5 Tools to Boost Productivity Used by Businesses in Japan

In today's business environment, efficient execution of operations is a crucial factor influencing a company's competitiveness. Particularly in Japan, adopting tools to enhance operational efficiency is rapidly progressing. These tools play a significant role in improving productivity through aspects such as task management, project management, and streamlined communication. This article ranks popular free generative AI tools based on user numbers and introduces key business efficiency tools that Japanese companies and individual entrepreneurs utilize to enhance their daily operations. By understanding the features and benefits of these tools, we aim to assist users in selecting the most suitable options for their own work.

Business Productivity Tools Ranked

1. ChatGPT
2. Copilot
3. Gemini
4. Stable Diffusion
5. DALL·E 2

1. ChatGPT

Source: https://openai.com/chatgpt/ 

ChatGPT is an AI tool capable of engaging in natural conversations with humans. This tool automatically performs various intellectual tasks based on user instructions, including answering questions, summarizing or translating texts, and creating emails or proposals.

Since its release by OpenAI in November 2022, ChatGPT has quickly gained popularity, reaching one million users within just five days and 100 million users in two months. This rapid growth indicates that ChatGPT is useful and convenient for many people.

ChatGPT has the potential to significantly enhance productivity and efficiency in business operations, making it a must-have tool for all professionals. By mastering its correct usage, individuals can reduce the burden of daily tasks and focus on more strategic activities.

2. Copilot

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/ja-jp/microsoft-copilot 

Copilot is an AI chat assistant provided by Microsoft, available for browsers and Windows OS. This tool incorporates OpenAI's AI models "GPT-4" and "DALL-E 3," enabling text generation and dialogue capabilities.

The name "Copilot" signifies its role as a support tool for human tasks, similar to a co-pilot assisting a pilot. Particularly notable is "Copilot for Microsoft 365," which integrates with commonly used applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to assist with document and presentation creation.

This feature is expected to gain widespread adoption among users of Microsoft 365 as a valuable tool for enhancing productivity.

3. Gemini

Source: https://gemini.google.com/?hl=ja 

Gemini is an interactive AI announced by Google in December 2023, distinguished by its multimodal capabilities that allow it to understand not only text but also images, videos, and audio. This enables it to handle complex tasks such as solving intricate math problems or understanding programming languages.

Gemini is available in three models: "Gemini Ultra," "Gemini Pro," and "Gemini Nano," with Gemini Ultra reportedly outperforming human experts in knowledge and problem-solving tests across various fields such as mathematics, physics, history, law, medicine, and ethics.

Google emphasizes that Gemini surpasses GPT-4 in performance, positioning it as a formidable competitor to ChatGPT. Therefore, Gemini is expected to be a powerful ally for professionals dealing with specialized or advanced content.

4. Stable Diffusion

Source: https://ja.stability.ai/stable-diffusion 

Stable Diffusion is an image-generating AI developed by the British venture Stability AI. A significant feature of this tool is that it is available as open-source software for free use. Stability AI advocates that "everyone should have access to AI technology freely," which has garnered support from many users—estimated at around ten million.

In 2023, Stability AI Japan was established to begin providing services tailored for the Japanese market. Its free availability makes it user-friendly for beginners or casual users looking to explore AI tools.

5. DALL·E 2

Source: https://openai.com/index/dall-e-2/ 

DALL·E 2 is an image-generating AI tool offered by OpenAI—the same company behind ChatGPT. This tool's distinctiveness lies in its ability to generate bizarrely creative images that are often impossible in reality; for example, it can faithfully recreate imaginative scenes like "An astronaut riding a horse in photorealistic style."

DALL·E 2 was made available in beta version to one million users in 2022 and later allowed for commercial use—expanding its application beyond personal use into various business contexts.

Conclusion

The generative AI tools available for enhancing business efficiency in Japan offer diverse functionalities tailored to various needs, serving as powerful support for companies and individual entrepreneurs seeking to conduct their operations more effectively. By leveraging these tools, organizations can improve work efficiency and streamline communication—ultimately strengthening their competitive edge. Moving forward, appropriately integrating these AI tools will facilitate smarter and more effective working practices.