#Japan #Artificial Intelligence #Tokyo #AI Adoption #Avnet Insights

Accelerating AI Adoption Across Asia

In the realm of engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking center stage as professionals refine technologies to foster long-term value creation. A recent study titled "Avnet Insights," which surveyed global engineers, unveils a startling fact; 77% of respondents believe that the market environment is improving. The report emphasizes a significant trend in Asia where AI implementation is rapidly gathering momentum, drawing on the unique strengths of the region.

China is leading the charge with large-scale integrations of AI across various sectors including automotive systems, industrial automation, and smart manufacturing. Meanwhile, Japan is adopting a more cautious yet strategy-focused approach, highlighting quality, sustainability, and long-term reliability as key priorities. Japanese engineers are strategically integrating AI, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability while considering data security and product life cycles.

"Japanese engineers have indeed adopted a very pragmatic and strategic approach to AI adoption," comments Yasumoto Motoki, CEO of Avnet Japan. "We are committed to equipping our customers with optimal integration solutions to accelerate their journey from design to monetization."

Understanding the Resource Gap in AI Operations

As AI finds its foothold, challenges in its operational phase are coming to light. An astonishing 98% of engineers utilize large language models (LLMs) to address technical solutions; however, 81% of them resort to commercially available models rather than building their own. This signals a significant resource gap where time, budget, and expertise stand as barriers against upskilling and tailored model development.

Engineers Facing Technical Hurdles and Skills Acquisition

Amidst the expanding influence of AI, engineers find themselves balancing between overcoming technical challenges and gaining new skills. Critical barriers to long-term success have emerged, with 46% citing "data quality" and 54% marking "ongoing maintenance" as prominent concerns. In response, engineers in Japan are focusing on optimizing models and enhancing data analysis proficiency as they transform complex challenges into competitive advantages.

"The 2026 findings illustrate that the AI revolution has entered a crucial phase of 'implementation and scale,'" concludes Motoki. "At Avnet, we aim to support our customers in becoming next-generation market leaders by providing not merely components but essential technological backbone and a global ecosystem."

The Avnet Insights Annual Survey

Avnet Insights is an annual survey conducted among engineers, with the 2026 edition being executed online between October 21 and November 5, 2025, targeting over 1,200 respondents worldwide from the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), Asia, and Japan.

About Avnet

With over a century of experience, Avnet has been a global leader in technology distribution and solution provision, responding promptly to the evolving needs of customers. Leveraging regional and specialized expertise, Avnet offers insights encompassing all stages of product development, from design to procurement. By positioning itself at the heart of the technology supply chain, Avnet serves as a trusted partner, solving complex design and supply chain challenges while facilitating rapid commercialization and business value creation.

For more information, visit Avnet Japan.