AI Insights

Analysis on expected use of artificial intelligence by businesses in Canada, third quarter of 2025

Published

3 hours ago

September 11, 2025

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to expand its role in business operations across Canada, questions about its future use and influence have gained attention. What was once considered an emerging technology limited to select sectors is now being increasingly integrated into a range of industries. According to data from the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, in the second quarter of 2025, 12.2%^Note of businesses reported using AI to produce goods or deliver services over the last 12 months, up from 6.1%^Note in the same period a year earlier.

This article presents data on how businesses in Canada expect to use AI over the next 12 months for producing goods and delivering services. While both the second quarters of 2024 and 2025 focused on AI use over that previous year, the current release revisits forward looking questions, first introduced in the third quarter of 2024. It explores the types of AI applications businesses intend to adopt, anticipated impacts on employment and operations, and reasons businesses provided for not planning to use AI.

The Canadian Survey on Business Conditions was conducted between July 2 and August 6, 2025, to collect information on the environment businesses are currently operating in and their expectations moving forward, including expectations for AI use in the year ahead.^Note The proportion of businesses planning to adopt AI over the next 12 months has grown since last year’s third quarter, with 14.5% of businesses now reporting plans to use the technology, up from the 10.6%^Note in the third quarter of 2024. This reflects a gradual increase for interest in AI’s long-term potential to reshape operations.

Most businesses still do not plan to use artificial intelligence in the next 12 months

While growth has been observed, adoption of AI among businesses in Canada remains limited. In the third quarter of 2025, 14.5% of businesses reported plans to use AI over the next 12 months, while two-thirds (66.7%) of businesses reported no plans and 18.9% were uncertain. These findings are consistent with results from the third quarter of 2024, where 71.8% of businesses reported no plans to implement AI in their operations.

Among businesses not planning to adopt AI over the next 12 months, 78.1% reported that AI was not relevant to the goods or services they currently provide. Other reported reasons included a lack of knowledge about AI capabilities (11.3%), concerns about privacy and security (8.1%), and the view that AI is not yet a mature enough technology (7.6%). These findings are similar to those from the third quarter of 2024, when 74.2% of businesses reported lack of relevance as the main reason, followed by a lack of knowledge on AI capabilities (9.3%).

Table 1

Reasons businesses do not plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) in producing goods or delivering services over the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024

Table summary
This table displays the results of Reasons businesses do not plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) in producing goods or delivering services over the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024 Third quarter of 2025 and Third quarter of 2024, calculated using percent of businesses units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent of businesses
	Third quarter of 2025	Third quarter of 2024
Notes: The results in this table are based on the survey that was in collection from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, and respondents were asked what their expectations would be over the next 12-month period. As a result, those 12 months could range from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, depending on when the business responded. Source: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter of 2025 (Table 33-10-1046-01) and third quarter of 2024 (Table 33-10-0879-01).
Lack of knowledge on the capabilities of AI	11.3	9.3
Concerns about privacy or security	8.1	6.8
AI is not a mature enough technology yet	7.6	8.8
Too expensive	4.7	6.1
Lack of skilled workforce	4.6	2.3
Concerns about bias	3.2	1.7
Lack of required data	3.0	1.6
Laws and regulations prevent or restrict use of AI	2.2	1.4
Previous or current use of AI did not meet expectations	1.5	1.0
Other reason	1.7	3.8
AI is not relevant to the goods produced or services delivered	78.1	74.2

Businesses in information and cultural industries continue to lead in expected artificial intelligence adoption

Of the businesses planning to use AI over the next year (14.5%), those in information and cultural industries were most likely to report this, at 38.6%. This was followed by businesses in finance and insurance (31.5%), and professional, scientific and technical services (26.3%). These findings are similar with results from the third quarter of 2024, when businesses in information and culture industries (29.7%) were also the most likely to report plans to use AI in that coming year.

These forward-looking expectations by industry align with past reported AI use. In the second quarter of 2025, 35.6% of businesses in information and cultural industries reported having used AI in the previous year, followed by 31.7% in professional, scientific and technical services and 30.6% in finance and insurance. Businesses in these industries also reported the highest usage rates in the second quarter of 2024, at 20.9% for information and cultural industries, 13.7% for professional, scientific and technical services and 10.9% for finance and insurance.

