Japan Lowest in AI Survey, Only 9 Percent Value Performance Exceeds Expectations

JAKARTA - Only 9 percent of Japanese company respondents rated the performance of generative artificial intelligence beyond expectations. This figure is the lowest among the six countries surveyed by the PwC Japan Group.

Kyodo News, quoted on Saturday, July 19, said the survey compared Japan with the United States, Britain, China, Germany, and South Korea.

The results come amid a trend of Japanese companies using AI to simplify some work, such as summarizing meeting minutes.

The United States recorded the highest number. As many as 38 percent of respondents rated AI performance far beyond expectations, followed by the UK with 32 percent.

China recorded 18 percent, Germany 17 percent, and South Korea 11 percent.

The survey was conducted from February to March and involved around 3,000 respondents.

They work at companies with sales of at least 50 billion yen, or about $310 million. Respondents are at the managerial level, including those who are authorized to consider or decide on the use of generative AI.

As many as 47 percent of Japanese respondents said AI performance was up to expectations. In the other five countries, the figure ranged from 43 to 58 percent.

Differences are also seen from the results felt by customers and employees.

In the United States and the United Kingdom, more than 70 percent of those who encourage the use of AI say the technology has provided tangible results for customers and employees.

In Japan, the figure is only 40 percent, the lowest among the six countries.

In Japan, AI is more often used to compose reports and send e-mails. Its use to create video, audio, and program code is still lower.

"It is important to consider whether the use of AI is in line with the company's goals and vision," said PwC Consulting LLC executive officer Shimpei Miyoshi.