Latest news with #StephanieTerrill
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canada ranks among least AI literate countries in the world: study
Sorry, we're having trouble with this video. Please try again later. [5006/404] As countries around the world race to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), a recent study found that Canada is falling behind. One expert says the decline is not due to a lack of innovation, but growing uncertainty and a gap in public understanding. Stephanie Terrill, managing partner of digital at KPMG Canada, said many Canadians are not embracing the use of AI in their daily working lives. 'Similar to reading, our literacy isn't where it needs to be when you compare us on the global stage,' Terrill told BNN Bloomberg in a Monday interview. In a recent study from KPMG, Canada ranked 44th in AI training and literacy out of 47 countries, and 28th among 30 advanced economies. The study surveyed over 48,000 people in 30 advanced economies and 17 emerging economies, including 1,025 people in Canada. Terril says people have done a good job at adopting AI in the personal lives, but the report is about how Canadians use AI in workflows and business functions within organizations and different sectors of the economy. 'We're not seeing that literacy that we would like to see when we compare ourselves to our global peers, and there's some reluctance around trusting AI and really embedding it in how we perform our day-to-day work and how we work,' said Terril. Many Canadians surveyed said they lack confidence using AI tools and don't fully understand how they work. Trust levels are also low, with Canada ranking sixth lowest in willingness to rely on information generated by AI. 'Leaders have a lower degree of trust in handing tasks and work over to AI large language models, or if you want to call it, the machine, to come up with the answer and trust that their team members will actually validate those answers,' said Terrill. The survey focused on AI training, knowledge, and efficacy. Less than one quarter (24 per cent) of Canadian respondents said they have received AI training, compared to 39 per cent globally. Fewer than four in 10 (38 per cent) Canadians said they have moderate or high knowledge of AI, compared to 52 per cent globally. AI knowledge includes whether respondents feel informed about how AI is used, whether they understand when AI is being used, and whether they feel they have the skills necessary to use AI. 'KPMG believes that we'd like to see more investment put towards adoption, and organizations really investing in the adoption of AI by their team members, changing the way people work,' said Terrill. 'And so, it's a component of trust, and it's a component of investment, and that really needs to start in higher education. We want to start to create literacy right at primary school through to high school, through higher education, and then that'll translate into the workforce.' She said technology will not be perfect when it comes out but encouraged people to try AI, saying it will be refined and improved. 'Certainly, there has been an under investment in Canada, in our people becoming digitally literate,' said Terrill. According to the survey, only 34 per cent of Canadians are willing to trust information from AI, compared to 46 per cent globally, while only half of Canadians approve or accept the use of AI, compared to 72 per cent globally. The survey found Canadians want stronger governance, regulation and assurance mechanisms built into AI systems. Three quarters of Canadians said they want AI regulation, compared to 70 per cent globally. 'It's really changing how we work and getting a lot of the mundane or research ingestion of data that's so time consuming to allow AI to do that and come out with the prediction, as in a proposed answer,' said Terrill. 'Nothing replaces judgment that humans have, and having a mind shift to think that way is something that I think is holding us back from adopting AI and hence the results on the survey.' Methodology The Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence survey was global study led by Professor Nicole Gillespie, Chair of Trust at Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne and Dr Steve Lockey, Research Fellow at Melbourne Business School, in collaboration with KPMG. The study surveyed over 48,000 people across 47 countries – including 1,025 people in Canada – between November 2024 and January 2025. Of the 1,025 people surveyed in Canada, 51 per cent were women and 49 per cent men; 10 per cent were aged 18-24; 34 per cent were aged 25-44; 33 per cent were 45-64; and 23 per cent were aged 65 or older.
