Shadow AI Spreading Through Canadian Heavy Industry
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
A new report reveals nearly half of industrial workers are deploying AI tools independently, often without any formal employer training.
A study from Edmonton-based Punchcard Systems indicates that AI adoption in Canada's heavy industry is being driven from the bottom up, as BetaKit first reported. According to the report, 49 percent of blue-collar workers in sectors such as energy, automotive, agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing, and construction are utilizing AI in their daily routines.
Sam Jenkins, co-founder and managing partner of Punchcard Systems, told BetaKit that workers are deploying general-purpose AI tools and chatbots on their own, often preceding the implementation of formal corporate guidelines or tools. This trend is occurring despite a significant gap in institutional support; the Punchcard report, conducted in partnership with Angus Reid and surveying 1,100 workers, found that 70 percent of those using AI in heavy industry have received no formal training. In the construction sector, the lack of training rises to 87 percent.
While workers are utilizing the technology to interpret technical documents, access how-to information, and complete paperwork, the report notes they generally do not trust AI to make decisions regarding worker safety. Jenkins suggested to BetaKit that this gap exists because heavy industry has not yet determined how to integrate AI into professional workflows.