[Research Report] AI Utilization in Employment of People with Disabilities: Approximately 80% of Companies Have Introduced AI, with Over 70% Recognizing Its Effectiveness as a 'Reasonable Accommodation'

Kaien Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Keita Suzuki) has conducted and published a "Survey on the Status of Corporate AI Utilization in the Employment of People with Disabilities" to clarify the actual usage, practical applications, and future challenges of AI tools (such as generative AI) in workplace settings for employees with disabilities.

Read the full report here: https://biz.kaien-lab.com/know-how/ai-report/ Background of the Survey As the statutory employment rate for people with disabilities in private companies increases, many businesses face challenges regarding workplace retention and task delegation. Amidst this, attention is growing on the role that generative AI tools like ChatGPT play in the employment of people with disabilities. This survey, based on data collected from companies (n=88), summarizes the current status of AI adoption and its potential as a "reasonable accommodation" in the workplace. Survey Summary The results indicate that AI utilization has become a standard part of the business environment, with the following four trends observed in the employment of people with disabilities: ・Adoption Status: From "Special" to "Everyday Infrastructure" Approximately 80% of responding companies have introduced generative AI into their operations, and it is becoming a standard environment in the employment of people with disabilities.

・Effectiveness as Reasonable Accommodation: Over 70% of Companies Respond "Effective" More than 70% of companies recognize the effectiveness of using AI as a "reasonable accommodation," with cases directly linked to solving issues such as mental health management and facilitating communication.

・Changes in Hiring Criteria: "Not Mandatory, but a Strong Plus" In recruitment, approximately 40% of companies stated that AI skills are "not mandatory, but highly valued and advantageous for hiring."

・Field Challenges: Dependence on "Individual Literacy" Regarding support systems for employees with disabilities, about 40% of companies responded that they have "nothing in particular (leaving it to individual effort)," indicating that establishing concrete rules at the operational level is a future challenge.

Real Voices from the Field (AI Utilization Examples) The survey gathered numerous specific examples of how technology is being used to cover challenges related to disability characteristics: ・Communication and Document Creation Support: Employees prone to overly direct communication use AI to proofread emails before sending, converting them into "softer expressions" to prevent interpersonal conflicts.