Job seekers embrace AI tools for career growth, even as fears of job loss and skill erosion intensify
Nearly two-thirds of Canadian job seekers (63 percent) worry that artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly limit job opportunities, and almost half (46 percent) fear their job could be eliminated entirely.
These anxieties are especially pronounced among younger generations, with Gen Z (55 percent) and millennials (52 percent) expressing more concern about AI-driven job loss than Gen X (33 percent) or boomers (16 percent).
Despite these concerns, AI adoption continues to accelerate in Canadian workplaces.
According to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey, 54 percent of hiring managers say their company uses AI, up from 52 percent last fall.
Regular use is also increasing, with 21 percent of companies now using AI frequently, compared to 16 percent last year.
However, the rapid pace of adoption is not matched by readiness.
Fifty-nine percent of hiring managers admit their company does not have the resources or training to help employees use AI effectively. This sentiment is echoed by 59 percent of employed job seekers, who also believe their companies lack adequate support for AI integration.
The need for upskilling is clear: 64 percent of hiring managers and 75 percent of job seekers agree that training employees on AI is essential for organizational success.
Beyond fears of job loss, many workers are concerned about the broader impact of AI on workplace skills.
Forty-four percent believe employees will lose the ability to think creatively, 43 percent worry about reduced effort, 37 percent fear diminished problem-solving skills, and 35 percent cite a loss of skill development.
Additionally, 31 percent predict employees will lose the ability to work with others or collaborate less.
Even as they voice concerns, job seekers are leveraging AI to enhance their own prospects.
The majority believe it is appropriate to use generative AI for key steps in the job search: 81 percent for drafting résumés and cover letters, 70 percent for creating professional headshots, 61 percent for creating work samples, and 55 percent for answering interview questions in real time.
“AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, but success isn’t measured by speed alone. It’s about balance,” said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, president and chairman of Express Employment International.
He emphasized that the key is to use AI efficiently while maintaining the human qualities—such as creativity, judgment, and collaboration—that are essential for success.
Funk Jr. added, “Technology should amplify human potential, not replace it.”
The Job Insights survey was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from June 2 to 18, among 500 Canadian hiring decision-makers.
