The Expanding Adoption of Generative AI Across Various Industries

Comix Inc., based in Shibuya, Tokyo and led by CEO Akihiro Suzuki, has seen remarkable growth in the adoption of its generative AI advisory and support services. In just the last two weeks, between mid to late June 2026, new partnerships have emerged across a range of sectors, including housing, nursing care, accounting, marketing, advertising, and human resources. Additionally, the company is expanding its AI talent development service, Comix Academy.

Background and Challenges

The application of generative AI in business is rapidly moving beyond only advanced large enterprises and is now reaching small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in various industries. While adoption rates among large corporations exceed 50%, a recent survey revealed that SMBs remain stuck in the low 10% range, highlighting a growing disparity in implementation.

Employees at these smaller companies often express uncertainty about where to begin, feeling overwhelmed by routine tasks and unable to find time to learn new technologies. Research conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has also identified significant barriers to AI adoption, including a lack of personnel to lead implementation and unclear methods for practical use. Furthermore, the risk of losing essential know-how due to the retirement of veteran employees has become apparent, making it critical to break free from dependence on individual workflows.

In this context, generative AI is evolving beyond mere chatbots to function as a