Between the third quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, expected AI usage varied by industry. Businesses in finance and insurance had the largest increase in expected AI usage, growing from 17.9% to 31.5% between the third quarter of 2024 and third quarter of 2025. The proportion of businesses in health care and social assistance expecting to use AI also grew from 11.4% to 23.2% over the same period. In contrast, manufacturing experienced the largest decline, falling from 13.1% in third quarter of 2024 to 7.2% in third quarter of 2025.

Table 2

Use of artificial intelligence among businesses in producing goods or delivering services over the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024

Table summary
This table displays the results of Use of artificial intelligence among businesses in producing goods or delivering services over the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024 Third quarter of 2025 and Third quarter of 2024, calculated using percent of businesses units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent of businesses
	Third quarter of 2025	Third quarter of 2024
Notes: The results in this table are based on the survey that was in collection from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, and respondents were asked what their expectations would be over the next 12-month period. As a result, those 12 months could range from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, depending on when the business responded. Source: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter of 2025 (Table 33-10-1045-01) and third quarter of 2024 (Table 33-10-0878-01).
All businesses	14.5	10.6
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting	4.9	4.8
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction	3.4	4.6
Construction	9.2	3.2
Manufacturing	7.2	13.1
Wholesale trade	7.8	12.2
Retail trade	5.7	5.1
Transportation and warehousing	6.6	4.2
Information and cultural industries	38.6	29.7
Finance and insurance	31.5	17.9
Real estate and rental and leasing	24.4	13.0
Professional, scientific and technical services	26.3	24.6
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services	11.6	12.7
Health care and social assistance	23.2	11.4
Arts, entertainment and recreation	15.2	18.5
Accommodation and food services	14.8	6.0
Other services (except public administration)	8.7	6.5

Virtual agents or chatbots most expected artificial intelligence application

Of the businesses planning to use AI over the next 12 months (14.5%), the most common applications reported were virtual agents or chatbots (34.8%) and data analytics (32.9%). The proportion of businesses planning to use virtual agents or chatbots increased from 18.7% in the third quarter of 2024, to 34.8% in 2025, indicating an increase in customer facing applications. Other reported applications included text analytics (28.5%), marketing automation (25.6%) and natural language processing (20.9%).

Table 3

Planned use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in producing goods or delivering services over the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024

Table summary
This table displays the results of Planned use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in producing goods or delivering services over the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024 Third quarter of 2025, Third quarter of 2024 and percent of businesses, calculated using units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent of businesses
	Third quarter of 2025	Third quarter of 2024
Notes: The results in this table are based on the survey that was in collection from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, and respondents were asked what their expectations would be over the next 12-month period. As a result, those 12 months could range from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, depending on when the business responded. Source: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter of 2025 (Table 33-10-1045-01) and third quarter of 2024 (Table 33-10-0878-01).
AI use planned in producing goods or delivering services	14.5	10.6
Virtual agents or chatbots	34.8	18.7
Data analytics using AI	32.9	26.7
Text analytics using AI	28.5	27.2
Marketing automation using AI	25.6	19.4
Natural language processing	20.9	15.4
Speech or voice recognition using AI	20.2	11.9
Large language models	19.9	9.3
Machine learning	18.4	18.8
Recommendation systems using AI	14.0	11.7
Decision making systems based on AI	13.1	6.3
Deep learning	8.9	5.3
Image or pattern recognition	7.6	7.5
Machine or computer vision	3.2	3.2
Robotics process automation	3.2	6.2
Neural networks	2.2	2.6
Augmented reality	2.0	1.3
Biometrics	1.6	1.9
Other	7.3	6.2

Among businesses in information and cultural industries who plan to use AI over the next year (38.6%), the most common intended uses are virtual agents or chatbots (51.2%), followed by text analytics (49.9%) and large language models (48.1%). Meanwhile, among businesses in finance and insurance planning to use AI (31.5%), the most common expected use is data analytics (57.3%), followed by virtual agents or chatbots (35.1%). Of the businesses in professional, scientific and technical services planning to use AI (26.3%), nearly half (45.3%) reported plans to use data analytics, followed by 39.9% planning to use large language models.

Plans to adopt artificial intelligence over the next 12 months vary by business size

While 14.5% of all businesses plan to use AI over the next 12 months to produce goods or deliver services, those with 100 or more employees were more likely to report such plans (20.5%), compared with 15.0% of businesses with 20 to 99 employees, 14.4% of businesses with 5 to 19 employees and 14.2% of those with 1 to 4 employees.

