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AI Empowerment Initiative: Bridging Immigrants with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Nonprofits through Tailored AI Training Programs
Project Lead
Team members:
Palbi Sharma Bhargava, Nassim Zand, Sophie Villemaire
Cluster: ADTs for Immigrant Labour Market Integration and (Re)Training
Objective
This research addresses the challenges immigrants in Canada face regarding digital skill development and employability within the context of economic digital transformation.
Research Question
- 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?
Methodology
Focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys.
Status
The project is currently in the planning phase.
Expected completion date: Winter 2027
Outcomes
Past events and presentations:
- “AI and Future Jobs” presented by Ying Zhu at the KCR’s Youth Employment Skills Strategy (YESS) Bootcamp on July 21, 2025.
- Annamma Joy presented at the American Marketing Association Educator's conference on February 13, 2026 in Madrid
- Presented at AI Workshops for immigrants to Canada workshop at the University of British Columbia on October 25, 2025
Keywords
Artificial intelligence; AI; immigrant employment; SMEs; nonprofits; skills training
In the "ADTs for Immigrant Labour Market Integration and (Re)Training" Research Cluster
- Employers’ Use of Advanced Digital Technologies in Recruitment and Selection of Immigrants and Broader Tech-Based Supports for Labour Market Integration (Sub-Theme: Transforming Immigrant Employment Pathways)
- Advanced Digital Technologies in Pathways to Employment (Sub-Theme: Transforming Immigrant Employment Pathways)
- The Use of Advanced Digital Technologies for Job Search by Newcomers to Canada (Sub-Theme: Transforming Immigrant Employment Pathways)
- Immigrer et apprendre le français à l'ère de l'intelligence artificielle : étude interrégionale sur les enjeux de la francisation au Québec (Sub-Theme: Transforming Immigrant Employment Pathways)
- Game Jams as Learning Tools for Up/Re-Skilling in Interactive Digital Technologies (Sub-Theme: Transforming Immigrant Employment Pathways)
- Digital Upskilling and Reskilling Newcomers: Effective Design and Implementation of Competency-Based Programs and Wraparound Supports for Newcomers
- AI Empowerment Initiative: Bridging Immigrants with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Nonprofits through Tailored AI Training Programs
- Advanced Digital Technologies in Newcomer Employment Programs: Understanding the Role of Metacognitive Skills and other Individual Differences
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Advanced Digital Technologies to Support Immigrant Professionals’ Integration into the Canadian Labour Market
- Leveraging Digital Capital in the Canadian Labour Market