Combatting the Emerging Gender Gap in AI Adoption in Canada

Ottawa Life

Published July 15, 2025

With the increase of AI being used in the workplace, Canadian businesses are implementing new strategies to strengthen productivity and growth with the adoption of newly surfacing technologies. Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly a controversial innovation that sparks debate among many people concerning ethics, labour disruption, existential risk, and more. However, the advantages in the context of business development, such as enhanced customer experience, automation, and efficiency, can not be overlooked. The competitive upper hand that embracing new AI-driven technology gives to businesses is essential for adapting in this transformative era.

Research shows that due to factors such as financial constraints, barriers to access professional training, and possible risk-taking preferences, women-owned businesses in Canada have been approximately 20 percent less likely to adopt new AI technology.

The Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy (SIBS) (2017 and 2019) with the Canadian Employer-Employee Dynamics Database (CEEDD) points out some of the differences in how businesses operate. According to data, women-owned businesses were 4.2 percentage points less likely to incorporate emerging technologies, such as AI, than male-owned businesses. From an economic standpoint, the gender gap threatens reinforcing existing inequities in pay, leadership, and access to decision-making roles in an ever-changing environment that AI is reshaping. It has become clear that adapting to and understanding AI technology is critical to staying ahead of the curve in this shifting environment.

Tackling the issue head-on, AI Skills Lab Canada is a $2.4 million women-led Initiative that provides fully funded access to practical case-study-based training on AI programs for women, trans-femmes, and non-binary founders. Using clear, actionable strategies, real-world examples, coaching, peer groups, and more hands-on tools, the Early AI Adoption Lab program equips early-stage entrepreneurs with practical AI skills.

This training is an opportunity for founders of startups and small businesses with under $1 million in annual revenue to grow their knowledge in a supportive environment that focuses on the ethical implications of adopting AI so that it can be implemented responsibly. Steps such as: Introduction to AI tools, AI for business communication and writing, AI-powered customer response systems, convertible marketing content, streamlining admin and operations, and refining AI workflows are taught with guidance from expert instructors to tailor to specific business needs and goals.

The Early AI Adoption Lab is being led by Avery Swartz, founder of Camp Tech, in North Bay, Halifax, and Whitehorse. Avery is one of Canada’s most established and leading voices in tech and AI skills training for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses. As an influential leader and best-selling author, she has helped over 50,000 entrepreneurs develop integral skills to thrive with the AI skills needed to succeed in today’s economy. In bridging the AI gender adoption gap for women and non-binary entrepreneurs, Avery is paving the way for how businesses and the country operate in an impactful way.

Taking a look at how AI Skills Lab is approaching the AI gender gap, the economic impact of women-led businesses, the arising efficiency deficit, and more, Avery shares some insightful words in an interview: ‘The Forum is a fantastic charity that supports women and non-binary entrepreneurs, and they’re the lead organization on this project.

Through working with them, I learned so much about the economic impact of women-led businesses. There is data that says women-led businesses are regenerative forces. This means that women-led businesses are more likely to invest and create greater and safer jobs.

When we support these businesses and help them grow economically, they are more likely to grow their communities.’ She goes on to explain that evidently, there is a first-mover advantage—businesses that are adopting AI early are automating tasks, creating content faster, building businesses plans, and seeing real impact from their choices.

Avery emphasizes the importance of practical application of technology in her program. She explains that in a statement report with studies done by Stanford and Harvard Business School, data shows that women and non-binary people are less likely to have exposure to AI tools and an overall lower confidence in adopting AI systems. ‘If they are less likely to start in the first place, then you have to design learning environments that foster confidence and support from the beginning,’ Avery states.

The Early AI Adoption Lab is doing exactly this by encouraging mistakes to be made in the process of learning, and by lowering risk and fear as much as possible in a hands-on atmosphere. The response that has come from this initiative has been uplifting, exiting, and practical for many people in Canada. Avery is optimistic about the future of AI Skills Lab and is eager to expand in communities across the country.