The utilization of AI will expand to involve complex decision-making tasks over the next three years.

The purpose of our company's survey was to grasp the global trends of Sustainability Transformation (hereinafter referred to as SX), especially the practical application and impact of AI in the business and society aspects of SX. The survey was conducted for 800 executives (hereinafter referred to as CxO) in 15 countries around the world. The analysis result was published as the "Fujitsu SX Survey Report 2024-AI Accelerates Sustainability Transformation" on August 2.

Our company has been conducting surveys since 2022 to monitor the trends of SX. The previous survey was conducted on the theme of creating value for business and sustainability. This time, based on the survey conducted with Oxford Economics (note 2), which centered on the utilization and challenges of AI in SX in companies, we focused on how companies are responding to the rapid evolution of AI and how they are utilizing AI for SX. Based on the survey results, we have compiled a proposal of actions that CxO should take now to succeed in leading SX to success by utilizing digital technologies centered on AI.

Currently, business and society are undergoing significant changes due to the rapid evolution of digital technologies. Responding to sustainability, such as geopolitical tensions and climate change, remains an important management issue. We will actively utilize and apply the insights and observations we gained from this survey in working together with our customers, with a vision to becoming a technology company that realizes net-positive by digital services by 2030.

* You can download "Fujitsu SX Survey Report 2024."

Summary of survey results:

1. Companies are strengthening their efforts on AI and AI will permeate almost all business within the next three years, especially in areas that involve complex decision-making.

More than half of the CxO recognizes that responding to the rapid evolution of AI will determine the future of management. It was found that more than 80% of CxO are planning to utilize AI in areas that involve complex decision-making, such as product and service function enhancement and management decision-making support, which were previously difficult with AI. It is expected that AI will permeate almost all business within the next three years.

Fig.1 Areas where AI will be utilized in the next three years

75% of CxO believes that collaboration between humans and AI will advance, and business processes will change significantly. We need to develop new types of skills unique to people, such as logical thinking and purpose setting to leverage AI to enhance creativity, to prepare for such an era.

2. Many companies are still in the early stages of introducing AI

The status of preparation for utilizing AI varies depending on the company. Approximately 40% of companies are still in the preliminary stage of formulating a company-wide AI strategy, and only 12% of companies are implementing resource development for AI utilization based on the company-wide AI strategy and guidelines.

Fig.2 Status of AI initiatives

3. Accelerating SX with the power of AI

It was found that more than 60% of CxO believe that promoting AI utilization contributes to solving digital transformation and social issues. Pioneer companies, which are advanced companies that have formulated visions and strategies for sustainability, have enhanced their organizational capabilities and are actively engaged in utilizing digital technology centered on AI, have been successful in linking sustainability initiatives to revenue and in business commercialization compared to other companies.
Fig.3 Percentage of companies that linked sustainability initiatives to revenue

Proposal: Based on the initiatives of surveyed companies, including Pioneer companies, the following are proposals for CxO to lead SX to success:

(1) Utilize AI to enhance human skills and well-being

From our survey of companies and Pioneer companies' initiatives, we have compiled the following proposals for CxO to lead SX to success by utilizing digital technologies centered on AI:

None of them matched the keywords or rules provided for translation.
Promote the establishment of a company-wide strategy and guidelines for accelerating the utilization of AI.
Utilize AI to address sustainability challenges.
Strengthen organizational capabilities to tackle sustainability improvement as a business.
Construct an ecosystem that aims for sustainability.

Survey Overview

1. Implementation period: January 2024.
2. Survey target countries: 15 countries (UK, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, China, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Finland, France, USA).
3. Survey target: CxO belonging to companies with 500 or more employees and sales of 0.1 billion or more US dollars in the previous fiscal year (only one respondent per company).
4. Survey method: Anonymous online questionnaire (800 respondents) and interviews (12 people).

The 'Fujitsu SX Survey Report 2024' can be downloaded from the following site:

Trademarks

Proper nouns such as product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Notes

• Note 1
  Sustainability Transformation:
  Means transforming business to have a better impact on the environment, society, and economy. Examples include reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions through continuous monitoring and waste reduction through the introduction of end-to-end traceability.
• Note 2
  Oxford Economics:
  Headquartered in London, UK, CEO Adrian Cooper.
  
• which utilizes generated AI, members who newly develop a manufacturing process for laundry detergent for clothing can easily search and utilize skilled workers' technology, knowledge, and know-how and, thus, support the efficient execution of the business task.
  Net Positive:
  Means that the positive impact companies have on society is greater than the negative impact.

Related links

• Data utilization is the key to successful sustainability management - Fujitsu SX Survey Report 2024 (April 23, 2024 press release)
• "Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision 2024" (Japanese site)
• "Fujitsu Technology and Service Vision 2024" (Global site)

Our contribution to SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are common goals that should be achieved by the whole world by 2030. Our purpose, which is to bring trust to society through innovation and make the world more sustainable, promises to contribute to SDGs.

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