Fact Check: A 2025 survey of 21,357 Canadian businesses and non-profits found that AI adoption is more likely to reduce staffing levels than to increase them.

Fact Check: "A 2025 survey of 21,357 Canadian businesses and non-profits found that AI adoption is more likely to reduce staffing levels than to increase them."

What We Know

In the second quarter of 2025, a survey conducted by Statistics Canada reported that 12.2% of Canadian businesses had adopted AI technologies to produce goods or deliver services over the preceding year. This marked an increase from 6.1% in the previous year (Statistics Canada). Among these businesses, a significant 89.4% reported no change in their employment levels after implementing AI, while only 4.3% indicated an increase in staffing levels due to AI adoption (Statistics Canada).

The survey also noted that 47.2% of businesses that used AI acknowledged a small reduction in tasks previously performed by employees, suggesting that while AI can streamline operations, it does not necessarily lead to significant job losses (Statistics Canada).

Analysis

The claim that AI adoption is more likely to reduce staffing levels than to increase them is nuanced. While the data shows that a majority of businesses reported no change in staffing levels, the 4.3% that did report an increase in employment is notably lower than the 8.8% from the previous year. This decline could indicate a trend where businesses are becoming more cautious about increasing staff in the wake of AI adoption (Statistics Canada, Statistics Canada).

However, the survey results also highlight that the vast majority of businesses (89.4%) experienced no change in employment levels, and many reported only minor reductions in tasks. This suggests that while AI may lead to some reductions in specific tasks, it does not universally result in job losses. The 47.2% of businesses indicating minimal task reduction further complicates the narrative, as it implies that AI can coexist with existing job roles rather than outright replacing them (Statistics Canada).

The reliability of the source, Statistics Canada, is high, as it is a government agency responsible for producing statistical information about Canada. Their methodologies are typically rigorous, and their findings are widely cited in academic and policy discussions.

Conclusion

The claim that AI adoption is more likely to reduce staffing levels than to increase them is Partially True. While the data indicates a slight trend towards reduced staffing due to AI, the overwhelming majority of businesses report no change in employment levels. Thus, while there is some evidence supporting the claim, it does not fully capture the complexity of AI's impact on employment in Canadian businesses.

Sources

1. easyjob Help
2. Analysis on artificial intelligence use by businesses in Canada
3. Cancellation reason - easyjob CRM
4. Analysis on artificial intelligence use by businesses in Canada - LinkedIn
5. Calculation Basis in job - easyjob Controlling Center
6. Analysis on artificial intelligence use by businesses in Canada - StatsCan
7. easyjob International Pack
8. StatsCan finds AI adoption has doubled in businesses, but hasn’t yet affected headcounts