[AI Gap] 67.3% of Section Managers Use AI for Work, While Only 25.4% of General Staff Do — A 'Reverse Pyramid' Phenomenon in Japanese Companies

The image of 'young employees being the primary AI users' may be a thing of the past. A survey of 400 employees nationwide by Tokyo-based Surista Inc. found that section managers have the highest AI usage rate at 67.3%, while general staff lag at just 25.4%. This 'reverse phenomenon' is quietly spreading across Japanese organizations. Furthermore, cross-analysis by industry and role revealed a 'double gap,' with 94.1% of IT managers using AI compared to only 11.5% of medical and welfare staff.

1. AI Usage by Role (n=400): Management (56.2%), Department Heads (55.9%), Section Managers (67.3% - highest), Supervisors (57.9%), and General Staff (25.4% - lowest). It is a middle-management-led structure rather than a traditional pyramid.

2. High-Frequency Usage and Accident Rates: High-frequency usage (daily or more) is 24.5% for section managers and 8.3% for general staff. Accident rates are highest among section managers at 26.5%, compared to 8.8% for general staff, showing that deeper usage brings higher risks.

3. Industry x Role Cross-Analysis: In IT/Software/Communications, 94.1% of managers use AI vs. 50.0% of staff. In Real Estate/Construction, it is 50.0% vs. 9.1%, a 10.3x gap.

Supervisor Comment: The 67.3% figure for section managers proves that those with decision-making power and heavy workloads are actively implementing AI. Meanwhile, general staff face a 'triple wall' of not knowing how to use it, lacking permission, or seeing no need for it.