Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation will introduce artificial intelligence (AI) certificates as a requirement for promotion to management positions from 2027, Nihon Keizai Shimbun and others reported on the 28th.
The move is aimed at increasing labor productivity through data analysis and work efficiency using AI. Ultimately, not only those who are promoted to management positions but also all 5,400 executives and employees including management will be required to acquire qualifications.
First of all, employees with 8 to 10 years of employment who are promoted to managerial positions must obtain the G (Generalist) Test, an AI-related certificate operated by the Japan Deep Learning Association.
The G test measures the ability to analyze data based on basic knowledge of deep learning. It includes knowledge of mathematics and statistics, legal and contract-related content, and is generally known to require about 50 hours of learning. The test is conducted online.
Mitsubishi plans to mandate the acquisition of G-certification for all 5,400 employees, including management, over the next few years.
Mitsubishi currently requires management positions to have TOEIC and accounting-related qualifications, which are English proficiency tests. Including AI qualifications in the promotion requirements is evaluated as an unusual measure among non-IT companies.
The goal is to foster 5-10% of all executives and employees as ‘E (Engineer) Qualification’ talent of the Japan Deep Learning Association by 2030.
Other Japanese companies are also strengthening their AI capabilities. Kuboda, an agricultural machinery maker, recently started a program in cooperation with Microsoft to educate about 52,000 employees including overseas affiliates on how to use Generative AI.
Sapporo Holdings has also been conducting training since February to educate about 6,000 employees from the basics of “prompt engineering” to the latest trends in Generative AI.
However, Japanese companies are still lagging behind their competitors in using AI. According to a survey conducted last year by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 16 percent of Japanese employees routinely use Generative AI for work, the lowest among major countries.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