While adoption rates of AI varied by business size, the intended applications presented similar characteristics. Among larger businesses with 100 or more employees that plan to use AI in producing goods or delivering services over the next year, nearly half (48.0%) plan to use AI for data analytics, followed by text analytics (32.0%) and virtual agents or chatbots (20.7%). Similarly, among smaller businesses with 1 to 4 employees that plan to use AI, nearly one-third (31.8%) reported plans to use data analytics, followed by virtual agents or chatbots (29.8%), and text analytics (29.4%).

Most businesses still expect no change to employment levels after artificial intelligence adoption

Businesses in Canada continue to report limited expectations of employment change resulting from AI adoption. In the third quarter of 2025, among businesses planning to implement AI over the next 12 months (14.5%), 69.9% expected no change in employment levels. This is consistent with the third quarter of 2024, where 69.2% of the businesses planning to adopt AI that coming year (10.6%) reported they expected no employment changes.

At the same time, the proportion of businesses expecting employment decreases rose from 9.4% in the second quarter of 2024, to 12.2% in the second quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, businesses expecting employment gains went down from 11.1% to 7.3% over the same period.

Data table for Chart 1

Data table for chart 1

Table summary

This table displays the results of Data table for chart 1 Increase, Decrease, No change and Unknown, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent
	Increase	Decrease	No change	Unknown
Notes: The results in this table are based on the survey that was in collection from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, and respondents were asked what their expectations would be over the next 12-month period. As a result, those 12 months could range from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, depending on when the business responded. Source: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter of 2025 (Table 33-10-1047-01) and third quarter of 2024 (Table 33-10-0880-01).
Third quarter of 2025	7.3	12.2	69.9	10.6
Third quarter of 2024	11.1	9.4	69.2	10.3

These employment expectations correspond to the experiences of businesses already using AI to produce goods or deliver services. Of the businesses using AI in the second quarter of 2025 (12.2%), a vast majority (89.4%) reported no change in their employment levels, while 6.3% reported a decrease and 4.3% reported an increase. Similar results were observed in the second quarter of 2024, when 84.9% of the businesses using AI over the previous 12 months reported no change to their employment, while 6.3% reported a decrease and 8.8% reported an increase.

Training staff remains the most common operational response to artificial intelligence

Among businesses planning to use AI over the next 12 months to produce goods or deliver services (14.5%), the most anticipated operational change is training existing employees to use AI. About half (49.8%) of businesses reported plans to provide staff with AI training once new systems are implemented. This is consistent with third quarter of 2024 results, where among businesses who planned to use AI over that year (10.6%), nearly half (48.7%) reported plans to provide staff with AI training after implementation.

Other expected changes by businesses after AI adoption in the third quarter of 2025 include the development of new workflows (41.9%), purchasing cloud services or storage (27.0%) and changing data collection or data management practices (25.6%).

These results align with the operational changes already put in place by businesses currently using AI. Among businesses using AI in the second quarter of 2025 (12.2%), the most reported operational changes in the previous 12 months were developing new workflows (40.1%), training current staff to use AI (38.9%) and purchasing cloud services or storage (25.7%).

Meanwhile, hiring new staff trained in AI remained relatively uncommon for businesses after adopting AI. It was the least reported change expected in the third quarter of 2025, at 12.6%, up from 10.2% in the third quarter of 2024. Furthermore, purchasing computing power or specialized equipment was also less common, reported by 14.2% of businesses in third quarter of 2025, down from 18.6% in third quarter of 2024.

Table 4

Expected changes by businesses when using artificial intelligence (AI) in producing goods or delivering services in the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024

Table summary
This table displays the results of Expected changes by businesses when using artificial intelligence (AI) in producing goods or delivering services in the next 12 months, third quarter of 2025 and 2024 Third quarter of 2025 and Third quarter of 2024, calculated using percent of businesses units of measure (appearing as column headers).
	percent of businesses
	Third quarter of 2025	Third quarter of 2024
Notes: The results in this table are based on the survey that was in collection from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, and respondents were asked what their expectations would be over the next 12-month period. As a result, those 12 months could range from July 2 to August 6 2025 and from July 2 to August 6, 2024, depending on when the business responded. Source: Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, third quarter of 2025 (Table 33-10-1048-01) and third quarter of 2024 (Table 33-10-0881-01).
Train current staff to use AI	49.8	48.7
Develop new workflows	41.9	43.7
Purchase cloud services or cloud storage	27.0	25.2
Change data collection or data management practices	25.6	17.6
Use vendors or consulting services to install or integrate AI	16.0	16.2
Purchase computing power or specialized equipment	14.2	18.6
Hire staff trained in AI	12.6	10.2
Other change	0.2	1.0
Unknown	14.0	16.1
None	12.3	9.3

