Hankyu Railway's Initiative with AI Technology
In a groundbreaking move, Hankyu Railway Co., in collaboration with Tifana Dotcom, has decided to implement the 'Sakura-san' AI agent for internal inquiries to enhance workflow efficiency. This trial, projected to occur between November 2024 and April 2025 at the Takarazuka Station, is aimed at leveraging insights gained from previous avatar-based AI implementations to improve the response time and accuracy for internal inquiries.
Addressing Internal Challenges
Hankyu Railway has identified challenges in managing employee inquiries, particularly those revolving around work regulations and various application processes. A disproportionate number of these inquiries have been directed to specific employees, placing an unnecessary burden on them. To tackle this issue, the company has chosen to deploy the 'Sakura-san' AI agent. The intent is to provide staff with quick and precise answers, thereby facilitating a more efficient work environment.
The AI's capabilities have been tested in a previous experiment related to digital signage at the Takarazuka Station, where the utility of AI-driven customer guidance was assessed. The findings from this endeavor will be instrumental in shaping the implementation of 'Sakura-san' for internal operations, ensuring that the AI can handle routine queries without the need for extensive human intervention.
How the AI Agent Operates
The AI agent will handle practical inquiries related to employment regulations and benefits, as well as various application processes. For instance, employees can input questions regarding:
- - Annual paid leave
- - Various allowances and benefits
- - Short-time work and parental leave
This system allows employees to text their questions, and in real time, the AI generates accurate responses, granting instant access to necessary information. The 'Sakura-san' agent continuously learns from interactions, updating its knowledge base without requiring users to manually upload documents or manage FAQs. As the AI interacts more with users, its accuracy and efficiency are expected to improve consistently.
Embracing Digital Transformation (DX)
Moving forward, Hankyu Railway remains committed to digital transformation and ongoing DX initiatives. The goal is to create a work environment that allows employees to be more productive while enhancing the overall quality of work processes. By streamlining internal inquiry processes and leveraging AI, the company aims to pave the way for broader digital adoption within its operations.
About AI Sakura-san
The 'Sakura-san' AI is a conversational agent designed for seamless use without customer involvement in the setup or tuning process. Positioned as ‘Your AI partner next to you, working together for happiness’, it aids companies and municipalities in their digital transformation.
What Sets AI Sakura-san Apart?
- - Uses cutting-edge AI technology like ChatGPT and image generation.
- - Holds various AI-related patents and quality assurance certifications.
- - Meets ISO standards for cloud security.
- - Offers customized deployment tailored to client needs within a short timeframe.
- - Fully automates the maintenance and operational tasks.
Many organizations aiming for DX have adopted AI Sakura-san, integrating it into their customer interaction processes in stations, commercial facilities, websites, and through telephony. The agent has been successfully deployed across multiple sectors including major corporations, local governments, and public transport agencies.
Company Overview
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Meguro, Tokyo, Tifana Dotcom operates under the motto of bringing smiles to society through web and AI technology. With extensive experience in web production, the company has expanded into AI development, launching 'AI Sakura-san' in October 2016, which has since found numerous applications across diverse industries in Japan. As of March 2024, Tifana Dotcom will become part of the HEROZ Group, marking an exciting new chapter in its commitment to supporting digital transformation.