In a groundbreaking move for digital transformation, Osaka Gas Corporation, OGIS Research Institute, and IBM Japan have officially entered into a partnership agreement aimed at driving innovation in next-generation IT systems with artificial intelligence at its core. This collaboration seeks to accelerate the digital transformation of the Daigas Group and contribute to solving pressing societal challenges amidst rapidly changing environments.
The executives leading this initiative are Osaka Gas's Vice President and Chief Digital & Information Officer, Ko Sakane, and IBM Japan's Vice President and Chief AI Officer, Masaki Murata. Together, they will leverage their organizations' combined strengths to enhance customer service and ensure a stable operational foundation within the energy sector.
Focus Areas for Collaboration
The partnership will focus on several critical areas to harness advanced technologies for improving value delivery to customers and strengthening operational reliability:
A. Enhancing Customer Value
To meet increasingly sophisticated customer needs, there will be an expansion of AI technologies such as AI agents and other innovations into existing systems. The partnership will utilize IBM's AI capabilities and existing system modernization expertise to ensure quicker and more accurate responses to customer requests.
B. Strengthening Operational Foundations
To enhance the stability of business operations, AI-driven development and operational framework will be implemented. By employing an AI-driven development platform, the companies expect to achieve greater efficiency and reduce development timelines compared to traditional methods. Moreover, the use of automated tools for system operations is anticipated to boost operational effectiveness and precision.
Alongside these improvements, the collaboration places a strong emphasis on bolstering security measures, particularly in light of increasing cyber threats. Strategies will be developed to counteract potential misuse of AI in cybersecurity risks.
C. Fostering Workforce Development
As part of this initiative, the companies will promote the exchange of talent to cultivate a workforce equipped to handle digital transformation effectively. This will include deepening expertise in AI, system modernization, and security, thereby enabling the Daigas Group to generate even more value for customers.
Additionally, through this initiative, IBM aims to accumulate knowledge and expertise relevant to the energy sector to devise solutions that can further develop the industry.
Quick Start to Progress
Currently, the three companies are swiftly establishing multiple specialized teams under this partnership to initiate concrete technical verifications and create roadmaps for development. The goal is to significantly expand and accelerate the application of AI in systems and operations by the end of the fiscal year 2026, ensuring a robust digital transition for the Daigas Group.
Conclusion
Ko Sakane, Osaka Gas's Chief Digital & Information Officer, expressed optimism about the partnership: “By effectively combining our strengths and resources with IBM, we aim to propel IT system transformation within the Daigas Group, thus enhancing customer value and contributing to the development of the energy industry and Japanese society.” This endeavor not only signifies a step forward for the companies involved but also holds the potential to reshape future operations within the energy landscape.