Survey on the Actual Status of "AI Agent Utilization" in Large Corporations

Persol Career Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yutaka Senoo; hereinafter referred to as Persol Career), which operates "HiPro Biz," a management support service by professional human resources, conducted a survey on the "Actual Status of AI Agent Utilization in Large Corporations" targeting 505 individuals in managerial positions or higher in companies with sales of 100 billion yen or more in May 2026. We are pleased to announce the results.

*In this survey, "AI Agent" refers to AI that autonomously performs information gathering, judgment, and execution for a given objective.

Details of Survey Results: Actual Status of AI Agent Utilization in Large Corporations

Background of the Survey

Against the backdrop of rapid advancements in generative AI, "AI Agents" that autonomously perform tasks are attracting attention as core technologies for improving corporate productivity and creating new businesses. On the other hand, as the transition from PoC (Proof of Concept) to full-scale operation progresses, challenges are being pointed out regarding the insufficient development of human resources and systems to embed the results throughout the organization.

Therefore, Persol Career conducted a comprehensive survey on the introduction and utilization status, perceived effects, challenges, and investment intentions of AI Agents in large corporations, aiming to assist in business promotion. We will introduce some excerpts from the results.

Survey Results Summary

Approximately half (48.3%) are "in full-scale operation" using AI agents in actual business operations. 20.0% of the total have company-wide deployment and have reached the level of management strategy.

Approximately 60% (59.0%) of those actually utilizing AI agents (PoC introduction or higher) have already experienced the effects of introduction.

On the other hand, approximately 70% (73.1%) feel a "lack" in human resources and systems to promote utilization. The most common challenge is "lack of personnel who can design and evaluate" (45.9%).

Main Survey Results

- Approximately half of large corporations are utilizing AI agents in actual business operations. Utilization is moving beyond the trial stage to full-scale operation within organizations.

When asked about the introduction and utilization status of AI agents at their workplaces, the total response for "Company-wide deployment/Integration with management strategy," "Full-scale operation in multiple departments," and "Full-scale operation in some departments" was 48.3%. This indicates that AI agent utilization is moving beyond the trial stage to the actual operation phase (Figure 1).

[Figure 1] Please tell us the most applicable item regarding the introduction and utilization status of AI agents at your company.

- Approximately 60% of those already using them "perceive effects." Ripple effects within the organization, such as sharing of tacit knowledge, are also occurring.

When asked about the perceived effects among those actually utilizing AI agents (PoC introduction or higher, n=317), the combined response of "Effects can be perceived in specific tasks/domains" (35.0%) and "Clear results have been achieved and operations have become established" (24.0%) was 59.0% (Figure 2).

Furthermore, when asked about the changes that were particularly impactful among those who perceive effects (n=187), "Formalization and inheritance of tacit operational know-how" was the most frequent response at 47.6%. This suggests that AI agents are not only improving efficiency but also beginning to contribute to the accumulation of organizational knowledge (Figure 3).

[Figure 2] Please tell us the current situation closest to the effects of AI agent introduction and utilization at your company.

[Figure 3] Please tell us about the changes you have particularly felt as a result of AI agent introduction. (Up to 3 items can be answered)

- While AI agent utilization is progressing, the human resources and systems to promote it are not keeping pace. Approximately 70% perceive a "lack."

As utilization progresses, when asked about the extent to which roles and systems responsible for AI agent operation and decision-making are in place, only 19.8% responded "sufficiently in place." Including "somewhat in place but also feel a lack" (43.4%), approximately 70% (73.1%) feel a lack of systems (Figure 4).

Additionally, when asked about the challenges and barriers to the introduction and utilization of AI agents among those engaged in their introduction and utilization (n=399), the "lack of personnel who can design and evaluate AI agents" was the most frequent response at 45.9% (Figure 5).

[Figure 4] To what extent do you feel that the roles and systems responsible for operating and making decisions for AI agent utilization are currently in place at your company?

