38.0% Feel Decline in Thinking Skills Due to AI; While About 60% Report Increased Happiness, Challenges Regarding Opportunities and Ability to Think Revealed in Survey of 253 People

Nippon Design Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Takuma Otsubo) is pleased to announce the results of a survey conducted among 253 generative AI users regarding their AI usage, and its impact on happiness and thinking.

Survey Overview

Survey Name: Survey on AI Usage and Impact on Happiness and Thinking

Survey Method: Internet Survey

Survey Period: June 27, 2026 - June 30, 2026

Valid Responses: 253 individuals using generative AI

*Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding to the second decimal place.

≪Usage Conditions≫

1. Please cite "Nippon Design Co., Ltd." as the source of information.

2. When using on a website, please include the following link as the source.

URL: https://japan-design.jp/

AI is Already Part of Daily Life: 63.2% Use "Daily," 94.5% Use "Once a Week or More"

When asked, "Q1. How often do you use AI?" (n=253), 63.2% responded "Almost daily" and 28.5% responded "Several times a week." Users who use AI once a week or more accounted for 94.5%, indicating that the majority of respondents use AI habitually.

Q1. How often do you use AI?

- Almost daily: 63.2%

- Several times a week: 28.5%

- About once a week: 2.8%

- Several times a month: 4.0%

- Less than that / Rarely use: 1.6%

Most Common Use is "Idea Generation / Brainstorming" (73.1%), Followed Closely by "Text Creation" and "Information Gathering"

When asked, "Q2. Please select all applicable uses of AI. (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=253), "Idea generation / Brainstorming" was selected by 73.1%, "Text creation / Title generation" by 70.8%, and "Information gathering / Research" by 70.0%.

Q2. Please select all applicable uses of AI. (Multiple answers allowed)

- Idea generation / Brainstorming: 73.1%

- Text creation / Title generation: 70.8%

- Information gathering / Research: 70.0%

- Design rough drafts / Image material generation: 55.3%

- Life counseling and killing time: 39.1%

- Business automation: 14.6%

- Data analysis: 14.2%

- Programming code generation / Debugging: 11.1%

- Video / Music material generation: 5.9%

- Other: 3.2%

59.3% Report Increased Happiness After Using AI, Only 4.4% Report Decreased Happiness

When asked, "Q3. How has your happiness changed since you started using AI?" (n=253), 44.3% responded "Slightly increased," 36.4% responded "No change," and 15.0% responded "Increased." The total for increased happiness (Increased + Slightly increased) was 59.3%, while the total for decreased happiness (Decreased + Slightly decreased) was only 4.4%.

Q3. How has your happiness changed since you started using AI?

- Increased: 15.0%

- Slightly increased: 44.3%

- No change: 36.4%

- Slightly decreased: 3.6%

- Decreased: 0.8%

Reason for Increased Happiness: Most Common is "More Time and Mental/Physical Space" (70.0%); "Reduced Loneliness" Also Cited by 46.7%

When asked, "Q4. (For those who answered that their happiness increased) What are the reasons? (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=150), "Reduced workload and trivial tasks, leading to more time and mental/physical space" was cited by 70.0%, "Lowered hurdle for trying new things" by 57.3%, and "Gained a consultation partner/sparring partner, reducing loneliness" by 46.7%.

Q4. What are the reasons? (Multiple answers allowed)

- Reduced workload and trivial tasks, leading to more time and mental/physical space: 70.0%

- Lowered hurdle for trying new things, enabling more accomplishments: 57.3%

- Gained a consultation partner/sparring partner, reducing loneliness: 46.7%

- Increased work and study efficiency, leading to better results: 42.0%

- Expanded creative and hobby pursuits, leading to more enjoyment: 40.7%

- Felt learning and growth, leading to increased confidence: 35.3%

- Other: 3.3%

43.5% Respond "Opportunities to Think for Myself Have Decreased"

When asked, "Q5. Since you started using AI, how have your opportunities to 'think for yourself' changed?" (n=253), 31.6% responded "Slightly decreased" and 23.7% responded "No change." The total for "Decreased" (Decreased + Slightly decreased) was 43.5%, exceeding the "Increased" (Increased + Slightly increased) at 32.8%.

