Japanese multinational electronics giant Panasonic has made headlines by creating an AI avatar of its founder, Kōnosuke Matsushita, who passed away in 1989. This innovative move aims to preserve and disseminate Matsushita's management philosophy, which has been instrumental in shaping the company's identity and success over the decades.
Key Takeaways
Panasonic has developed an AI version of its founder, Kōnosuke Matsushita.
The AI is based on extensive recordings and writings of Matsushita.
The initiative aims to pass on his management philosophy to future generations.
Matsushita is revered in Japan as the "God of Management" for his contributions to business.
Kōnosuke Matsushita, often referred to as the "God of Management," founded Panasonic in 1918 in Osaka, Japan. His innovative spirit led to the creation of numerous electronic appliances, transforming the company from a small manufacturer of connectors to a global powerhouse. Matsushita's leadership philosophy and teachings have been documented in over 40 books, many of which remain influential today.
In response to a declining number of individuals who were personally trained by Matsushita, Panasonic decided to create an AI avatar to ensure that his management principles continue to be understood and applied. The AI was developed in collaboration with the Matsuo Institute, affiliated with the University of Tokyo, and is designed to emulate Matsushita's thinking and speaking style.
The AI avatar was trained using a wealth of resources, including:
3,000 recordings of Matsushita's speeches and lectures.
His writings and interviews, digitised by Panasonic's Peace and Happiness through Prosperity (PHP) Institute.
This initiative not only aims to preserve Matsushita's legacy but also enhances Panasonic's credentials in the field of artificial intelligence. The company has been investing heavily in AI technologies, recently launching a generative AI model called ContextFlow++, which shows promise in various applications such as image classification and predictive maintenance.
The AI avatar is expected to assist employees in making management decisions by providing insights based on Matsushita's philosophies. For instance, when asked about the secret to a good life, the AI responded, "The secret to a good life is to remember the spirit of youth, to be lively and full of hope."
Panasonic's decision to revive its founder in this manner is not seen as unusual in Japan, where respect for ancestors and historical figures is deeply ingrained in the culture. This project is also part of a broader trend in which technology is used to recreate historical figures for educational and inspirational purposes. Similar initiatives have included AI versions of religious figures, such as an AI Buddha and an AI Jesus, designed to answer questions based on their teachings.
As Panasonic continues to evolve and adapt to the changing technological landscape, the introduction of the AI avatar of Kōnosuke Matsushita serves as a reminder of the company's rich heritage and the enduring relevance of its founder's management philosophy. This innovative approach not only honours Matsushita's legacy but also positions Panasonic as a forward-thinking leader in the integration of AI into business practices.
Sources
Panasonic brings its founder back to life as an AI • The Register, The Register.
Konosuke Matsushita, Japan's 'god of management,' returns in AI | Fortune, Fortune.
