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Canadian organizations turning to agentic AI, KPMG poll shows

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More than half plan to invest in agentic AI in the next six months, survey reveals 

TORONTO, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ – While most Canadian organizations have adopted generative AI tools to help improve business processes, many are shifting their focus to agentic artificial intelligence to accelerate those gains, envisioning a future where AI agents work alongside employees to transform their business unlike any other technology.

“Agentic AI is revolutionary and will bring forth the next industrial revolution and completely change what we thought was possible for business and human life” – survey respondent

A new KPMG in Canada survey of 252 business leaders shows most are planning near-term investments in agentic AI to gain a competitive edge, revolutionize operations, lower costs, increase efficiency and fill critical skills gaps.

Agentic AI systems can operate independently by using tools such as large language models to make decisions and perform tasks with minimal or no human intervention. AI agents can perform a variety of tasks independently, such as responding to customer inquiries, placing and tracking orders, building lead generation lists, and managing refunds. 

Just over one quarter (27 per cent) of survey respondents have already deployed agentic AI in their organization, and nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) are either exploring use cases, actively experimenting with the technology or conducting pilot projects. More than half (57 per cent) plan to invest in or adopt agentic AI in the next six months, and 34 per cent within the next 12 months. 

“Agentic AI is a nascent technology, but it’s the most transformative AI we’ve ever seen in human history to date. We are already seeing humans work alongside agents as organizations use the technology to fill critical skills gaps, boost productivity and efficiency. Using AI agents for repetitive tasks allows an organization to re-focus their workforce on the more critical work, such as strategy and innovation,” says Stephanie Terrill, Canadian Managing Partner for Digital and Transformation at KPMG in Canada.

“Almost nine in 10 Canadian business leaders see agentic AI as a top investment priority that will help their organizations gain a competitive edge – that’s a strong sign that this technology will fundamentally change the business landscape in Canada,” she adds.

Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of respondents said they were “very familiar” with the concept of agentic AI, but only two thirds (66 per cent) were “very familiar” with how the technology could be applied in their organization or industry.

“There’s a knowledge gap between business leaders’ understanding of agentic AI and how they can use it to their advantage. Awareness, education and real-life experimentation can help close that gap,” Ms. Terrill says.  “We expect awareness of agentic AI to grow rapidly in the months ahead, and more Canadian organizations will continue to experiment with and invest in the technology – perhaps even more so than generative AI.”

Key survey highlights

27 per cent said their organizations have adopted or deployed agentic AI and have active use cases in their organization35 per cent are actively experimenting with agentic AI and have pilot projects and test use cases29 per cent are currently exploring agentic AI and potential use cases8 per cent hope to plan or explore/experiment uses cases with agentic AIOnly 1 per cent are not exploring agentic AI and don’t have any plans to57 per cent plan to invest in or adopt agentic AI in the next six months34 per cent within the next 12 months6 per cent within the next 2 years72 per cent said they were very familiar with the concept of agentic AI and 25 per cent were somewhat familiar66 per cent said they were very familiar with agentic AI’s potential applications in their organization or industry and 31 per cent were somewhat familiar88 per cent agreed adopting agentic AI will help my organization be more competitive, with 58 per cent agreeing strongly86 per cent said agentic AI is a top investment priority for their organization

Putting agentic AI to work

Respondents said they plan to deploy agentic AI in their organizations to improve efficiency in a number of areas, including customer service, cybersecurity, compliance and regulatory management, communications and accounting.  

“With generative AI, organizations deployed chatbots to respond to customer inquiries about refunds. In the era of agentic AI, those chatbots not only respond to queries for refunds, they issue those refunds quickly,” says Ms. Terrill.

Respondents said the biggest benefits they expect to gain from agentic AI include faster and better access to information, better decision-making and increased productivity. Respondents said the top challenges or barriers they anticipate in implementing agentic AI include cybersecurity/privacy concerns, data quality and the cost to deploy the technology.

A majority of respondents (63 per cent) said they expect agentic AI to boost their organization’s profitability between five to 15 per cent, while 58 per cent said they expect the technology to reduce operating costs by a similar amount.

Gary Filan, KPMG’s AI Lead in Canada says the most effective way to yield more value from agentic AI should be by incorporating it into existing and new applications, rather than isolated use cases.

“Standalone AI agents can help businesses automate tasks in a certain area, but organizations can yield more value from agentic AI by incorporating the technology across software applications. Integrated agents that can coordinate tasks across various workflows and business functions will help companies move beyond simple task automation to more dynamic business processes and workflows; that’s a major shift that can boost productivity and profitability significantly,” he says.

A workforce shift

While most respondents agreed agentic AI would bring value to their organizations, more than half (55 per cent) said their workforce is not ready to work with or alongside AI agents, and nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) said their organization will need to invest in significant education, upskilling and workforce training to understand agentic AI’s capabilities before adopting it.

Nearly all (92 per cent) respondents said agentic AI will help their organization save costs by making human-led processes and workflows quicker and more efficient, while 89 per cent agreed agentic AI will allow their organization to fill a labour or skills gap.

Agentic AI’s ability to make decisions on its own has led to concerns that the technology will replace humans, and business leaders acknowledged this in their survey responses: eight in 10 (82 per cent) said agentic AI will help their organization reduce headcount, while nearly three quarters (72 per cent) said there is concern among their employees that agentic AI will replace them and/or other business teams and functions. 

“While it may be tempting for some organizations to use agentic AI to reduce labour costs, there are other more significant costs associated with reducing headcount – including loss of institutional knowledge, reputational damage, and employee morale and loyalty. There are ways to strategically reorganize the workforce around AI to optimize headcount and create a flexible, technology-enabled workforce for the future,” says Mr. Filan.

About the survey
KPMG in Canada surveyed 252 Canadian businesses from February 28 to March 5, 2025, using Sago’s premier research panel. 72 per cent of respondents identified as business owners and 28 per cent are senior level decision makers (C-suite, board member, executive, VP/Senior mgmt.). 16 per cent of respondents are in banking and capital markets; 15 per cent in industrial manufacturing; 15 per cent in technology, media and telecommunications; 12 per cent in consumer, retail and leisure; remaining respondents are spread out across other industries. 22 per cent of respondents’ organizations reported annual revenues of $50M–$99.9 million; 19 per cent reported between $100M and $299.9 million; 10 per cent between $300M and $499.9 million; 13 per cent between $500M and $699.9 million; 10 per cent between $700 million and $899.9 million; 12 per cent between $900 million and $1 billion; and 14 per cent reported annual revenues over $1 billion.

About KPMG in Canada
KPMG LLP, a limited liability partnership, is a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm owned and operated by Canadians. For over 150 years, our professionals have provided consulting, accounting, auditing, and tax services to Canadians, inspiring confidence, empowering change, and driving innovation. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Together, For Better, KPMG employs more than 10,000 people in over 40 locations across Canada, serving private- and public-sector clients. KPMG is consistently ranked one of Canada’s top employers and one of the best places to work in the country. 

The firm is established under the laws of Ontario and is a member of KPMG’s global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International, a private English company limited by guarantee. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. For more information, see kpmg.com/ca 

For media inquiries:

Roula Meditskos
National Communications and Media Relations
KPMG in Canada
416-549-7982
rmeditskos@kpmg.ca

SOURCE KPMG LLP

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Scispot Launches Location Manager, an AI-Powered Freezer Management App for Life Science Labs

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May 5, 2025

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Life science labs can now locate critical samples in seconds instead of hours with Scispot’s Location Manager, featuring AI-powered search and digital freezer maps that virtually eliminate lost samples while ensuring regulatory compliance.

KITCHENER, ON, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Scispot, the provider of an AI-powered super app for labs, today announced the launch of Location Manager, a new freezer management app that addresses the persistent challenges of laboratory sample storage and location tracking. This purpose-built solution helps scientists and lab operators to quickly find and track samples across storage environments, eliminating costly inefficiencies that waste thousands of lab hours annually.

“Before Scispot, locating samples meant hours digging through freezers. Now, I simply ask the system and instantly know where everything is. It has reduced our search time from 20 minutes to seconds, changing how our lab operates.” – Juan Luis Aráoz Martínez, Lab Operations Supervisor, Puna Bio

Location Manager combines AI capabilities with intuitive visual tools to transform sample tracking workflows. The system features a natural language interface, allowing lab personnel to locate samples by simply asking questions like “Where is sample ID 2025-00345?” instead of navigating traditional menu hierarchies. It also enables monitoring and Quality Control (QC) of samples via automated alerts. Interactive digital freezer maps provide a clear visualization of all storage types—including standard -20°C, ultra-low -80°C freezers, and liquid nitrogen tanks. Meanwhile, AI monitors reagent usage, predicts expiration dates, and recommends optimal storage setups.

The impact on laboratory operations is measurable, with early adopters reporting an 80% reduction in sample retrieval time and nearly eliminating lost samples. Location Manager automatically generates audit trails, capturing every sample movement and status update, seamlessly supporting Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliance without manual record-keeping. Labs implementing Location Manager have eliminated error-prone spreadsheets and significantly reduced documentation workload, allowing scientists to focus on research priorities.

“Before Scispot, locating samples meant hours digging through freezers—often without success. Now, I simply ask the system and instantly know where everything is. It has reduced our search time from 20 minutes to seconds, completely changing how our lab operates.” – Juan Luis Aráoz Martínez, Laboratory Operations Supervisor, Puna Bio, a company developing microbe-based solutions for sustainable agriculture.

This solution establishes a digital foundation for physical storage infrastructure, positioning laboratories for future scalability. As life science organizations increasingly leverage AI for research and operations, Location Manager converts sample data into a searchable, analyzable asset rather than an inaccessible physical inventory. This approach aligns with the industry’s shift toward data-driven decision making, enabling labs to scale operations while maintaining precise sample traceability.

Looking ahead, Scispot plans to roll out additional AI Agents designed to tackle broader operational challenges in life science research, development, and production. The company continues to expand its AI platform, offering complementary agents for scientists, lab managers, and more. Future enhancements include deeper instrument integrations, advanced predictive analytics for experimental design, and new modules for real-time data analysis and multi-site inventory synchronization. These updates will further streamline lab workflows and enable seamless, data-driven operations by the end of 2025.

About Scispot

Scispot is the AI-powered super app transforming life science labs. Its unified platform consolidates all lab data, providing modular alternatives to traditional apps such as Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Quality Management Systems (QMS), and Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS). By making data instantly accessible and AI-ready, Scispot automates R&D and testing workflows through one-click integrations with scientific apps and instruments. This empowers labs to rapidly build customized data models and ontologies, accelerating innovation and enabling biotech companies to bring life science solutions to market faster.

Discover more at scispot.com

Media Contact

Dhananjay Pachori, Scispot, 1 4255004629, team@scispot.io, https://www.scispot.com/

Twitter, LinkedIn

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SOURCE Scispot

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Aircraft Battery Market to Reach $2,012.3 million, Globally, by 2033 at 14.5% CAGR: Allied Market Research

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May 5, 2025

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The global aircraft battery market is expanding due to rise in demand for electric and hybrid aircraft, advancements in battery technology, increased air traffic, and growth in the adoption of lightweight, high-performance energy storage solutions.

WILMINGTON, Del., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Allied Market Research published a report, titled, “Aircraft Battery Market by Battery Type (Lead Acid Battery, Nickel Cadmium Battery, Lithium-ion Battery, and Solid-State Battery), Aircraft Type (Fixed-Wing, Rotary-Wing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Advanced Air Mobility), Sales Channel (OEM and  Aftermarket), and Application (Auxiliary Power Unit, Emergency Power, Propulsion, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033″. According to the report, the aircraft battery market was valued at $531.9 million in 2023, and is estimated to reach $2012.3 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 14.5% from 2024 to 2033.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5500 

Prime determinants of growth

The growth of the aircraft battery market is driven by increase in the adoption of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft is boosting demand for advanced battery technologies. Rising air traffic and the need for fuel-efficient solutions are also contributing to market expansion. In addition, advancements in lithium-ion and solid-state batteries are improving energy density, safety, and lifespan, making them more viable for aviation applications. Government initiatives supporting sustainable aviation and stricter environmental regulations further encourage the development of battery-powered aircraft. The expansion of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and modern avionics systems also plays a crucial role in market growth.

Report coverage & details:

 

Report Coverage

 

Details

 

Forecast Period

 

2024–2033

 

 

Base Year

 

2023

 

Market Size in 2023

$531.9 million

 

Market Size in 2034

 

$2012.3 million

 

CAGR

 

14.5 %

 

 

No. of Pages in Report

 

459

 

Segments Covered

 

Battery Type, Aircraft Type, Sales Channel, Application, and Region.

 

Drivers 

 

•         Rise in Demand for Electric and Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

•         Advancement in Battery Technology

•         Rise in Demand for Commercial and Military Aircraft

 

Opportunities

 

 

•         Development of Solid-state Batteries

•         Expansion of Electric and Hybrid Aircraft

 

Restraint

 

 

•         High Initial Costs

•         Limited Energy Density

Buy This Research Report (459 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/542f3c1136679e74ff96ee6cd2f659b1 

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Scenario

On February 24, 2022, the Russia–Ukraine war has significantly impacted the aircraft battery market by disrupting supply chains, increasing raw material costs, and creating market uncertainties. The conflict has led to shortages of essential battery components, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, as supply routes from affected regions have been restricted.Rise in geopolitical tensions have resulted in fluctuating fuel prices, prompting greater interest in alternative power sources, including advanced aircraft batteries. Defense budgets have shifted toward military applications, increasing demand for batteries in drones, surveillance aircraft, and other defense-related aviation systems. However, commercial aviation has faced slowdowns in certain regions due to economic instability, affecting overall market growth. These factors have reshaped the aircraft battery industry’s dynamics, emphasizing supply chain resilience and technological advancements.

The lithium-ion Battery segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of battery type, the lithium-ion battery vehicles segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the global aircraft battery market revenue owing to its high energy density, lightweight properties, and longer cycle life compared to traditional lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries. These batteries offer improved power efficiency, faster charging, and better performance, making them ideal for modern aircraft, including electric and hybrid-electric models. However, the solid-state battery segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 18.2% from 2023 to 2033, due to its higher energy density, improved safety, longer lifespan, and growing adoption in electric aircraft, enhancing efficiency and reducing maintenance costs in aviation applications.

The fixed wing segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of aircraft type, the fixes wing segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for around two-fifths of the global aircraft battery market revenue owing to its high energy density, lightweight properties, and longer cycle life compared to traditional lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries. These batteries offer improved power efficiency, faster charging, and better performance, making them ideal for modern aircraft, including electric and hybrid-electric models. However, the advanced air mobility segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 18.1% from 2023 to 2033, due to rising investments in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, increasing urban air mobility demand, and the need for high-performance, lightweight, and energy-efficient battery systems.

The OEM segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of sales channel, the OEM segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than half of the global aircraft battery market revenue. This was primarily due to increased aircraft production, growth in the adoption of advanced battery technologies in new aircraft models, and strong partnerships between manufacturers and battery suppliers to ensure high-quality, reliable energy solutions. However, the aftermarket segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 15.0% from 2023 to 2033, due to the rise in demand for battery replacements, increase in aircraft fleet aging, frequent maintenance requirements, and advancements in battery technology, driving airlines and operators to upgrade existing battery systems.

