BRIDGE International Group Corp. has released a report on the use of AI. While 14.5% felt an improvement in win rates and sales after introducing AI, 53.0% felt a reduction in working hours, highlighting differences in the priority of issues between frontline and planning functions.
BRIDGE International Group Corp. has released a report on the use of AI in corporate sales, based on a survey of 200 department-manager level and above employees at companies with annual sales of at least ¥50 billion. The survey was conducted from 14 to 21 July 2026 using self-reported data.
As an effect of introducing AI, the proportion who felt an improvement in win rates and sales was only 14.5%, well below the 53.0% who felt a reduction in working hours. Differences were seen between frontline and planning functions in the use of AI across multiple tasks, as well as in the priority placed on streamlining information handoffs between departments.
Among respondents, 54.0% in frontline functions and 29.0% in planning functions said they were using AI for multiple tasks across the entire sales process. Planning functions were more likely to identify the handoff of information and context as the process stage lagging the most, at 23.0% versus 8.0% for frontline functions.
Among the requirements identified as necessary to maximise the benefits of AI, the introduction of the latest AI models and tools was the lowest at 9.5%. Instead, there was stronger interest in investing in data quality improvements and integration, security infrastructure and tools, and the redesign of sales processes on the assumption that AI would be used.
The survey was conducted online using self-reported responses, and showed a high priority for tool improvements and process design as future investment areas.