Sumitomo Corp. rolls out Copilot to all 9,000 staff

Sumitomo Corporation's adoption of Microsoft 365 Copilot across its entire workforce marks a notable commitment to generative AI in a traditional trading company. By starting with all 9,000 employees simultaneously, the company aims to embed AI into daily workflows rather than piloting in select teams. The promotion lead's perspective suggests that simply introducing the tool is not enough; organizations must address underlying misconceptions about what AI can do. His focus on practical business improvements, such as evaluating whether AI-generated meeting minutes are truly needed, indicates that success depends on aligning AI use with actual business value. This approach could serve as a model for other large enterprises, especially in Japan, where structured, consensus-driven processes may require careful change management.