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Media Advisory: Bringing AI to life in Alberta with KPMG in Canada
AI Made Real Summit brings together business and thought leaders to share knowledge and insights on achieving results with AI CALGARY, AB and EDMONTON, AB, May 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to attend KPMG in Canada's AI Made Real Summit, an afternoon of panel discussions, keynote presentations and live technology demonstrations for C-Suite executives, senior decision-makers, finance professionals, technology and human resources leaders in Edmonton on May 13 and Calgary on May 15. Presented in collaboration with Microsoft Canada, the third annual summit is part of a series of exclusive half-day events in six major Canadian cities featuring real-life case studies from organizations that have implemented AI successfully, and practical strategies for organizations looking to achieve results with AI. "Over the past few years, we've seen the impact AI has made across our professional and personal lives. Now, with agentic AI, Canadian business leaders can unlock enormous efficiency gains and improve quality to a whole new level, if they get ahead of the curve and start adopting the technology," says Stephanie Terrill, Canadian Managing Partner of Digital and Transformation, KPMG in Canada. "This event brings together some of Alberta's most innovative leaders who will share their knowledge, insights and experience so others can learn how to transform their business with AI," she adds. Members of the media who wish to attend the summit can contact Alannah Page of KPMG in Canada's media relations team at [email protected]. KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see SOURCE KPMG LLP
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
KPMG in Canada launches Agentic AI Engine dedicated to helping Canadian organizations leverage the power of AI agents
Firm accelerates its investments and capabilities in agentic AI to support Canadian organizations with made-in-Canada solutions TORONTO and VANCOUVER, BC, May 1, 2025 /CNW/ - KPMG in Canada is bolstering its capabilities in artificial intelligence with significant investments in new agentic AI platforms, tools and solutions to empower organizations to leverage digital agents – AI systems that can operate independently, make decisions and perform tasks with minimal or no human intervention. 'Agentic AI has the potential to revolutionize the way Canadian businesses operate. This is the most powerful form of AI in human history to date, and we believe it can help Canadian organizations boost efficiency by up to 30 per cent over the next three years by empowering higher output from teams and individuals working alongside digital agents,' says Stephanie Terrill, Canadian Managing Partner of Digital and Transformation, KPMG in Canada. 'At a time when Canada faces a productivity crisis and a trade war, digital agents can change the way we work, unlock enormous efficiency gains and improve quality, so it's imperative for us to invest in Canadian organizations with made-in-Canada tools and solutions that will help them thrive – both at home and on the global stage,' she says. Walter Pela, AI Client and Market Development Lead for KPMG in Canada says 'Almost nine in 10 business leaders across the country have told us they see agentic AI as key to staying competitive, cutting operational costs and boosting profitability. Our investment in agentic AI gives us the insight, skills and services to help home-grown organizations accelerate and achieve those goals and help future-proof themselves in a period of economic uncertainty.' The investments build on KPMG in Canada's ongoing commitment to using AI to help Canadian organizations solve complex business challenges and increase productivity. A portion of the investment will go towards the establishment of KPMG's Agentic AI Engine. Agentic AI Engine KPMG in Canada's Agentic AI Engine powers the development of agentic AI solutions for Canadian organizations, engages in research and development, and enables the deployment of digital agents across KPMG platforms, services and solutions. The Agentic AI Engine will facilitate collaboration with industry leaders, AI research institutes, and technology alliance innovators to share knowledge and insights on agentic AI advancements. The Engine will also help accelerate AI adoption among Canadian organizations and business leaders through workshops, demonstrations and collaborations, turning theoretical concepts into practical solutions. The Agentic AI Engine has already spurred development of numerous AI agents for Canadian organizations, such as: The Agentic AI Engine will also help advance new agentic AI applications across other technologies such as emergent industrial digital twin environments. KPMG in Canada is accelerating the development of these technologies through additional investments in talent and intellectual property. Powering tax with agents Working in concert with the Agentic AI Engine, KPMG in Canada's Ignition Tax will develop and deploy AI agents into KPMG's One Port, the firm's centralized, cloud-based hub for securely accessing and exchanging information, documents and client solutions related to tax compliance and advisory engagements. Ignition Tax will also enable AI agents in KPMG International's Digital Gateway, a cloud-based platform where clients can access KPMG's AI agents as well as a full suite of tax and legal technologies from across the KPMG global network of member firms. 'Deploying AI agents through platforms like One Port and Digital Gateway will enhance the work of KPMG Tax and Law professionals with new digital workflows. These new workflows are underpinned by a human verification system, ensuring oversight by KPMG professionals,' says Lucy Iacovelli, Canadian Managing Partner for Tax and Legal, KPMG in Canada. Enhancing audit quality with digital agents To accelerate integration of AI, KPMG audit professionals in Canada have embedded digital agents into KPMG Clara, the firm's global smart audit platform and centralized portal for exchanging information and documentation related to audits. 