[Figure 5] Please tell us what are (or are likely to be) the challenges or barriers to the introduction and utilization of AI agents at your company. (Multiple answers allowed)

Conclusion: The key to turning utilization into results is the early development of human resources and systems responsible for promotion.

This survey revealed that AI agent utilization in large corporations is transitioning from the "introduction" to the "execution" phase, with approximately half reaching full-scale operation and increasing perceived effects.

On the other hand, challenges lie in the lack of human resources and systems capable of designing, evaluating, and promoting AI agents to expand their utilization company-wide and establish them as results. Delays in developing such infrastructure could lead to stagnation in utilization, a decrease in return on investment, and ultimately, an widening gap in competitiveness between companies.

Since it takes time to develop such human resources internally, utilizing external professional human resources is also a viable option in the short term. It is expected to not only supplement the lacking roles but also contribute to the transfer of knowledge to internal members through practical work and accelerate human resource development. The ability to supplement these aspects early on is considered a turning point that will determine the success or failure of AI agent utilization.

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Actual Status of AI Agent Utilization in Large Corporations

Survey Organization: Persol Career Co., Ltd.

Survey Method: Internet Survey

Survey Period: May 20, 2026 - May 22, 2026

Target: 505 individuals in managerial positions or higher in companies with sales of 100 billion yen or more.

*The sum may not always be 100% because the proportions are rounded to the second decimal place.

Regarding the Survey Results Report:

This release provides excerpts from the survey results. The detailed report includes more specific data, such as the investment status of AI agents and the actual situation of promotion systems. You can download and view it for free from the URL below.

Details: https://hipro-job.jp/corp/document/useful/biz/ai-agent-adoption-status-roi-challenges/?name=hipro_biz_useful_ai-agent-adoption-status-roi-challenges

About "HiPro," the comprehensive support service for utilizing professional human resources <https://hipro-job.jp/>

"HiPro" is a comprehensive support service for utilizing professional human resources that connects companies facing challenges with side job/freelance professionals, with the purpose of "Liberating skills and diversifying society." As it becomes more difficult for companies to acquire talent and individual ways of working change significantly, "HiPro" provides opportunities for companies to meet the talent they need and for individuals to find projects that match their skills through three services: "HiPro Biz," "HiPro Tech," and "HiPro Direct." By increasing options for individuals who want to expand their potential while leveraging their experience and skills, and for companies that need to address complex issues, it diversifies society.

Management Support Service by Professional Human Resources "HiPro Biz" <https://hipro-job.jp/corp/service/biz/>

This is a management support service that leads to problem-solving by working with individuals who can solve advanced issues, such as management, CxO, and expert classes, for companies tackling management challenges.

IT/Technology Domain Specialized Agent Service "HiPro Tech" <https://tech.hipro-job.jp/>

This is an agent service that introduces individuals who can solve IT/technology domain challenges, such as engineers, IT consultants, technical advisors, and PM/PMO, for companies tackling IT/technology domain issues.

Side Job/Freelance Human Resources Matching Platform Service "HiPro Direct"

<https://hipro-job.jp/pro/service/direct/lp/>

This is a matching platform service where companies and side job/freelance professionals who can solve challenges connect directly on the platform, enabling business transactions to start as early as the same day.

About Persol Career Co., Ltd. <https://www.persol-career.co.jp/>

Persol Career Co., Ltd., with the mission of "Empowering people to own their work," provides human resource introductions, job advertisements, new graduate recruitment support, and more through the recruitment service "doda" and the high-career recruitment service "doda X." In May 2022, it launched "HiPro," a comprehensive support service for utilizing professional human resources, and made a full-scale entry into the side job/freelance domain. By leveraging the entire group's strength, we strive to create social value that focuses more than ever on individual "work," and aim to realize a society where all "work" leads to smiles by facing social issues head-on.

About Our Mission: https://www.persol-career.co.jp/mission_value/