#Japan #Tokyo #AI for Science #Upstage #Makoto Okada

Professor Makoto Okada Joins Upstage as an Advisor

In a significant development for the intersection of academia and industry, global AI firm Upstage, which operates as Upstage AI in Japan, has announced that Professor Makoto Okada from the University of Tokyo is taking on the role of Executive Research Advisor. This strategic appointment marks a critical step towards enhancing AI application in Japan, particularly in the realm of data-driven science.

Strengthening Alliances in AI

Since March of this year, Upstage has been actively pushing for market expansion in Japan. In this context, Professor Okada’s expertise will play a pivotal role as a core member guiding the company's initiatives. With a rich background in institutions such as Mitsubishi Electric, Osaka University, the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and RIKEN, Professor Okada is currently focusing on empirical research in data-driven science at the University of Tokyo. His research encompasses advanced theoretical studies in Bayesian measurement and sparse modeling, applying these concepts to critical areas including condensed matter physics, materials science, and neuroscience to address pressing societal challenges.

Professor Okada is recognized as a leading figure in the advancement of data-driven science and possesses extensive knowledge crucial for talent development among students and industry professionals. His insights are expected to be vital as Upstage, along with Karakuri Co., develops cutting-edge AI technologies such as the high-performance Japanese language large language model (LLM) named “Syn,” and the “Document Parse” tool that seamlessly converts Japanese business documents into LLM-ready structures with high accuracy.

The AI for Science Initiative

In an innovative move, Upstage, Karakuri, and the University of Tokyo have initiated a collaborative project titled “AI for Science.” This initiative aims to enhance Japan’s industrial power by leveraging Document AI and LLM technologies specifically within essential industry sectors. Through this project, efforts will focus on high-precision structuring of research paper information and automated feature extraction to streamline research activities and promote the reuse of knowledge.

Upstage's global success stories in Document AI technology combined with Karakuri's expertise in LLM systems are set to address information retrieval challenges in fields such as materials engineering, facilitating environments that enable advanced analysis even for non-experts. As the initiative progresses, Upstage plans to collaborate closely with various enterprises and research institutions to further develop use cases grounded in the industry's actual needs while continuously accumulating and sharing knowledge in data-driven science.

Insights from Key Stakeholders

Professor Okada expressed his enthusiasm regarding his new role: "It is a significant honor to be appointed as Upstage's Executive Research Advisor. The 'Document Parse' technology, capable of accurately recognizing and structuring Japanese documents, strongly supports knowledge reuse and operational efficiency in the research and industrial applications I've worked with over the years. I am confident that our collaboration will yield AI solutions that are not only applicable but also impactful for Japan's industrial challenges."

Tomofumi Nakayama, Director of Karakuri, emphasized the historical connection to Professor Okada's research group, stating, "Since our founding, many of our team members have roots in Professor Okada's laboratory at the University of Tokyo. His insights have always guided our applications of data science in various operations. It is a great privilege to push forward our collaboration with Upstage and Professor Okada under the 'AI for Science' theme."

Hiroyuki Matsushita, CEO of Upstage, expressed optimism about this collaboration: "We are thrilled to announce Professor Okada's appointment. By leveraging our experiences globally, we believe Upstage can significantly contribute to the effective use of AI in Japan's various industrial sectors, particularly with our Japanese-language version of 'Document Parse' which recently demonstrated substantial advantages over competitive models in terms of accuracy and speed."

Looking Ahead

Looking into the future, Upstage is dedicated to transforming vast amounts of latent data into LLM-ready formats, maximizing Japan's potential for AI application. The company will actively collaborate with relevant organizations and enterprises to shape use cases that meet industry needs while simultaneously contributing to the advancement of Japan's scientific and industrial landscape.

The launch of the AI for Science initiative will culminate in a symposium scheduled for July 15, where practical use cases and the impact of this collaboration will be discussed. Attendees include industry professionals and academics, making it a key event for stakeholders interested in the future of AI in science and industry.

For those keen on learning more about AI advancements and collaborations in Japan, keep an eye on the developments from Upstage and its partners, shaping the future of AI for the scientific community and beyond.