#Japan #Tokyo #AI CROSS #Deep Predictor #Persol Tech

AI CROSS and Persol Technology Collaborate on AI Demand Forecasting

AI CROSS, a Tokyo-based company renowned for its AI-driven solutions, has announced a significant partnership with Persol Technology, also located in Tokyo. This collaboration aims to advance digital transformation (DX) in the manufacturing and wholesale sectors through AI demand forecasting using their innovative product, Deep Predictor. The two organizations formalized their partnership with a contract in February 2026, focusing on combining AI CROSS's forecasting capabilities with Persol Technology's extensive expertise in system development and DX support.

Background: Addressing the Industry’s Challenges

According to the “2026 Manufacturing White Paper” published by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in May 2026, a meager 33.3% of manufacturers believe they are effectively passing on their skills. More than two-thirds of manufacturers doubt their ability to continue skilled labor as the concern over a talent crisis looms large, with approximately 85.5% expressing anxiety regarding skills succession. This talent crisis, characterized by a lack of workforce and dependency on veteran employees, exacerbates the need for task automation and efficiency techniques, such as AI-driven demand forecasting and inventory management.

Despite the clear necessity for AI solutions in these areas, a survey conducted by AI CROSS in July 2026 shows prevalent skepticism among manufacturing employees. For instance, over 60% of respondents believe that implementing and operating AI demand forecasting mandates expert knowledge, and 58.7% are unsure if these systems will meet their accuracy expectations. Additionally, 56.8% noted that it takes over six months to establish effective operational integration.

Interestingly, while 58.7% of personnel spend over ten hours a month using tools like Excel for inventory management and demand forecasting, factors such as high initial and operational costs (38.2%), uncertainty regarding compatibility with company operations (32.6%), and a lack of operational personnel (27.0%) hinder broader adoption of AI technologies.

The Solution: Merging Strengths to Overcome Perceptions

To overcome these barriers, AI CROSS and Persol Technology believe that integrating AI not only as a standalone service but also within existing operational systems and workflows will ease the transition for users lacking specialized expertise. By leveraging their respective strengths, the partnership seeks to dismantle existing prejudices surrounding AI solutions in the manufacturing space.

Overview of the Collaboration

This collaboration will fuse Persol Technology’s system development and DX support services with AI CROSS's renowned AI demand forecasting and operational service, Deep Predictor. This comprehensive approach will enable clients in the manufacturing and wholesale industries to receive unified assistance, from demand forecasting all the way to inventory optimization and order management.

Role of AI CROSS

AI CROSS will furnish an accessible demand forecasting mechanism via its Deep Predictor service, allowing field personnel to utilize predictive analytics with ease. Their goal is to ensure this service seamlessly integrates with established systems and workflows, enhancing operational efficiency on the ground.

Role of Persol Technology

Having addressed numerous queries on demand forecasting and inventory optimization, Persol Technology possesses the capability to support the entire workflow encompassing the processes before and after demand prediction. Their expert system development capability ensures successful AI implementation throughout business operations. This partnership enables a robust solution that effectively channels forecast data into actionable business insights.

Voices from the Companies Involved

Persol Technology's Comment
Kohei Suzuki, Department Head at Persol Technology, mentioned, “With an influx of queries from clients regarding demand forecasting and inventory management, merging AI CROSS's Deep Predictor with our system development capabilities can lead to more practical recommendations. Our goal is to continuously strive for effective DX support that stakeholders can apply in real-world settings.”

AI CROSS Comment
Masayuki Oka, Head of AI Business Unit at AI CROSS, emphasized, “In the realm of demand forecasting, it’s crucial not only to produce accurate predictions but also to connect those outcomes to existing operational systems. Combining the deep expertise of Persol Technology in system development with our Deep Predictor enables us to support clients comprehensively—from forecasting right up to optimizing inventory and making informed purchasing decisions. We view this partnership as a significant step toward enhancing how businesses utilize AI for decision-making and operational improvement.”

What is Deep Predictor?

Deep Predictor is an AI-driven demand forecasting and operational service designed with the philosophy of making “any prediction easy for anyone.” This service facilitates high-precision forecasting without requiring specialized knowledge, ensuring that data-driven decisions are attainable for on-ground personnel. What sets Deep Predictor apart is its ability to generate direct outputs that are integral to business processes, effectively positioning it as an AI solution that directly influences operational efficiency.

For more information: Deep Predictor

Company Profiles

• - AI CROSS Inc.: Founded in March 2015, this company focuses on technological advancements to enhance business productivity and efficiency. AI CROSS went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market in 2019. Official Site

• - Persol Technology Inc.: Established in October 1979, Persol Technology specializes in technology solutions, offering an array of services in multiple sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and AI-driven IoT. Official Site

For inquiries regarding this collaboration, please contact:
AI CROSS PR Team - Abdūr
Phone: 050-1745-3057
Email: [email protected]