Companies feel ill-equipped to help employees use AI effectively

A new survey has revealed that almost half of employed Canadian job seekers are concerned their positions could be replaced by artificial intelligence, as a growing number of companies adopt the technology.

More than half (54%) of Canadian hiring managers say their organizations are using AI, a slight increase from 52% last fall, finds Express Employment Professionals.

And 21% of businesses now use AI regularly—a notable jump from 16% last year.

However, 59% admit their companies lack the resources or training needed to help employees use AI effectively. The trend is mirrored among workers: 59% of employed job seekers feel their companies are unprepared to support them in adapting to AI.

However, employers recognize the need for improvement. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of hiring managers believe that training employees on AI is essential for long-term success.

While Canadian workplaces are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI), most employees—especially in human resources—are using these tools without proper training, and many are concerned about the future of their jobs, found a separate survey.

Job security and skills at risk

The Express Employment survey found that anxiety about AI’s impact on job security is widespread. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of job seekers worry that AI will significantly reduce employment opportunities, and 46% fear their own jobs could be eliminated.

Younger workers are especially concerned: 55% of Gen Z and 52% of millennials express fear about job loss due to AI, compared to only 33% of Gen X and 16% of baby boomers.

Among Canadian businesses who reported using AI over the last 12 months (12.2%), the vast majority (89.4%) reported no change to their employment levels after implementation, according to a recent report from Statistics Canada.

This was similar to results from a year earlier, when 84.9% of businesses that used AI in the second quarter of 2024 (6.1%) also reported no change to employment levels.

“Meanwhile, the proportion of businesses that reported an increase in employment levels due to AI use declined from 8.8% in the second quarter of 2024 to 4.3% in 2025. When asked to what extent AI reduced tasks previously performed by employees, most businesses reported minimal impacts.”

Beyond job loss, many respondents to the Express Employment Professionals survey are worried about the erosion of essential skills:

• 44% believe employees will lose the ability to think creatively
• 43% are concerned workers will put in less effort
• 37% fear a decline in problem-solving abilities
• 35% cite potential loss of skill development
• 31% predict a reduction in teamwork and collaboration.

AI as job search tool

Despite these concerns, job seekers are increasingly turning to AI to enhance their job search. The majority support using generative AI for key tasks:

• 81% for drafting resumes and cover letters
• 70% for creating professional headshots
• 61% for producing work samples
• 55% for answering interview questions in real time

Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President, and Chairman of Express Employment International, commented, “AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, but success isn’t measured by speed alone. It’s about balance. The key is to harness AI efficiently while preserving the human qualities that drive creativity, judgment and collaboration. Technology should amplify human potential, not replace it.”

The Job Insights survey was conducted online in Canada from June 2 to 18, 2025, among 500 Canadian hiring decision-makers. The Job Seeker Report surveyed 503 Canadian adults aged 18 and older from June 12 to 27, 2025.

Source – https://www.hcamag.com/ca/specialization/hr-technology/companies-feel-ill-equipped-to-help-employees-use-ai-effectively/553952