The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has released a comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at maximising the potential of Generative AI in human resources. To effectively counteract the pervasive influence of generative AI, these guidelines prioritise improved communication, a strong code of ethics, and the development of relevant skills.
This initiative, at its core, emphasises the Ministry’s proactive approach to addressing the potential pitfalls associated with an overreliance on AI. The guidelines express genuine concern about the overuse of artificial intelligence, which has the potential to limit employees’ opportunities for experiential growth and professional development. To counteract this, the guidelines strongly advocate for comprehensive and appropriate employee training programmes.
The Ministry recognises the need for precision and clear instructions to solicit appropriate responses from AI, emphasising the importance of refining communication abilities and verbalising commands in Japanese as a cornerstone of these guidelines.
According to the Ministry, the emergence of generative AI is a transformative force reshaping work dynamics, emphasising the importance of critically evaluating its every facet. The guidelines anticipate an increasing premium on design skills tailored to customer needs, as well as an entrepreneurial spirit, with a forecast of an increase in roles requiring unique human creativity and personalised services.
The guidelines, on the other hand, warn against the potential downside of an AI-centric approach, highlighting the risk of limiting employees’ experiential growth. The guidelines propose employee training and measures to ensure well-rounded development as a countermeasure.
Furthermore, the guidelines advocate for the preservation of ethical standards and advise businesses to develop their own guidelines to navigate the challenges associated with generative AI. The guidelines also address copyright issues raised by AI-generated content.
Given Japan’s relative lag in generative AI adoption globally, the Ministry’s guidelines aim to invigorate a proactive approach to AI integration. According to a Boston Consulting Group Inc. survey, generative AI has been adopted by 24% of Japanese companies, trailing the global average of 40%.
