By: Darryl Lee and Ashley Pettifer

The creation of Canada’s first-ever Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation sends a clear message: AI is no longer a future conversation — it’s a government priority today. 

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: having a dedicated AI minister doesn’t solve the problem. It exposes it. The real question isn’t whether Canada is ahead, it’s whether the rest of the public sector is falling dangerously behind. 

In our work with governments and organizations around the world navigating this very shift, we’ve seen that the real challenge isn’t just about adopting AI tools, it’s about preparing people, processes, and culture to evolve alongside them. It’s a key insight that continues to inform the way we support organizations here in Canada. 

The Quiet Crisis No One Talks About 

This ministerial appointment acknowledges a reality most leaders won’t admit: we’re not just behind on technology, we’re failing to prepare our people for a fundamentally different future. 

The technology is already here. The question is whether your people will embrace it as a partner or fear it as a threat. 

Three Uncomfortable Truths 

Truth #1: Your People Are Already Using AI (Just Maybe Not How You’d Want) 

Walk through any hospital, school, or nonprofit office. Staff are quietly experimenting with AI tools – often violating your policies. They’re not rebels; they’re simply problem-solvers trying to do their jobs better. Your choice: lead this transformation or watch it happen in the shadows. 

Truth #2: The Resistance Isn’t About Technology, It’s About Trust 

Every “AI skeptic” in your organization has the same underlying fear: “Will this technology replace me?” Until your people believe AI makes them more valuable, not less important, transformation efforts will fail regardless of how much you spend on technology. 

Truth #3: Your Competition Isn’t Other Organizations, It’s Your People’s Expectations 

Healthcare workers see AI diagnosing conditions faster than specialists. Teachers watch AI create personalized lesson plans in minutes. Nonprofit staff see AI identifying grant 

opportunities they’d never find manually. They’re not asking if AI can help…They’re asking why you’re not helping them use it. 

The Path Forward: Four Strategic Imperatives 

1. Start with Hearts, Not Systems 

Before you invest in any AI technology, answer this: How will your people’s work become more meaningful, not just more efficient? If you can’t clearly articulate the purpose, the next step may not be implementation, it may be stepping back to rethink what you’re truly trying to achieve. 

2. Create Psychological Safety for Experimentation 

People need permission to fail and learn with AI tools. The organizations succeeding with AI transformation have leaders who model curiosity over control and questions over answers. 

3. Invest in Internal AI Champions 

Identify the early adopters in each department — the nurse who’s already experimenting with AI, the teacher using AI lesson planning, the program officer tracking grant opportunities with AI. Your IT team will play a key role, but it’s your frontline transformation ambassadors who will inspire trust and drive meaningful adoption. 

4. Measure Human Impact, Not System Performance 

Track how AI changes your people’s daily experience: Are they more engaged? Do they feel more capable? Are they solving bigger problems? If your AI implementation doesn’t make your people feel more empowered, your technical efforts will fall flat. 

Here’s what Canada’s new minister really represents: a recognition that AI transformation isn’t about replacing human judgment, it’s about amplifying human potential. The question isn’t whether AI will change your sector. It’s whether you’ll shape how your people experience that change. 

Ready to get your team AI-ready – the right way? 

At Ryelle, we help public sector and mission-driven organizations build the human readiness that makes AI transformations succeed. If your leadership team is thinking about where to start, or how to get unstuck, we’d be happy to share what we’ve learned from helping entities around the world navigate this change. 

Reach out for a free 30-minute AI readiness brainstorm session and let’s explore what’s possible: Contact Us