Statement

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, AI literacy is essential not only for Canada’s future workforce but also for developing critical thinking, digital citizenship and online safety.

While this investment is an encouraging start, much more will be required to achieve the strategy’s ambitions. Canada currently ranks 42nd out of 47 countries in AI literacy and training, yet the national strategy aims to increase business AI adoption from 12 per cent to 60 per cent by 2034. These goals require a significant investment in AI skills development before young people enter the workforce. The current CanCode investment is lower than previous levels of support, despite widespread demand for AI skills across every sector of the economy. If Canada is serious about workforce development, economic competitiveness, innovation and AI safety, we must invest accordingly.

“We are encouraged to see the federal government invest in youth as part of its vision for Canada’s AI leadership,” said Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua. “However, Canada’s future leadership in AI will not be defined solely by our research excellence or technological infrastructure. It will be defined by whether we equip the next generation with the skills to use, create and lead with AI. The Actua network is ready to deliver AI literacy training across the country to ensure Canadian youth are AI-ready and have the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”