Q5. Since you started using AI, how have your opportunities to "think for yourself" changed?

- Increased: 14.6%

- Slightly increased: 18.2%

- No change: 23.7%

- Slightly decreased: 31.6%

- Decreased: 11.9%

38.0% Also Report "Ability to Research and Think Has Declined"

When asked, "Q6. Since you started using AI, how do you feel your ability to research and think for yourself has changed?" (n=253), 38.0% responded "Declined" (Declined + Slightly declined), while 35.1% responded "Improved" (Improved + Slightly improved).

Q6. Since you started using AI, how do you feel your ability to research and think for yourself has changed?

- Improved: 13.0%

- Slightly improved: 22.1%

- No change: 26.9%

- Slightly declined: 28.1%

- Declined: 9.9%

32.4% Have Experience "Failing by Taking AI's Answers at Face Value"

When asked, "Q7. Have you ever failed by accepting AI's answers without verification?" (n=253), the most common response was "I always verify AI's answers myself, so I never use them as is" at 43.1%. On the other hand, 25.3% responded "Many times" and 7.1% responded "Once," totaling 32.4% who have experienced failure.

Q7. Have you ever failed by accepting AI's answers without verification?

- Many times: 25.3%

- Once: 7.1%

- Never (no experience of failure): 24.5%

- I always verify AI's answers myself, so I never use them as is: 43.1%

Nature of Failures: Most Common is "Believing Incorrect Information and Realizing Later" (46.3%); "Over-reliance Leading to Decline in Knowledge/Skills" Also Cited by 22.0%

When asked, "Q8. (For those who have experienced failure) What kind of failures were they specifically? (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=82), "Believed incorrect information generated by AI and only realized the error later" was cited by 46.3%, "Image/design generation resulted in unnatural output or output different from instructions" by 39.0%, and "Intent was not conveyed correctly, leading to extra time for revisions" by 36.6%.

Q8. What kind of failures were they specifically? (Multiple answers allowed)

- Believed incorrect information generated by AI and only realized the error later: 46.3%

- Image/design generation resulted in unnatural output or output different from instructions: 39.0%

- Intent was not conveyed correctly, leading to extra time for revisions: 36.6%

- Text, translation, or summarization was unnatural or changed meaning: 36.6%

- Made decisions based on old or outdated information: 22.0%

- Felt my own knowledge/skills declined due to over-reliance on AI: 22.0%

- Adopted AI's suggestions, but they did not lead to results: 20.7%

- Accidentally entered personal or confidential information: 9.8%

- Errors in generated code, formulas, or calculations caused malfunctions: 7.3%

- Other: 3.7%

Regarding the AI Era: 49.8% "Want to Work On It But Haven't Yet"; Motivated Individuals Total 88.5%

When asked, "Q9. Are you working on anything to be successful in the AI era?" (n=253), 49.8% responded "Want to work on it but haven't yet," and 38.7% responded "Currently working on it." While those with some motivation totaled 88.5%, it was revealed that about half of them have not yet taken action.

Q9. Are you working on anything to be successful in the AI era?

- Currently working on it: 38.7%

- Want to work on it but haven't yet: 49.8%

- Not particularly working on anything / No plans: 11.5%

Desired Learning/Support: Most Common is "Practical Hands-On Opportunities" (60.0%); "Peers" and "Mentors" Also Rank High

When asked, "Q10. If you were to learn how to master AI, what kind of learning and support would be beneficial? (Multiple answers allowed)" (n=155) to those who answered "Want to work on it but haven't yet" or "Not particularly working on anything / No plans" in Q9, "Practical hands-on opportunities" was selected by 60.0%, "Real work/projects where learned skills can be applied" by 50.3%, and "Systematic curriculum/courses" by 42.6%. "Peers/community for learning together" (41.3%) and "Instructors/mentors to ask questions" (40.0%) also ranked high.

