The Effects of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics on Business and Employment: Evidence from a survey on Japanese firms

Abstract

This study presents new evidence on firms' attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, as well as their attitude toward the impacts of these new technologies on future business and employment prospects. The data used in this paper are the results of our original survey of more than 3, 000 Japanese firms. The major findings can be summarized as follows. First, firms operating in the service industry have a positive attitude on the effects of AI-related technologies, suggesting the importance of paying attention to "AI-using industries." Second, we observe complementarity between AI-related technologies and the skill level of employees. This finding suggests that in order to accelerate the development and diffusion of AI and to maintain employment opportunities, it will be necessary to upgrade human capital. Third, firms that engage in global markets tend to have a positive attitude toward the impacts of AI-related technologies, indicating that globalization of economic activities will facilitate the development and diffusion of these new technologies.