Methodology

From July 2 to August 6, 2025, representatives from businesses across Canada were invited to complete an online questionnaire about business conditions and business expectations moving forward. The Canadian Survey on Business Conditions uses a stratified random sample of business establishments with employees classified by geography, industry sector and size. Proportions are estimated using survey weights ensuring that the survey results are representative of all employer businesses in Canada. The total sample size for this iteration of the survey was 21,406, and results are based on responses from a total of 9,494 businesses or organizations.

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Related Topics:AI Goods producing industries

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First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT): How to Invest

Published

40 minutes ago

September 11, 2025

The Editors

The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT 1.91%) offers a sophisticated way to track AI companies, with an emphasis on fundamental analysis.

It does so through an advanced index methodology designed to target companies that meet specific artificial intelligence and robotics criteria, rather than simply buying the largest names in the space.

However, with this added complexity comes higher costs. ROBT may not be the most beginner-friendly ETF. Here’s what you need to know to decide if the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF is worth choosing over its AI-focused competitors.

Image source: Getty Images.

Overview

What is First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF?

The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF is a thematic ETF that tracks the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics index. It is not a mutual fund.

This benchmark takes a more nuanced approach than most AI ETFs by grouping companies into three categories:

Enablers, which develop the hardware, software, and infrastructure that form the building blocks of artificial intelligence.
Engagers, who design, integrate, or deliver AI-driven products and services.
Enhancers, which offer value-added AI capabilities as part of a broader business model, however, AI and robotics are not their primary focus.

Companies are scored across the three categories based on their level of AI involvement, with the top 30 in each category selected. However, the index is not equally split between these groups.

Engagers receive the highest weighting at 60% of the portfolio because they have the most direct AI exposure. Enablers make up 25%, while Enhancers account for15% to provide balance and diversification. Within each group, holdings are equally weighted.

The portfolio is rebalanced quarterly to reset weights and capture relative performance changes, while a semiannual reconstitution ensures the index remains current with evolving AI and robotics developments.

How to invest

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
Search for the ETF: Enter the ticker or ETF name into the search bar to bring up the ETF’s trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this ETF.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you’re willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Holdings

First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF has a heavy U.S. weighting at 64%, followed by Japan at 9.2%, then the U.K., Israel, South Korea, France, and Taiwan.

The fund holds 100 companies, with 50% classified as technology sector, 22% as industrials, and 9% as healthcare. The remaining holdings are primarily spread across the consumer discretionary and communications sectors, with small allocations to financials, consumer staples, and energy.

The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF’s largest holdings as of late August 2025 are:

Symbotic (SYM 0.29%): 2.92%
Upstart Holdings (UPST -0.34%): 2.28%
AeroVironment (AVAV -1.81%): 2.25%
Ocado Group (OCDO -1.99%): 2.22%
Palantir Technologies (PLTR -1.39%): 2.14%
Synopsys (SNPS 13.35%): 2.07%
Recursion Pharmaceuticals (RXRX 6.72%): 2.00%
Cadence Design Systems (CDNS 4.95%): 1.91%
Gentex (GNTX 1.36%): 1.91%
Ambarella (AMBA -0.28%): 1.85%

The portfolio has a large-cap tilt, with an average market cap of $28 billion. Valuations are elevated, with shares trading around 29x price-to-earnings, 2.75x price to sales, and 17x price to cash flow.

Should I invest?

Only consider First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF if you specifically believe in its index methodology and the “engagers, enablers, enhancers” classification system, along with the resulting weighting across these groups.

There is no single “right” way to invest in AI. This is simply how ROBT’s benchmark index approaches selection and weighting compared to competing ETFs. It may under or outperform similar funds at various times.

If you appreciate a more complex, rules-based approach, you may find the fund appealing. But if you’re seeking simplicity, this ETF probably isn’t a fit.

Note that the ETF has historically lagged the broader market and has shown greater volatility than diversified index ETFs, like S&P 500 funds. Its relatively narrow portfolio means individual stock positions can have an outsized impact on performance, for better or worse.

