Artificial intelligence is no longer just changing how Canadians work. It is beginning to shape how they think about their long-term careers.
A new study from Toronto-based Borderless AI found that 46 per cent of employed Canadians say AI has had an impact on their long-term career growth, as workers increasingly look to build skills around the technology.
The 2026 Canadian Employment Pulse Check, conducted by Borderless AI, found that more than one quarter of employed Canadians feel more secure because of AI and are actively building new skills to work with and use the technology. At the same time, 19 per cent said they feel less secure in their role or career path as AI automates some workflows and capabilities.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen shifts from AI fear from both employees and employers looking to make the most of this new tool,” said Willson Cross, CEO and Co-founder of Borderless AI.
Cross said employees are increasingly positioning themselves as AI-savvy workers rather than simply worrying about being replaced.
“As companies have pushed towards broader AI adoption, employees are no longer fearful that AI can replace them, and are finding ways to market themselves as experts to unlock the potential of AI tools,” he said.
The impact is not being felt evenly across the workforce. Canadians with university degrees or higher are more likely to say AI is affecting their careers, with 59 per cent reporting an impact compared with 32 per cent of those with a high school diploma.
But the findings also point to uncertainty among more educated workers. Borderless AI found that 24 per cent of Canadians with a university education or higher feel less secure in their roles because of AI, compared with 13 per cent of high school graduates.
Young workers appear to be feeling the greatest pressure. Among Canadians aged 18 to 24, 57 per cent said AI is impacting their long-term career opportunities. Of those young workers affected by AI, 49 per cent said they feel less secure, are rethinking their career path, or are considering changing industries or roles.
The report comes as young Canadians face a difficult labour market. Borderless AI cited Statistics Canada data showing youth unemployment reached 13.8 per cent in March.
Despite the growing focus on AI, the study suggests traditional labour-market concerns remain front and centre. Employed Canadians said their top job-market concern is wage stagnation, cited by 41 per cent of respondents, followed by difficulty finding new work at 30 per cent and fewer opportunities for career advancement at 26 per cent.
Only 19 per cent said they are concerned AI and automation could replace their roles entirely.
For employers, the findings highlight how compensation, flexibility, and security continue to shape talent decisions. When choosing an employer, Canadians ranked salary and compensation as the top consideration at 74 per cent, followed by work-life balance at 59 per cent, job security at 38 per cent, and flexible workplace options at 33 per cent.
The study also found that women place greater importance on workplace flexibility, with 40 per cent citing it as a key factor compared with 26 per cent of men.
For young Canadians entering the workforce, salary remains the biggest factor, cited by 78 per cent of respondents.
Borderless AI also found that Canadians remain open to international employers if the offer is strong enough. Seventy-eight per cent said they would consider working for an international company over a Canadian-owned one if offered a higher salary, while 53 per cent cited remote work flexibility.
“Canadian pride is alive in Canada’s job market, but as the job market tightens, what employers can offer employees becomes the deciding factor,” said Cross.
Borderless AI is a Canadian Employer of Record and global payroll platform that helps companies onboard, pay, and manage talent in more than 170 countries.
The survey was conducted from April 21 to April 23, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,502 online adult Canadians, including 905 who work or are looking for work and are members of the Angus Reid Forum.