Quebec Workers Worry Less About AI Replacing Them Than Expected, Study Finds

Adapting rather than changing careers

The study comes from IVADO and the Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work (CRIMT), with financial support from the Government of Canada through the Future Skills Centre (FSC). According to the organizations, it offers a more nuanced view of how workers perceive AI and its effect on their jobs.

The researchers say AI is already used in workplaces but has yet to transform the full range of tasks workers perform. Faced with its growing presence, workers are more inclined to develop their skills and adapt than to change jobs or careers.

The study combines an analysis of 94 posts from Canadian Reddit discussion forums with a survey of 1,015 Quebec workers enrolled in the Léger Opinion (LEO) panel. The survey ran from June 26 to July 2, 2026.

Key findings on use and strategy

The figures reported by IVADO and CRIMT point to limited and uneven use of AI at work:

• 43% of surveyed workers use AI at work.
• 64% of AI users rely on it for less than a quarter of their work tasks.
• 66% of non-users say they simply have no need for AI to do their jobs.
• 38% of respondents have no specific strategy for adapting to AI. That share falls to 18% among AI users, compared with 54% among non-users.

Workers recognize that AI can both replace and complement human work. It can automate certain tasks, but it can also help people work faster or in new ways. Those who expect to be fully replaced by AI generally see it as a prospect that could materialize within the next 5 to 30 years.

Concerns go beyond job security

The study stresses that worker concerns extend past job loss to the quality of work itself. These include wages, autonomy, work intensification and how productivity gains are shared. The report frames the question as not simply whether AI will eliminate jobs, but how it will reshape work and who will benefit.

Organizations can play an important role, according to the findings. Organizational support is associated with greater access to training, stronger AI literacy and more opportunities for workers to take part in decisions about how AI is implemented and used.

Éliane Racine, research professional at CRIMT and lead researcher on the study, said: “The decision to adopt AI at work, or not, depends on more than the technology itself or the type of job a person holds.” She added: “It also depends on the support and guidance available to workers.”

What it means for workers and employers

Réjean Roy, Director of Training and Knowledge Mobilization at IVADO, said: “The future of work with AI is not set in stone.” He argued for AI that enhances human capabilities rather than simply seeking to automate tasks, and for giving workers the tools to understand the changes, develop their skills and take part in decisions that shape their working lives.

The results suggest that training, guidance and worker involvement matter as much as the technology itself. IVADO and CRIMT will present the findings in a webinar on Tuesday, November 10, at 12:30 p.m., which will also look at implications for workers, organizations and public policy. The full report is available in French.