Canadian businesses are increasingly adopting AI agents and rethinking how work gets done, according to new research. However, there are questions about the return on investment.
A survey of 306 Canadian executives by KPMG Canada found 77 per cent already use AI agents to assist with tasks such as knowledge sharing between departments, while 66 per cent are moving toward workplaces where employees work alongside AI systems.
The technology is already affecting hiring decisions. Nearly six in 10 respondents said AI agents have changed how their organizations hire entry-level workers, while 63 per cent said the technology is reshaping recruitment for experienced talent.
“As organizations move quickly to scale AI agents, we’re seeing a generational shift in how work gets done,” said Stephanie Terrill, Canadian managing partner of digital and transformation at KPMG Canada. “Business leaders are starting to design roles, teams and workflows on the assumption that humans and agents will work together.”
The survey found employers are placing greater emphasis on skills such as creative thinking, problem solving and adaptability as AI takes on more routine tasks. Respondents also expect AI literacy and the ability to work effectively alongside AI systems to become increasingly important in performance evaluations and career advancement.
Despite growing adoption, many organizations are struggling to generate measurable returns from their AI investments. While 70 per cent of Canadian respondents said AI is delivering business value, only 3 per cent reported achieving measurable returns on investment.
Workforce readiness remains a significant challenge. Nearly one-third of respondents reported employee resistance to agentic AI, with trust and ethical concerns, job security worries and lack of confidence using AI tools cited as key barriers.
“We’re moving into a phase where AI isn’t just supporting work in the background but is now actively shaping how organizations think about talent,” said Lewis Curley, partner in KPMG Canada’s people and change practice.
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