Canadian organizations are lagging behind their global peers in adopting artificial intelligence, according to the “Canada’s brightest AI future” report published by Deloitte Canada’s Future of Canada Centre.
Deloitte Canada revealed that just 26 percent of Canadian companies have implemented AI, while 34 percent of global organizations have. In 2024, Canada dropped from fourth to eighth in the Global AI Index.
“Canada has led the way in AI with world-class talent, groundbreaking research, early public investment and strategy. But as the technology moves from experimentation to implementation, we now face a choice: create a homegrown AI action plan today or inherit someone else’s tomorrow,” said Jas Jaaj, Deloitte Canada’s global AI ecosystems and alliances leader and AI managing partner, in a statement.
The Deloitte report noted that Canada’s AI foundations were robust; however, the lack of decisive action could cost the country an estimated 5-8 percent increase in GDP over the next decade. The factors driving sluggish AI adoption in Canada included slow technology investments by businesses, a highly risk-averse mindset, intellectual property commercialization obstacles, and a significant trust gap.
Deloitte presented a strategic roadmap focusing on defining ambitions concentrating on value creation, cultivating trust through building AI literacy, and committing to AI. The report also outlined recommendations for business leaders and policymakers, who were critical to the AI transition process.
“Today’s conversation around AI must shift from why it matters to how we take action to implement and sustain it for lasting impact. Our framework equips strategic leaders and policymakers with a clear path to move beyond experimentation to scale AI boldly and responsibly,” Jaaj said. “And our message is clear – the time to act is now if we want to be in the driver's seat of creating an AI future that is uniquely built for the long-term prosperity of our country.”