'Digital agents embedded into Clara will deliver deeper audit insights and enable audit professionals to more effectively respond to risks. Clara's digital agents will also help standardize workflows, accelerate decision-making and harmonize processes to produce more consistent outcomes, which in turn, improves audit quality and enhances public trust,' says Sebastian Distefano, Canadian Managing Partner, Audit & Assurance, KPMG in Canada. Executive training in agentic AI The Skills Development Centre will feature new agentic AI training and upskilling modules for executives and business leaders to expand and update their knowledge of digital agents. The Skills Development Centre is a collaborative training initiative by KPMG in Canada and Microsoft Canada offering complimentary and custom-tailored programs designed to help businesses and governments understand the opportunities and challenges of AI. To date, more than 53,000 Canadians have received professional training and upskilling in AI and cybersecurity through the Skills Development Centre. Deploying agents with KPMG Kleo KPMG in Canada's agentic AI investment also expands the firm's internal capabilities with enhancements to its systems, workflows and workforce. By bringing agentic AI functionality into Kleo, the firm's proprietary generative AI platform, the firm's professionals can develop their own AI agents to complete actions and tasks more efficiently – enabling more innovation, strategic execution and high-quality solutions for Canadian organizations. 'Our expertise in building AI agents for clients starts with our own journey within KPMG. By building, testing and deploying agentic AI innovations internally as 'Client Zero' first, we can deliver solutions to Canadian organizations that are grounded in experience, trust, security and quality,' says Ms. Terrill. About KPMG in Canada KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see For media inquiries: Roula Meditskos National Communications and Media Relations KPMG in Canada 416-549-7982 [email protected] SOURCE KPMG LLP
Cision Canada
01-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
KPMG in Canada launches Agentic AI Engine dedicated to helping Canadian organizations leverage the power of AI agents Français
Firm accelerates its investments and capabilities in agentic AI to support Canadian organizations with made-in-Canada solutions TORONTO and VANCOUVER, BC, May 1, 2025 /CNW/ - KPMG in Canada is bolstering its capabilities in artificial intelligence with significant investments in new agentic AI platforms, tools and solutions to empower organizations to leverage digital agents – AI systems that can operate independently, make decisions and perform tasks with minimal or no human intervention. "Agentic AI has the potential to revolutionize the way Canadian businesses operate. This is the most powerful form of AI in human history to date, and we believe it can help Canadian organizations boost efficiency by up to 30 per cent over the next three years by empowering higher output from teams and individuals working alongside digital agents," says Stephanie Terrill, Canadian Managing Partner of Digital and Transformation, KPMG in Canada. "At a time when Canada faces a productivity crisis and a trade war, digital agents can change the way we work, unlock enormous efficiency gains and improve quality, so it's imperative for us to invest in Canadian organizations with made-in-Canada tools and solutions that will help them thrive – both at home and on the global stage," she says. Walter Pela, AI Client and Market Development Lead for KPMG in Canada says "Almost nine in 10 business leaders across the country have told us they see agentic AI as key to staying competitive, cutting operational costs and boosting profitability. Our investment in agentic AI gives us the insight, skills and services to help home-grown organizations accelerate and achieve those goals and help future-proof themselves in a period of economic uncertainty." The investments build on KPMG in Canada's ongoing commitment to using AI to help Canadian organizations solve complex business challenges and increase productivity. A portion of the investment will go towards the establishment of KPMG's Agentic AI Engine. Agentic AI Engine KPMG in Canada's Agentic AI Engine powers the development of agentic AI solutions for Canadian organizations, engages in research and development, and enables the deployment of digital agents across KPMG platforms, services and solutions. The Agentic AI Engine will facilitate collaboration with industry leaders, AI research institutes, and technology alliance innovators to share knowledge and insights on agentic AI advancements. The Engine will also help accelerate AI adoption among Canadian organizations and business leaders through workshops, demonstrations and collaborations, turning theoretical concepts into practical solutions. The Agentic AI Engine has already spurred development of numerous AI agents for Canadian organizations, such as: An underwriting agent that can streamline claims processing and loan underwriting processes, automate document review and compliance checks, and reduce the time spent on administrative tasks by approximately 40 per cent. A customer service agent that can triage inquiries, personalize offers and complete customer returns, freeing up hundreds to thousands of hours for workforce professionals to focus on more complex tasks. A risk management agent that continuously analyzes organizational data and external sources to help risk professionals identify, assess and mitigate potential risks. The agent can generate risk assessments and provide real-time risk monitoring and alerts. An assessment agent that ingests data from various sources such as meeting transcripts, data models and surveys and identifies areas for improvement within an organization. An ESG due diligence agent that helps private equity firms analyze material