Survey: The Reality of AI Utilization

Newstream Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiroshi Shiiba; hereinafter, "the Company") conducted a "Survey on AI Usage Status" targeting 3,028 individuals nationwide aged 20s to 60s and above, and has released its report.

The full version of this survey report can be downloaded from the following URL.

[Survey Report] 2026: The Reality of AI Utilization

~Is AI truly pervasive? The widening gap between free usage and paid/business usage~

https://www15.webcas.net/form/pub/ns/whitepaper

■ Background of the Survey

Since the release of ChatGPT in 2023, a wide variety of generative AI services have emerged in Japan, making AI easily accessible to everyone. However, has its use truly progressed to a stage that can be called "utilization"?
This report conducted an independent survey to clarify the current state of AI utilization, analyzing its penetration, free vs. paid usage, personal vs. business usage, and corporate adoption from various perspectives, revealing the current level of AI utilization.

Survey Overview

● Content
AI Usage Status Survey

● Survey Body
Newstream Co., Ltd.

● Survey Method
Internet questionnaire survey (Survey tool: MApps forSurvey)

● Survey Period
April 25-27, 2026 (3 days)

● Survey Respondents
Males and females nationwide, aged 20s to 60s and above

● Valid Responses
3,028 individuals (Males: 1,734, Females: 1,294)

■ Survey Results (Partial)

① AI usage expanded to about half. Meanwhile, over 70% remain "free users."

Regarding the status of AI tool usage, 46.2% of respondents, approximately half, answered that they are "currently using" AI. However, it was revealed that 72.3% of users utilize free plans, indicating that full-scale business utilization and usage involving continuous investment are limited.

Particularly, while the paid plan usage rate was high among those in their 20s at 42.3%, it remained around 10% for those aged 50s and above, showing a difference in "depth of utilization" across generations. Furthermore, over half of each generation responded that they "do not plan to transition to a paid plan in the future," suggesting a gap between the expansion of AI usage and conversion to paid usage.

② Business utilization is expanding, but corporate governance development is lagging.

Among those who use AI for business, 33.4% use it in an environment not approved by the company, revealing a reality where individual-led AI utilization is preceding.

Moreover, regarding internal rules and guidelines for AI usage, only 40.6% of respondents stated that there are "clear rules," indicating a situation where corporate governance development is not keeping pace with the expansion of AI utilization.

In addition to the above article, we have created a questionnaire survey result report summarizing more data.

[Survey Report] 2026: The Reality of AI Utilization

~Is AI truly pervasive? The widening gap between free usage and paid/business usage~

■ Report Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Survey Overview

3. Executive Summary

4. Analysis of Survey Content

　① AI Penetration: Stagnant Indifferent Group and Strong Potential in Seniors
　② Paid Plan Usage Concentrated in Younger Generations

　③ Corporate Adoption and Governance Lag

　④ Coexistence of Anxiety and Satisfaction: High Evaluation Due to "Ease of Trial" Evaluation

5. Summary: From "Knowing" AI to "Mastering It for Practical Benefits"

▼ Download the material

https://www15.webcas.net/form/pub/ns/whitepaper

■ About Newstream Co., Ltd.

Newstream supports client companies in solving challenges and realizing potential through both strategic planning and execution support in the marketing and digital domains.

Main Business Activities: Consulting, website construction, email marketing, questionnaire survey/analysis

Location: Cross Office Mita 207, 5-29-20 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Hiroshi Shiiba

Established: July 2022

Capital: 6.26 million JPY

URL: https://www.new-stream.jp/

■ Contact for this release

Newstream Co., Ltd. PR Department (Yui Asai)

TEL: 050-5490-7295 (main) E-mail: info@new-stream.jp