Hitachi
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Hiromitsu Kato, Research and Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd./Mr. Kentaro Fujimoto, President and CEO of D4DR inc.
The third volume of Research & Development Group, Hitachi's webinar "Innovation Starting with a Question — Social Transition and AI," was streamed on November 29, 2021. In this feature, we bring you the dialogue between Mr. Kentaro Fujimoto, the President and CEO of D4DR inc. and Hiromitsu Kato from Research & Development Group, Hitachi, in three parts. Mr. Fujimoto, who is an expert in IT, has worked as a consultant on the promotion of corporate innovation for many years. As a researcher, Kato has taken part in the design and development of social systems. From the standpoint of data utilization, they talked about the "trust of social systems" in detail.

Japanese

[Part 1] What are the real-life examples of data utilization in social systems?
[Part 2] What is a new data utilization space that should be established between the public and the private area?
[Part 3] How should social systems deal with AI and diverse data?

"Promoting corporate innovation with IT" & "optimizing society with data utilization"

Maruyama
My name is Yukinobu Maruyama from Hitachi, the host of this dialogue. The topic of today's dialogue is "social systems created by diverse data." We would like to discuss how social systems can change by utilizing diverse data, together with the question of how to secure the "trust" of social systems. Our first guest is Mr. Kentaro Fujimoto, the President and CEO of D4DR inc. Mr. Fujimoto has been working in the field of business consultation for many years. He is also known as the author of "Business Revolution in the Age of the New Normal" (Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.). And our second guest is Hiromitsu Kato, who has been studying societal systems engineering in Research & Development Group, Hitachi.

画像: (From left) Hiromitsu Kato, Hitachi, Ltd./Mr. Kentaro Fujimoto, D4DR inc./Yukinobu Maruyama, host, Hitachi, Ltd.

(From left) Hiromitsu Kato, Hitachi, Ltd./Mr. Kentaro Fujimoto, D4DR inc./Yukinobu Maruyama, host, Hitachi, Ltd.

Mr. Fujimoto
During the dawn of the internet in the early 90s, I came across a web browser called "NCSA Mosaic" that was developed in the United States. I felt certain that it would bring change to businesses across the globe. So this is where it all began. Since then, I've been supporting companies to practice innovation with the utilization of IT for nearly 25 years. In addition to being the President and CEO of a consulting firm named D4DR inc., I am also engaged in the management of startups.

Kato
As a researcher, I've been involved in the design and development of management systems for social infrastructure such as water supply and railways operation management. I have a wealth of behind-the-scene experience in how to optimize society through data utilization.

Utilizing data to optimize and equalize human activities

Maruyama
Now, let's begin with our first topic. "What are the real-life examples of data utilization in social systems?" Let's begin with Mr. Fujimoto.

Mr. Fujimoto
Our neighbor South Korea is way ahead of us in terms of utilizing open data. In Seoul, for example, they used the data of passengers getting into and out of a taxi in order to design a late-night bus route. By combining data such as where passengers used their mobile phones to call taxis and where they got out of the taxis, they were able to understand the transport needs of people late at night. Based on this data, they created a bus route.

画像1: Utilizing data to optimize and equalize human activities

Kato
In the same area of public transportation, Hitachi has also worked on a case. We developed a solution called the "Dynamic Headway," a system that controls train intervals according to congestion levels. This system adjusts the train's operating schedule based on the "passenger flow," which is obtained by measuring the movement of people in stations and trains. In addition to securing a conventional on-time operation, it aims to achieve operation based on the occasional demands to mitigate congestion.

Mr. Fujimoto
There is also a method called "Dynamic Pricing," in which the price changes in accordance with the balance of supply and demand. It's already in practice on some highways, and some railway companies are planning to use the system. By optimizing and equalizing human activity, we think that we will be able to effectively use time slots that were underutilized within societal resources. If we can adaptively change fares in addition to the train's operating schedule which Dr. Kato mentioned, I think we can steer society in a better direction.

画像2: Utilizing data to optimize and equalize human activities

Maruyama
Recently, Mr. Fujimoto has been working on the promotion of corporate innovation of not only social infrastructures but of retail industries as well. Please provide us with some insights in that area too.

Mr. Fujimoto
In retail, a solution called the "Electronic Shelf Label" has begun to be introduced. Until now, staff would walk around stores with stickers like "30% OFF" each time there was a discount. But with the Electronic Shelf Label, you can automatize this process. In addition to this, they can make prices higher when the product will sell for more, according to the balance of supply and demand. They can even change the price range according to their clientele. By utilizing the supply and demand data, a different way of generating profit becomes possible.

In recent years, stores with unmanned check-out systems, such as Amazon Go (*), have emerged. In such stores, staff/customers don't need to scan products' barcodes because sensors automatically recognize which product the customer has in their hands. In these stores, you can set different prices for the individual customer. So it becomes possible to provide a unique shopping experience like "Today is my birthday, so the store gave me a really good discount!" In retail, you can say that the elements of Dynamic Pricing, a system where you can change the price according to time, situation, and consumer, have begun to come together.

* A grocery store operated by Amazon.com. Customers can buy products without queuing at the cash register.

Risk of fairness brought about by Dynamic Pricing

Maruyama
From what you said, I got the impression that Dynamic Pricing is an incentive to strike a balance between supply and demand. It's also an ideal method that encourages people to collaborate. But on the other hand, does Dynamic Pricing bring with it no risks to society?

