On March 26th, the Manitoba AI Pathways (MAP) team participated in The Case for Canada: Making AI Count, a national conference hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab in Ottawa. The event brought together policymakers, economists, statisticians, and industry leaders to tackle a central question facing Canada’s economy: how do we move from AI potential to measurable, productivity driven impact?
A clear theme emerged throughout the day Canada does not lack interest or ambition when it comes to artificial intelligence. What’s missing is consistent execution, meaningful measurement, and practical support that helps organizations move beyond experimentation. Much of today’s AI adoption is still focused on isolated tools or efficiency gains, rather than the deeper redesign of workflows, roles, and business models that unlock long-term value.
For MAP, these conversations strongly reinforced the direction of work already underway in Manitoba. As a recognized leader in AI readiness programming and chamber led delivery, MAP attended the conference with a dual purpose: to learn from national data and policy conversations, and to actively contribute Manitoba’s on the ground experience. Through direct engagement with industry leaders and staff from the Business Data Lab and the Canadian Chamber, MAP shared its tools, readiness frameworks, and practical approaches for supporting small and midsized enterprises.
One of the most valuable outcomes of the event was the opportunity to build relationships and align efforts. National leaders repeatedly emphasized the need for localized delivery from trusted intermediaries who can translate AI strategy into action for businesses. Manitoba’s chamber network and MAP’s provincewide programming model stood out as examples of how this can be done effectively.
“This wasn’t just about attending a conference. It was about building relationships, learning from national data and industry leaders, and bringing those insights back to Manitoba,” said Kay Gardiner, Program Director for Manitoba AI Pathways. “Everything we took from Ottawa is being applied through MAP and our chamber network to help SMEs move from interest in AI to confident, productive use, and there are more tools and programming to come.”
These insights are already shaping MAP’s next phase of work. The focus moving forward is on helping Manitoba SMEs progress from curiosity to capability using AI in ways that are intentional, measurable, and tied directly to productivity and competitiveness. This includes expanding partnerships across the chamber network, strengthening data informed programming, and ensuring businesses have clear entry points into their AI journey.
One such entry point is MAP’s AI Readiness Assessment, a practical benchmarking tool that helps businesses understand where they are today and where to focus next. Combined with upcoming programming delivered through MAP, the Winnipeg Chamber, and local Chambers across Manitoba, these resources are designed to meet SMEs where they are and support steady, confident adoption. To get you’re AI readiness toolkit, visit ai-readiness.ca.
MAP looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Business Data Lab, the broader Chamber network and other key stakeholders to share more insights with Manitoba’s business community in the months ahead. Members can watch for upcoming programs, tools, and events from MAP and other local Chambers as the path to AI readiness is translated into local impact.
