Yahoo Japan’s Groundbreaking Policy: AI Use for All Employees to Boost Productivity
Yahoo Japan has launched a pioneering corporate policy that mandates all 11,000 employees to utilize generative artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily tasks. The goal? To double productivity by 2028. This mandate is a significant move, marking one of the most aggressive AI adoption strategies by a major corporation to date.
The company, known for operating Japan’s widely-used LINE messaging app, is targeting routine tasks that reportedly consume approximately 30% of employee work time. These tasks include:
- Research
- Document creation
- Meeting documentation
- Expense management
According to Yahoo Japan, these areas are prime candidates for AI automation and enhancement.
Employees are now required to integrate AI tools into a wide range of tasks, from competitive analysis to meeting summaries. They will use the company’s internal SeekAI platform, along with other generative AI technologies. The initiative’s primary aim is to shift worker focus from routine output to higher-level thinking and communication, letting AI handle the foundational work.
This bold experiment emerges as Japan lags in AI adoption, with only 26.7% of individuals reporting AI usage in fiscal 2024. Yahoo Japan’s approach starkly contrasts with competitors and has the potential to influence corporate AI strategies globally. However, the success of this strategy will hinge on whether the ambitious productivity targets can be met without negatively impacting employee satisfaction or work quality.
Source: TechRadar