#Japan #AI Research #Miyagi #ViaGate #Tohoku College

Transformative Learning Experience at Tohoku Electronic College

The collaboration between Tohoku Electronic College and Viagate has unfolded a unique learning approach that integrates real-world market research using artificial intelligence (AI) consumer interviews. This program, aimed at second-year students in the Comprehensive Information Business Department, has reported stellar results, achieving a satisfaction rate of 95% and a growth perception of 85%.

Purpose and Background of the Program

The goal was clear: to equip each student with practical and evidence-based planning skills. Historically, Tohoku Electronic College's curriculum has focused on marketing fundamentals such as product distribution and consumer behavior. However, challenges persisted in effectively evaluating student projects objectively and quantitatively.

To overcome these hurdles, Tohoku Electronic College introduced Viagate’s “Emomiru Research,” which enables timely and low-cost consumer research. This innovation allows students to independently validate and refine their business ideas by gathering direct feedback from real consumers.

According to Hirohiro Iwama, the Academic Director of the Comprehensive Information Business Department, leveraging AI creates an environment where students can swiftly access genuine consumer insights, thereby substantiating their proposals. The user-friendly dashboard facilitates easy adaptation by the students.

Overview of the Program

The practical-oriented class divided students into eight groups, each tasked with creating a product or service proposal. They conducted two rounds of AI interviews with a group of 50 real consumers.

• - First Round: Conduct research and analyze initial feedback.
• - Second Round: Improve the proposal based on the findings and revalidate its effectiveness.

This process adheres to the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, ensuring that students engage deeply with consumer comments to identify core issues and enhance the quality of their projects.

Student Feedback and Results

Surveys conducted after the program reflected significant educational benefits, with a 95% satisfaction rate among the 23 participating students. Here are some comments gathered:

• - "Consumer expectations exceeded my imagination, emphasizing the need to focus on value provision."
• - "Listening to different team perspectives helped us identify our areas for improvement."
• - "After refining our presentation, our understanding in the second interview improved by 20%—that was thrilling!"
• - "Clarifying doubts helped pinpoint where changes were necessary in our proposal."
• - "The joyous moment arose during group discussions when we arrived at a convincing plan together."
• - "A single comment from the instructor transformed my perspective on business ideas."

Comments from Stakeholders

Faculty Remarks:
The collaboration allowed students to elevate their conceptual ideas into tangible creations. The insights gained from the AI interviews, reflecting consumer perspectives, were invaluable. The by maintaining a continuous feedback loop based on consumer insights, students cultivated an understanding of real market demands, necessary for future professional success, as emphasized by Academic Director Iwama.

Instructor Insights from Viagate:
The students' eagerness to explore and improve their ideas was truly impressive. In the complex landscape of marketing and strategy, the approach must reflect real-world practices. The essence of effective business strategies lies not in textbooks but in the voices of consumers. This initiative showcased that AI-driven interviews and market research can significantly enhance the preparedness of future business leaders, as noted by Hiroki Watanabe, CBO and co-founder of Viagate.

Future Prospects

Building on the program’s success, Viagate plans to expand its AI research-driven educational offerings to other social sciences and business institutions. Key objectives include:

• - Development of tailored lesson plans for educational institutions.
• - Creation of teaching materials for educators.
• - Expansion into universities and vocational schools.

Through these initiatives, Viagate aims to create an environment where the next generation of students can engage in practical marketing experiences earlier in their careers. Educational institutions interested in adopting these methods are encouraged to reach out for further information and discussions.

For more details on this initiative, visit the Emomiru Research case study page: Emomiru Research Case Study.

About Tohoku Electronic College

Located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku Electronic College focuses on cultivating talent in the fields of information and IT. The institution emphasizes practical curriculums connected to the real-world, ensuring students evolve into competent professionals. Recently, the college engaged in various industry-academia collaboration initiatives to expose students to genuine market voices.

About Viagate

Viagate aims to construct a social infrastructure where individuals can make informed decisions based on valuable information. Their innovative data marketing technology captures and analyzes natural communication effectively.

Company Details

Representative Director: Mamoru Shimosaki
Location: 18-4 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
Official Website: Viagate Official Site
Emomiru Research: Emomiru Research

• ---

Contact for Inquiries
Public Relations Officer, Viagate
Email: [email protected]