Tokyo--February 19, 2024--Hakuhodo DY Holdings Inc. is set to establish its Human-Centered AI Institute on April 1, 2024. The Institute will conduct cutting-edge AI research and technology development using human-centered approaches that will contribute to sei-katsu-sha--our term for the holistic person--and society.

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including generative AI, the social implementation of AI is accelerating in all areas of life and business. It has also been pointed out that generative AI carries risks, including the output of false information and infringement of copyrights. There is a need to develop governance that will allow us to utilize the power of AI while addressing these issues with various stakeholders. In addition, from a future perspective, it is necessary to develop and utilize AI in a way that puts people at the center, so that its use is not just about convenience and efficiency, but also about enhancing human potential and creativity, leading to the creation of new value.

In our Medium-Term Business Plan starting in FY2024, the Hakuhodo DY Group has set out to transform itself from a group of advertising companies to a creativity platform, aiming to generate new relationship value with sei-katsu-sha-centered creativity as our edge.

The newly established Human-Centered AI Institute will be an AI research institute that uses approaches that center on human beings. It will not only conduct research and development into using AI to improve efficiency, but will also explore what the AI of the future should be like, to stimulate and bring forth human creativity, and based on this, it will conduct research into cutting-edge and applied technologies, with the aim of building a foundation that supports sei-katsu-sha and society. The head of the new organization will be Masaya Mori, who has led AI at a major consulting firm, among other organizations. Mori will also become Chief AI Officer at Hakuhodo DY Holdings.

Going forward, the Human-Centered AI Institute will collaborate with the AI development and projects of each organization within the Group to support the research, development, introduction and utilization of high-quality, highly reliable cutting-edge AI technology, as well as the business transformation required for this. In addition, to improve the AI capabilities of the entire Group and maximize our AI implementation capabilities, we will also strengthen alliances with external partners to ensure smooth and high-quality implementation.

About the Human-Centered AI Institute

Establishment: April 1, 2024
Representative: Masaya Mori (Chief AI Officer & Corporate Officer, Hakuhodo DY Holdings) (Expected to assume these roles on April 1, 2024)
Workforce: Approximately 30 employees (initial team)
Business content:
1. Establishing a vision and roadmap for human-centered AI that benefits sei-katsu-sha and society
2. Research and applied technology development that will form the core of the above
3. Supporting AI development and utilization and improving AI capabilities at the various organizations of the Group to drive maximization of AI implementation capabilities across the Group
4. Strengthening alliances with external partners to implement the above

About the Head of HCAI Institute