The 2024 Annual Conference of the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence (JSAI), held from May 28 to 31 at ACT CITY Hamamatsu, served as a prominent platform for showcasing advancements in artificial intelligence. With an attendance of around 3,790 individuals, including professionals and students, Murata Manufacturing leveraged this event to present their innovative applications of data science and artificial intelligence across various domains.
Murata’s Data & Analytics Department highlighted their wide-ranging efforts to integrate data science into practical operations. Higashi, representing the manufacturing domain, emphasized that the company’s participation aimed to foster understanding among attendees while gaining insights from industry peers and researchers.
“Although Murata is widely recognized for its electronic components, our data science applications in AI are less known. JSAI 2024 gave us a platform to change that perception,” said Higashi. During the industrial session, Murata captivated an audience of nearly 100 participants by sharing insightful case studies centered on two key initiatives:
Higashi showcased how mathematical optimization can revolutionize production planning by automating intricate scheduling processes. The project began with small-scale trials and advanced through collaboration with manufacturing teams to create practical models. This approach successfully achieved scheduling performance on par with human expertise, paving the way for broader adoption across Murata’s operations.
Nakano highlighted the implementation of an AI-powered natural language model designed to automate responses to inquiries. This innovative system, based on BERT language models, demonstrated over 85% accuracy in handling queries in both Japanese and English. The initiative has significantly reduced response times and improved efficiency and is now being extended to address other operational challenges within the organization.
At their corporate booth, Murata displayed posters and products illustrating their data science initiatives. Matsui, responsible for booth activities, noted a positive reception from visitors. “Many were surprised to see Murata’s commitment to data science and appreciated learning about our collaborative research with universities,” Matsui shared.
The Murata team reflected on their experience, acknowledging the value of engaging with external stakeholders. They expressed intentions to present more detailed technical insights in future conferences to foster deeper collaboration within the industry.
Nakano concluded, “Sharing real-world applications at such events is essential for driving innovation. We look forward to contributing further to the digital transformation of manufacturing.” Murata Manufacturing’s participation at JSAI 2024 underscores their commitment to integrating advanced data science technologies into operations, setting a precedent for innovation in the industry.
