AI use grows in Canadian workplaces — as does risk

A recent survey by KPMG in Canada showed that nearly half (46 per cent) of Canadian workers are now using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in their jobs, a significant increase from 22 per cent last year.

The survey, however, also highlights some concerning trends. While the use of generative AI has become more widespread, there is an increase in risky behavior among users. A quarter (24 per cent) of respondents admitted to entering proprietary company data, such as human resources or supply chain information, into public generative AI platforms, up from 16 per cent in 2023. Furthermore, 19 per cent reported entering private financial data about their company, an increase from 12 per cent last year.

Lewis Curley, Partner in the People and Change practice at KPMG in Canada, emphasized the need for employers to implement guardrails and provide training to prevent the unintentional release of private or confidential data.

“It’s great to see such a surge in employee adoption because we know generative AI boosts productivity, but employers really need to get ahead of this to ensure their employees don’t unintentionally release private or confidential data,” Curley said.

The survey found that more than half of users said their employer encourages the use of generative AI by integrating it into project checklists. However, nearly 40 per cent of respondents are unaware of any controls from their employer regarding the use of generative AI. Curley stressed the importance of having clear policies and communicating expectations to employees.

Megan Jones, a director in KPMG in Canada’s People and Change practice, noted that while generative AI is often used for basic tasks such as generating ideas (33 per cent), research (30 per cent), and writing emails (26 per cent), its true potential lies in driving business value.

“If they don’t want to be left behind, leaders need to not only see AI as a tool for efficiency but also one that is high value-add by embedding it into the core functions of the business to enhance decision-making, streamline workflows, and create new opportunities for growth,” Jones said.

Despite the widespread implementation of generative AI, a recent KPMG survey of business leaders found that fewer than two in ten employees say their employer has a comprehensive policy in place. Jones highlighted the missed opportunity for organizations that discourage the use of generative AI, urging business leaders to reskill their workforce and ensure proper use of AI tools.

The survey also revealed that more than half (52 per cent) of employees say generative AI saves them between one to five hours of work per week. While the majority (68 per cent) use this saved time for high-value tasks and brainstorming new ideas, 22 per cent spend it on personal activities like exercising or running errands.

Curley advised organizations to clearly communicate how they expect employees to use their time to unlock the full productivity benefits of generative AI.

“Generative AI is a great way for organizations to free up human capital, but if they want to use that to drive specific business outcomes then they need to purposefully and clearly communicate how they expect employees to use their time,” he said.

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