Tech & Innovation
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Blog
Unlocking Rakuten’s vision for blockchain and Web3 technology
Blockchain and Web3 are more than just buzzwords; they are tangible solutions to some of the tech world’s toughest challenges, transforming digital interactions and transactions today. Fergal Downey, head of Rakuten Blockchain Lab, recently shared his insights on the future of Web3 with employees at Rakuten Crimson House Singapore, highlighting how these emerging technologies are set to drive inno…
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Chief AI & Data Officer Ting Cai unveils Rakuten AI strategy at Rakuten Optimism 2024
Rakuten Chief AI & Data officer Ting Cai outlined the company’s latest developments in AI and shared his vision for the future of the technology in front of a packed business conference audience at Rakuten Optimism 2024. AI and Omotenashi: Designing AI that proactively drives value Cai opened the presentation by referencing a 2016 blog post where Rakuten Group Founder and CEO Mickey Mikitani s…
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Broadband from space to your phone: AST SpaceMobile’s CEO on the future of direct-to-cell connectivity
By Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile The telecommunications industry is undergoing a major and consequential yet not widely understood transformation, and it is one I believe will ultimately benefit the 1.6 billion people on Earth without broadband access. Recent developments in the satellite market signify a building shift across the telecommunications industry, especiall…
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Creativity and humanity in the AI age
In the world of AI, 12 months is an eternity – so much was clear from the exciting new tech on display at the recent 2024 Rakuten Optimism conference. One panel discussion titled AI Accelerates Innovation: The New Frontier of Creativity kicked off with a video introduction from two hyper-real AI avatars, who gave the Optimism audience an effortless welcome in 10 different languages. The avatars th…
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Rakuten’s bold plans to democratize AI
At the recent Rakuten Optimism conference, one powerful message echoed through the halls: AI is for everyone. The event kicked off with a keynote speech from Rakuten Group Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani, in which he outlined Rakuten’s plans to democratize AI, the fundamental role Rakuten Mobile must play, and the power of the internet to connect the world’s intelligence. The power of connected i…
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From vision, to strategy, to execution: Ting Cai on building useful products with AI
The world of AI moves fast. In the blink of an eye, the latest GenAI models have become multilingual, understanding different dialogues and even emotional tones; and multimodal, accepting and outputting audio, video and more. In such a rapidly changing landscape, how does one effectively build AI products? Rakuten Group’s Chief AI & Data Officer Ting Cai joined the 2024 edition of Rakuten Prod…
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Behind the scenes of innovation: The bold moves igniting the AI revolution
Bjorn Laukli, Head of Technology, Rakuten International The ongoing fascination with artificial intelligence (AI) is driven by its potential to revolutionize businesses and daily life, yet the most transformative advancements being made today often go unnoticed. These advancements are fueled by the diligent efforts of companies integrating AI solutions at an unprecedented pace and scale. Despite c…
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AI is coming, ready or not: Mickey Mikitani at Harvard Business School
“If you don’t use AI, whether you’re a small company or a big one, it is going to be very difficult to survive. Your competition is going to be 20-30% more efficient. Sooner or later, you will be in a very difficult position.” Rakuten CEO Mickey Mikitani recently returned to Harvard Business School to chat with HBS professor and Rakuten Group board member Dr. Tsedal Neeley for the Leading with AI…
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Rakuten & OpenAI: What’s next in GenAI?
OpenAI has officially landed in Japan. A strategic AI partner of Rakuten from fall 2023, the company behind ChatGPT has set up shop in Tokyo – their first office in Asia. Rakuten and OpenAI marked the occasion by hosting an event at Rakuten Crimson House, which kicked off with a lecture from OpenAI Solutions Engineer Evan Weiss for Rakuten’s e-commerce and travel consultants. During the talk, Weis…
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