57% of Canadians now use AI tools despite mixed views on impact, with men more enthusiastic

A new Leger poll reveals that Canadians are nearly evenly split on artificial intelligence’s societal impact, with 36% viewing it as harmful and 34% considering it beneficial. The survey, conducted by Leger, a market research company, tracks AI sentiment across provinces and age groups, showing that while AI tool usage has surged from 25% in February 2023 to 57% in August 2025, deep concerns about privacy, misinformation, and job displacement persist across the population.

Key usage patterns: Younger Canadians are driving AI adoption, with 83% of adults aged 18-34 using AI tools compared to just 34% of those 55 and older.

• Chatbots and AI assistants dominate usage across all demographics, followed by AI-enhanced search engines (53%) and social media features (29%).
• User satisfaction remains high at 86%, particularly among younger adults who show greater comfort and trust with AI technology.
• Males (39%) and AI tool users (49%) are more likely to view AI positively than the general population.

Major concerns dominate public sentiment: Privacy tops the list of Canadian worries, with 83% expressing concern about how AI systems handle personal data.

• An equal 83% worry about society becoming too dependent on AI and believe companies need stronger regulation of these systems.
• 78% see AI as a threat to human jobs, while 78% are concerned about the spread of false information through AI systems.
• 73% believe AI chatbots should be prohibited from children’s games, toys, and websites, with 70% expressing concern about chatbots in their children’s daily lives.

Trust varies significantly by application: Canadians show highest trust in AI for basic home tasks like adjusting thermostats and playing music (64%), marking an 11% increase from March 2025.

• Nearly half (48%) trust AI tools for educational purposes, but trust drops sharply for more critical applications.
• Only about one-third would rely on AI for health advice (36%), financial guidance (32%), or legal advice (31%).
• Just 18% would trust AI to replace a human teacher, the lowest-ranked application.

Cognitive impact concerns emerge: Nearly half (46%) of Canadians worry that frequent AI use might make them “intellectually lazy or lead to a decline in cognitive skills.”

• Younger adults show particular concern, with half worried about cognitive decline, while 62% of Canadians 55 or older express no such worry.
• Jennifer McLeod Macey, Senior Vice President at Leger, noted this finding as particularly significant given younger adults’ higher AI adoption rates.

What experts are saying: Legal and ethics specialists emphasize the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to address emerging risks.

• “Canada doesn’t yet have a comprehensive AI law in force, though laws have been previously proposed; instead, there are voluntary a set rules for safe, responsible development and use of high‑impact AI systems,” explained Ritesh Kotak, a technologist and lawyer specializing in cybercrime and public safety innovation.
• Renjie Butalid, Co-founder of the Montreal AI Ethics Institute, stressed that “AI tools such as chatbots are socio-technical systems shaped not only by code and infrastructure, but by the values, norms and contexts in which they are deployed.”

The big picture: Despite concerns, Canadians see AI’s potential benefits in everyday convenience (51%), productivity (42%), and entertainment and creativity (31%).

• 57% hold AI companies primarily responsible when AI tools cause harm, while only 18% blame users and 11% blame government.
• Nearly 40% of Canadians believe the country is keeping pace with global AI innovation and regulation efforts.
• The survey reveals a nation proceeding with “cautious optimism” as AI adoption continues to accelerate, particularly among younger demographics who will likely shape future AI perceptions and policies.