Generative AI Adoption Among SMEs Shows 'Polarization'

A survey of 5,673 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) executives has revealed the growing adoption of generative AI, while also highlighting a polarization in business integration, with 41.2% of companies not considering implementation.

NN Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Marius Popescu, headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "NN Life"), which supports Japanese SMEs through life insurance, conducted this survey in early May 2026. The results indicate that while generative AI usage is already spreading among SME executives, there remains a significant gap in full integration into business processes, suggesting the industry is transitioning from the 'trial' phase to one of 'stabilization and expansion'.

※In this survey, 'SME executives' are defined as company executives (presidents, chairpersons, directors) of incorporated businesses with 300 or fewer employees.

<Summary of Survey Results>

1. Generative AI usage is expanding (44.2%). Even executives aged 60 and above use it regularly (42.7%).

2. 39.3% of SME executives are neither using nor considering generative AI for business operations, indicating a gap in full-scale business integration.

3. The top reason for non-adoption is 'no perceived need for our company at this time' (42.2%).

4. Generative AI adoption is spreading through daily tasks such as document creation (39.7%) and information gathering (28.4%).

<Detailed Survey Results>

(1) 44.2% of SME executives use generative AI. 42.7% of those aged 60 and above use it regularly.

When asked whether they regularly use generative AI, 44.2% of the 5,673 SME executives surveyed responded affirmatively. Among executives aged 60 and above, 42.7% reported regular usage. The most widely used generative AI services are ChatGPT (67.6%), followed by Gemini (59.3%).

(2) 39.3% of SME executives are not using generative AI and not considering adoption. Full integration into business processes remains uneven.

When asked about their generative AI usage status, 39.3% of the 5,673 SME executives said they neither use nor consider using it, while 4.5% reported that its use is prohibited in their business operations.

(3) The primary reason for non-use is 'no perceived need for our company at this time' (42.2%), the most common response.

Among the 2,809 SME executives who responded that they do not use generative AI but are considering adoption, or are neither using nor considering it (multiple responses allowed), the most frequent reason given was 'no perceived need for our company at this time' (42.2%).

Meanwhile, among the 2,030 SME executives who reported either 'already using generative AI in business' or 'using it partially,' 51.4% indicated plans to expand usage within the next year ('planning significant expansion' or 'planning moderate expansion'), indicating a transition from the 'trial' phase to 'stabilization and expansion'.

Generative AI is primarily used in business for 'document and email creation' (53.4%) and 'information gathering and research' (49.6%). When asked about areas where future adoption and expansion are expected, 'document and email creation' remained the top response (28.4%), followed by 'information gathering and research' (23.6%), although the percentages were lower.

[Survey Insights] Yoshihiko Noboka, Chief Strategy Officer, NN Life Insurance

This survey reveals that generative AI usage has reached 44.2% among SMEs, with increasing penetration into daily operations. At the same time, over 40% of businesses have not considered its use, indicating a significant gap in adoption. This situation aligns with our firsthand observations from community initiatives involving SME owners and family business successors. As generative AI becomes essential for future productivity improvements, support for both adoption and practical utilization is crucial. We will continue conducting ongoing surveys and provide insightful information valuable to SME executives and successors.

<Survey Overview>

Target: SME executives across Japan

※5,673 company executives (presidents, chairpersons, directors) of incorporated businesses with 300 or fewer employees

Sample size: 5,673 nationwide

Survey method: Internet survey (web questionnaire)

Survey contractor: Rakuten Insight Co., Ltd.

Survey period: May 1–7, 2026

※Survey results are presented in percentages, rounded to the second decimal place, so totals may not sum to exactly 100%.