[AI Utilization Survey] 1 in 3 Childcare Workers and Related Personnel Use AI
Unifa's survey revealed that 33.4% of childcare workers use generative AI, surpassing general corporate usage. The demand is shifting from text generation to specialized 'Photo Management' and 'Decision Support' AI.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:23 (2h 23m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 04:54 (220h 30m after Collected)
Unifa Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Yasuyuki Toki, hereinafter "Unifa"), which solves social issues related to childcare and parenting through the power of technology centered on Childcare AI™, conducted a "Fact-Finding Survey on the Use of AI by Childcare Workers and Kindergarten Teachers 2026" (hereinafter "This Survey") targeting 1,209 childcare workers and kindergarten teachers nationwide in March 2026.
This survey reaffirmed that as the first step in utilizing AI in childcare settings, text generation such as "drafting documents and sentences" is the main purpose. In addition to text generation, it was revealed that the "next AI" utilization expected by childcare settings focuses on AI functions directly linked to childcare tasks, such as "photo management" and "decision-making support."
Unifa has continuously added Childcare AI functions that not only reduce the workload in childcare settings but also support child safety and the stabilization of facility operations, such as "Automatic Photo Check" and "Sensitive Photo Check Function" in "Lookmee Photo." Moving forward, by providing various functions equipped with generative AI, Unifa will further promote the use of AI across the entire childcare industry and contribute to creating more time to face children through "Lookmee."
[Survey Summary]
- 1 in 3 (33.4%) childcare workers, kindergarten teachers, and related personnel use generative AI for childcare tasks. While the 2025 white paper by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that the personal generative AI service usage rate is 27% and the corporate utilization rate is 17.3% (a low level compared to other countries *1), the AI business utilization rate in childcare settings exceeds the average by about 6 points.
- The main applications are concentrated in text generation, such as "drafting documents and sentences" and "rephrasing and proofreading text."
- For generative AI tools, over 70% (72.3%) use general-purpose AI like ChatGPT. Awareness of AI functions specialized for childcare tasks is low.
- Demand for "Photo Management AI" and "Decision Support AI" is expanding as the "next AI" utilization after text generation. Expectations for solving childcare-specific issues are clear, such as counting/detecting bias in photo numbers (25.6%) and automatic detection of out-of-focus/blurred photos (20.3%).
- Over 70% (76.2%) intend to introduce AI, including implementation for some tasks. In the future, the role expected of AI ranks "supporting childcare decision-making (24.3%)" highly, following "document and task support (43.2%)."
- Lookmee implemented childcare-specialized AI functions starting in June 2023. About 50% (50.8%) of facilities are currently utilizing it for photo management and translation of communication books.
*1: "Reiwa 7 Edition Information and Communications White Paper (Summary)" (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, July 2025)
1. Background
This survey reaffirmed that as the first step in utilizing AI in childcare settings, text generation such as "drafting documents and sentences" is the main purpose. In addition to text generation, it was revealed that the "next AI" utilization expected by childcare settings focuses on AI functions directly linked to childcare tasks, such as "photo management" and "decision-making support."
Unifa has continuously added Childcare AI functions that not only reduce the workload in childcare settings but also support child safety and the stabilization of facility operations, such as "Automatic Photo Check" and "Sensitive Photo Check Function" in "Lookmee Photo." Moving forward, by providing various functions equipped with generative AI, Unifa will further promote the use of AI across the entire childcare industry and contribute to creating more time to face children through "Lookmee."
[Survey Summary]
- 1 in 3 (33.4%) childcare workers, kindergarten teachers, and related personnel use generative AI for childcare tasks. While the 2025 white paper by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that the personal generative AI service usage rate is 27% and the corporate utilization rate is 17.3% (a low level compared to other countries *1), the AI business utilization rate in childcare settings exceeds the average by about 6 points.
- The main applications are concentrated in text generation, such as "drafting documents and sentences" and "rephrasing and proofreading text."
- For generative AI tools, over 70% (72.3%) use general-purpose AI like ChatGPT. Awareness of AI functions specialized for childcare tasks is low.
- Demand for "Photo Management AI" and "Decision Support AI" is expanding as the "next AI" utilization after text generation. Expectations for solving childcare-specific issues are clear, such as counting/detecting bias in photo numbers (25.6%) and automatic detection of out-of-focus/blurred photos (20.3%).
- Over 70% (76.2%) intend to introduce AI, including implementation for some tasks. In the future, the role expected of AI ranks "supporting childcare decision-making (24.3%)" highly, following "document and task support (43.2%)."
- Lookmee implemented childcare-specialized AI functions starting in June 2023. About 50% (50.8%) of facilities are currently utilizing it for photo management and translation of communication books.
*1: "Reiwa 7 Edition Information and Communications White Paper (Summary)" (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, July 2025)
1. Background