Yahoo Japan is mandating the use of generative AI for all 11,000 of its employees, aiming to significantly boost productivity by 2028. This strategic move is designed to integrate generative AI into the daily workflows and tasks of its entire workforce, with an ambitious goal of doubling worker productivity within the next five years.
The company’s directive requires all staff to adopt and utilize generative AI capabilities and tools to enhance their efficiency and optimize operations. This shift is intended to free up employees for “higher-level thinking and communication” by leveraging AI to handle foundational tasks and groundwork.
Initially, Yahoo Japan plans to implement a 30% utilization of generative AI across various routine areas. These include searching, routine documentation, and drafting. The company has already developed several internal AI tools to support this initiative. An example is SeekAI, an AI tool designed to streamline tasks such as managing expense claims and facilitating data searches through pre-defined prompt templates.
Generative AI tools are set to become standard across key operational areas at Yahoo Japan. These include competitive analysis, expense management, meeting documentation, and research, indicating a comprehensive integration across different departments and functions.
This widespread adoption reflects a broader industry trend of integrating AI into the workplace. Past discussions by figures such as Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai have suggested that while AI may cause initial concerns about job displacement, it is ultimately expected to create new opportunities for the human workforce. Similarly, Rupesh Thakkar, an AI SaaS innovator and product leader, has highlighted that AI-human collaboration has been an ongoing development, predating the recent surge in AI’s popularity. The current advancements in generative AI capabilities are anticipated to further empower workplaces, enhancing both employee performance and overall company output.
Yahoo Japan’s commitment underscores the growing belief that generative AI can play a pivotal role in transforming business operations and achieving substantial productivity gains.
