⚠ Official Notice: www.ijisrt.com is the official website of the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT) Journal for research paper submission and publication. Please beware of fake or duplicate websites using the IJISRT name.



Artificial Intelligence and Canada's Productivity Challenge: Bridging the Gap Between Promise and Economic Reality


Authors : Isher Singh; Bhopinder Singh Kambo

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 10 - October


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4yzzecrt

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26Oct1314

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Artificial intelligence (AI) offers considerable potential to improve productivity, yet its growing adoption has not necessarily translated into corresponding gains in aggregate labour productivity. This paper examines Canada's AI productivity challenge using evidence from Statistics Canada, Bank of Canada research, academic literature, and documented expert commentary. It considers the historical productivity paradox alongside business adoption patterns, projected productivity gains, sectoral differences, and emerging labour-market adjustments. Canadian evidence highlights a gap between the widespread personal use of AI by business leaders and its integration into core business operations. Conceptual illustrations demonstrate how implementation costs, organizational restructuring, complementary investment, and workforce skill development may influence the realization of AI's economic benefits. The analysis distinguishes planned adoption from actual implementation, projected gains from observed outcomes, and associations from causal effects. It argues that realizing AI's productivity potential requires effective organizational integration, workforce learning, and broader diffusion across businesses. The paper concludes with policy implications for Canada and emphasizes the importance of monitoring productivity and labour-market outcomes as AI adoption evolves.

Keywords : AI Productivity Paradox, Bank of Canada, Monetary Policy, Potential Output (Y*), Labour Market Adjustments, Technology Diffusion, General-Purpose Technologies, Two-Speed Economy.

References :

  1. Bastani, H., Bastani, O., Sungu, A., Ge, H., Kabakcı, Ö., & Mariman, R. (2025). Generative AI without guardrails can harm learning: Evidence from high school mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(26), Article e2422633122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2422633122
  2. Brault, J., Haghighi, M., & Yang, J. (2026, March). AI paradox: Promise vs. reality—What it means for monetary policy (Staff Analytical Paper 2026-4). Bank of Canada. https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/03/staff-analytical-paper-2026-4/
  3. Brouillette, D., Dahlhaus, T., & Galassi, G. (2026, August). Early signs of AI-driven adjustments in Canada’s labour market. Bank of Canada, Sparks at Bank Article Series (No. 2026-19). https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/08/sparks-at-bank-article-2026-19/
  4. Chaturvedi, A. (2026a, October 22). “AI chatbots horrible for learning”: Andrew Ng at NDTV World Summit. NDTV. https://special.ndtv.com/ndtv-world-summit-2026-167/news-detail/ai-chatbots-horrible-for-learning-andrew-ng-at-ndtv-world-summit-12220420/3
  5. Chaturvedi, A. (2026b, October 22). “Keep learning new skills, jobs will be there”: Andrew Ng on “AI jobapocalypse” fear at NDTV World Summit. NDTV. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ndtv-world-summit-keep-learning-new-skills-andrew-ng-on-ai-jobapocalypse-fear-12219718
  6. Chawla, C., & Arnburg, C. (2026, August). Canadian businesses’ use of AI: What the evidence shows. Bank of Canada, Sparks at Bank Article Series (No. 2026-20). https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/08/sparks-at-bank-article-2026-20/
  7. David, P. A. (1990). The dynamo and the computer: An historical Perspective on the modern productivity paradox. The American Economic Review, 80(2), 355–361.
  8. Li, B., Fair, R., & Johnston, C. (2026, October 1). Analysis on planned use of artificial intelligence by businesses in Canada, third quarter of 2026. Statistics Canada, Analysis in Brief. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-621-m/11-621-m2026013-eng.htm
  9. Solow, R. M. (1987, July 12). We’d better watch out. The New York Times Book Review, p. 36.

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers considerable potential to improve productivity, yet its growing adoption has not necessarily translated into corresponding gains in aggregate labour productivity. This paper examines Canada's AI productivity challenge using evidence from Statistics Canada, Bank of Canada research, academic literature, and documented expert commentary. It considers the historical productivity paradox alongside business adoption patterns, projected productivity gains, sectoral differences, and emerging labour-market adjustments. Canadian evidence highlights a gap between the widespread personal use of AI by business leaders and its integration into core business operations. Conceptual illustrations demonstrate how implementation costs, organizational restructuring, complementary investment, and workforce skill development may influence the realization of AI's economic benefits. The analysis distinguishes planned adoption from actual implementation, projected gains from observed outcomes, and associations from causal effects. It argues that realizing AI's productivity potential requires effective organizational integration, workforce learning, and broader diffusion across businesses. The paper concludes with policy implications for Canada and emphasizes the importance of monitoring productivity and labour-market outcomes as AI adoption evolves.

Keywords : AI Productivity Paradox, Bank of Canada, Monetary Policy, Potential Output (Y*), Labour Market Adjustments, Technology Diffusion, General-Purpose Technologies, Two-Speed Economy.

Paper Submission Last Date
30 - November - 2026

SUBMIT YOUR PAPER CALL FOR PAPERS
Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe