2026 AI usage survey

On June 4 in Regina, CALM is hosting a full-day workshop on AI and its use in union communications. To register for this event, please go here: https://uniontraining.ca/calm-conference/registration/

To ground our discussions, we are asking CALM members and other union staff how they use AI. Your answers will be treated with confidentiality.

Anyone who works in union communications, whether as a staff person or a volunteer, elected or not, is welcome to participate in this survey. It is OK if more than one person from your workplace fills this out and your answers are slightly different.

– Step 1 of 3

Is your union a CALM member? *— Select Choice —YesNoI don’t know

How many members does your union represent?Less than 5050-500501-10001001-50005001-10,00010,001 – 50,000+50,000

Is your union public sector or private sector?PublicPrivate

Describe your role in your union

Are you elected? A graphic designer? A volunteer? Tell us anything you’d like!

How many paid staff do you have in your comms department?

• We have no department
• 1
• 2-5
• 5-15
• 15+

What do you personally think of AI?I hate itI dislike it but I use itI like it but I don’t use itI love it

Do people within your union use AI in union communications? *

• Yes
• No

Do *you* use AI in your union communications? *

• Yes
• No

Are you allowed to use AI if you wanted to?

• Yes
• No

Please upload a copy of your union's AI policy

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

If you would like to remain anonymous (though we will not be matching these uploads to the person who filled it out so you are somewhat anonymous here!) please send a copy of your policy to Nora at editor@calm.ca in a few days.

What does your union use AI for?

• Writing social media posts
• Writing press releases
• Designing images
• Creating presentations
• Writing speeches
• Writing emails to members
• Writing emails internally to each other
• Doing layout and design
• Writing policy or other governance documents
• Generating minutes or meeting summaries
• Generating other content not mentioned above
• Generating content for magazines/websites etc.

What other content?

Please list.

Does your union explicity support or oppose the use of AI?

• Supports, no limits
• Supports with limits
• Opposes with exceptions
• Opposes, no exceptions
• We neither support nor oppose the use of AI
• It has its place though we’re still figuring out what that is

What AI programs do you use?

• ChatGPT
• Internal ChatGPT or equivalent
• Copilot
• Google Gemini
• Sora
• Claude
• Perplexity
• GitHub Copilot

Why do people in your union use AI?

• Saves time
• A lack of skills to do the thing
• It’s fun
• AI produces better content
• Saves money
• Other

Explain what else you use AI for

Does a human always sign off on what AI has generated?

• Yes
• Should be yes but no
• No

If you had more staff, would you still use AI?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure

emails AI? take

Are there debates or tensions within your union about using AI?

• Yes
• No
• I don’t know

Please describe the debates or tensions that exist within your union about using AI

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From start to finish, how long does it take to produce 1000 words of text (not including approvals)?

• 45 minutes or less
• 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
• 1.5 hours to 3 hours
• More than 3 hours
• Not applicable

From start to finish, how long does it take to produce five social media posts (not including approvals)?

• 15 minutes or less
• 15 to 45 minutes
• 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
• Not applicable

How much time per day do you spend writing emails

• Less than 2 hours
• 2 to 4 hours
• More than 4 hours
• Not applicable

Does your union have a graphic designer?

• Yes
• No

Do you feel overworked?

• No
• Some days, yes
• Yes
• Yes but then multiply that by ten

Are you more overworked than you were two years ago?

• No
• Yes

Where does the pressure come to produce more?

• My boss
• My colleagues
• Myself
• The general pace of work

Do you find yourself relying on AI because you're overworked?

• Yes
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• No

What do you like most about AI?

What worries you most about using generative AI in union communications?

What worries you most about generative AI in general?

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How old are you?

• under 25
• 26-30
• 31-35
• 36-40
• 41-45
• 46-50
• 51-60
• 60+

How many years have you worked in labour?

In what province or territory do you live?YukonBritish ColumiaAlbertaNorthwest TerritoriesSaskatchewanManitobaOntarioQuébecNunavutNew BrunswickPEINova ScotiaNewfoundland and Labrador

What is your gender?

• Man
• Woman
• Non-binary

Take a parting shot at AI

Write anything else you’d like to add

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