A new survey conducted by Canadian legal tech platform Alexi reveals that a majority of Ontarians support integrating artificial intelligence (AI) literacy into early education, with 58% of provincial respondents indicating that AI education should begin as early as 2026.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 participants across Canada and the U.S. between February 20 and 26, 2025, highlights a growing public consensus that schools must prepare students for a future shaped by rapidly advancing technology.
“With AI poised to be a permanent fixture in both professional and personal spheres, we need to start preparing future generations to understand and work alongside it,” said Mark Dobel, CEO of Alexi. “It’s clear that the demand for AI literacy in schools is gaining momentum—especially in Ontario.”
The survey also found that 60% of Canadian respondents overall support AI literacy in schools, compared to less than half of U.S. respondents, signaling that Canada may be taking a leadership role in AI education. Ontario leads the national trend, with Dobel noting that the province “mirrors national sentiment in a more concentrated way.”
Commonly used AI applications such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Google Gemini are already playing a role in how Canadians engage with technology, suggesting that AI tools have become integrated into daily life.
While public sentiment is strong, education leaders are still weighing a cautious approach. A 2024 report by University Canada West cited potential challenges of AI integration in schools, including dependency on technology, academic integrity risks, and privacy concerns.
Despite those concerns, many Ontarians remain optimistic about AI’s potential. Alexi’s survey found that nearly half of Ontario respondents believe AI will eventually outperform humans in unbiased decision-making and replace many mundane daily tasks.
However, Dobel emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with ethical oversight.
“AI is capable of handling repetitive tasks with impressive efficiency,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we should let it take over every aspect of life. Human experiences, values, and decision-making must remain central. Education is our best tool for ensuring that happens.”
Dobel, who founded Alexi after law school to bring AI to the legal sector, sees the push for AI literacy in schools as part of a broader societal evolution that has accompanied every major technological leap.
“We learned how to calculate using both pencil and computer. Now it’s time we learn to reason and create with AI—thoughtfully and responsibly.”