Agentic AI adoption is changing workplaces around the world at record speed. 90% of companies are now using AI agents to help run their businesses. This fast change is creating both challenges and opportunities for workers.

In Canada, businesses using AI doubled from 6.1% to 12.2% in just one year. Canadian companies are investing heavily in training workers to use AI tools. Meanwhile, 78% of technology jobs now need AI skills, according to new research.

The job market is seeing mixed results. Over 10,000 US workers lost jobs due to AI automation in early 2025. Entry-level positions are being hit the hardest. However, research shows the doom predictions about AI destroying jobs have not come true.

IT worker job growth has stalled since AI tools became popular. Between 2016 and 2023, tech jobs grew by 60%. But in the last two years, growth dropped to less than 1%. Wages are also growing slower - from 50% growth before AI to just 3% per year now.

Businesses are using agentic AI for cost reduction and efficiency. The top reasons companies adopt AI agents are cutting costs (23%), automating IT work (21%), and improving software development (20%). Software development teams are leading adoption at 34% of companies.

Skills training has become the biggest priority. Companies are focusing on both technical AI skills and human skills like leadership and critical thinking. The challenge is that AI is not just replacing jobs - it is changing how work gets done.