Canada business trends: is AI just hype? | 2026 AI Impact Report

If you’re feeling AI fatigue, you aren’t alone. While the noise around artificial intelligence is constant, new data reveals how Canadian small businesses are actually moving past the hype to find real, measurable value. Simon Worsfold, Head of Data Communications at Intuit QuickBooks, dives into the 2026 AI Impact Report to see if AI is truly worth the investment for small and midsize businesses. The research, conducted by international economists, shows a major shift from experimentation to essential daily use. Key Takeaways: • Mainstream Adoption: Nearly 70% of Canadian small businesses now report using AI regularly, with daily use doubling in the last year. Growth Metrics: 37% of businesses have seen increased revenue due to AI, compared to only 2% who saw a decrease—an 18-to-1 ratio. • Job Creation: Businesses using AI are 2x more likely to expand their teams than to cut back because of the technology. • Cost Management: 32% of Canadian businesses are using AI specifically to help reduce their operational costs. • Top Uses: Marketing leads the way (41%), followed by administration (37%). Chapters: 0:00 - Is AI just hype? 0:30 - Mainstream adoption 1:55 - Top 2 use cases 2:44 - 3 big takeaways & report access → Read the full 2026 AI Impact Report: https://intuit.me/4d9BW9D Subscribe to our YouTube channel: http://intuit.me/3bOj0M2 Visit QuickBooks.com: http://intuit.me/QBO #QuickBooks