Introduction
Are you also interested in the use of AI?
“While there is much talk of AI being a panacea, we are also hearing from people who have tried to implement it that "the results are not as good as expected."
So, how can we truly make AI a success?
This article will discuss major heavy electrical equipment manufacturers.Kawasaki Heavy IndustriesBased on these case studies, we will introduce the secrets to successful AI implementation. Simply introducing magical technology will not yield significant results. What is important is the painstaking effort of "understanding the field."
We hope this article will serve as an opportunity for you to re-evaluate your own company's AI utilization strategy.
The truth about AI implementation: It's a "tool," not a "magic wand."
Mistaking AI for an "all-purpose magic wand" will lead to failure.
While the emergence of generative AI has created a sense of omnipotence, the reality is that it can only replace a limited number of tasks.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries' robotics division has implemented a system that uses AI to process order contract data from the past 5 to 10 years. As a result, orders are now placed at appropriate prices, generating tens of millions of yen in savings annually. However, the important point is that the entire system has been strengthened by extending it to design and other departments.
The discussion of whether to review the business processes themselves is essential when introducing AI.
Key to success: 3 specific initiatives
Point 1: Leaders themselves visit the sites in a "pilgrimage"
Kazuki Hayashi (then at Kawasaki Heavy Industries Akashi Plant) conducted an activity in 2023-2024 that involved "visiting each department."
I understand the operations of my own procurement department, but I'm not familiar with design or other related tasks. So, I went around asking people on the ground about "what the workflow itself is" and "what problems they are facing."
Although the robotics division itself was extremely busy, we were able to take the time to find key people and visit them, which made a real, on-the-ground approach possible.
Point 2: The importance of face-to-face support.
Caddy (Taito, Tokyo), an AI-powered manufacturing DX support company, provided assistance to Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company has raised over 25 billion yen in total funding and is experiencing rapid growth, but its staff prioritizes customer engagement over a sleek, modern style.
Mr. Hayashi is always accompanied by a caddy during his travels, allowing for face-to-face support. He still visits Kawasaki Heavy Industries four times a week, continuing to search for the next opportunities for improvement.
Point 3: Identify the problem from a single word spoken directly.
Masahiro Hitoki, Head of Customer Success at Caddi, says, "We need to 'reverse' the technology so that people can intervene and make it useful."
It's difficult to implement AI that functions well without a deep understanding of the customer. "Supporting the leaders driving the change is key." We picked up on challenges from casual remarks made during direct conversations and proposed systems to address them.
On-the-ground perspective: "A hands-on approach, not magic"
The combination of cutting-edge AI systems and real-world, on-the-ground travel—this seemingly unlikely pairing—was necessary for Kawasaki Heavy Industries to effectively utilize AI.
This fact will change your "perspective on work" in the following ways:
- Breaking free from technology dependence: Maintaining a human-centered approach without relying on the idea that AI is omnipotent.
- Respecting the voices of those on the ground: The importance of understanding actual business challenges rather than leaving everything to the system.
- Continuous involvement: A system that involves regularly engaging with the field, rather than simply implementing a system and then neglecting it.
Technically speaking, this is the concept of "Human-in-the-loop" (a cyclical structure with human intervention). It recognizes that while AI can be utilized, human knowledge and judgment are indispensable.
Summary
We need to reconsider the essence of AI implementation.
Technology is merely a means to an end, not the end itself. Visiting the site to understand the situation, identifying challenges face-to-face, and having people take the lead in creating systems—this is the key to producing true results.
We shouldn't expect magical technology. A realistic approach is what will strengthen our competitiveness. By aligning our company's AI utilization strategy with feedback from the field, we can find a path to achieving sustainable digital transformation.
"Even as technology advances, people's hearts remain unchanged. Don't forget that."That's the message.
