MFRO Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Hironori Kitawaki) conducted an "Awareness Survey on Consulting AI for Work" targeting 500 working individuals and ranked the data.

More and more people are consulting AI for their work-related questions and concerns. It's as if they are truly using AI as an assistant.

On the other hand, many people still value consulting their superiors and colleagues.

Craudia Recruitment Site Creation Agency (https://craudia-recruit-create.com/), operated by MFRO Inc., conducted a survey on "Consulting AI for Work" among 500 working individuals and compiled the results in a ranking format.

Mr. Takashi Imoto, Representative Director of Media Sketch Inc. and Visiting Associate Professor at Cyber University, provided comments on the survey results.

[Request for Data Citation/Reproduction]

When using the survey results and images from this release, please include a link to the official website URL of "Craudia Recruitment Site Creation Agency" (https://craudia-recruit-create.com/) as the source.

[Survey Overview]

Target Audience: Working individuals

Survey Date: May 20, 2026

Survey Organization: In-house survey

Survey Method: Voluntary internet response

Valid Responses: 500 people (340 women / 160 men)

Responder Age Groups: 20s 16.4% / 30s 35.8% / 40s 30.0% / 50s 14.2% / 60s and over 3.6%

[Survey Results Summary]

- 82.4% consult AI before their boss or colleagues. - The top reason for consulting AI before a boss or colleague is "Can use it freely without hesitation." - The reason for consulting a boss or colleague instead of AI is "Can receive answers that are relevant to the current situation." - 26.0% believe workplace communication will "decrease" due to the rise of AI tools.

82.4% Consult AI Before Their Boss or Colleagues

When asked "Do you sometimes consult AI before your boss or colleagues?" among 500 working individuals, "Frequently" (37.0%) and "Occasionally" (45.4%) combined accounted for 82.4%.

"Frequently" alone accounted for nearly 40%. This indicates that for many, "asking AI first when they don't know something" has become a standard workflow.

Top Reason for Consulting AI Before Boss or Colleagues is "Can Use It Freely Without Hesitation"

When asked the reasons for consulting AI before their boss or colleagues among 412 individuals, the top reason was "Can use it freely without hesitation" (31.3%). The second most common answer was "Fast response" (21.4%).

Reasons for choosing AI as a workplace consultation partner include "low psychological and time barriers" and "high quality of answers." AI's significant advantage is that you don't need to worry about the other person's feelings and can ask questions the moment you think of them.

The speed of response and the satisfaction with the answers are also highly valued. It's natural to want to use it if you can get quick and satisfactory answers.

However, many people also stated, "I ask AI as preparation before consulting my boss or colleagues" or "I confirm with my boss after asking AI."

<1st Place: Can Use It Freely Without Hesitation>

- "I can consult about things that are difficult to ask without worrying about it. I don't want to worry about other people" (20s Male) - "No matter what I say, it won't be seen as strange, and I can change how I ask multiple times and repeat questions until I am satisfied" (30s Female) - "We are a small company with few employees, and my boss always seems busy. I believe they would listen sympathetically if I consulted them, but I don't want to bother my boss with trivial questions, so I ask AI" (50s Female)

When consulting superiors or colleagues at work, one might feel psychological pressure depending on the questioner's personality or the workplace atmosphere.

For example, "Will I be looked down upon for asking basic questions?" or "What if I disturb them when they are concentrating?" The hurdle to asking questions becomes high due to consideration for the other person.

However, with AI, there's no need to worry about the other party's situation or emotions. Even if you ask basic questions or the same thing multiple times, you won't be met with a negative reaction. Therefore, many people feel they can "ask more freely than with people."

<2nd Place: Fast Response>

- "It gives results immediately when I input data" (20s Female) - "It's quick, so I use it when I want to know the answer right away" (30s Female) - "For simple questions, it's convenient to get answers to almost anything immediately" (60s and over Male)

Getting an immediate answer is one of the major reasons for using AI first. For example, if your boss or colleagues are unavailable or seem busy and you can't consult them, stopping work with a question can lead to wasted time.

In such cases, receiving an immediate answer from AI makes it easier to continue work without waiting, leading to improved work efficiency.

However, the immediate answer may not always be correct. Also, entrusting important decisions requiring specialized knowledge to AI can be unsettling. It is necessary to combine fact-checking of answers with final checks by humans.

<3rd Place: Satisfied with the Answer>

- "I believe AI gives hints that are infinitely close to the correct answer, so I've been relying on it lately" (20s Female) - "It has newer information and general knowledge than my boss" (30s Female) - "When I don't know how to operate a PC or set up/operate SaaS, I consult AI first. I get quite accurate answers" (40s Male)

Many people consult AI first because they have confidence that "a certain level of answer will be returned" from AI. Specifically, multiple responses indicated satisfaction with accurate answers regarding "PC and IT tool operation methods" and "general knowledge."

