Quote from Cam Linke, Amii CEO: 

AI is not changing who organizations hire; it is changing what they expect workers to do. This research confirms that a patchwork approach to AI education is no longer enough. The rapid expansion of our AIWR consortium to 55 post-secondary institutions is a direct response to this national urgency to bridge the literacy gap. We must ensure every professional and graduate is AI-confident and ready to lead. A robust, AI-ready talent pipeline is the engine that will drive Canada’s productivity and competitive edge for decades to come. We applaud the leadership at these member institutions for addressing these challenges alongside us.

Quote from Sabrina Geremia, VP & Country Managing Director, Google Canada:

AI presents an extraordinary opportunity for Canada to benefit from a technology it helped pioneer. Realizing this potential depends on our collective ability to empower Canadians with the skills needed to turn this technological shift into a driver of resilience and growth for our communities and the economy. The impressive ramp-up of Amii’s innovative AI Workforce Readiness program is a testament to both the demand for these skills and the commitment of Canadian post-secondary institutions to help us meet the moment.

Conducted in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), research into the Canadian workforce reveals:

• Entry-Level Expectations: As routine tasks are increasingly handled by AI tools, entry-level workers are expected to start ready to use AI effectively and even act as internal change champions who help others understand and adopt AI. 

• Prioritization of higher-level thinking: Employers are pivoting away from routine execution, instead prioritizing advanced cognitive competencies—such as critical thinking and adaptability—as essential for the AI-driven economy.

• Upskilling Over Replacing: 70% of AI-adopting organizations do not plan to reduce staff; instead, 50% are actively focusing on upskilling current employees to leverage AI tools.

Quote from Valerie Walker, BHER CEO:

AI is changing not only how work gets done, but the skills employers value most. Technical knowledge alone is no longer enough. Workers increasingly need critical thinking, adaptability, communication, and judgment to apply AI effectively in the workplace. Employers that invest now in upskilling, partnerships, and work-integrated learning will be better positioned to drive productivity and compete in an AI-enabled economy.

While industry stalls, Canada’s post-secondary institutions (PSIs) face a fragmented landscape. Analysis from Signal49 Research reveals that student preparedness is currently a matter of chance rather than policy:

• Fragmented Strategy: AI exposure is currently driven by "keen faculty" acting as early adopters, rather than coordinated institutional strategies.

• Systemic Speedbumps: Slow governance and the absence of a standardized literacy framework are hampering the ability of schools to respond to rapid workforce demands.

• Inequitable Access: Without a unified national strategy, students in under-resourced programs or equity-seeking groups risk being excluded from high-value AI opportunities.

Quote from Michael Burt, Vice President, Signal49 Research:

Preparing students for the future of work requires more than adopting new technology, it requires that institutions build a collaborative vision of how AI is integrated into teaching, learning and academic life. When faculty and employers work together, institutions can ensure AI is implemented thoughtfully, in ways that ensure academic integrity, and equip students with the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

The Path Forward: A National Consortium

Amii, with support from Google.org, is directly addressing these findings by rapidly delivering on the evolving AIWR program into a national consortium of 57 post-secondary institutions. This unified network is designed to bridge the gap through evidence-based, open-source curriculum packages that catalyze faculty engagement and standardize AI literacy nationwide.

By making these insights and tools accessible to both consortium members and the public, Amii is grounding Canada’s AI future in collaborative action. This commitment ensures that every institution—regardless of size or location—has the resources to build a world-class AI talent pipeline.