#Japan #Okayama #Bridgewell #Okayama Prefecture #ToyTalk

ToyTalk and Okayama Prefecture Partnering for AI Innovation

In a groundbreaking initiative, Bridgewell Corporation, known for its interactive AI character platform ToyTalk, has forged a partnership with the Okayama Prefecture, specifically focusing on the Mimasaka region. This collaboration is set to pioneer the use of generative AI technology to address regional challenges and stimulate local revitalization efforts. The agreement, signed between Bridgewell and the Mimasaka Prefectural Bureau, aims at utilizing AI to enhance the area's appeal and effectiveness in various sectors, from tourism to administrative services.

Background and Challenges of the Mimasaka Region

Nestled in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture, the Mimasaka region boasts stunning natural landscapes and rich hot spring resources. However, it also grapples with significant demographic challenges, including an aging population and declining birth rates, posing a threat to the region's sustainability. To combat these issues, there is a pressing need for innovative strategies to attract younger generations, promote tourism, and efficiently deliver administrative services.

Overview and Objectives of the Partnership

The partnership focuses on leveraging AI to promote the unique characteristics of Mimasaka, including enhancing multilingual support for foreign tourists. With ToyTalk, the initiative intends to empower local residents and businesses to create AI characters that provide information about local culture and attractions across a variety of fields such as tourism, education, and welfare.

Implementation Details

The collaboration will commence with several pilot projects:

• - Tourist Information and Audio Guides: Testing the use of ToyTalk for enhanced tourist guidance in cultural facilities.
• - Enhanced Multilingual Assistance: Strengthening inbound tourism support through multilingual capabilities.
• - AI Character Implementation: Exploring the potential for AI characters within local establishments to reduce manpower needs.
• - Workshops and Seminars: Providing seminars on generative AI for municipalities and local business owners to facilitate implementation.

Insights from the Mimasaka Bureau Director

Hiroshi Azuma, Director of the Mimasaka Prefectural Bureau, emphasized the urgency in addressing the pressing issues of declining population and aging. He expressed confidence in the partnership with Bridgewell, noting that ToyTalk’s conversational AI capabilities simulate human interaction, allowing for fast and natural responses.

Azuma believes that the ease of creating customizable characters through ToyTalk will enable better assistance tailored to various fields, such as front-desk operations and facility guidance. The initial phase will focus on tourism, with aspirations for the project to rejuvenate Mimasaka by attracting younger residents and preventing the outflow of young women, ultimately fostering a vibrant community.

Future Developments

The scope of the partnership will gradually expand, particularly in the tourism sector. For instance, at the upcoming "Mimasaka San-yu Art Temperature", AI characters will provide artwork explanations. Additionally, a companion tourist information trial is planned for the “Mimasaka Slow Life Train” event in November, where tourist dialogue will be tested. Regional businesses and local governments will also benefit from seminars focused on generative AI to advance digitalization and workforce development across Mimasaka.

What is ToyTalk?

ToyTalk is a conversational AI character platform developed by Bridgewell Corporation, enabling users to create AI characters easily equipped with specific knowledge to engage in natural dialogues across various uses, including tourism guidance, administrative support, and education efforts. With no need for specialized technical skills or extensive system development, local businesses can customize AI characters tailored to their particular needs. The platform offers multilingual support in 57 languages and boasts response times as fast as 0.3 seconds, making it an attractive option for both inbound tourism and efficiency in operations.

As ToyTalk transforms local wisdom, stories, and sentiments into engaging conversations through AI, it aims to bolster community bonds and support the vision of a more talking, interconnected region.

For further details, explore ToyTalk’s official website: ToyTalk.

About Bridgewell Corporation

Bridgewell aims to connect individuals and organizations while creating new value and opportunities within society. Notably, its diverse initiatives include a subscription service for diapers aimed at childcare facilities and numerous contributions toward a sustainable future.

• - Company Name: Bridgewell Corporation
• - Business Areas: ToyTalk development, consulting, diaper subscription services, food distribution
• - Leadership: Masahiko Ishibashi, Kuniyoshi Tsutsui
• - Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
• - Established: November 22, 2019

For additional information about Bridgewell, visit: Bridgewell Corporation.