Superiors and colleagues, being human, have individual differences in their knowledge and areas of expertise, for better or worse. However, AI can provide information from a vast dataset across various fields and answer a wide range of questions.

However, as noted in the disclaimers of AI tools themselves, AI's answers can sometimes be incorrect, so caution is necessary.

<4th Place: Preparation for Consulting People>

- "I want to ask AI first whether it's something I should know. I want to know it before asking people at the company" (20s Female) - "I often use it as preparation because I want to have potential answers ready before asking my boss or colleagues" (30s Male)

Some people use AI not as a means to "avoid consulting people," but as a "preparation tool for consulting people." This is because they want to organize their own hypotheses and arguments before approaching their boss or colleagues with questions or consultations, rather than just bringing up the topic without any thought.

These efforts facilitate smooth consultations and questions. It appears that people consult AI to organize their points and prerequisite knowledge before seeking advice.

<5th Place: Can Ask Anytime>

- "Because it's available anytime" (40s Male) - "Unlike dealing with people, I can do it at my convenience" (50s Female)

AI's strength also lies in its "availability at any time." For example, you can ask questions when there are fewer people around, while commuting, or the moment you think of something.

This allows for immediate resolution of doubts when they arise, eliminating the need to postpone problems. It can also be expected to reduce instances of forgetting something you intended to ask later.

Reason for Consulting Boss or Colleagues Instead of AI is "Can Receive Answers Relevant to the Current Situation"

Next, we asked 88 people who responded that they "consult their boss or colleagues instead of AI" for their reasons.

The top reason was "Can receive answers that are relevant to the current situation" (23.9%). This was followed by "AI cannot handle it" (18.2%) and "Not used to AI" (17.0%).

Many demerits of consulting AI were raised along with the merits of consulting people, highlighting the perception that "AI often cannot handle requests or provides insufficient answers."

In the workplace, many issues arise that cannot be resolved solely by the "general information" or "objective and rational proposals" that AI excels at. In such cases, many people tend to rely on the experience and knowledge of their superiors and colleagues.

<1st Place: Can Receive Answers Relevant to the Current Situation>

- "I work with people with mental disabilities in the welfare field. When considering support tailored to each individual, I often consult my boss, who has more knowledge and experience than AI" (30s Female) - "When discussing work, it's easier to get detailed instructions and advice tailored to the situation by asking someone who shares a common understanding of the workflow and background" (40s Male) - "AI's answers tend to be general theory. My boss and colleagues can consult with a shared understanding of the work and company situation" (60s and over Male)

Many problems arise in the workplace that cannot be solved by general theories alone. This is because decisions are often made considering "company-specific rules and manuals" or "customer and user history and psychology."

In such situations, an experienced boss or staff member may offer advice after understanding the circumstances and background. The strength of humans lies in their ability to "think flexibly according to the situation" and "provide answers that take into account the organization and individuals."

<2nd Place: AI Cannot Handle It>

- "Because it's not something that can be solved by AI" (30s Female) - "Because AI doesn't know internal company matters" (50s Female)

General AI often does not grasp "workplace-specific manuals and rules." Furthermore, work sometimes requires responses that take into account individual customer history and personality. Therefore, for individual cases, it is often difficult for AI to make correct judgments.

On the other hand, superiors and colleagues are expected to be able to provide consultation responses considering organizational culture and customer personality.

<3rd Place: Not Used to AI>

- "I only recently learned how to use AI and didn't have the concept of consulting AI" (20s Female) - "I haven't mastered using AI tools" (40s Female)

Some people state, "I don't know how to use AI" or "The workplace isn't set up for AI use." Even if a tool is convenient, it cannot be utilized if one doesn't understand how to use it. Also, in workplaces where people generally don't use smartphones or computers, there's no way to consult AI.

Given these individual circumstances or workplace environments, the idea of "asking AI" doesn't even arise.

<4th Place: Cannot Trust AI>

- "Because AI is often wrong" (40s Female) - "Because the content of AI's answers is still disappointing" (50s Female)

Many people do not fully trust AI's answers. In fact, AI can sometimes provide answers that "look correct but actually contain misinformation or inaccurate content."

While accuracy has significantly improved, it's clear that many people still judge it unusable for work.

<5th Place: Faster to Ask People>

- "I think consulting my boss resolves the issue faster" (20s Female) - "In the workplace, we are close enough to confirm immediately and converse, so I feel it often leads to a faster resolution" (40s Male)

Depending on the workplace environment and the boss/colleague being consulted, it can be faster than asking AI. For example, "the boss or colleagues are nearby and the environment is conducive to asking" or "confirmation from the boss is ultimately necessary, so it's faster to ask them directly from the start."

