Our AI Ignition events in Vancouver and Calgary brought together Canadian business leaders, each exploring the potential of AI in their respective fields. The workshops were a blend of hands-on experiences, insightful presentations and valuable networking opportunities, all designed to help Canadian businesses excel in the world of AI.
Key insights that emerged from our discussions:
1. Cautious exploration of generative AI
Canadian businesses are aware of the need to adopt GenAI, but many are still finding their footing. The common refrain we heard was, "We know we need to, but we're unsure how." This hesitation is supported in recent data from Business Data Lab, which found that only about 1 in 7 Canadian businesses (14%) were early adopters of GenAI. These numbers may indicate that while businesses understand GenAI's importance, they need real-world examples and step-by-step guidance to increase adoption.
2. The productivity paradox
While AI promises productivity gains, many organizations are still struggling to see results. There's pressure to deliver on the "productivity miracles" promised by AI, but real impact remain elusive for many. This challenge is more widespread than many realize. According to a recent Deloitte study, 41% of organizations report difficulties in effectively measuring their generative AI initiatives. This gap suggests the need for more targeted implementation strategies and realistic expectations.
3. Focus on small wins
Another recurring theme discussed was the importance of starting small and focusing on achievable wins when implementing AI. This approach allows organizations to demonstrate value, learn from experiences and build momentum for larger initiatives.
4. Unexpected early adopters
Some of the early AI use cases are emerging from unexpected areas. Rather than traditional tech-heavy departments, we're seeing copilots such as Fuel iX Copilots, being used in areas like marketing, sales, legal and HR. A McKinsey report from March 2025, corroborates this, shedding light on the areas where GenAI is making the most significant impact. Notably, marketing and sales have emerged as frontrunners in AI adoption, with the tech industry leading the charge.
5. Key concerns: Costs, roadmaps and security
Canadian business leaders mentioned three primary concerns during our conversations:
- Runway costs associated with AI implementation and operation
- Uncertain roadmaps for AI integration and development
- Security considerations, particularly around scaling AI solutions
HunterTech's 2025 report on AI adoption provides some context for this cautious approach, ranking Canada 23rd out of 68 countries. This middle-ground position highlights the untapped potential in Canada and the room for growth as businesses build confidence in AI technologies. The good news is that confidence is growing as indicated by a recent IBM study that reveals that more than half of Canadian respondents (56%) plan to increase AI investment in 2025.
6. Interest in securing GenAI
As businesses move towards production-level AI deployments, there's growing curiosity about “anyone can use” automated AI red teaming using solutions such as Fuel iX Fortify. Automated AI red teaming is a proactive approach to security and quality assurance that’s crucial for maintaining robust and reliable AI systems at scale. It’s a systematic, proactive security practice designed to protect AI systems by automatically identifying potential vulnerabilities and risks before they can be exploited. Think of it as having an automated "ethical hacker" constantly testing your AI system's boundaries and safety measures.
7. Bridging use cases and value
Another theme throughout AI Ignition was the connection between AI capabilities and measurable business impact. Rather than pursuing AI for its own sake, organizations are taking a value-first approach. They're asking not just "What can AI do?" but "What can AI do for our business?"
Hands-on experience and practical insights
What sets our AI Ignition workshops apart was the hands-on approach. Attendees didn't just listen to presentations; they got to experience GenAI firsthand using Fuel iX applications. This practical exposure, combined with insightful presentations about the market, impactful use cases and future directions of AI, provided a comprehensive and fun learning experience. Participants left with actionable insights they could apply to their businesses immediately.
Looking ahead (More Canadian AI Ignition events this Fall!)
The enthusiasm and spirit of our attendees suggest that Canadian businesses are poised to make significant strides in AI adoption and implementation.
AI Ignition will be returning to Canada this fall, with events planned for Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. These sessions will continue our mission of leading Canadian businesses to adopt GenAI safety and securely.
Watch our exclusive Vancouver panel session that shares firsthand experiences with AI deployment, featuring both success stories and implementation challenges.
