"Should You Use Informal Speech with the AI CEO?"... Japanese Conglomerates Accelerate AI Adoption

Expansion of 'AI CEO' and 'AI Boss' in Japan
AI Adoption Accelerates with Models Trained on Past Experience and Executive Statements
Some Companies Now Include AI Executives in Management Meetings

Tatsu Nakajima, CEO of SMBC Group (left), and Tatsu Nakajima, CEO of AI. SMBC YouTube

Japanese conglomerates are increasingly moving to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) trained on past management decisions in workplaces and executive meetings.

According to Japan’s NHK and financial giant Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMBC Group) on August 19, SMBC Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation introduced an 'AI CEO' modeled after CEO Tatsu Nakajima starting in July. This AI has been trained on statements made by Nakajima in management meetings and lectures since December 2023. The AI chatbot, featuring an avatar of CEO Nakajima, provides responses to employee questions that reflect Nakajima’s style. SMBC Group is also developing an 'AI Boss.' The AI Boss estimates customer needs and proposes solutions by drawing on the group’s product data, customer transaction records, and the knowledge and skills of bank employees. The goal is to leverage the bank’s vast accumulated know-how to create a system where employees can consult with the AI Boss at any time, thereby providing customers with fast and optimal solutions.

Tatsu Nakajima, CEO of SMBC Group (left), is having a conversation with AI Tatsu Nakajima. SMBC YouTube

SMBC Group has determined that, as AI technology advances rapidly, it is important to create an environment and culture where employees and AI work together for the organization’s continued growth. This project is not just a simple experiment in AI utilization, but is being promoted as a foundation for accelerating AI adoption in the future. The group stated, “Through the experience of having casual consultations with the ‘AI CEO’ modeled after Group CEO Tatsu Nakajima, we aim for employees to naturally recognize the usefulness of AI, expand its use in daily work, and foster an organizational culture where working alongside AI is the norm.” They added, “Ultimately, we plan to establish our brand as a leading AI-driven financial institution.” SMBC Group sees the integration of AI and work as crucial in four areas: enhancing customer convenience, improving employee sales capabilities, supporting employee thinking and decision-making, and automating various operations. The group plans to continue developing AI with these priorities in mind.

Beverage giant Kirin Holdings began an experiment in July in which AI participates as an 'executive' in management meetings. Several AI executives, developed in-house, have been trained on past board meeting minutes, internal documents, and market data. Each AI specializes in areas such as digital technology or finance, supporting discussions in management meetings. The company aims to leverage AI’s analysis, based on vast amounts of data, to enable faster decision-making. Kenshi Minakata, president of Kirin Holdings, told NHK, “As society changes at such a rapid pace, it is difficult for management to fully understand and discuss all technological advances and related matters. We expect AI to serve as a tool that reminds us of social and technological perspectives we might otherwise overlook.”