Kato
From the insight of Behavioral Science, there is an approach called "nudging." It's a way of encouraging someone to take a favorable action. For example, during the time slot when the train is crowded, you can change a person's behavior with a recommendation such as "If you stop by at a coffee shop, the train will be less crowded" and offering them a cafe voucher. However, if you overuse this, there is the risk of having the opposite effect like "Had I taken that train, I could have arrived at my destination faster. But I'm late because I stopped by at a coffee shop." In order to avoid this, the AI itself needs to be trustworthy. Currently, we are working on promoting social demonstration of technologies that appropriately promote behavior change, by nudging according to each individual's characteristics.

画像: Risk of fairness brought about by Dynamic Pricing

As Mr. Fujimoto just mentioned, price controls in stores with unmanned check-out systems may arouse suspicion among consumers as they might say " Maybe I'm buying this for a higher price?" Is it really fair to change the price according to supply and demand? I think how we secure this will be a challenge going forward.

Mr. Fujimoto
It may be similar to the IT literacy discussions, but the substance of services the customer receives will change depending on how much they understand the price change algorithm. There will also be problems of creating disparities such as how much of a bargain something feels and differences in how much you can control spending. I think discussions with such problems and differences in mind will be necessary from here on.

Click here for "[Part 2] What is a new data utilization space that should be established between the public and the private area?"

画像1: Societal Transition and AI - Vol.3: Social Systems Created by Diverse Data
[Part 1] What are the real-life examples of data utilization in social systems?

Kentaro Fujimoto
President and CEO of D4DR inc.

Kentaro Fujimoto joined Nomura Research Institute in 1991. He started his internet consulting business in 1993 and has been working in the field since. Fujimoto launched Japan's first e-business innovation project, Cyber Business Park. In 2002, he took office as the president of the consulting firm, D4DR inc. He has been providing broad consulting services through IT in fields such as innovation, new business development, marketing strategy and more. He took part in the management of various startup projects including PLANTIO, which was selected by the J-Startup project, to promote innovation. He works as a part-time lecturer at the Kanto Gakuin University, College of Interhuman Symbiotic Studies. He is the author of "Business Revolution in the Age of the New Normal" (Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.).

画像2: Societal Transition and AI - Vol.3: Social Systems Created by Diverse Data
[Part 1] What are the real-life examples of data utilization in social systems?

Hiromitsu Kato
Department Manager, Center for Technology Innovation – Societal Systems Engineering
Research & Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd.

Hiromitsu Kato joined Hitachi in 1995. He is being involved in the research and development of the Autonomous Decentralized Systems, Systems Science and Mathematical Optimization, Cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems and more. Kato promotes the operation monitoring and the control of information and control for water supply systems, automotive industries, railways, etc. and the application of systems technology to new services. In 2012, he participated in the projects including rail traffic management and local energy management in the UK. After returning to Japan, he worked as a department manager of the societal infrastructure systems research. He appointed to his current position in 2019. He has won awards including the IPSJ Yamashita SIG Research Award (1999) and the SICE Technology Award (2000 & 2016). Ph.D.

画像3: Societal Transition and AI - Vol.3: Social Systems Created by Diverse Data
[Part 1] What are the real-life examples of data utilization in social systems?

Yukinobu Maruyama, host
Head of Design, Global Center for Social Innovation – Tokyo, Research & Development Group, Hitachi, Ltd.

After joining Hitachi, Yukinobu Maruyama built his career as a product designer. He was involved in the foundation of Hitachi's Human Interaction Laboratory in 2001 and launched the field of vision design research in 2010 before becoming laboratory manager of the Experience Design Lab's UK Office in 2016. After returning to Japan, he worked in robotics, AI, and digital city service design before being transferred to Hitachi Global Life Solutions, Inc. to promote a vision-driven product development strategy. He is also involved in developing design methodologies and human resource education plans. He took up his current position in 2020.

シリーズ紹介

楠木建の「EFOビジネスレビュー」

一橋ビジネススクール一橋ビジネススクールPDS寄付講座特任教授の楠木建氏の思考の一端を、切れ味鋭い論理を、毎週月曜日に配信。

山口周の「経営の足元を築くリベラルアーツ」

山口周氏をナビゲーターに迎え、経営者・リーダーが、自身の価値基準を持つための「リベラルアーツ」について考える。

協創の森から

社会課題の解決に向けたビジョンの共有を図る研究開発拠点『協創の森』。ここから発信される対話に耳を傾けてください。

新たな企業経営のかたち

パーパス、CSV、ESG、カスタマーサクセス、M&A、ブロックチェーン、アジャイルなど、経営戦略のキーワードをテーマに取り上げ、第一人者に話を聞く。

Key Leader's Voice

各界のビジネスリーダーに未来を創造する戦略を聞く。

経営戦略としての「働き方改革」

今後企業が持続的に成長していくために経営戦略として取り組むべき「働き方改革」。その本質に迫る。

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新たな価値創造に挑む気鋭のニューリーダーに、その原動力と開拓する新しい未来を聞く。

日本発の経営戦略「J-CSV」の可能性

日本的経営の良さを活かしながら利益を生み出す「J-CSV」。その先進的な取り組みに迫る。

ベンチマーク・ニッポン

日本を元気にするイノベーターの、ビジョンと取り組みに迫る。

デジタル時代のマーケティング戦略

マーケティングにおける「デジタルシフト」を、いかに進めるべきか、第一人者の声や企業事例を紹介する。

私の仕事術

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EFO Salon

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禅のこころ

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岩倉使節団が遺したもの—日本近代化への懸け橋

明治期に始まる産業振興と文明開化、日本社会の近代化に多大な影響を及ぼした岩倉使節団。産業史的な観点から、いま一度この偉業を見つめ直す。

八尋俊英の「創造者たち」~次世代ビジネスへの視点~

新世代のイノベーターをゲストに社会課題の解決策や新たな社会価値のつくり方を探る。

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