ESG risks in the due diligence process when identifying investments. The Agentic AI Engine will also help advance new agentic AI applications across other technologies such as emergent industrial digital twin environments. KPMG in Canada is accelerating the development of these technologies through additional investments in talent and intellectual property. Powering tax with agents Working in concert with the Agentic AI Engine, KPMG in Canada's Ignition Tax will develop and deploy AI agents into KPMG's One Port, the firm's centralized, cloud-based hub for securely accessing and exchanging information, documents and client solutions related to tax compliance and advisory engagements. Ignition Tax will also enable AI agents in KPMG International's Digital Gateway, a cloud-based platform where clients can access KPMG's AI agents as well as a full suite of tax and legal technologies from across the KPMG global network of member firms. "Deploying AI agents through platforms like One Port and Digital Gateway will enhance the work of KPMG Tax and Law professionals with new digital workflows. These new workflows are underpinned by a human verification system, ensuring oversight by KPMG professionals," says Lucy Iacovelli, Canadian Managing Partner for Tax and Legal, KPMG in Canada. Enhancing audit quality with digital agents To accelerate integration of AI, KPMG audit professionals in Canada have embedded digital agents into KPMG Clara, the firm's global smart audit platform and centralized portal for exchanging information and documentation related to audits. "Digital agents embedded into Clara will deliver deeper audit insights and enable audit professionals to more effectively respond to risks. Clara's digital agents will also help standardize workflows, accelerate decision-making and harmonize processes to produce more consistent outcomes, which in turn, improves audit quality and enhances public trust," says Sebastian Distefano, Canadian Managing Partner, Audit & Assurance, KPMG in Canada. Executive training in agentic AI The Skills Development Centre will feature new agentic AI training and upskilling modules for executives and business leaders to expand and update their knowledge of digital agents. The Skills Development Centre is a collaborative training initiative by KPMG in Canada and Microsoft Canada offering complimentary and custom-tailored programs designed to help businesses and governments understand the opportunities and challenges of AI. To date, more than 53,000 Canadians have received professional training and upskilling in AI and cybersecurity through the Skills Development Centre. Deploying agents with KPMG Kleo KPMG in Canada's agentic AI investment also expands the firm's internal capabilities with enhancements to its systems, workflows and workforce. By bringing agentic AI functionality into Kleo, the firm's proprietary generative AI platform, the firm's professionals can develop their own AI agents to complete actions and tasks more efficiently – enabling more innovation, strategic execution and high-quality solutions for Canadian organizations. "Our expertise in building AI agents for clients starts with our own journey within KPMG. By building, testing and deploying agentic AI innovations internally as 'Client Zero' first, we can deliver solutions to Canadian organizations that are grounded in experience, trust, security and quality," says Ms. Terrill. About KPMG in Canada KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see SOURCE KPMG LLP
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Media Advisory: Bringing AI to life in the GTA with KPMG in Canada
AI Made Real Summit brings together business and thought leaders to share knowledge and insights on achieving results with AI TORONTO, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to attend KPMG in Canada's AI Made Real Summit, a half-day of panel discussions, keynote presentations and live technology demonstrations for C-Suite executives, senior decision-makers, finance professionals, technology and human resources leaders in Toronto on May 7 and Kitchener on May 27. Held in collaboration with Microsoft Canada, the summits are part of a series of exclusive events in six major Canadian cities featuring real-life case studies from organizations that have implemented AI successfully, and practical strategies for organizations looking to achieve results with AI. "Artificial intelligence is advancing more rapidly than ever, especially with the evolution of digital agents, which nearly 9 in 10 Canadian organizations recognize as a competitive differentiator. Even so, many organizations are still unsure of how to use AI effectively, and they're not realizing the full benefits from the technology," says Stephanie Terrill, Canadian Managing Partner of Digital and Transformation, KPMG in Canada. "At our AI Made Real Summit, business and thought leaders will exchange ideas, knowledge and insights about AI that will help them stay ahead of the curve, and turn theoretical concepts into practical solutions that can be applied at their organizations." "We're at a critical juncture in the Canadian economy: we're dealing with a trade war and a productivity crisis. AI can help Canadian businesses be more agile, innovative and competitive as they face an uncertain economy," she adds. Members of the media are invited to register for the summit by contacting KPMG in Canada's media relations team. Details of the events are listed below: AI Made Real Summit Toronto Date: May 7, 2025 Time: 1 pm - 6 pm EST Location: Design Exchange, 234 Bay St., Toronto Agenda and Speakers: Agenda - AI Made Real: KPMG AI Summits AI Made Real Summit Kitchener Date: May 27, 2025 Time: 8 am – 11:45 am EST Location: KPMG at the Glovebox, 120 Victoria Street South, Kitchener, Ontario Agenda and Speakers: Agenda - AI Made Real: KPMG AI Summits KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada's top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG's global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see SOURCE KPMG LLP
