KPMG Canada Surveyed AI Use Among Public Servants
A new survey found that most Canadian public sector workers use AI but report significant gaps in literacy and data security.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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KPMG Canada published findings from a survey of 519 federal, provincial, and municipal public servants regarding the use and procurement of AI technologies. The report highlighted urgent concerns among government employees regarding data sovereignty and the current AI skills gap in the public sector.
Why it matters
As the federal government advances its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, public servants are calling for comprehensive governance policies to address workforce readiness and protect citizen information. The survey identifies a clear tension between rapid AI adoption and the need for robust institutional oversight.
The survey of 519 public servants found that 76 per cent of organizations now require AI products to be sourced from Canadian firms. Additionally, 94 per cent of respondents emphasize the necessity of safeguarding Canadian data and intellectual property.
The players
KPMG Canada
This professional services firm provides audit, tax, and advisory services and frequently conducts research on public sector trends and technology adoption.
The details
While 66 per cent of public servants report using AI technology, 86 per cent expressed concern that public trust would diminish if citizen data were stored outside of the country. These findings suggest that operational adoption is outpacing the current level of AI literacy and formal governance structures across Canadian government agencies.
Timeline
KPMG Canada conducted the survey between July 29 and August 26, 2026.
The survey results were published on October 13, 2026.
The Tech Race
This study aligns with the federal government's ongoing efforts to scale the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy by identifying the specific workforce and data security challenges facing public sector implementation. It highlights the growing competition to develop domestic AI capabilities that prioritize national data sovereignty over international alternatives.
The push for Canadian-procured AI products may lead to changes in how government services are delivered and which software vendors receive public contracts. For public sector employees, this shift will likely necessitate new training initiatives to address the identified AI literacy gap.
The takeaway
The findings underscore a widespread demand for a national governance policy to standardize AI use and ensure data security across government institutions. Employees should monitor upcoming directives as the federal government works to bridge the gap between current AI usage and professional literacy standards.
Further reading
For more context on how government agencies are integrating new technologies, visit the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chatham Daily News.
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Should the Canadian government prioritize acquiring AI products exclusively from domestic firms?
