Survey Evidence on Firm AI Adoption and its Implications

This paper examines the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) among firms in Canada and its expected effects on employment and capital spending. The analysis relies on special questions included in the December 2025 Business Leaders’ Pulse (BLP). The results show that while personal use of AI among business leaders is widespread, adoption for production purposes remains limited. On balance, firms anticipate AI to have a positive impact on their capital expenditures over the next 12 months and a slightly more positive impact over the next 3 years. Firms anticipate limited impacts to employment over the next year but expect modest net negative impacts on employment over the next 3 years. Overall, the findings suggest that AI adoption among Canadian firms remains at an early stage, with more material economic impacts expected to emerge over time.