers were making the most of their AI. The trust gap is particularly pronounced among workers aged 45-54. Only 20% of this group said their organization was doing it right.
Employees also have a clear sense of where AI can deliver the most value across their business, pointing to data analysis and reporting (60%), automation of repetitive tasks (55%), and content creation (37%) as the best opportunities.
For employers, this amputation comes at a cost. Almost half of workers (46%) said they would quit their current job because of jobs that use AI more effectively. Among Gen Z workers, that number jumps to 62%.
Roadmap for Responsible Enterprise AI Adoption
IBM recommends that Canadian companies focus on five key priorities to keep pace with the workforce and be more efficient, agile and innovative.
- Building a modern data infrastructure: AI relies on structured, well-gabanized data. Organizations need to invest in infrastructure that will allow AI models to access clean and reliable data, but they need to address bias, privacy and regulatory requirements from the start.
- Integrate AI governance: Organizations need tools and processes to assess AI maturity, manage risk, and ensure global regulatory compliance. Integrated AI governance monitors AI systems, reduces risk and provides the required structure to meet ethical and legal standards.
- Implement a responsible AI framework: AI systems must be designed and deployed ethically, prioritizing principles such as explanability, fairness, robustness, transparency, and privacy. These measures help minimize bias, protect user data and build trust in AI applications. For example, frameworks like IBM's organizations align AI strategies with ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
- Focus on business-driven use cases: AI should be tailored to actual operational outcomes, such as streamlining internal services, improving customer interactions, and reducing costs. IBM has internally adopted this approach through its “client zero” strategy. Using its proprietary Watsonx AI platform, IBM has optimized the core features of HR, Finance and Legal. One example is a virtual assistant with AIS, handling the interactions of over 11 million employees, solving 94% of typical employee inquiries as of 2025, reducing costs in the process and creating new roles.
- Invest in comprehensive skills and recruitment: Technology alone is not enough. Employees must have the skills to use AI confidently and responsibly. Though 61% of workers say their employers prioritize AI upskills, many are unsure if there is a formal plan in place. Filling this gap is essential to ensuring AI success at scale.
Research MethodologyThis study was conducted by Censuswide in a sample of 4,000 full-time office workers who are not sole owners and are familiar with AI tools. united states of america, Canada, Mexicoand Brazil (18+). Data were collected in between 23.05.2025-30.05.2025.
About IBM:
IBM (NYSE: IBM) is a leading provider of expertise in global hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence and consulting. We help clients from over 175 countries leverage insights from our data to optimize business processes, reduce costs and gain competitive advantages in the industry. Over 4,000 government and business institutions in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, communications and healthcare rely on IBM Hybrid Cloud Platform and Red Hat OpenShift to achieve digital conversion quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting provide clients with open and flexible options. All of this is supported by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, inclusion and services. For more information, please visit www.ibm.com.
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For more information about IBM Canada, please visit https://www.ibm.com/ca-en
For more information about Watsonx, please visit: https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx
Media Contact:
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Leading external relations
IBM Canada
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Source IBM Canada
