Study shows Canada among least AI literate nations

Canadians have among the lowest levels of training, literacy and trust in artificial intelligence systems in the world, new research from KPMG International and the University of Melbourne shows.

Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025 is the most comprehensive global study into the public’s trust, use and attitudes towards AI. The study surveyed over 48,000 people in 30 advanced economies and 17 emerging economies, including 1,025 people in Canada.

The study found Canada ranked 44th in AI training and literacy out of all 47 countries, and 28th among the 30 advanced economies, as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). When it comes to trust in AI systems, Canada ranked 42nd out of 47 countries and 25th out of 30 advanced economies.

The findings underscore the need for increased investments in education, training and regulation to build Canadians’ trust in AI and use it as a strategic tool to help solve the country’s productivity crisis, says Benjie Thomas, CEO and Senior Partner of KPMG in Canada.

“Canada’s economy is facing multiple pressures – U.S. tariffs are upending global trade systems, geopolitical shifts are increasing operational risks, while technology advances at lightning speed. Now is the time for our organizations, institutions and governments to act boldly to boost prosperity and advance our competitive position - AI offers us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do that,” says Mr. Thomas.

“Low literacy in AI is holding Canadians back from trusting the technology, and that’s a major barrier to adoption. The more Canadians know about AI, the more likely they are to trust it and use it.  We need to get Canadians and Canadian organizations excited about using AI because it can help boost our productivity and create a more competitive and dynamic economy,” Mr. Thomas adds. 

Low AI literacy

The survey focused on three key areas: AI training, knowledge and efficacy. Less than one quarter (24 per cent) of Canadian respondents said they have received AI training, compared to 39 per cent globally.

“The ability to use AI effectively and knowledgeably is becoming a critical skill in today’s economy. AI will re-shape the future of nearly every organization, so it’s imperative for Canadian institutions to prioritize AI training and education at all levels – in schools and in the workplace,” Mr. Thomas says. 

Fewer than four in 10 (38 per cent) Canadians said they have moderate or high knowledge of AI, compared to 52 per cent globally. AI knowledge includes whether respondents feel informed about how AI is used, whether they understand when AI is being used, and whether they feel they have the skills necessary to use AI.

When respondents were asked to self-report their level of AI efficacy – that is, how skillfully they could use, communicate with or evaluate responses generated by AI – only 47 per cent of Canadians said they can use AI effectively, versus 60 per cent globally.

“AI training and education is necessary for all Canadians. With more education, we will all be able to use AI more confidently and safely, and adoption will grow. When AI adoption grows, innovation and productivity growth will follow,” says Stephanie Terrill, Canadian Managing Partner for Digital and Transformation at KPMG in Canada.

Public trust in AI is lacking

Low AI literacy undermines trust in AI systems. According to the survey, only 34 per cent of Canadians are willing to trust information from AI, compared to 46 per cent globally, while only half of Canadians approve or accept the use of AI, compared to 72 per cent globally

Nearly half (46 per cent) of Canadians believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, compared to 32 per cent globally, even though fewer Canadians (39 per cent) have experienced or observed negative outcomes from using AI than their global peers (43 per cent).

Among the negative outcomes Canadians are most concerned about: 87 per cent of Canadians expressed moderate or high concern about cybersecurity risk, even though only 32 per cent said they have personally observed or experienced cyber breaches. Loss of privacy or intellectual property is also a major concern, with 86 per cent of Canadians expressing moderate or high concern about it, but only 38 per cent have experienced it.

“Canadians are understandably concerned about the potential risks of AI but being overly risk averse can stifle innovation and hold us back from being competitive. There are governance mechanisms and frameworks that can boost transparency and security in AI systems, but public and private sector leaders must commit to adopting them – with engagement and buy-in from Canadians. That will help build public trust in AI and by extension, higher adoption,” Ms. Terrill says.

Key highlights:

• 46 per cent of Canadians believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits (32 per cent globally)
  • 22 per cent believe the risks and benefits are balanced (26 per cent globally)
  • 32 per cent believe the benefits outweigh the risks (42 per cent globally)
• 51 per cent of Canadians feel optimistic about AI, compared to 69 per cent globally
  • 68 per cent are worried about AI (61 per cent globally)
  • 39 per cent are excited about AI (60 per cent globally)

AI Regulation

To help foster more trust in AI, Canadians want stronger governance, regulation and assurance mechanisms built into AI systems.

Three quarters of Canadians said they want AI regulation, compared to 70 per cent globally.  Currently, Canada does not have a federal regulatory framework in place. As an interim measure, the federal government established a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems, which sets voluntary commitments that organizations can agree to abide by to demonstrate responsible development and management of generative AI systems.

Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of Canadians agree that governments or existing regulators should regulate AI, and 73 per cent agree with international AI laws. Seven in 10 (72 per cent) said they’d like to see co-regulation by industry, government and existing regulators.

Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) Canadians agreed there should be laws to prevent the spread of AI-generated misinformation, while 87 per cent agreed news and social media companies need to ensure people can detect when content is AI-generated.

Over eight in 10 (83 per cent) Canadians said they would be more willing to trust AI systems with assurances such as: mechanisms for human intervention to override or correct AI-generated output; having the right to opt out of personal data being used to train AI models; accountability if something goes wrong; monitoring for accuracy and reliability; adhering to proper standards, governance and regulation; and assurance from a third party.

“Canadians want assurances that AI systems are safe, secure and reliable. Governments, businesses, academic and non-profit institutions must work together with Canadians to advance AI responsibly and ethically, while prioritizing innovation and productivity first and foremost. We need transformational leadership and collaboration,” Ms. Terrill says.  

Canadians have the most confidence in universities and research institutions to develop and use AI in the best interests of the public, with nearly 8 in 10 (79 per cent) expressing moderate or high confidence in those institutions. By contrast, only 51 per cent expressed the same confidence in commercial organizations, and only 53 per cent in big technology companies.

About the survey

The Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025 led by Professor Nicole Gillespie, Chair of Trust at Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne and Dr Steve Lockey, Research Fellow at Melbourne Business School, in collaboration with KPMG, is the most comprehensive global study into the public’s trust, use and attitudes towards AI. The study surveyed over 48,000 people across 47 countries – including 1,025 people in Canada – between November 2024 and January 2025. Of the 1,025 people surveyed in Canada, 51 per cent were women and 49 per cent men; 10 per cent were aged 18-24; 34 per cent were aged 25-44; 33 per cent were 45-64; and 23 per cent were aged 65 or older.