Whether it’s ICT, DX, or AI, the ultimate point is efficiency and productivity improvement.

For Japanese society and Japanese companies, the labor shortage due to population decline is a critical issue, and there is an absolute need for efficiency and productivity improvement through the use of cutting-edge technology. ICT, DX, and AI will continue to evolve rapidly in response to this demand. In other words, society will continue to walk the path of efficiency, with productivity improvement as a milestone.

On the other hand, what about the perspective of ordinary people? I’m approaching my mid-50s, and I intend to continue working tirelessly for a while longer, but realistically, I’m starting to worry about what to do in my old age.

I certainly don’t want to swim in the wave of efficiency and focus on productivity improvement alongside the younger generation, even in my old age. There must be a way of life appropriate for old age, and there must be ways of using ICT, DX, and AI that are unique to that stage of life.

My ideal is to live a relaxed life without any pressure in a peaceful environment. I hope to live as simply and freely as possible. I also admire the secluded lifestyle of Kenkō Hōshi.

If I can live this kind of life, I don’t mind a little inconvenience. In short, as long as I can live a basic life, that’s all that matters.

What I’m thinking about now is how much inconvenience I can tolerate. Identifying a minimum acceptable level and maintaining a lifestyle that doesn’t exceed that level is crucial for living in old age. Since that minimum level is different for everyone, I have to find my own. Finding that level is more difficult than I imagined, but once I find it, ICT, DX, and AI will come into play. I’ll use ICT, DX, and AI not for efficiency, but to maintain that level. I want to continue exploring how to use ICT, DX, and AI in a way that is unique to old age. (Kei Kitajima)

※Translating Japanese articles into English with AI