Only 7.8% of the Generative AI Users Continue Using Generative AI for Work

The Main Issues for Utilization are Usability and Reliability, While Security is the Essential Factor for Implementation

Tokyo, September 26, 2023 –  AI inside Inc., a provider of an AI platform, announces the results of a survey on actual and intended use of generated AI, conducted in July 2023 to 1,161 people aged 20 to 59 working as full-time employees, business managers, and executives.

Background

Generative AI^*1 has been attracting great attention worldwide; in addition to the innovation and rapid progress of the technology, there are high expectations for its significant potential to transform our society and businesses. Various media, as well as individuals, have disseminated information on the technology and market trends.

Having been a major topic of conversation for a long period of time, generated AI is said to be comparable to the Industrial Revolution, and its early utilization will revive Japan’s international competitiveness. We conducted a survey of businesspersons in Japan to find out whether the use of AI is actually progressing in the Japanese business world and, if not, what the issues are.

^*1 AI that generates new content and ideas based on computer-trained data.

Summary of survey results

• Only about half of the respondents, 55.5%, knew or had heard of generative AI (“those aware of generative AI”).
• Regarding the business use of generative AI, only 7.8% of the respondents continuously use it (“users that continue using it for work”), while the majority of them, 84.4%, had never used it (“non-users of generative AI”).
• Reasons for the “non-users of generative AI” not using it for their work: “Concern about accuracy of response results” (28.7%), “Not sure how to use it” (21.6%), “Insufficient legislation” (20.5%), “Concerns about ethical aspects, such as AI-caused bias” (19.4%), “Security concerns” (19.0%).
• The most important factor for “those aware of generative AI” in selecting a generative AI service: “Highly reliable security” (41.5%), “High accuracy of responses” (30.6%), “Reasonable implementation cost” (25.5%), “Ease of operation and comprehensibility” (21.6%), “Specialized in the Japanese language” (20.7%).

Details on survey results

Only about half of the respondents, 55.5%, knew or had heard of generative AI (“those aware of generative AI”).

To the question regarding the awareness of generative AI, 55.5% of the respondents knew or had heard of it (“those aware of generative AI”), and 44.5% of them had never heard of it (“those unaware of generative AI”).

The number of businesspersons aware of the generative AI term seemed rather small compared to the high level of attention given by the large number of daily news stories related to it, indicating that the term has not yet fully gained acceptance in society.

Regarding the business use of generative AI, only 7.8% of the respondents continuously use it (“users that continue using it for work”), while the majority of them, 84.4%, had never used it (“non-users of generative AI”).

To the question regarding the business use of generative AI, only 7.8% of the respondents continued using it (“users that continue using it for work”), while another 7.8% had used it before but not anymore (“users that do not continue using it for work”). The majority of the respondents, 84.4%, were those who had never used it (“non-users of generative AI”).

While there are high expectations for generative AI as an innovative technology that accelerates DX for various companies and organizations, it is clear that it is rarely used in actual businesses.

Reasons for the “non-users of generative AI” not using it for their work: “Concern about accuracy of response results” (28.7%), “Not sure how to use it” (21.6%), “Insufficient legislation” (20.5%), “Concerns about ethical aspects, such as AI-caused bias” (19.4%), “Security concerns” (19.0%).

As a result of a multiple choice question on reasons for not using generative AI for business applications to the “non-users of generative AI” (n=464), the top choices were: “Concern about accuracy of response results” (28.7%), “Not sure how to use it” (21.6%), “Insufficient legislation” (20.5%), “Concerns about ethical aspects, such as AI-caused bias” (19.4%), “Security concerns” (19.0%). (The fifteen items excluding “Other” and “Nothing in particular” are indicated in note^*2 below.)

In addition to the “reliability” of generative AI, such as the accuracy of response results and concerns in legislation, ethical aspects, and security, the most selected item was “ease of use,” including the lack of understanding of how to use generative AI; which are believed to be the issues for the “non-users of generative AI” in utilizing it at work. On the other hand, there were few respondents that had “Concerns that it would replace human work” (5.2%), indicating that only a small number of the businesspersons are concerned about their jobs being taken over by AI.

^*2 “Not feeling it necessary for work” (14.2%), “Not knowing how to start using it” (11.2%), “Reluctant to use overseas services” (10.6%), “Insufficient support” (8.2%), “Concerns about losing the ability to think for oneself” (7.8%), “Workplace prohibiting usage of it” (7.3%), “Troublesome to create prompts (instructions to the AI)” (5.8%), “Time-consuming internal approval processes to start using it” (5.4%), “Concerns that it would replace human work” (5.2%), “Late response” (4.3%).

