Fujitsu and Macquarie University establish new research lab to accelerate development of human sensing and generative AI technologies

Notes:

  1. Fujitsu Small Research Lab：
    Fujitsu’s research program to accelerate joint research, identify new themes, nurture human resources, and build medium- to long-term relationships with universities by having Fujitsu researchers stay in the university permanently or on a long-term basis.
  2. Human sensing technology: AI that observes, analyzes, predicts, and creates judgments in a human-like manner.
    Fujitsu’s human sensing technology captures the different elements that compose more complex actions and behaviors from image analysis, and based on this creates predictions about what might happen next.
  3. Fujitsu holds the largest number of AI-related inventions in Japan, with 970 patents from 2014 to October 2022.

Tokyo and Sydney, November 30, 2023

Fujitsu Limited and Macquarie University today announced the establishment of the Fujitsu Macquarie AI Research Lab at Macquarie University, as part of the Fujitsu Small Research Lab (Note 1) program. It aims to strengthen an ongoing collaboration in the research and development of promising applications of AI and related technologies. The lab’s inaugural project will focus on the development of digital coaching technology to optimize training. It draws on Macquarie University’s advanced research capabilities and talent along with Fujitsu’s expertise in areas like generative AI and human sensing technology (Note 2).

Macquarie University hosts world-leading AI research capabilities at its Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence and Center for Health Informatics, pioneering projects in a variety of fields like banking, education, and healthcare, to identify new technology applications and address societal challenges. Fujitsu, Japan’s leading developer of AI technologies, holds the largest number of patents for AI-related inventions in Japan (Note 3), and boasts a long track record of successful research and development of AI. It has successfully delivered commercial solutions like its Actlyzer sensing technology and is also engaged in research into generative AI applications, including customer engagement in retail.

Fujitsu will deliver newly developed technology in this research project through its Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) - Fujitsu AI Platform, which offers users access to a range of modules and functions based on advanced AI technologies. Fujitsu Australia Limited will develop and conduct demonstrations for implementation of this technology in multiple fields such as healthcare, retail, and public sector.


Photo: Macquarie University

Professor S. Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor and President at Macquarie University commented “The University is honored to host Fujitsu’s first Small Research Lab in the Southern Hemisphere and only the third outside Japan. Establishing quality industry collaborations for impact is a key priority for Macquarie University. Partnership projects such as this not only foster groundbreaking research – they also create invaluable opportunities for our students to gain deeper understanding and industry-relevant experience in their chosen fields.”

Toshihiro Sonoda, Head of Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Fujitsu Research commented “We have great expectations around the establishment of this lab with Macquarie University, which represents the many possibilities unlocked when academia and industry collaborate. This marks an important step forward in deepening AI technology and its applications, and we are confident that it will bring innovation and contribute to solving global challenges. We anticipate many great results as we further deepen our work together with Macquarie.”

Alfee Lee, VP, Head of Uvance, Technology & Solutions of the Fujitsu APAC region commented, “On behalf of the Fujitsu Group, I would like to express our gratitude and excitement of the launch of our latest Small Research Lab, which exemplifies the spirit of academic-industry collaboration to spark innovation as part of our global R&D strategy. Our work with Macquarie University’s world-class researchers will help us boost our ability to bring transformative applications of technologies like AI to market and to contribute to improving well-being and resolving challenges in society.”

Appendix: Lab and Research Project Overview

Overview of the collaboration lab

1. Establishment period:
December 1, 2023, to January 31, 2027

2. Location:
Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)

3. Research focus
The two organizations will collaborate on creating personalized digital coaching technology. This technology will automatically generate personalized educational content by collecting and analyzing data of work behaviors and response time across various industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. It will assess users’ skills as well as their unique needs. This technology will enable the analysis of workers’ behavior at a manufacturing site and automatically generate educational content focused on reducing common errors. Users can also export the content developed by the coaching technology in a variety of formats, including documents, audio, and video, catering to individual preferences and coaching needs.

Fujitsu and Macquarie University aim to establish an R&D framework as a platform that can be applied to multiple operations. In addition to the demonstration in the healthcare area at Macquarie University Hospital, they will use the Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) – Fujitsu AI Platform to demonstrate effectiveness for real-world use cases, including for Fujitsu Australia Limited’s customers in industries like retail and the public sector.

The two organizations will leverage the small research lab as an opportunity to promote deeper collaboration in research and development between industry and academia in Japan and Australia and are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent, empowering them to address societal issues through the application of advanced AI technology.

