Speaking on AI and IKIGAI

The original portfolio also offered online talks through Zoom Webinars, accessible from computers and smartphones, for up to 500 participants. Platform, audience size, fees and delivery conditions are confirmed for each event.

The following English descriptions retain the topics and details of the Japanese lecture portfolio. Historical figures and examples refer to the original publication period.

Themes: Digital transformation · Generative AI · IKIGAI · New ways of working · Technology

Audience: Executives, corporate planning, digital transformation and HR teams

How can we use AI to enrich the Japanese idea of ikigai, now attracting interest around the world? Drawing on Zen2.0, the international Zen and mindfulness conference that I co-chair, I explain what a sense of purpose can mean in the AI era.

Generative AI is developing at extraordinary speed. How can we avoid being driven by technology and instead discover what we truly want to do and what brings a sense of fulfilment? I explore this Japanese understanding of well-being through my own experience of using generative AI to organise the conference.

I delivered a talk on this theme in Stockholm, Sweden, in March 2024.

Example format

70-minute seminar: introduction; international interest in Japanese IKIGAI; definitions of ikigai; examples of using AI to support ikigai; the AI and IKIGAI Golden Circle.

45-minute workshop: working with the AI and IKIGAI Golden Circle.

Themes: Digital transformation · Metaverse · VR/AR/XR · New ways of working · Technology

Audience: Executives, corporate planning, digital transformation and HR teams

An introductory talk for the public and for organisations new to the metaverse. It covers the underlying technologies, market forecasts, possible uses in the workplace and prospects for the future.

The aim is to help participants understand the basic concepts and identify possibilities for introducing metaverse technology into their organisation or entering the market.

Themes: Small and medium-sized enterprises · Metaverse · VR/AR/XR · New ways of working · Technology

Audience: Executives, corporate planning, digital transformation and HR teams

In a computer-generated environment, users can have similar avatars and offer services through similar virtual spaces. Differentiating a business through the digital environment alone may therefore be difficult.

Individuals, microbusinesses and SMEs with real production or service settings bring distinctive technologies and skills. By connecting and communicating in virtual spaces, they can open up possibilities for innovation, greater production efficiency and better services.

This talk explores how digitising and sharing practical experience and know-how can help small businesses increase the value they provide.

Themes: Metaverse · VR/AR/XR · New ways of working · Technology

Audience: Executives, corporate planning, digital transformation and HR teams

The original lecture title explored new business opportunities in a projected ¥900 trillion global metaverse market. That figure is retained here as part of the historical lecture topic, rather than a current market forecast.

I explain the historical background, enabling technologies and implementation of the metaverse in social systems. Drawing on international research and experience of planning metaverse businesses within virtual environments, I discuss the kinds of business ecosystems that established organisations could build.

At enmono, we have used the metaverse for daily meetings and conversations with clients. These practical experiences in VR inform a discussion of how virtual environments could change business around the world.

Themes: Innovation

Audience: New business teams, department heads, directors and executives

What do we mean by True Innovation? Rather than following the latest technology, business model or design, it begins with the memories and emotions within us. Ideas derived only from outside information remain influenced by existing products and services, and can become something familiar rather than distinctive.

After losing my job, I began zazen and meditation. The inspiration that emerged from that experience led to eight years of trial and error in developing a way to create businesses that had not been seen or heard of before. I share that approach as a resource for product development and business model creation.

Themes: Remote work · Telework · Innovation · Mindfulness · Zen

Audience: HR teams, corporate trainers, chambers of commerce and Junior Chamber organisers

The original talk drew on five years of using tools such as Google, Slack and Zoom from Kamakura, away from central Tokyo. With around 100 volunteer staff from the local area, Tokyo and overseas, we had successfully delivered three international Zen and mindfulness conferences.

Drawing on that experience, I explain ways to organise online work, bring a distributed team together and facilitate its conversations. The time periods and event counts describe the experience at the time the lecture was first published.

Themes: Regional revitalisation · Temples and shrines · Mindfulness · Innovation

Audience: Temple and shrine communities, local government and regional revitalisation teams

Despite efforts to reform working practices, stressful workplaces and long hours continue to affect people’s mental well-being. The need for a sense of inner stability remains strong.

In Japan, temples and shrines have traditionally offered places to turn to with personal concerns and have supported the spiritual life of local communities. The original lecture cited more than 81,000 shrines and 77,000 temples, while also noting concerns about declining attendance and the cost of maintenance.

From the experience of organising Zen2.0, we have explored how these institutions can be understood as valuable local resources and centres for mindful businesses that support well-being.

The talk introduces Mindful City Kamakura and offers ideas for working with temples and shrines to create new local activity and services grounded in the life of the community.