The survey also included comments like "Explaining the prerequisites to ask AI is a hassle." There is a trust that bosses and colleagues in the same workplace can understand one's situation more quickly than AI.

26.0% Believe Workplace Communication Will "Decrease" Due to the Rise of AI Tools

When asked "What do you think will happen to workplace communication due to the rise of AI tools?" the majority (67.0%) believe it will not change dramatically.

However, among those who predicted a change, "increase" (7.0%) was outnumbered by "decrease" (26.0%). This is because simple questions and consultations that were previously asked of people can now be handled by AI, leading to reduced communication with others.

However, free responses in the survey also included many voices stating, "Communication with colleagues is still important" and "Important matters are confirmed with people." It is widely recognized that basic workplace communication, such as decision-making, shared understanding, and relationship building, is indispensable.

Therefore, while daily interactions may decrease, it is thought that communication between people will not disappear entirely. Rather, by reducing simple questions and confirmations, it is possible to expect "more time to discuss important matters in depth."

Conclusion

A considerable number of people are now using AI first as a consultation partner for work. This is because AI is convenient and accessible, responding to any question or consultation anytime, anywhere.

However, even among those who consult AI first, many voices stated, "For important or sensitive decisions, I consult my boss or colleagues." This suggests that people are increasingly differentiating their consultation partners, using AI for simple consultations to improve efficiency, while turning to people for matters requiring human experience and empathy.

Consequently, while a certain percentage of people believe that "workplace communication will decrease due to the spread of AI," many others predict "no change."

Comments from Takashi Imoto

Looking at domestic and international data so far, the proportion of people consulting AI not just for simple questions but also for everyday doubts and concerns is rapidly increasing worldwide. The results of this survey also show a similar trend of increased usage for reasons such as "easy to consult."

On the other hand, heavy users of generative AI also empirically feel its limitations. Since AI has a weakness in that it requires detailed input of the consultant's background and context to be understood sufficiently, some people do not feel that generative AI is suitable for all consultations.

From this perspective, it feels like a division of consultation is progressing between "generative AI," which is easy to consult, and "humans," who consider the person's personality, background, and history. Therefore, as seen in the survey results, only 26.0% believe that workplace communication will decrease due to AI, suggesting that their respective roles are becoming clearer.

What needs attention is that the progression of consultation division between AI and humans means that humans will be responsible for "more advanced consultations that only humans can handle." In other words, the meaning of consulting a human depends on whether they can provide "deep advice that includes personality, background, and history."

In my lectures, I always state that "the evolution of AI is prompting humans to improve their more human-like abilities," and this trend is precisely what is being demonstrated.

▽ Expert Introduction

Takashi Imoto

Representative Director, Media Sketch Inc.

Visiting Associate Professor, Cyber University

After working at NEC Soft Ltd. (now NEC Solution Innovators, Ltd.) and Future Architect Inc., he founded Media Sketch Inc.

Focusing on supporting corporate DX, he engages in strategy formulation, R&D support, and human resource development support related to IoT devices and AI development.

He is also actively involved in supporting local governments, having served as a mentor for regional IoT promotion labs and an advisor for DX strategy at the Fukui Industry Support Center.

As a evangelist of digital technology, he has appeared on TV and radio programs such as Fuji TV's "Honma Dekka!? TV."

He lectures on DX, AI, and cybersecurity across the country.

<Books>

AI Textbook: Covering Business Construction to Latest Technologies (https://amzn.asia/d/fPjtgCn)

The Definitive Edition Covering Everything About IoT: IoT Textbook (https://amzn.asia/d/4DE2Tgi)

<Websites>

https://media-sketch.com/

http://imoto-takashi.com/

[Request for Data Citation/Reproduction]

When using the survey results and images from this release, please include a link to the official website URL of "Craudia Recruitment Site Creation Agency" (https://craudia-recruit-create.com/) as the source.

About Craudia

Craudia is a comprehensive cloud sourcing service operated by MFRO Inc.

It is offered as one of the services that supports individual work styles and lifestyles, which are becoming increasingly diverse, including freelance, side jobs, and multiple jobs.

Official URL https://www.craudia.com/

About MFRO Inc.

MFRO Inc. is a company that focuses on media business, providing attractive information and valuable services to users.

Leveraging the data, know-how, and development achievements accumulated through its core media business, it offers marketing consulting that proposes highly effective customer acquisition methods.

Official URL https://www.mfro.net/

Company Profile

Company Name: MFRO Inc.

Representative: Hironori Kitawaki, Representative Director

Location: 4F, A-PLACE Ebisu Higashi, 3-13-11 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0011

Established: September 2004

Capital: 50,000,000 yen

URL: http://www.mfro.net/

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