[Research Report] 65% of Existing Clients Respond That They Are "Not Keeping Up with AI Updates"

We conducted a questionnaire survey on "AI Update Awareness" targeting our existing clients.

As a result, 65% of the responding companies answered that they are "not keeping up with AI updates" or "somewhat not keeping up."

This survey investigated the extent to which companies can cope with functional updates of AI tools such as generative AI, changes in usage methods, and their introduction status into business operations.

[Survey Results Summary] 65% of Responding Companies Say They Are Not Keeping Up with AI Updates

Of the 40 responding companies, 65% answered with one of the following:

- I think so - Somewhat agree

From these results, it was found that while existing clients of BOTANICO have a high interest in AI utilization, many companies are unable to fully cope with the daily evolution of AI tools and feature updates.

On the other hand, 35% indicated responses such as:

- Regularly collecting information on AI tools - Testing AI utilization within the company - Organizing AI tools used for each task - Establishing AI utilization in some business processes

[Background: From "Introduction" to "Continuous Update Response" in AI Utilization]

With the spread of generative AI, companies are advancing AI utilization in various tasks such as document creation, material preparation, image production, meeting minutes, marketing analysis, and SNS operations.

However, since AI tools frequently add features and change specifications in a short period, companies face the following challenges:

- Uncertainty about which AI tool to use - Inability to fully grasp new features - Failure to share usage methods within the company - Usage methods becoming personalized among individual staff members - Inability to dedicate time to information gathering - Tools introduced but failing to become established in daily work

In the AI era, it is important not only to introduce AI but also to continuously review how it is used in accordance with updates.

[Reasons Why Companies Cannot Keep Up with AI Updates]

The background reasons why companies cannot keep up with AI updates may include the following factors:

- Too much AI-related information - Difficulty visualizing how to apply new features to business - Lack of time to verify AI within the company - Uncertainty about which information to trust - Confusion regarding differences between free, paid, and corporate plans - Disparities in utilization levels across different sites/departments - Concerns about security and information management

Because AI evolves rapidly, there is a need not just to follow information, but to maintain a perspective that identifies what is necessary for the company's own business.

[Initiatives Required for AI Update Response]

To respond to changes in AI, the following initiatives are important for companies:

- Organization of AI tools necessary for own business operations - Regular sharing of AI information - Creation of utilization rules by task - AI training for employees - Preparation of prompts and templates usable in actual work - Sharing of AI utilization cases within the company - Confirmation of cost-effectiveness - Clarification of security rules - Utilization design by department (marketing, recruitment, administration, etc.)

Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, it is important not to chase all AI information, but to focus utilization on areas necessary for improving own business operations, customer acquisition, recruitment, and customer support.

[BOTANICO's Analysis]

From the results of this survey, it was found that while companies are interested in AI, they feel difficulties in coping with the speed of evolution.

AI can be utilized in:

- Document creation - Material preparation - SNS operations - Advertising operations - Meeting minutes creation - Business efficiency improvement - Analysis and improvement proposals

On the other hand, if the pursuit of AI tool updates itself becomes the goal, it becomes difficult to lead to establishment in actual work and tangible results.

Therefore, BOTANICO believes that in the future, it will be important not only to "keep up with the latest information," but also to "identify AI utilization necessary for the company and implement it in business operations."

[BOTANICO's Initiatives]

As part of corporate support in the AI era, BOTANICO is undertaking the following initiatives:

- AI utilization training - AI tool selection support - Task-specific AI utilization design - Support for AI utilization in SNS, advertising, and SEO - Creation of internal AI utilization rules - Support for in-house marketing using AI - Content production support using generative AI - Organization of AI update information and proposals for practical application

Going forward, we will continue to support the creation of systems that allow companies to utilize AI continuously by translating the latest AI trends into practical applications.

[Survey Overview]

- Survey Period: August 15, 2026 - September 15, 2026 - Survey Organization (Subject): BOTANICO Co., Ltd. - Survey Target: Existing clients of BOTANICO Co., Ltd. - Number of Valid Responses: 40 - Survey Method: Questionnaire survey to existing clients - Calculation Method: The percentage of respondents who answered "I think so" or "Somewhat agree" was calculated as the percentage feeling they are not keeping up with AI updates - Survey Items: Regarding AI updates

* This survey targets 40 existing clients of BOTANICO Co., Ltd. and does not indicate trends for society as a whole or domestic companies in general. * AI updates include new features of generative AI tools, specification changes, changes in usage methods, and information updates related to business utilization.