As a leading company in Japan's construction industry, Taisei Corporation, established in 1917, is launching a digital revolution centered around "people." Recently, Taisei announced the comprehensive introduction of the enterprise version of ChatGPT, led by its human resources department, aiming to explore the endless possibilities of the future of the construction industry through AI-driven talent development.

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Over the past century, Taisei has been committed to building social infrastructure that supports modern life. However, as times change, the company began to ask: besides construction and facilities, what is the most worth investing in? The answer is "people." Taisei positions the enterprise version of ChatGPT as the cornerstone of talent development, rather than just a simple office tool. With AI assistance, employees can break through their personal ability limits, reshape workflows, and achieve significant efficiency improvements.

Data strongly proves the effectiveness of this transformation:

  • The weekly active usage rate of the enterprise version of ChatGPT within the company reaches 90%;

  • Each employee saves more than 5.5 hours of working time per week on average;

  • Employees have independently created 3,300 customized GPT applications.

"Middle Out" Model: Let AI Technology Take Root at the Grassroots

Taisei adopted a unique "Middle Out" model when promoting AI. This concept was proposed by Assistant Manager of Human Resources Development Kozawa Kentaro, emphasizing the establishment of a strong middle platform connecting macro-level guidance from leadership and the innovation vitality of grassroots employees.

Kozawa Kentaro believes that purely top-down deployment often fails to take root, while relying solely on grassroots enthusiasm lacks systematic support. As the "middle platform," the human resources department transforms AI into a powerful assistant for employees to solve practical problems through various forms such as training programs, hackathons, and internal communities. In this model, AI is no longer a burden imposed by the company but a productivity weapon actively supported by employees.

During the process of technological implementation, Taisei faced challenges related to information security and data control. To allow employees to confidently "talk" with AI, the company worked closely with the information planning department to establish a strict governance framework, including access control, log auditing, and regular compliance monitoring.

Taisei emphasizes that the purpose of setting rules is not to restrict innovation but to build trust. By clearly defining the boundaries of data use and strengthening education, the company creates a safe yet encouraging experimental environment where employees can fully explore the value of AI while ensuring privacy.

Currently, the deep application of AI has triggered subtle cultural reactions within Taisei. Young employees use AI to quickly reach the output levels of senior colleagues, while senior employees begin to use AI more effectively to guide new hires. As the company's senior management stated, Taisei's goal is to create an environment where everyone can confidently coexist with AI in the long term. In the future, the company plans to promote this people-centered AI collaboration model throughout the construction industry and even society at large.