Redefining the Role of General Affairs Professionals in the AI Era

On November 12, 2025, a thought-provoking seminar titled ‘Questioning the Role of General Affairs in the AI Era – Evolving into Culture Designers’ was held at the Tokyo headquarters of Zero In, a company dedicated to invigorating the workplace through general affairs consulting and outsourcing. The event, co-hosted by Monthly General Affairs and Hite & Co., attracted 104 general affairs professionals and garnered impressive feedback, with 97% of participants expressing satisfaction.

Background of the Seminar

The seminar was organized to redefine the role of general affairs in the age of AI and to explore new possibilities. General affairs departments are often misunderstood as mere routine task handlers; however, they play a crucial role in supporting central business functions, bridging various departments within organizations.

In recent years, demands on corporations have escalated, particularly regarding work style reforms, information security, crisis management, and sustainability. These complex issues are not easily tackled by individual departments, making the integrative role of general affairs even more critical.

While concerns have been raised about AI potentially replacing jobs, the key to progressing general affairs into more innovative and strategic roles lies in the proactive adoption of AI technologies. By automating routine tasks and leveraging data analytics through AI, professionals can focus on nurturing internal transformations that connect managerial intentions with frontline sentiments, thus expanding the realm of issues that only humans can navigate.

With this context, Zero In proposed the concept of ‘Culture Designer’ to encapsulate the new role of general affairs professionals.

Founded by Michinori Oda, a former member of the recruitment general affairs team, Zero In operates with the mission of revitalizing all aspects of work and cultivating a fertile ground for new dialogues and debates among general affairs professionals following this meaningful event.

Skill Development and Barriers to Success

Prior to the seminar, a survey was conducted among attendees, yielding insightful results. When asked about the skills they wish to acquire to become ideal general affairs professionals, 67.9% cited “strategic thinking and management perspective” as the most desired skill, followed by “planning and project management skills” and “IT literacy”, both at 42.9%. Notably, specialized knowledge in areas like law and labor came in fifth, indicating a shift toward a more holistic skill set that transcends traditional departmental boundaries.

Regarding perceived obstacles to achieving their ideal professional state, 42.9% highlighted the invisibility and undervaluation of general affairs outcomes, followed closely by limitations in budget and human resources at 39.3%, and low understanding from executives and other departments at 37.5%. This suggests that the disconnect in recognizing the value of general affairs leads to a chain of limitations in resources and recognition.

When asked about the perceived significance of general affairs, participants responded with insights categorized into three layers—operational duties, organizational infrastructure, and strategic roles—showing a broad recognition of the multifaceted nature of general affairs responsibilities, which extend well beyond mere operations.

Seminar Highlights

Keynote Summaries from Notable Speakers

1. Kenichiro Toyoda (President of Monthly General Affairs): Stressed the essential role of general affairs in refining corporate identity and fostering an environment conducive to productivity through effective workspace management.

2. Hoo Taek Kim (President of Hite & Co.): Discussed the evolution of general affairs outsourcing (BPO) and its significance in adapting to new challenges through strategic outsourcing partnerships and shared insights on how to act as both cultural expressers and influencers.

3. Hiroshi Ishizuka (COO of Zero In): Emphasized the unique strength of general affairs as a connecting hub that facilitates inter-departmental and internal-external collaboration, laying the groundwork for organizational innovation.

4. Masaki Shimizu (Cisco Systems): Provided insight into how effective office design and communication are key factors in enhancing workplace effectiveness and how Cisco is leveraging these principles through their Integrated Facility Management Model.

In addition to these presentations, there was a panel discussion drawing on the pre-event survey results, analyzing the barriers to ideal professional development and the necessary skills.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The seminar concluded with a lively networking event where attendees engaged in valuable discussions about redefining their roles as culture designers within their organizations. With profound insights shared during the sessions and feedback indicating a high level of satisfaction, this seminar has set the stage for ongoing exploration into the evolving landscape of general affairs.

As Zero In continues its initiatives to connect general affairs professionals and stimulate growth within this crucial sector, the idea of general affairs as ‘Culture Designers’ is expected to gain traction and influence corporate practices significantly in the years to come.