AI Empowerment Initiative: Bridging Immigrants with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Nonprofits through Tailored AI Training Programs

Project Overview

This research addresses the challenges immigrants in Canada face regarding digital skill development and employability within the context of economic digital transformation. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integral to economic activities, digital literacy among immigrant populations is crucial for equitable workforce integration and national competitiveness.

Research Questions

How can tailored AI literacy and skills training for immigrants enhance their employability within Canadian SMEs and nonprofits, and contribute to Canada’s digital transformation?

Research Design and Methodology

Focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys.

Collaborators

UBC Centre for Migration Studies

Principal Investigator: Annamma Joy (Associate Dean, Research and Professor, Management, UBCO)
Ying Zhu (Associate Professor, Management, UBCO)
Julien Picault (Professor, Arts and Social Sciences, UBCO)
Madeleine Ransom (Assistant Professor, Arts and Social Sciences, UBCO)

Outputs

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Conferences & Events

"AI Workshops for Immigrants to Canada," Okanagan, Canada, October 18 & October 25, 2025

"AI and Future Jobs", presented by Ying Zhu, KCR's Youth Employment Boot Camp, Kelowna, Canada, July 21, 2025

Media

Kelowna workshop to help newcomers navigate AI in the workplace, CBC Radio Kelowna, October 24, 2025

Project Status

This project is currently in the Planning and Data Collection phase.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence; AI; immigrant employment; SMEs; nonprofits; skills training

AI for Youth Immigrants at KCR