Moreover, investing in AI and robotics carries idiosyncratic risk. These companies are often priced for growth, with high valuations that may be vulnerable to pullbacks if earnings don’t keep pace. The sector also tends to lack exposure to defensive, non-cyclical industries, which can leave long-term investors more exposed during market downturns.

Dividends

Does the ETF pay a dividend?

The First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF has a 30-day SEC yield of 0.27% as of August 2025. The ETF pays dividends semiannually in December and June. The yield is low because many AI-focused companies reinvest earnings into growth rather than paying dividends.

Expense ratio

What is the ETF’s expense ratio?

The expense ratio for First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF is 0.65%, or $65 per $10,000 invested annually. This is higher than both sector and broad market ETFs, and even on the pricey side for a thematic ETF, approaching the cost of some actively managed funds due to its more specialized index methodology.

Expense Ratio

A percentage of mutual fund or ETF assets deducted annually to cover management, operational, and administrative costs.

Historical performance

Since its inception, First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF has generally tracked its benchmark, the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index, but has delivered slightly lower returns across most periods due to fee drag.

For example, over the past five years, the fund returned 6.4% annually versus 6.9% for the index.

Where the gap really shows is against the broader market: The S&P 500 has compounded at nearly 16% annually over the same period, far ahead of the ETF.

This underperformance highlights two challenges with thematic funds like this: higher volatility and sector concentration.

While the ETF has at times outpaced the S&P 500 over short stretches, it has struggled to keep up over longer horizons, reflecting the risks of a narrower, more specialized portfolio.

ROBT annualized total returns as of July 31, 2025
	1-Year	3-Year	5-Year
Net Asset Value	14.38%	9.54%	6.35%
Market Price	14.56%	9.58%	6.37%

The bottom line

First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF takes a very involved approach to index construction, breaking the AI and robotics universe into three categories and then assigning different portfolio weights to each group.

While this adds a layer of precision that some investors may appreciate, it also introduces complexity that can make the strategy harder to evaluate and follow compared to simpler, market-cap-weighted thematic ETFs.

The 0.65% expense ratio is on the higher side for a passive ETF and approaches the cost of certain actively managed funds in this space, which could make some investors question whether the additional complexity justifies the fee.

Over the long term, higher costs combined with a specialized weighting methodology may influence performance, so this fund may be best-suited for those who specifically want this unique structure rather than a broader, more conventional approach.

FAQ

Investing in First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF FAQ

What is the best way to invest in AI and robotics?

The best way to invest in AI and robotics depends on your investment style. Some investors are more comfortable with diversified thematic ETFs like the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF, while others prefer to build their own portfolios of individual stocks.

Is ROBT a good investment?

First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF may appeal if you like its complex index approach, but its high fees and convoluted weighting can be drawbacks.

What is the best AI and robotics ETF?

The best AI and robotics ETF varies by investor goals, costs, and desired exposure, so compare options carefully. Some of the top AI and robotics ETFs by market cap include:

Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (NASDAQ:BOTZ)
Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ:AIQ)
iShares Future AI & Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:ARTY)
Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:CHAT)

Tony Dong has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AeroVironment, Cadence Design Systems, Gentex, Palantir Technologies, Symbotic, Synopsys, and Upstart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Franchise AiQ™ Hosts Exclusive Denver Meetup: “AI for

Published

42 minutes ago

September 11, 2025

The Editors

Greenwood Village, Sept. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenwood Village, Colorado – September 11, 2025 –

Franchise AiQ™, the AI-powered marketing and lead activation platform for franchisors and franchisees, announced today that it will host an in-person educational event, AI for Franchises: Revolutionize Your Franchise with the Power of AI, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM MDT at Venture X Denver Tech Center.

This high-impact session is designed to help franchise owners, multi-unit operators, and industry professionals understand how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way franchises operate, grow, and compete.

The franchise industry is at a crossroads. Customer expectations are evolving, digital-first competitors are rising, and operational costs continue to climb. Many franchise owners are asking how they can deliver consistent service, scale efficiently, and still compete in local markets. The answer increasingly involves AI.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a “nice-to-have” tool reserved for large corporations. It is now an essential resource for everyday franchise operations. Owners who educate themselves on AI and begin leveraging it in marketing, sales, and customer service are positioning their businesses to thrive in the years ahead. Those who delay risk falling behind competitors that embrace automation, personalization, and data-driven decision-making.

This Meetup will show attendees exactly how to make AI work for their franchise model, combining education with real-world strategies.

