Canada is a global leader in AI research but falls behind when it comes to adoption. AI Adoption Initiative co-founder Nicole Foster published an op-ed in iPolitics outlining AIAI’s key recommendations to address Canada’s adoption gap as the country awaits the release of the government’s national AI strategy.

Canada’s AI adoption rate sits at just 12 per cent, trailing far behind countries like India, Singapore, and the UAE, where adoption is at or above 50 per cent. To close the gap, AIAI recommends Canada’s strategy focus on five key priorities:

First, invest in applied AI skills. Productivity gains depend on workers across sectors combining domain expertise with accessible AI tools. Canada needs stronger applied training pathways, particularly for SMEs, alongside a strategy that supports both advanced researchers and an AI-ready workforce capable of deploying AI in real-world settings.

Second, the strategy should emphasize supporting adoption through applied research by ensuring access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, incentivising cross-disciplinary R&D aligned with industry strengths, and enabling access to domain-specific datasets. The government should prioritize targeted investments in digital infrastructure, expand industry access, and reduce regulatory barriers to innovation and adoption.

Third, the Canadian government should continue to lead through public sector AI adoption, using strategic procurement, clear departmental roadmaps, and leadership to improve service delivery and stimulate private-sector demand.

Fourth, Canada should modernize and expand incentive frameworks to support applied AI, focusing on investments in fine-tuning, integration, and deployment, and expanding programs to facilitate adoption across SMEs, academic institutions, and public and private sector entities.

Finally, Canada should pursue targeted, interoperable regulation that enables adoption through regulatory clarity, alignment with international standards, and sector-specific approaches for SMEs.

The economic impact of AI depends on diffusion. If the Canadian government prioritizes adoption in its AI strategy, it will translate the country’s AI leadership into productivity growth, better public services, and shared economic prosperity.

Find the full article from AIAI co-founder, Nicole Foster, here.