The Rise of Generative AI in Career Aspirations for High-Class Professionals

In a recent survey conducted by Krais & Company, a leading firm in executive job placement based in Minato, Tokyo, a significant trend has emerged among high-class professionals: the intent to utilize generative AI in their work. This initiative, which forms part of their annual career consciousness survey, aimed to identify the aspirations and areas of focus for professionals in the upcoming year.

The survey results revealed that 20% of participants expressed a strong interest in the application of generative AI in their careers, marking it as the top priority for career development. With the practical implementation of generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude gaining traction, there is a clear shift in focus towards applying these tools in work settings.

Following generative AI, other prominent areas of interest included technology-related input and learning (14%), pursuing topics of personal interest (13%), and physical fitness and body conditioning (13%). The inclusion of wellness and sustainable work practices reflects a growing awareness among leadership regarding well-being in the workplace.

On the other hand, options like side jobs (6%), relocation or migration (3%), and pro bono activities (1%) received lower responses, indicating a trend where professionals are prioritizing performance and skill enhancement in their current roles rather than pursuing drastic changes in lifestyle or career.

Generational Perspective: 20s Looking to Hone Their Skills

When examined by age group, the findings from individuals in their 20s were particularly striking. They showed a remarkable interest in the application of generative AI at 25%, significantly higher than the overall average. Additionally, the desire for side jobs also stood out at 14%. This trend suggests that younger high-class professionals highly value skill application in practice and seek diversification of income sources.

In contrast, this age group scored lower in technology-related learning and studying personal interests compared to other age brackets, indicating a stronger inclination towards action and practical application of their skills rather than just theoretical learning.

Interestingly, interest in physical fitness and body conditioning was high among both the 20s and 50s+, suggesting that both younger and mid-senior professionals are placing a great deal of importance on mental and physical well-being.

Income Levels: Mid-Level Managers Facing Challenges

Analyzing responses by income level revealed that professionals earning between 14 to 20 million yen exhibited lower interest in generative AI applications by over 5 percentage points, instead showing a higher inclination towards technology-related learning. Many individuals in this income bracket are likely departmental managers or potential executive candidates; while they are motivated to re-skill themselves for the application of generative AI, they seem to face challenges in translating this knowledge into practical workplace adoption. This scenario reflects the “walls” encountered during organizational change and operational reform.

Krais & Company is committed to continuously observing the evolving values and consciousness of high-class talent, supporting their decisions regarding “meaningful careers.” What does it mean to be a “high-class professional with conviction”? The company believes that to engage in work that one is truly passionate about, it entails more than just salary or position; it requires a sense of purpose. Business professionals who possess a vision and a source of motivation to create meaningful work are in high demand across many companies, contributing to both their growth and society at large. Those who work with a fiery sense of purpose are referred to as “high-class professionals with conviction.” The average age and annual income of survey respondents were found to be 36 years and 12.13 million yen, respectively.

About Krais & Company's Career Consciousness Survey

- Survey Period: March 2025 to April 2025
- Number of Respondents: 198
- Survey Method: A voluntary online questionnaire conducted among individuals who received career counseling from the company, with multiple-choice answers available.

Krais & Company is guided by the vision of “assisting high-class professionals and organizations meet,” focusing on the significance of “purpose” in achieving fulfilling career changes, alongside impressive salary and position metrics. The firm aims to create connections between high-class professionals and purpose-driven enterprises, leading and transforming the Japanese job market.