AI Cross Corporation Empowers High School Students for the Future of Work

On December 4, 2025, AI Cross Corporation, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, conducted a special lecture titled "Essential Skills for Society in the AI Era" for approximately 100 third-year students at Waseda Saga High School, recognized as a "DX High School" by the Ministry of Education. This initiative was launched in response to the widespread integration of AI technology, including generative AI, in corporate practices, increasing the importance of career development grounded in AI education within school settings.

Overview of the Lecture: The Three Crucial Abilities for the AI Era

The rapid evolution of AI is transforming business processes and employment structures, leading to a heightened demand for individuals who can harness AI effectively. However, this transition is also accompanied by anxiety among students and young people regarding the future job landscape, with questions like "What jobs will remain?" and "What should I learn?" prominently on their minds.

During the lecture, we aimed to address these concerns by emphasizing three essential skills that high school students should start cultivating now, supported by concrete data and examples:

1. Curiosity: The Drive to Ask “Why?”
In an age where vast amounts of information are readily available from AI, the ability to discern what is essential is of utmost value. We highlighted that being adept at asking questions rather than merely acquiring knowledge positions students for success.

2. Digital Orientation: The Capacity to Think with Technology in Mind
With AI and data utilization becoming standard in all professional fields, we discussed the critical distinction between being users of technology versus being mere participants in the workforce. We encouraged students to seize the opportunities that technology presents for innovation, which can streamline tasks and enhance accuracy. Adopting a digital-first mindset is becoming indispensable across all job sectors.

3. Passion: The Spirit of Continuous Challenge
In a rapidly changing world, we conveyed that taking action is often more valuable than striving for perfection. As we enter the AI era, the gap between those who embrace challenges and those who do not will continue to widen. By sharing real-world career examples, we demonstrated how maintaining a proactive attitude is crucial.

AI’s evolution is an irreversible process, and high school students stepping into the workforce must possess the ability to learn, choose, and act independently. The lecture emphasized the importance of architecting one's career path and provided clear steps to achieve this.

Student Feedback

Here are some representative comments from students after the session:

- "In the face of advancing AI, I want to focus on my studies in university to ensure I can be among those who utilize AI, not just be used by it. Learning about Mr. Kikukawa's diverse experiences made me eager to take on various challenges in my future."

- "The lecture really surprised me with facts about AI achieving high accuracy in medical licensing exams and being widely used in large corporations. I especially took to heart the insights on the importance of understanding technology and business, as well as nurturing curiosity during youth for personal growth. I want to actively engage in learning instead of being passive as AI continues to evolve."

Advancements in AI and Career Education in Schools

The Ministry of Education's initiative for DX High Schools emphasizes the need for enhanced digital education, including AI literacy. This program bridges the gap between education and industry by delivering real-world corporate expertise to students, marking a meaningful step forward in nurturing the next generation.

References

What is a DX High School?

The Ministry of Education initiated the DX High School program in 2023 to bolster digital talent development in high schools. The initiative promotes advanced digital education, including AI utilization, data analysis, and information studies, aimed at delivering innovative learning through collaboration with industry and universities.

About Waseda Saga High School

Affiliated with Waseda University, Waseda Saga High School emphasizes ICT usage and exploratory learning as a designated DX High School, focusing on nurturing essential literacy for future generations.

Profile of Yuji Kikukawa

Mr. Kikukawa graduated from Kyushu Institute of Technology and was involved in developing fiber optic and telecommunication systems at NTT West. Later, he joined NTT Docomo, where he was recognized under the company’s professional program and contributed for over ten years to various new business ventures, including dMarket services. Currently, at AI Cross, he leads strategic developments and business promotion, playing a vital role in fostering AI-based solutions along with industry partnerships in the Fukuoka area.