16 / Canadian Government Executive // WINTER 2025 fact that 74% of Canadian leaders acknowledge the necessity of AI to maintain a competitive edge), 59% are concerned about their organization’s lack of a concrete plan for AI implementation. This uncertainty is leading to a growing trend known as Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI), with 79% of Canadian AI users introducing their own AI tools to their workplace. This groundswell of excitement and increased use of AI is encouraging. PERSPECTIVE Sponsored Content However, the emerging BYOAI trend highlights a critical issue: data and security. Government employees experimenting with their own tools could put data at risk. Governments maintain vast amounts of sensitive data, including personal information of residents like property tax details and infrastructure data such as traffic cameras and water systems. This makes the need for robust and responsible AI adoption plans at all levels of government even more urgent. IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: Balancing Innovation and Security AI Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Canadian government operations, balancing innovation with the need for responsible and secure implementation. Cate Takemori, Public Sector Lead at Microsoft Canada, discusses how to navigate this evolving landscape. The use of generative AI (Gen AI) in the workplace is not just a future possibility—it’s a present reality. According to the latest Work Trend Index, a new report from Microsoft and LinkedIn, 62% of Canadian knowledge workers are already using AI at work. This widespread adoption is driven by the benefits AI offers in terms of time saving, increased productivity, and the reduction of mundane tasks— an enticing prospect for government employees who are often bogged down by routine, administrative work. Navigating the intricacies of government operations can be challenging, even for government employees themselves. It’s no surprise that Canadian public sector workers are eager for tools to streamline processes and free them from routine tasks. With more time saved, staff can focus on mission priorities and tackling complex problems. They may also be able to reduce burnout, increase efficiency between departments and minimize administrative burdens. What’s perhaps even more exciting is the possibilities for Gen AI to create better resident experiences, making interactions with government more accessible and less time-consuming. Despite all these benefits (and the
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