Canadian chief executives are outpacing their global counterparts in artificial intelligence adoption, with 72 percent actively implementing AI agents compared to 61 percent globally, according to a new IBM study released Wednesday.
The 2025 IBM Institute for Business Value CEO Study, which surveyed 2,000 CEOs worldwide including 80 Canadian executives, reveals that while Canadian leaders are ambitious with AI implementation, most organizations are still struggling to scale these initiatives, with only 14 percent successfully deploying AI enterprise-wide.
Despite significant interest in the technology, return on investment remains challenging, with just 27 percent of AI initiatives delivering expected results, the study found.
“Canadian CEOs are taking bold steps to integrate AI into their operations, signalling a clear understanding of its transformative potential,” said Rob Wilmot, General Manager and Managing Partner of Consulting at IBM Canada. “But this isn’t just about adopting AI – it’s about embedding it thoughtfully and effectively across the organization.”
Strategic priorities shifting
The study revealed Canadian executives are prioritizing data as a foundation for innovation and competitiveness. About 76 percent are investing in technologies before fully understanding their return on investment, compared to 64 percent globally, demonstrating a greater willingness to experiment.
Additionally, 69 percent of Canadian CEOs are ready to take more risks than competitors to maintain their edge, while 43 percent identify poorly integrated or insufficient data as a significant barrier to AI innovation.
Workforce transformation
Talent development is emerging as a crucial component of successful AI implementation. The survey found 50 percent of Canadian CEOs are hiring for AI-related positions that didn’t exist a year ago, while 58 percent plan to use automation to address skill gaps.
Approximately one-third of the workforce will require retraining to meet the demands of an AI-powered business environment, according to the respondents.
Real-world application
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) represents one example of successful AI integration, leveraging the technology alongside digital twin capabilities to enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness. The airport is equipping every employee with a trainable AI assistant to foster collaboration across departments.
“AI has been business needs-driven to ensure that we can start small and scale – that we can test its adoption, get people working on it, and then scale it across our operations,” said YVR CEO Tamara Vrooman. “Data as a single source of truth that everybody can see has been transformational for partnerships. It’s helping us work better together and uncover ways to grow.”
