[Survey on Changes in Awareness and Recognition Over 4 Years Since the Rise of Generative AI] Approximately 70% of Manufacturing Executives Have Impressions of Generative AI Exceeding Expectations Compared to the Early Stages of Generative AI's Emergence; 1/4 of Executives Experience Increased Leisure Time Due to Generative AI Benefits

Stockmark Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tatsu Hayashi; hereinafter: Stockmark), which independently develops domestic generative AI platforms and provides generative AI services, conducted the "Survey on Changes in Awareness and Recognition Over 4 Years Since the Rise of Generative AI" (hereinafter: the Survey) targeting 208 executives in the manufacturing industry. The survey aimed to understand the actual state of generative AI adoption and utilization, changes in awareness, the gap between expectations and reality regarding generative AI held by executives in the manufacturing industry, and challenges for its utilization.

▼Full Report Here (Free) https://sat.stockmark.co.jp/resources/seizougyo-ai-report/

[SUMMARY: Key Survey Findings]

| [POINT 1] Establishment of Utilization and Multifaceted Results: High Satisfaction and Positive Impact on Work-Life Balance

- Compared to the early stages of generative AI's emergence, approximately 70% of respondents answered that their impression of generative AI was "exceeding expectations."

- Through the utilization of generative AI, approximately 70% experienced improved organizational productivity, and approximately 60% experienced improved quality of deliverables.

- One in four executives experienced an increase in leisure time, indicating a positive impact even on life changes.

| [POINT 2] Advanced Utilization Layers: Shift from Task Assistance to Support for Management Decision-Making

- Utilization is commonly centered around white-collar tasks such as "document creation" and "market research," but the number of cases for "support for management decisions" has doubled, showing a shift in utilization layers.

- Generative AI is beginning to permeate beyond mere task assistance in daily routine operations, serving as a tool for advanced decision-making and management support in the practical work of manufacturing executives.

| [POINT 3] Invisible Walls to Full Potential: Preparation of Proprietary Data and Radical Overhaul of Business Processes

- As requirements for generative AI to further demonstrate its full potential, approximately 60% selected "preparation of company-specific data and knowledge" and "redesign of business operations with AI as a premise," indicating recognition of the need for innovation in data and business processes themselves.

- While generally receiving high evaluations from manufacturing executives, "difficulty adapting to specialized manufacturing tasks" and "security concerns" have emerged as barriers among cautious individuals and those who have not yet experienced growth.

Survey Highlights

1. Approximately 4 years since the emergence of generative AI, over 70% of executives responded that generative AI is "exceeding expectations."

When asked about "changes in impressions of generative AI compared to 2022," a remarkable approximately 70% of executives answered "exceeding expectations." Including the approximately 15% who answered "as expected," over 80% of executives have a more positive impression of generative AI compared to 2022 when it first appeared.

2. Organizational productivity improved by approximately 70%, quality by over 60%. Furthermore, 25% experienced an increase in leisure time.

Regarding "changes since the start of generative AI utilization," approximately 70% responded that organizational "productivity" improved, and over 60% responded that "quality" improved, indicating that the benefits of generative AI utilization are being realized.

Notably, one in four executives (25%) experienced improvements in "time outside of work (leisure, etc.)." This shows that improved work efficiency is beginning to have a positive impact on individual life changes, such as improved work-life balance.

3. Shift from task assistance to support for management decisions. Utilization cases have doubled from expectations in 2022.

Comparing the intended uses expected in 2022 with the uses currently being utilized, while "document creation," "market research," and "internal data search" remained at the top, an advancement in utilization layers was observed.

In particular, the number of utilization cases for "support for management decisions" has doubled from the expectations at that time, highlighting the reality that generative AI has moved beyond being a mere task assistance tool for routine work and is deeply permeating as a tool supporting the advancement of critical decision-making in practical work.

4. Barriers to full potential. Future requirements are "preparation of proprietary data" and "overhaul of business processes."

While generally receiving high evaluations, "difficulty adapting to company-specific data and operations," "actual limitations," and "security concerns" have emerged as barriers among cautious individuals and those who have not yet realized benefits.

Looking ahead, "preparation of company-specific data and knowledge" and "redesign of business operations with AI as a premise" were overwhelmingly selected as necessary for generative AI to further demonstrate its full potential. It is recognized that it is indispensable to organize the knowledge, which is a strength of the manufacturing industry, into a form that AI can handle, and to innovate the traditional business processes themselves, a "data infrastructure overhaul."

Survey Overview

- Survey Content: Survey on Changes in Awareness and Recognition Over 4 Years Since the Rise of Generative AI - Survey Objective: To grasp the actual state of generative AI adoption and utilization, changes in awareness, and challenges for future full-scale utilization among executives in the manufacturing industry from the appearance of ChatGPT to the present. - Target Participants: Executives involved in the internal introduction, promotion, or utilization of generative AI in large manufacturing companies. - Number of Respondents: 208 - Survey Period: June 10, 2026 - June 16, 2026 - Survey Organization: Stockmark Inc. - Implementation Method: Online questionnaire - Full Report: https://sat.stockmark.co.jp/resources/seizougyo-ai-report/ - Remarks: This survey report can be quoted. When quoting, please clearly state "Stockmark 'Survey on Changes in Awareness and Recognition Over 4 Years Since the Rise of Generative AI'."

About Stockmark's Solutions

AI utilization is an indispensable element for maintaining competitiveness. However, many companies face challenges such as "lack of data preparation," "slow adoption at the operational level," and "failure to lead to concrete results."

Using proprietary natural language processing technology and other methods, we structure complex knowledge, including not only text but also drawings, specifications, and past decision logic, into a form that AI can utilize. This promotes "AI BPR (Business Process Re-engineering)" that redesigns business processes themselves, enabling individuals to focus on "value creation" and "refinement of expertise," which they should truly concentrate on, beyond mere efficiency improvements.

By having AI autonomously handle "simple tasks that create stagnation" and shifting people to "high-value-added work," we aim to create a state where they can "genuinely enjoy their work" and boost the competitiveness of Japanese companies.

- Stockmark Solutions: https://stockmark.co.jp/solution/

About Stockmark Inc.

Stockmark Inc. is dedicated to "Reinventing the Mechanism of Value Creation" as its mission, and supports the corporate transformation of many companies by leveraging cutting-edge generative AI technology.

We operate "Aconnect," an AI agent for the manufacturing industry, and "SAT," which structures all types of data and turns it into corporate assets. Furthermore, we support the development of company-specific generative AI and the construction of proprietary systems.

Company Name: Stockmark Inc. Location: LIFORK MINAMI AOYAMA S209, 1-12-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Established: November 15, 2016 Representative: Tatsu Hayashi, Representative Director and CEO Business Activities: Development and operation of services that support corporate knowledge management and the application of generative AI in business, utilizing cutting-edge generative AI technology. URL: https://stockmark.co.jp/