AI success requires stepping away from AI

What happened

A survey by Japanese research firm Parol General Research Institute found that among regular employees, AI usage in work tasks rose from 41.9% in 2025 to 54.3% in 2026. Despite this, many companies report no reduction in overtime or increase in productivity.

Why it matters

The firm's chief researcher, Yuji Kobayashi, says the key difference between high and low performers lies not in AI usage frequency but in specific skills and mindsets. He identifies five skills—collect, decide, verify, break, and accumulate—along with two mindsets: 'three-dimensional thinking' and 'animal spirit'.

What to watch

The survey, conducted with 3,000 regular employees in April-May 2026, found that high performers often engage in activities away from AI, such as side jobs, volunteer work, and reading. Kobayashi advises that to create value with AI, one must periodically step away from it.