4. Role of each organization:

  • Fujitsu Limited:
    • Research and develop personalized digital coaching technology using human sensing and generative AI technologies
    • Demonstrate and test effectiveness in multiple fields including retail and manufacturing in Japan and Australia
  • Macquarie University:
    • Research and develop personalized digital coaching technology using human sensing and generative AI technologies
    • Demonstrate and validate developed technologies for the healthcare domain at Macquarie University Hospital
  • Fujitsu Australia Limited:
    • Plan and support the implementation of field trials for technology implementation in multiple fields including retail and public sector Australia

5. Organizational structure:
The core members of the collaboration lab are:

  • Genta Suzuki, Senior Project Director [Human Reasoning Core Project, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Fujitsu Research at Fujitsu Limited]
  • Shun Takeuchi, Senior Research Manager [Human Reasoning Core Project, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Fujitsu Research at Fujitsu Limited]
  • Professor Shlomo Berkovsky [Leader of the Clinical AI stream at the Center for Health Informatics at Macquarie University]
  • Professor Amin Beheshti [Director of the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at Macquarie University]
  • Professor Enrico Coiera [Director of the Center for Health Informatics at Macquarie University]
  • Sohan Domingo [Head of Innovation for Asia Pacific at Fujitsu Australia Limited]

Comments from core members:

Genta Suzuki, Senior Project Director, Human Reasoning Core Project, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Fujitsu Research at Fujitsu Limited:

“We are confident that Fujitsu's cutting-edge human sensing technology and Macquarie University's AI research capabilities, especially personalization technology, and expertise in healthcare and other critical fields will make a potent combination to advance new initiatives globally.”

Shun Takeuchi, Senior Research Manager, Human Reasoning Core Project, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Fujitsu Research at Fujitsu Limited:

“As lifestyles become more diverse, there is a need to provide far greater value to individuals everywhere. Human sensing and personalization based on advanced AI are two technologies that will be key to revealing the complex and varied connections between human behavior and decision-making processes. We believe that collaboration amongst researchers with different specialties will create synergies that help to open a new frontier.”

Professor Shlomo Berkovsky, Leader of the Clinical AI stream at the Centre for Health Informatics at Macquarie University:

“We’re excited to be able to leverage Fujitsu’s AI and Data expertise and marry this with the extensive research capabilities Macquarie University has on offer. In a learning environment such as ours, we look forward to exploring ways to improve individuals and their learning experiences within the workplace.”

Professor Amin Beheshti, Director of the Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence at Macquarie University:

“I am thrilled to join the groundbreaking research collaboration between Fujitsu and Macquarie University, where we will leverage Macquarie University's expertise in Generative AI to enhance human reasoning and create a personalized digital coach for effective feedback. Together, we are poised to drive innovation and strengthen the Fujitsu and Macquarie University partnership.”

Sohan Domingo, Head of Innovation for Asia Pacific at Fujitsu Australia Limited comments:

Effective coaching should be personalized, which is one of the reasons why this partnership with Macquarie University is so important. By testing in a clinical setting at Macquarie Healthcare, clinicians can receive immediate feedback on patient interactions and gain insights on areas of improvement. This immediate feedback loop has the potential to significantly elevate the quality of healthcare services provided and our aim is to lift and shift these learning benefits across other numerous industries. This partnership seeks to leverage emerging AI technologies to not only transform learning and development for individuals, but also contribute to solving business and societal challenges that our customers face.”

A number of other researchers from both Fujitsu and Macquarie will also participate in the lab.


Figure. Overview of activities in the collaboration lab

Related Links:

About Fujitsu

Fujitsu’s purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. As the digital transformation partner of choice for customers in over 100 countries, our 124,000 employees work to resolve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Our range of services and solutions draw on five key technologies: Computing, Networks, AI, Data & Security, and Converging Technologies, which we bring together to deliver sustainability transformation. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 3.7 trillion yen (US$28 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and remains the top digital services company in Japan by market share. Find out more: www.fujitsu.com.

About Macquarie University

Macquarie University is engaged with the often-complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since its foundation nearly 60 years ago, Macquarie University has aspired to be a different type of university: one that promotes and supports collaboration between students, academics, industry and society, to bring about real change.  

Macquarie University is ranked among the top one per cent of universities in the world, enjoys an enviable reputation for research excellence, and produces highly sought after graduates who are prepared for the jobs of today and the future.

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Date: November 30, 2023
City: Tokyo and Sydney

Fujitsu Australia acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
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