AI-sensitive jobs trend far below pre-pandemic levels, and are likely never recovering.

Job posting analysis - July 2025

As Canada continues to navigate economic uncertainty, a closer look at the job market reveals a striking imbalance in recovery across occupations. While overall employment and population have grown since the pandemic, several job categories—particularly those sensitive to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation—have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

According to the Indeed Canada Job Index, roles in administrative assistance, customer service, and retail remain well below the baseline of 100, which represents February 2020 job posting volumes. These positions, often characterized by repetitive and predictable tasks, are among the most vulnerable to AI-driven automation. Virtual assistants, chatbots, and self-checkout technologies have reduced the need for human involvement in many of these functions, a trend that was accelerated during the pandemic and has yet to reverse.

Interestingly, the softness in recovery is not limited to traditionally lower-wage or customer-facing jobs.