Nearly half of Canadian workers feel guilty using AI at work, new survey shows
43% of workers report guilt over AI use; 56% of Gen Z feel the same. One-third hide their AI use from employers while most lack workplace training on the technology.
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Artificial intelligence is becoming routine in many Canadian workplaces, but a new report suggests many workers still feel uneasy about using it.
According to Employment Hero's AI Paradox Report, 43 percent of Canadian workers say they feel guilty using AI to produce work, while 39 percent believe relying on the technology feels like cheating. The guilt is especially pronounced among younger workers: 56 percent of Gen Z respondents reported experiencing guilt when using AI on the job.
Many employees aren't being transparent about their AI use either. More than one-third (34 percent) said they hide their AI use from their employer, while 45 percent of businesses believe employees are using personal AI accounts at work — a practice the report refers to as "shadow AI."
The findings suggest many workers are navigating AI without much workplace guidance. Just 41 percent of respondents said they believe they have the AI skills needed for an AI-driven labour market, while 60 percent rated their own AI competence as low to average. More than half (51 percent) said their employer does little or nothing to help employees develop AI skills. Instead, 58 percent said they've learned how to use AI through social media.
Chris Pinkerton, managing director of Employment Hero Canada, said the issue isn't whether workers are adopting AI, but whether they feel comfortable using it openly. "Workers already recognize AI is becoming an essential workplace skill, but many still feel they need to hide using it because they don't have clear guidance or confidence in what's acceptable," Pinkerton said.
