(TORONTO, 22 October 2025) – Canadians are warming to artificial intelligence as a workplace tool rather than viewing it as an existential threat, with half expressing no worry about AI taking their jobs and nearly half willing to use AI to quit traditional employment for greater income, a new Pallas Data survey has found.
Summary of Findings
- Half of Canadians are not at all worried that AI and automation could force them to change their jobs or careers in the next five years
- Just under half of Canadians would use “scary” AI to make more money
- 1 in 5 Canadians use AI tools daily
- But just under 1 in 4 see AI as mostly a threat
Between October 12th-16th, Pallas Data surveyed 1,206 Canadian adults aged 18 or older using PharoVoice, Pallas Data AI voice survey platform and IVR. The margin of error is +/- 2.8% at the 95% confidence level.
The poll found that 50% of Canadians are not at all worried that AI and automation could force them to change their jobs or careers in the next five years, with only 22% expressing some level of worry. Meanwhile, 41% of Canadians say they would either definitely or probably quit their current job if they could use AI tools to make the same amount or more money, rising to 49% among Canadians under 35.
“This research reveals the emergence of a new class of AI-literate Canadians,” said Dr. Joseph Angolano, founder and CEO of Pallas Data. “They use AI often, they tend to be younger, and while they are aware of the potential threats of AI, they also recognize it could be a liberating force that could bring them more wealth.”
The survey found widespread AI adoption across Canada:
– 62% of Canadians are at least somewhat familiar with AI tools, rising to 74% among those under 35
– 19% use AI tools daily, with that number climbing to 26% among Canadians under 35
– 38% use AI tools at least a few times per week
When asked about AI’s dual nature—both scary and useful —49% of respondents said they would use something that scares them if it could make them significantly more money. Among daily AI users, this jumps to 78%.
Canadians hold rather nuanced views on AI’s societal impact. While 53% see AI as equal parts threat and opportunity, only 24% view it as mostly a threat. However, 63% agree that AI is creating a new form of inequality between those who can use it and those who cannot.
The poll also revealed political and demographic divides on AI’s economic disruption. While 52% of all Canadians believe that millions of people using AI to quit traditional jobs would be negative for Canada, this drops to 36% among daily AI users. NDP and Bloc voters are more likely to view this trend negatively compared to Liberal and Conservative voters.
“AI may well prove to be a disruptor of traditional labour, especially organized labour, as AI might enable a new class of entrepreneurial Canadians,” noted Dr. Angolano. “Both major political parties will need to think long and hard about how to capture this segment of voters, not because they are the future, but because they are the present.”
With regard to federal voting intentions, the survey found the Liberals at 37% among all voters (41% among decided and leaning voters), Conservatives at 33% (37%), NDP at 9% (11%), and Bloc Québécois at 6% (6%, 26% in Quebec).
Methodology:
The analysis in this report is based on results of a survey conducted on October 12th-16th among a sample of 1,206 adults, 18 years of age or older, living in Canada and eligible to vote in federal elections. The survey was conducted using automated telephone interviews with AI Live Agents and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology.
Respondents were interviewed on landlines and cellular phones. The sample was weighted by age, gender, and region according to the 2021 Census. The survey is intended to represent the adult population in Canada.
The poll’s margin of error is +/- 2.8% at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error are higher in each subsample.
Totals may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
