Whatever industry we’re in, however big our business is in terms of headcount and revenue, we all like to think we stay in touch with the latest innovations and technologies that impact our work. But what happens when it becomes apparent that we’re falling behind, and what if it’s not our business, but an entire country? Well, according to our research here at Kubicle, this seems to be the case when it comes to Canada and its AI and data literacy readiness.
I say this with confidence because we recently published research which revealed that Canada is struggling to keep up with other western countries when it comes to understanding and utilizing AI. While this is a relatively new field and workforces in every industry across the globe are still adapting, Canada is also lacking in even the most basic skills, such as data visualization and presentation skills.
So, what does it all mean for Canadian businesses and their staff, and how can they gain pace with the leading pack?
What Does the Data Say?
Canada is often, and rightly, viewed as a leader in innovation. And yet, as a country, our analysis shows that it’s failing to develop essential AI and data skills. Through our own proprietary data and research of Google search interest in data and AI literacy related terms, Canada ranked seventh among the western countries with the largest English-speaking populations. Ireland led the table, followed by Australia and the United Kingdom. The United States and the Netherlands also ranked higher than Canada. Its placing should act as a warning for both Canadian businesses and global employers who are preparing for rapid advances in automation.
Interest in AI and data skills is increasing in almost every country, but Canada’s relative position suggests that other nations may be moving faster. It’s not only our research that reveals this, either, as a recent KPMG article on the state of AI trust and literacy in Canada claimed that “Canada ranks among the least AI literate nations globally” and that “79% are concerned about the possible negative outcomes of AI.” Yes, this is a clear sign of mistrust, but could it also point towards a general lack of understanding regarding the use and potential of AI?
For instance, the KPMG report found that only 24% of Canadian respondents said they received training in AI, while 38% said they have moderate or high knowledge of AI (compared to 52% globally). All in all, only 47% believe they can effectively use AI tools.
If this trend continues, Canada’s AI-readiness gap could have real consequences for its competitiveness, productivity and long-term economic strength. It also raises a broader question about how prepared Canadian workforces are for a future shaped by data and AI, and whether national digital strategies are keeping pace with the scale of technological change.
Why the Skills Gap?
Search patterns are an excellent indicator of where interest begins, while Kubicle’s subject completion data shows what people actually choose to learn. For instance, we analyzed thousands of subject completions across a broad range of digital subjects between 2020 and 2025. The results reveal important trends that apply across most countries.
One startling discovery is that many organizations still have significant gaps in foundational IT skills such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word. These tools support daily work in almost every sector by enabling financial analysis, reporting and communication. They also shape how employees prepare and interpret data. When these skills are weak, organizations struggle to adopt new technology and, somewhat inevitably, productivity suffers.
At the same time, interest in data skills and AI literacy has risen sharply. When we compared activity from 2020 to 2022 with activity from 2023 to 2025, some subject areas showed significant growth. AI Fundamentals grew by a staggering 960%. Data Literacy grew by 124%, while Power BI grew by 27%. These patterns show a strong move towards analytical and AI-related skills.
The challenge for many businesses, including those in Canada, is that this growth in advanced skills is happening alongside a persistent shortage in core digital skills. If the basics remain weak, the value of more advanced tools is limited. This creates an internal divide that slows transformation.
So, what can be done?
The Risk of an Emerging Skills Divide
The data we’ve explored so far highlights two things, that countries that are moving quickly to build AI and data capabilities will gain economic advantages, while those with slower uptake may struggle to compete for investment, talent and innovation. On a smaller scale, the same pattern is visible within businesses. A small group of highly skilled employees may advance the likes of innovation, but the wider workforce cannot keep pace if the fundamentals aren’t secure.
This is what I describe as the ‘skills paradox’. Investment in advanced technology demands stronger essential skills, not weaker ones. Employees cannot interpret data properly if they lack confidence in basic tools, and they cannot use AI tools effectively if they do not understand the principles behind them. Furthermore, employees will be unable to communicate insights without strong presentation or document skills, skills usually considered ‘basic’. Many businesses overlook this issue because the spotlight often falls on emerging technology, when in reality, the foundation matters just as much.
Countries such as Ireland and Australia appear to understand this. Their higher levels of search activity suggest a workforce that’s preparing for change at every level. If Canada wants to maintain its strong reputation in innovation, it will need to strengthen its commitment to digital upskilling. This should involve broad, accessible training that supports workers in both basic and advanced capabilities.
This isn’t just my opinion, either, as 40% of respondents to the KPMG survey said that they worry about being left behind if they don’t develop AI skills. So, what’s the solution?
A National Strategy for AI Literacy?
As mentioned on The Conversation, Canada needs a clear national strategy for AI literacy if it wants to maintain its position as a competitive and innovative economy. Interest in AI skills is growing, yet other countries are advancing faster, which risks leaving Canadian businesses at a disadvantage.
A national strategy should focus on practical skills that help employees understand how AI supports decision making, communication and analysis. The strategy should also ensure that employees can work with data confidently, since this is central to every AI-enabled process. Furthermore, businesses must recognize that growth in an AI-enabled landscape depends on investment in people. Bottom-up programs that develop both essential digital skills and applied AI understanding will allow teams to use new tools with confidence.
At the end of the day, be it Canadian, American or Irish businesses, those that prioritize such investment will be better placed to gain a competitive advantage, adapt to new technologies and respond to rising global standards in digital capability.
Understanding the Data
As a B2B data, tech and AI skills training provider, the team at Kubicle is passionate about understanding what motivates people to learn. We’re also passionate about all things new age and innovative, which led us to wonder which western countries are leading the way when it comes to AI and data literacy.
To find the answer, we studied search interest in digital and AI training across the 10 western countries with the largest English-speaking populations. We assessed several AI- and data-literacy related terms on Google Trends, including ‘excel courses’, ‘ai courses’, ‘chatgpt training’, ‘tableau courses’, ‘alteryx training’, ‘power bi course’, ‘microsoft word courses’ and ‘how to improve data literacy’. We then totalled the scores and rated the top-scoring country at 100%, with all other countries following accordingly. This led to a ‘top score’ of 1.14%, with the list completed as follows:
| Rank | Country | Score |
| 1 | Ireland | 1.14 |
| 2 | Australia | 0.91 |
| 3 | United Kingdom | 0.78 |
| 4 | United States | 0.29 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 0.28 |
| 6 | Germany | 0.23 |
| 7 | Canada | 0.17 |
| 8 | Spain | 0.11 |
| 9 | Sweden | 0.10 |
| 10 | France | 0.09 |
Closing the Gap and Preparing for the Future
The message is simple: successful digital transformation relies on sustained investment in skills.
Countries and businesses that prioritize both foundational IT skills and emerging AI skills will be better placed to compete. Those that ignore early warning signs, such as Canada’s low search score, may find the gap widening. For Canada, it doesn’t help that KMPG’s report also revealed that, of the employees who said they have used AI in work, 56% said their “over-reliance on AI has resulted in errors, unchecked outputs and reduced efforts into tasks.” Again, we can see how important training is.
By Mark Henderson