AI Learning Status Survey 2026: Over 60% are "interested" in AI but "haven't taken action." The Accelerating AI Era and Individuals' Psychological Barriers to Taking the First Step.
A survey by SHIFT AI revealed that despite high interest (40.1%) in AI among 20-65 year olds nationwide, only 4.1% are actively learning, indicating a significant gap between interest and action. Key barriers include perceived high costs (34.6%) and not knowing where to start (23.0%).
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 12:09 (37 min after Collected)
SHIFT AI Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shota Kiuchi; hereinafter: the Company), which operates "SHIFT AI," Japan's No. 1 generative AI learning community with the mission of "making Japan an AI advanced nation," conducted a "Survey on AI Learning Awareness and Status" targeting 15,890 men and women aged 20-65 nationwide. Currently, while improving productivity through generative AI is an urgent task in the business field, at the individual level, a major challenge is the stagnation at the entry point of learning, where people "don't know where to start." In response to this social situation, the Company conducted this survey to clarify the actual learning status and true feelings of individuals.
Summary of Survey Results
This survey confirmed a significant discrepancy (gap) between the growing interest in generative AI and actual learning behavior and intentions. While the overall interest level in AI reached 40.1%, only 4.1% of respondents were "already learning," indicating that many interested individuals have not taken concrete action. The most common barrier to learning was "seems expensive (34.6%)," followed by "don't know where to start (23.0%)," and "lack of service reliability (20.8%)." It also became clear that the motivation for AI learning, in addition to "improving work efficiency," is often driven by a sense of urgency to "not be left behind." This highlights new challenges: anxiety about being left behind in the AI era and a lack of accessibility to learning environments.
Details of Survey Results
Interest in AI
Among the respondents, 40.1% expressed high interest in AI, combining those with "strong interest" and "some interest." On the other hand, 36.5% had "no interest at all."
Intention to learn AI within the next year
36.1% of respondents were positive about learning. 32.3% said they "do not want to learn at all." Only 4.1% were already learning.
Currently used AI services/tools
58.7% reported "not using any particular service." ChatGPT was the most used service at 23.7%.
Experience with AI courses
78.4% had "no experience taking courses." Only 3.9% had experience with paid online courses.
Motivation/Purpose of AI learning
"Improving work efficiency," "not wanting to be left behind," and "salary increase/promotion" were the top three motivations.
What is sought in AI learning services
"Q&A/consultation support" and "systematic curriculum" were ranked highest. Expectations for side jobs and communities were generally low.
Barriers/Anxieties about AI learning
"Seems expensive" at 34.6% was the biggest barrier, followed by "don't know where to start" and "suspicious/unreliable."
Survey Outline
Survey period: January 10-13, 2026
Target audience: Men and women aged 20-65 nationwide
Number of respondents: 15,890
Survey method: Internet research / Implementing organization: SHIFT AI Co., Ltd.
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When quoting or reprinting this press release, please clearly state our credit (e.g., "According to SHIFT AI research").
【Company Profile】
SHIFT AI Co., Ltd., with the mission of "making Japan an AI advanced nation," operates "SHIFT AI," Japan's No. 1 generative AI learning community, which helps people learn how to utilize AI technologies, including generative AI, in business. With over 30,000 members, the company promotes AI talent development in various fields, such as "SHIFT AI for Biz" for corporate reskilling support and "SHIFT AI for School" for educational institutions. Furthermore, through the operation of its original media "SHIFT AI Times" and other information dissemination, training, and events, it supports the growth of individuals and organizations and accelerates the utilization of AI throughout Japan.
Company Name: SHIFT AI Co., Ltd.
Location: Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shota Kiuchi, Representative Director
Established: March 18, 2022
Capital: 83 million yen (including capital reserve)
Business Activities: Consulting / Community Management / YouTube Channel Management / School Management
URL: https://shift-ai.co.jp/
*No. 1 in users
According to GMO Research & AI Inc. survey
■Survey items/Cumulative number of registered users as of the survey (February 2025)
■Survey target/Community services that provide lectures on AI utilization examples and practical know-how for business purposes operated by companies, excluding online communities that do not offer lectures, individually operated communities, and communities for non-business purposes.
【About Representative Director Shota Kiuchi】
Shota Kiuchi
Representative Director of SHIFT AI Co., Ltd. / Council Member of the General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Generative AI Utilization
Summary of Survey Results
This survey confirmed a significant discrepancy (gap) between the growing interest in generative AI and actual learning behavior and intentions. While the overall interest level in AI reached 40.1%, only 4.1% of respondents were "already learning," indicating that many interested individuals have not taken concrete action. The most common barrier to learning was "seems expensive (34.6%)," followed by "don't know where to start (23.0%)," and "lack of service reliability (20.8%)." It also became clear that the motivation for AI learning, in addition to "improving work efficiency," is often driven by a sense of urgency to "not be left behind." This highlights new challenges: anxiety about being left behind in the AI era and a lack of accessibility to learning environments.
Details of Survey Results
Interest in AI
Among the respondents, 40.1% expressed high interest in AI, combining those with "strong interest" and "some interest." On the other hand, 36.5% had "no interest at all."
Intention to learn AI within the next year
36.1% of respondents were positive about learning. 32.3% said they "do not want to learn at all." Only 4.1% were already learning.
Currently used AI services/tools
58.7% reported "not using any particular service." ChatGPT was the most used service at 23.7%.
Experience with AI courses
78.4% had "no experience taking courses." Only 3.9% had experience with paid online courses.
Motivation/Purpose of AI learning
"Improving work efficiency," "not wanting to be left behind," and "salary increase/promotion" were the top three motivations.
What is sought in AI learning services
"Q&A/consultation support" and "systematic curriculum" were ranked highest. Expectations for side jobs and communities were generally low.
Barriers/Anxieties about AI learning
"Seems expensive" at 34.6% was the biggest barrier, followed by "don't know where to start" and "suspicious/unreliable."
Survey Outline
Survey period: January 10-13, 2026
Target audience: Men and women aged 20-65 nationwide
Number of respondents: 15,890
Survey method: Internet research / Implementing organization: SHIFT AI Co., Ltd.
≪Request for credit notation when quoting or reprinting≫
When quoting or reprinting this press release, please clearly state our credit (e.g., "According to SHIFT AI research").
【Company Profile】
SHIFT AI Co., Ltd., with the mission of "making Japan an AI advanced nation," operates "SHIFT AI," Japan's No. 1 generative AI learning community, which helps people learn how to utilize AI technologies, including generative AI, in business. With over 30,000 members, the company promotes AI talent development in various fields, such as "SHIFT AI for Biz" for corporate reskilling support and "SHIFT AI for School" for educational institutions. Furthermore, through the operation of its original media "SHIFT AI Times" and other information dissemination, training, and events, it supports the growth of individuals and organizations and accelerates the utilization of AI throughout Japan.
Company Name: SHIFT AI Co., Ltd.
Location: Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shota Kiuchi, Representative Director
Established: March 18, 2022
Capital: 83 million yen (including capital reserve)
Business Activities: Consulting / Community Management / YouTube Channel Management / School Management
URL: https://shift-ai.co.jp/
*No. 1 in users
According to GMO Research & AI Inc. survey
■Survey items/Cumulative number of registered users as of the survey (February 2025)
■Survey target/Community services that provide lectures on AI utilization examples and practical know-how for business purposes operated by companies, excluding online communities that do not offer lectures, individually operated communities, and communities for non-business purposes.
【About Representative Director Shota Kiuchi】
Shota Kiuchi
Representative Director of SHIFT AI Co., Ltd. / Council Member of the General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Generative AI Utilization