Only 37% of Canadians feel adequately trained on AI

A third of your team is probably bluffing about AI.

In TD’s 2026 AI Insights Report, released July 23, 32% of Canadians polled said they “overstated” their AI abilities in the workplace. With AI becoming more commonplace in everyday work, keeping up with expectations is becoming a sore spot.

The report, run by Ipsos with 2,501 Canadians in February, describes a workforce that believes in AI but doesn’t yet trust it in its own hands. 

Just over three-quarters of respondents (78%) think workplace AI adoption is inevitable, 59% say it makes them more productive, and 58% say it gives them an edge over people in similar jobs. Yet 75% grade their own AI skills at a “C” or lower, and only 4% give themselves an “A.”

When workers believe a tool is unavoidable and career-relevant, admitting they can’t use it well could end up costing career advancement or even a raise. As a result, some round up. 

Self preservation is a power motivator.

Most respondents say they aren’t getting enough training in AI tools, either. Only 37% report adequate training from their employer, and 53% say their workplace is behind others on adoption.

“The future of work will require organizations to help people develop new skills as technology evolves,” says Melanie Burns, senior executive vice-president and chief human resources officer at TD Bank. “Those that prioritize learning and equip employees with the right tools and support will ensure their people thrive.”

Time helps, but budget helps faster. 

The people most sure AI is here to stay are the oldest ones. The report found that 89% of Boomers call adoption inevitable, against 81% of Gen X, 79% of Millennials, and 65% of Gen Z. Leaders building a rollout around the idea that younger staff will automatically pick up what’s being put down should check that assumption first.

“AI is becoming more prevalent across the world of work but for many people it still feels new and unfamiliar,” says Luke Gee, senior vice president and chief analytics and AI officer at TD Bank Group. 

“The pace of change can feel fast, and it’s natural that confidence takes time to catch up. We’re in a period where people are building new skills and figuring out how these tools can support the work they already do. What matters most is helping people feel supported as they learn, build confidence over time, and use AI in ways that are practical and meaningful to them.”

Final Shots

• Belief is outrunning skill, with 78% call workplace AI inevitable, while 75% grade their own ability a “C” or lower.
• Only 37% feel adequately trained, and self-reported fluency inflates when people think the tool is unavoidable.
• Age assumptions run backwards. Boomers (89%) are more likely than Gen Z (65%) to call AI adoption inevitable.