87% of SME CEOs Say Generative AI Will Transform Their Business

Hunet Conducts Survey on Awareness of 'Generative AI' Among Small and Medium Enterprise CEOs

Most CEOs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) believe that generative artificial intelligence (AI) will bring significant changes to their companies' businesses, and they expect generative AI to help alleviate workforce shortages in their companies.

Hunet announced the results of a 'Generative AI Awareness' survey conducted among SME CEOs on the 22nd. The survey included responses from 207 CEOs who are alumni of Hunet's SME and mid-sized enterprise CEO program, "Happy Management University."

According to the survey, about 87% of respondents expected generative AI to bring significant changes to their companies' businesses. Among them, 46.4% answered "large," and 40.6% answered "very large."

Additionally, 86.9% felt that generative AI would contribute to improving employees' work productivity and performance. In this regard, 78.3% responded that generative AI would help resolve workforce shortages and strengthen employee capabilities, indicating high expectations for AI among corporate CEOs.

Regarding the adoption of generative AI, the responses were as follows: "Not adopted by the company, but employee use is allowed" (46.4%), "Adopted in some departments" (27.5%), and "Adopted company-wide" (20.3%), with no respondents indicating "Use prohibited by the company."

Meanwhile, 80% of companies have either conducted or are planning generative AI-related training. Specifically, 30.4% reported "selective training for some departments/personnel," 18.8% "completed training for all employees," 21.7% "planning training for some departments/personnel," and 7.2% "planning training for all employees."

Regarding fields where generative AI training is needed (multiple responses allowed), "Marketing" (58.0%) and "Business Planning" (55.1%) were the most frequently selected. They were followed by "R&D" (34.8%), "IT" (33.3%), "Sales" (29.0%), and "Service" (26.1%).

The frequency of generative AI use among the surveyed SME CEOs was "at least once a week" (37.7%), "daily use" (24.6%), "do not use" (21.7%), and "at least once a month" (14.5%). While most feel the significant impact of generative AI, the usage levels among CEOs appear to vary.

Meanwhile, Hunet is recruiting the 16th class of "Happy Management University," a free CEO program for SME and mid-sized enterprise CEOs. Eligibility requires being a CEO of a company established for more than three years with at least 30 employees. The application deadline is August 25.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.