Curio Launches AI Adoption Support Services for SMEs, Emphasizing Workflow Improvement First

Curio Introduces AI Adoption Support Services

Curio, a Tokyo-based company specializing in custom system development, has announced the launch of its new AI adoption support services aimed specifically at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Starting from August 24, 2026, this initiative seeks to streamline business processes before integrating AI technologies. By categorizing internal operations, Curio helps clients identify the most efficient improvement strategies.

Background: Addressing Challenges in AI Implementation

The use of AI in businesses is rapidly spreading, with a report from the Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) indicating that 58% of companies have implemented or are trialing some form of AI technology. However, only 31.8% of those businesses reported achieving their expected outcomes. Additionally, according to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, while 86.4% of Japanese enterprises utilize generative AI in some capacity, 27% claim there are no organizational efforts in place for transformative applications of AI. This indicates a significant gap between the implementation of AI on an individual level and its integration into organizational frameworks.

The IPA also revealed that merely 7% of companies are actively organizing and utilizing data for AI applications, with many of them seeing results that meet or even exceed their expectations. Given this situation, Curio believes that before deploying AI tools, it is critical to bring workflows and data management systems into alignment. This insight led to the creation of Curio's AI Adoption Support Services.

Service Overview: Organizing Operational Challenges and Solutions

Curio's new service begins with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of target operations, classifying tasks into three categories:

1. Areas where AI can be effectively utilized
2. Areas suitable for systemization improvements
3. Areas that can be eliminated or re-evaluated

The company tends to prioritize approach #2—systematic improvement—before considering AI applications. This prioritization ensures that organizations assess the practicality and effectiveness of each function concerning AI integration.

Step 1: Inventorying Business Operations and Organizing Improvement Strategies

The first step involves listing current business processes to categorize them into the aforementioned three areas. Each operation is evaluated to determine its suitability for AI utilization or systematization, with alternative suggestions provided if AI adoption is deemed inefficient. As an entry point for this workflow analysis, Curio offers a free AI utilization assessment tailored for SMEs.

Step 2: Prioritzing Systematic Improvements

For operations categorized as suitable for systematic enhancements, Curio focuses first on streamlining processes without the initial integration of AI technologies. By establishing an infrastructure that enables the continuous collection and utilization of business data—such as customer orders, inventory, and client information—companies can reduce operational burdens while laying groundwork for future AI applications.

Step 3: Gradual Implementation of AI Features

Once the business infrastructure is established through systemization, Curio will gradually incorporate AI features into the most necessary and prioritized areas. The strategy emphasizes building their system incrementally rather than implementing a large-scale solution all at once, aligning development with the client’s business circumstances and operational demands.

Unique Features of Curio’s AI Support Services

1. Prioritizing Systemization Over AI Inclusion: Curio emphasizes that their objective is not merely the adoption of AI but rather the enhancement of operational efficiency through systematic changes.
2. Dual Perspectives in Design: Led by CEO Marika Hirayama, who has a wealth of experience in both engineering and business use cases, Curio insists on designing solutions that anticipate user challenges and operational bottlenecks.
3. End-to-End Support for Development and Implementation: As an established system development firm, Curio not only organizes business processes but also assists in designing, developing, and implementing necessary systems and AI functionalities.

A Message from Marika Hirayama, CEO of Curio

When approached for AI adoption, our first step is to scrutinize current operational hurdles. We systematically analyze each task to discern between those that can be simplified through systematization versus those that truly require AI implementation. By initiating with actionable improvements, companies can realize swift outcomes while maintaining momentum toward enhancing their operations.

Free Diagnostic Assessment for SMEs

To cater to those hesitant to commit, Curio invites businesses to try their free AI utilization assessment. After completing a simple questionnaire, participants receive insights into their current AI implementation status and can explore potential improvements over the subsequent months.

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Curio aims to enhance its role in AI adoption support, leveraging its expertise in system development alongside insights gained from its own services to assist businesses sequentially from operational organization to full AI integration.