The most important factor for “those aware of generative AI” in selecting a generative AI service: “Highly reliable security” (41.5%), “High accuracy of responses” (30.6%), “Reasonable implementation cost” (25.5%), “Ease of operation and comprehensibility” (21.6%), “Specialized in the Japanese language” (20.7%).

As a result of a multiple choice question on essential factors to consider when selecting a generative AI service for business use to “those aware of generative AI” (n=644), the top choices were: “Highly reliable security” (41.5%), “High accuracy of responses” (30.6%), “Reasonable implementation cost” (25.5%), “Ease of operation and comprehensibility” (21.6%), “Specialized in the Japanese language” (20.7%). (The fifteen items excluding “Other” and “Nothing in particular” are indicated in note^*3 below.)

The awareness of “security” is high, especially in situations where the service selection is done as companies rather than as individuals. The items related to the “ease of use,” such as the ease of operation and comprehensibility, are also the most selected items for this question, implying that it is highly important for the business use of generative AI.

^*3 “Clearly defined tasks that it can be utilized for” (20.0%), “Easy to understand effects of implementation” (20.0%), “Free trial available” (14.4%), “Support before and after implementation” (14.3%), “Ease of integration with existing tools in the company” (13.4%), “Being a Japan-made service” (12.3%), “Used by many companies” (12.0%), “High customizability” (12.0%), “Speedy response” (11.2%), “Increased market share and popularity” (6.1%).

AI inside’s efforts on generative AI

AI inside has worked on the development of the original Japanese LLM service “PolySphere-1,” as well as the operation of it on “AnyData,” the original AI integration platform that allows customers to have their private environment built on servers in Japan^*4. These make it possible to provide generative AI in a secure environment.

We have also developed “Heylix,” an AI agent that provides general support for various business applications as a service for anyone to benefit from generative AI, now available in a close beta version. All the users need to do is to give instructions to “Heylix” as if they are talking to another person, and the “Buddy,” a multimodal AI that combines technologies such as generative AI, predictive AI, and image recognition AI to perform tasks autonomously, is instantly generated. The “Buddies” can be shared among users, which enables users unfamiliar with generative AI or those who do not have the expertise in AI and IT to easily incorporate generative AI into their work by using existing “Buddies” and realize advanced DX.

Furthermore, we provide a “generative AI and LLM reskilling program” that includes lectures on the overview of generative AI, its appropriate use, and the basic skills of prompt engineering in a short period of time. The program also supports the creation and implementation of use cases. Supported by “InsideX,” an AI implementation consulting team for upper management consisting of professionals with profound knowledge of AI technology and its commercialization, it contributes to the utilization of generative AI and LLM and the promotion of DX in all types of companies and organizations.

About “Heylix”: https://service-heylix.inside.ai/ (Japanese only)
About “InsideX”: https://insidex.inside.ai/ (Japanese only)

^*4 AI inside Utilizes the AI Integration Platform “AnyData” to Operate “PolySphere-1,” a Japanese LLM Service

Survey overview

• Survey for: AI inside Inc.
• Survey by: Cross Marketing Group Inc.
• Scope of survey: Throughout Japan
• Target of survey: Full-time employees, business managers, and executives aged 20 to 59
• Survey period: Thursday, July 13, 2023 to Monday, July 17, 2023
• Survey method: Internet survey
• No. of valid responses: 1,161 samples for main survey

About AI inside Inc.

AI inside is a tech company that conducts R&D and social implementation of cutting-edge technologies, such as generative AI, LLM, and autonomous AI. We provide multimodal AI solutions and professional services that facilitate data-driven business transformation to a wide range of government agencies, local governments, and private companies. We will create a prosperous society where we can all benefit from AI without being aware of it by leveraging our unique AI integration platform to promote business use of AI to provide comprehensive support for DX in all types of companies and organizations.

Company Name: AI inside Inc.
Location: 4th Floor, 3-8-12 Shibuya Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Representative Director, President & CEO Taku Toguchi
Founded: August 2015
Business details: Development and provision of artificial intelligence and related information services
Website: https://inside.ai/en/

*The service names appearing on this site are trademarks or registered trademarks of AI inside.