A survey found that, amid the spread of generative AI, companies will increasingly value capabilities that combine AI with creativity and problem-solving ability, in addition to practical AI skills. The respondents were 648 corporate HR professionals in management positions or above, and the survey was conducted from 18 to 19 September 2026.
Axis Consulting Corporation conducted a survey on the talent profile sought in the age of AI among corporate recruiters and heads of human resources in their 20s to 60s nationwide. The survey covered 648 people in management positions or above and heads of human resources, and consisted of 20 questions about changes in recruitment requirements resulting from the spread of generative AI and whether candidates’ AI experience is checked.
“AI × creativity” ranked first among the capabilities companies want to prioritize in the future, at 21.9%, followed by “AI × problem identification and problem-solving ability” at 21.1% and “AI × specialized knowledge and expertise” at 18.8%, all exceeding the 17.7% for the conventional priority of “practical AI skills.” Among capabilities currently prioritized, “practical AI skills” ranked first at 33.3%, indicating that the importance of combining AI with other capabilities is expected to increase.
A total of 68.3% check candidates’ AI experience and skills in some form during recruitment, with checks by job type being the most common. As a criterion for AI-capable talent, “able to achieve results using AI” ranked first at 30.7%, indicating a tendency to assess candidates from perspectives that also include generating results and improving operations.
Companies that promote the use of AI across the organization were more likely to prioritize “AI × creativity, problem-solving ability and expertise,” while 56.8% said they had observed changes in recruitment requirements and selection criteria resulting from the spread of generative AI.