The auxiliary power unit segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of application, the auxiliary power unit segment held the highest market share in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the global aircraft battery market revenue. This was primarily due to increased aircraft production, growing adoption of advanced battery technologies in new aircraft models, and strong partnerships between manufacturers and battery suppliers to ensure high-quality, reliable energy solutions. However, the emergency power segment is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 17.5% from 2023 to 2033, This is due to the growing emphasis on aviation safety, increased regulatory requirements, and rising adoption of advanced backup power solutions for critical systems. 

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5500 

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

On the basis of region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2023, accounting for more than one-third of the global aircraft battery market revenue owing to strong aviation infrastructure, high defense spending, and the presence of major aircraft manufacturers. Increase in the adoption of electric aircraft, technological advancements, and strict regulatory standards have fueled demand for advanced aircraft batteries in the region.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 16.9% from 2023 to 2033, due to rising air passenger traffic, increasing defense budgets, and expanding airline fleets. Growth in investments in electric aircraft, advancements in battery technology, and strong manufacturing capabilities have contributed to the region’s rapid market expansion.

Players: –

Concorde Battery CorporationTeledyne Technologies IncorporatedSaft Groupe SASGS Yuasa GroupHBL Power Systems LimitedAMETEK, Inc.Eagle-PicherBoeingAirbusEnerSys

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global aircraft battery market. These players have adopted different strategies such as expansion and product launch to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Explore AMR’s Extensive ongoing Aerospace and Defence Domain:

Electronic Warfare Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2028Zero-Emission Aircraft Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2030-2040Military Robots Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-20305G in Aviation Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030Missile Defense System Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030Smart Weapons Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030Aerospace 3D Printing Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030Airborne Fire Control Radar Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030Navigation Satellite Systems Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll.

Contact:

David Correa
United States
1209 Orange Street,
Corporation Trust Center,
Wilmington, New Castle,
Delaware 19801 USA.
Int’l: +1-503-894-6022
Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285
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help@alliedmarketresearch.com
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Okuma America Corporation Announces Agreement with New Channel Partner in Brazil

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9 minutes ago

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May 5, 2025

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Welcomes Maquinas e Solucoes to the Okuma America’s Network 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The leadership team at Okuma America Corporation, a global leader and single-source builder of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, controls and automation systems, is pleased to announce the addition of a new partner to distribute Okuma products and services in Brazil. Maquinas e Solucoes Servicos de Representacao e Manutencao de Equipamentos Ltda (M&S), a member of the Molgroup of companies, will begin serving Okuma customers and prospects in Brazil effective immediately.  

Several factors were considered by the Okuma leadership team when choosing M&S for Brazil, the most important of which was the common mission of both 100+ year old companies to provide high-quality, high-performance machine tools, automation systems and premium support to the expanding manufacturing industry throughout Brazil. Additionally, Okuma and Molinari, also a member of the Molgroup of companies, have enjoyed a 40+ year OEM-distributor partnership in other Latin American regions including Argentina and neighboring countries.   

Mr. Tim Thiessen, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Okuma America Corporation, expressed his excitement about the new partnership, “by partnering with Maquinas e Solucoes (M&S) in Brazil, we will be able to further strengthen our offering and value proposition for customers in Brazil. Customers in the region will now be supported by both M&S and Okuma Latino Americana, an Okuma affiliate office in the region.”   

About M&S and Molgroup
The Molgroup of companies is one of the oldest and largest machine tool distributors in Latin America, with service dating back to 1906. M&S, a division of the Molgroup, was launched 23 years ago. The Molgroup company has offices in Parque de las Ciencias, Free Trade Zone, Ruta 101, km 23.500, Platino Tower, Office 004, CP 14000, Canelones, Uruguay, and the newest M&S headquarters facility is located in Rua Coronel Orlando Secco 333, Mezanino, Bairro Tulipas, CEP 13212-795, Cidade Jundaí, Estado de San Pablo, Brazil. In addition to offering Machine Tools to our customers in the region, M&S & Molgroup also provide competitive solutions for automation, customized turnkey’s, and developed software applications.   

About Okuma America Corporation
Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, engineering and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry’s only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry’s only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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SOURCE Okuma America Corporation

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