Q10. What kind of learning and support would be beneficial? (Multiple answers allowed)

- Practical hands-on opportunities: 60.0%

- Real work/projects where learned skills can be applied: 50.3%

- Systematic curriculum/courses: 42.6%

- Peers/community for learning together: 41.3%

- Instructors/mentors to ask questions: 40.0%

- Materials suited to my level: 31.0%

- System for visualizing results and progress: 27.1%

- System for intensive short-term engagement: 25.8%

- None in particular: 1.9%

Summary

This survey was conducted among 253 generative AI users to investigate AI usage and its impact on happiness and thinking.

AI has deeply permeated daily life, with 94.5% using it at least once a week and 63.2% using it almost daily. As many as 59.3% reported an increase in happiness due to AI use, with the primary reason being "more time and mental/physical space" (70.0%), suggesting that many feel AI has lightened their daily burdens.

On the other hand, 43.5% of these users responded that their "opportunities to think for themselves have decreased," and 38.0% felt their "ability to research and think has declined." Considering that the top use case is "idea generation" (73.1%), a structure emerges where the changes in "the ability to think for oneself" can be easily overlooked precisely because of the convenience and increased happiness.

Furthermore, 49.8% responded "Want to work on it but haven't yet" regarding the AI era, revealing that a broad segment of people are motivated but have not yet taken action.

The top desired learning methods were "practical hands-on opportunities" (60.0%), "peers" (41.3%), and "mentors" (40.0%), indicating a high demand for "learning with practice and support" rather than self-study.

This survey highlights the risk that while AI enhances our happiness, it may quietly erode our "ability to think for ourselves," and that many people are unable to prepare for this despite wanting to. To remain in control of AI, the importance of learning that cultivates "the ability to think with one's own mind" without solely relying on convenience will continue to grow.

Initiatives Based on Survey Results: Launch of AI Learning Community

In this survey, while 59.3% of AI users reported increased happiness, 43.5% stated that their "opportunities to think for themselves have decreased." This reveals a reality where the changes in "the ability to think for oneself" become easier to overlook as convenience and happiness increase.

Moreover, 49.8% responded "Want to work on it but haven't yet" regarding the AI era. The desired learning support included "practical hands-on opportunities" (60.0%), "real work/projects where learned skills can be applied" (50.3%), "peers/community for learning together" (41.3%), and "instructors/mentors to ask questions" (40.0%). This suggests that many people are motivated but struggle to start or continue.

In response to these voices, Nippon Design Co., Ltd. has launched an AI learning community. This is a learning environment centered on "thinking with one's own mind, hands-on practice, and learning with peers," rather than leaving answers entirely to AI. As many respondents stated, "Gained a consultation partner/sparring partner, reducing loneliness" (46.7%), people move forward through interaction with others. We provide this power through "learning with peers" rather than AI.

About Nippon Design Co., Ltd.

Nippon Design Co., Ltd., founded in 2013 with the vision of "Designing a better Japan by making lifestyles and work styles happier," is a pioneer in online schools. Its main business, "Zeroichi," launched in 2015, enables individuals to acquire IT skills at a ready-to-work level in a short period of 45 days entirely online, producing freelancers and side-hustlers capable of nomad and remote work. By equipping individuals with marketable skills and the freedom to choose their profession, the company contributes to the realization of a better Japan.

Company Profile

Company Name: Nippon Design Co., Ltd.

Purpose: To make lifestyles and work styles happier and design a better Japan.

Location: Ikebukuro Center Building 2F, 1-35-3 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Established: February 18, 2013

Representative Director: Takuma Otsubo

Number of Employees: 20

Business Activities: Web Marketing, Web Production, Consulting

URL:

Web Design School https://japan-design.jp/design-school

Article Site for Freelancers https://furi-ten.com/

Web Writing School https://writer-college.jp/

Video Editing School https://movie-academy.jp/

Programming School, Photography School, etc.

Food and Beverage Business "Kirin" https://www.instagram.com/chukasoba.kirin/

Osteopathic Business "Beauty Osteopathy Lab HANA Ikebukuro Store" for Women

https://beauty.hotpepper.jp/kr/slnH000733190/