Digital Co-Creation Paving the Future: Conference of Digital Life Vol.3 at Okayama University

Digital Co-Creation Paving the Future: Conference of Digital Life Vol.3

On September 6, 2025, Okayama University hosted the third edition of the Conference of Digital Life at its Tsushima Campus. The event, organized in collaboration with the Okayama Digital Innovation Creation Platform (OI-Start), brought together 64 participants including researchers, students, and industry professionals from both domestic and international backgrounds. This gathering served as a vital platform for promoting interdisciplinary and practical research in digital fields, where results were shared and synergies between academia and industry were fostered.

The conference was supported by the Cabinet Office of Japan under the “Fiscal Year 2023 Innovation Creation Environment Strengthening Project” and the Ministry of Education’s initiative to promote social impact through university internationalization. As the event commenced, a welcoming address was delivered by Masanobu Abe, Executive Director for DX and GX, along with a speech from Takao Funakura, Deputy Director of the Innovation Co-Creation Organization on the topic of “The Power of Digital and Sustainability for Future Society: Towards Student-Initiated Innovation.” In this keynote, Funakura addressed the significant impact of digital technologies on local communities and the potential of co-creative innovation led by the next generation, while providing concrete examples and perspectives regarding universities' roles in promoting sustainable societal structures.

Following the keynote, the short-pitch competition titled “Digital INSPIRE” set the stage for student entrepreneurs, international students, and industry representatives to present their innovative technologies and business ideas. This session aimed to generate the “seeds” of innovation and pave the way for new collaborative research and business creation.

In the afternoon, researchers engaged in paper presentations and poster sessions, which allowed for dynamic discussions among attendees, nurturing a blend of academic exchange and practical knowledge. This collaborative environment enhanced mutual understanding and encouraged innovative thinking among participants, marking a vital aspect of the conference.

Okayama University aims to continue to foster academic and practical exchange, contributing to the overall development of society through initiatives like the OI-Start platform. The organization welcomes companies, entities, and individuals interested in collaborating on innovation creation through academia-industry-government partnerships to join as members. Those interested in participating in OI-Start are encouraged to consider joining the initiative to explore the university's commitment to community-focused and distinctive research endeavors further.

Conference activities included lively discussions led by the president of the OI-Start platform during the opening remarks, an engaging keynote presentation by the Deputy Director, and insightful poster presentations by participants that illustrated the outcomes of their research.

In summation, the Conference of Digital Life Vol.3 encapsulated a significant stride towards blending academic innovation with practical applications, ultimately aiming to foster a sustainable future. As Okayama University continues on this path, we look forward to further contributions to collective advancements both locally and globally.