Driving consumption through innovation

Q3 AI and digitalization are rapidly transforming industries across the globe. How are your China operations incorporating these technologies to boost efficiency, improve customer experiences, or unlock new revenue streams in light of the country's push for "new quality productive forces"?

HOMMA: Panasonic's largest overseas software R&D base in Dalian, Liaoning province, is continuously strengthening the development of artificial intelligence, focusing on applying AI into products. Panasonic's factories in China are also increasingly enhancing their intelligence and digitalization levels, improving efficiency through the establishment of modern smart factories. Panasonic Information Systems (Shanghai) Co Ltd has built an AI platform aligned with international standards, providing employees with cutting-edge AI tools that enable intelligent dialogue, associated search, document translation, document generation and many other functions to help improve work performance. The company has been recognized as a "Multinational R&D Center", acknowledged for its excellence in technological innovation and localized development.

SHIH: Rockwell is dedicated to helping China's "new quality productive forces" through energy transition, life sciences, high-end equipment, digital and AI innovations, and explorations in other fields.

According to our report, 83 percent of manufacturers planned to use generative AI in their operations in 2024. In the manufacturing sector, AI can detect defects and ensure product quality in a more efficient, accurate and proactive way. In China, Rockwell is integrating AI into our overall value chain from design, AI and data mining to marketing and services. For example, through initiatives like the co-innovation center we established with Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park, Rockwell is using AI and other emerging technologies to drive innovations and industrial upgrading in China.

We are also applying digitalization expertise to empower manufacturers and trying to influence the industry landscape. One of our successful cases is equipping an ice cream OEM manufacturer with flexible manufacturing capabilities, which helps it generate customized production and gain cost reductions, efficiency improvements and new revenue streams.

ZHU: The recent progress in the wave of AI innovation led by open-source large language models like DeepSeek and Qwen is very encouraging as companies quickly pick up the signal and mobilize themselves to harness the use of such technologies. We anticipate more innovation and application happening across industries and functions, from R&D to manufacturing, from customer interface to warehouse, and from upskilling to sustainability.

For businesses in China looking to boost their productivity and performance, technologies led by AI present an unprecedented opportunity to create value, respond dynamically to change and build resilience. According to Accenture's estimation, adopting a holistic approach to productivity, with generative AI acting as multiplier, could boost a company's productivity growth from 1.9 percent to 15.9 percent.

With more Chinese companies surveyed expecting their generative AI solutions to be adopted at scale within their organization this year, we are here to help businesses unlock measurable, enterprise-wide impact through leading with value, building an AI-enabled digital core, reinventing talent, embedding responsible AI and driving continuous reinvention.

OZAWA: AI technology has brought significant business opportunities to Canon. From cameras to printing products and medical equipment, our new products launched in recent years have effectively integrated AI technology, significantly improving efficiency and the user experience. Looking ahead, we see AI as a key driver for product line innovation and AI will continue to play a strong role in making our products smarter, more efficient and better, while enhancing the user experience. At the same time, we are deeply exploring the application of AI technology to promote internal digital transformation, streamline workflows and boost productivity. In our company, we've already developed AI-related systems to improve the efficiency of internal information sharing and application. Once mature, we plan to offer it as a solution to the market, providing services to more businesses.