#Japan #Tokyo #Employment Support #SCIEN #Buddy Talk

SCIEN Launches 'Buddy Talk'

SCIEN, headquartered in Bunkyo City, Tokyo, recently announced the launch of its groundbreaking digital transformation service, 'Buddy Talk.' This AI avatar dialogue system, developed in collaboration with Challenged Person Inc., aims to improve job support for individuals with disabilities. The system listens to the employees' voices—especially those who may struggle with social anxiety or selective mutism—and generates reports for their supporters.

Addressing the Silent Departure Issue

One of the most pressing issues in disability employment, particularly in special subsidiary companies and supportive employment facilities, is the phenomenon of unexpected resignations.

• - Inability to Speak Up: Individuals with social anxiety or selective mutism often become more withdrawn under stress, making it hard for supportive staff to identify problems until the resignation decision has already been made.
• - Resource Limitations for Support Staff: In environments where one support worker manages dozens of clients, sensing subtle emotional shifts in each individual—like changes in vocal tone or response—is difficult and prone to oversight.
• - Reactive Tools: Many existing support tools only assist when difficulties arise, whereas essential solutions must proactively identify behavioral changes during stable periods.

'Buddy Talk' addresses these gaps by functioning as a neutral intermediary that helps signal invisible distress signals.

Four Unique Features of 'Buddy Talk'

1. Early Detection During Good Times: By making regular conversations with the avatar a habit, 'Buddy Talk' collects baseline data when users are feeling fine. It monitors subtle shifts in response time, selection patterns, and word choice, alerting supporters to potential issues before they escalate.
2. User-Friendly Design Based on Disability Studies: Instead of traditional chat formats, it features intuitive option-based responses, clear subtitles, and easily understandable language to create a comfortable communication environment for users with social anxieties.
3. Joint Development with Experts: Collaboratively developed with Challenged Person Inc.—which has first-hand insights on the employment scene—'Buddy Talk' integrates empathic responses and question scenarios to ensure safe and supportive dialogue experiences.
4. In-Depth Analysis with Reporting Functions: The dialogue content is instantly transformed into structured reports for the support staff. This goes beyond mere visibility of the user's condition to provide deeper insights about the underlying issues affecting communication, enabling informed follow-ups that support user well-being.

Feedback from the Field: 'I Can Speak with the Bear'

In environments where 'Buddy Talk' has been implemented, individuals facing communication challenges reported feeling more comfortable speaking to the AI avatar than to their human supporters. Many expressed sentiments like, "Today, I want to talk to the bear," enthusiastically picking up tablets to engage with the system. This marks a significant milestone in enabling the unspoken concerns of users to come into light.

Support staff have noted the emotional toll of their roles, often feeling worn out at times, which can inadvertently affect their interactions with clients. They recognize that such emotional nuances may lead clients to withdraw instead of seeking help, fostering a cycle of miscommunication. 'Buddy Talk' serves to fill this gap by providing clients with a flat, neutral avenue for expression, proving a valuable part of the ongoing support process.

Future Aspirations

SCIEN aims to leverage the conversational data accumulated through 'Buddy Talk' to establish a more accurate model for predicting mental health issues. The company has set an ambitious target of launching the system in ten facilities across Japan by 2026, striving to create a society where individuals can work in their authentic selves without fear of sudden departures.

Representative Comments

According to SCIEN’s representative, "This launch is a significant step toward realizing our vision of enriching lives through the power of science." They emphasize a strong commitment to prioritizing safe and intuitive interactions in the mental health space, ensuring that the dignity of every individual is respected.

Overall, 'Buddy Talk' promises to bridge the communication gap between supporters and users, ensuring earlier interventions and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.

About SCIEN: With a mission to provide essential IT solutions tailored to individual needs, SCIEN focuses on developing advanced technologies in employee-centric environments to add value to society. Their work emphasizes not just technology for efficiency's sake but meaningful problem-solving through innovation.

About Challenged Person Inc.: Based in Hiroshima, Challenged Person Inc. is dedicated to supporting the independence and employment of people with disabilities through comprehensive welfare services.