What franchise owners will gain from attending – Participants will walk away with practical insights, including:

Proven tactics to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary costs

Ways to personalize and enhance customer interactions using AI-driven tools

Actionable strategies to apply AI for marketing, sales, and decision-making

Real examples of how forward-thinking franchises are using AI to increase profitability

Networking opportunities with other franchise professionals committed to growth

The choice of Denver as the host city underscores the region’s growing role in business innovation and technology adoption. The Venture X Denver Tech Center provides a collaborative backdrop for entrepreneurs and franchise owners to explore how AI can be a game-changer in their industry.

Expert insights from Franchise AiQ™

Lane Houk, Co-Founder of Franchise AiQ™, will lead the session. With years of experience in digital marketing and AI-powered systems for multi-location brands, Houk is passionate about equipping franchise leaders with tools to succeed.

“Franchise owners cannot afford to ignore AI. This is not about replacing people, it is about empowering teams to deliver more with less,” said Houk. “Our goal with this event is to demystify AI and provide a roadmap for owners to adopt it strategically. When franchises learn how to use AI to automate follow-up, optimize local search, and engage leads effectively, the results can be transformative.”

About Franchise AiQ™

Franchise AiQ™ empowers franchisors with an AI-driven marketing and lead activation system that ensures every franchisee maximizes conversions and local visibility without extra workload. Powered by ScaleSynth AI™, the platform automates lead follow-up, engagement, and Google Business Profile optimization across all locations. The result is consistent branding, scalable growth, and real-time performance insights, allowing franchisees to focus on running their businesses while franchisors gain a centralized engine for market dominance.

Learn more at https://franchiseaiq.com

Event Details

Title: AI for Franchises: Revolutionize Your Franchise with the Power of AI

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:00–8:00 PM MDT

Location: Venture X Denver Tech Center, 6400 S Fiddlers Green Circle, Ste 300, Greenwood Village, CO

Registration: AI for Franchises Meetup Event: https://www.meetup.com/ai-for-franchises/events/310526027/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events

Media Contact

Franchise AiQ™
Attn: Media Relations
400 S Fiddlers Green Cir, Ste 300-22
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: (833) 987-3247
Email: info@franchiseaiq.com
Website: https://franchiseaiq.com

###

For more information about Franchise AiQ, contact the company here:

Franchise AiQ
Lane Houk
(833) 987-3247
info@franchiseaiq.com
6400 S Fiddlerrs Green Cir
Ste 300-22
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

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AI Insights

FTC Probes AI Chatbots’ Impact on Child Safety

Published

1 hour ago

September 11, 2025

The Editors

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is investigating the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on children and teens.

The commission announced Thursday (Sept. 11) that it was issuing orders to seven providers of AI chatbots in search of information on how those companies measure and monitor potentially harmful impacts of the technology on young people.

The companies in question are Google, Character.AI, Instagram, Meta, OpenAI, Snap and xAI.

“AI chatbots may use generative artificial intelligence technology to simulate human-like communication and interpersonal relationships with users,” the FTC said in a news release. “AI chatbots can effectively mimic human characteristics, emotions and intentions, and generally are designed to communicate like a friend or confidant, which may prompt some users, especially children and teens, to trust and form relationships with chatbots.”

According to the release, the FTC wants to know what measures, if any, these companies have taken to determine the safety of their chatbots when serving as companions.

It is also seeking information on how the companies limit the products’ use by and potential negative effects on children and teens, and to inform users and parents of the risks associated with the products.

“The FTC is interested in particular on the impact of these chatbots on children and what actions companies are taking to mitigate potential negative impacts, limit or restrict children’s or teens’ use of these platforms, or comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule,” the news release added.

As noted here last week when reports of the FTC’s efforts first emerged, some companies have already tried to address this issue.

For instance, OpenAI has said it would add teen accounts that can be monitored by parents. Character.AI has made similar changes, and Meta has added restrictions for people under 18 who use its AI products.

Those reports came the same day First Lady Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education. In a news release issued before the event, Trump said the rise of AI must be managed responsibly.

“During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children—empowering, but with watchful guidance,” Trump said. “We are living in a moment of wonder, and it is our responsibility to prepare America’s children.”

Meanwhile, Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand said last month he foresees a future where people have AI friends.

“They will not be a replacement for your real friends, but you will have AI friends, and you will be able to take learnings from those AI-friendly conversations into your real-life conversations,” Anand told the Financial Times.

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