Indigenous Canadians adopt workplace AI faster than peers

A Toronto Metropolitan University study finds Indigenous Canadians are adopting AI at work at significantly higher rates than non-Indigenous colleagues—sometimes double, especially among those with less formal education. In the survey, 32% of Indigenous respondents said they were "very familiar" with workplace AI tools, compared to 17% of others. Indigenous workers also reported larger boosts in productivity. Researchers note the drivers aren’t clear but suggest age and job sector may play a role.

• TMU report surveyed 281 Indigenous Canadians
• Indigenous AI familiarity twice that of non-Indigenous peers
• Productivity boosts: 46% Indigenous vs 30% non-Indigenous
• Higher AI use among Indigenous with only high school education
• Drivers of differences remain unclear to researchers