Hello, I am Jun Taniguchi, CEO of Hitachi Digital. Today, I would like to talk about generative AI and upskilling.

As you all know, Hitachi is committed to realizing a more sustainable society and contributing to the well-being of people's lives through its Social Innovation Business. One of the powerful means of achieving this is through "Digital", and through the acquisition of GlobalLogic and the establishment of Hitachi Digital, we have deepened our Social Innovation Business by expanding our organizational capabilities and integrating the unique strengths of IT x OT x Products. As a result, the Lumada business has evolved to account for about one-third of the Hitachi group's total profits.

With this progress, Hitachi is acquiring deep insights into various types of data, especially data from the field and operations, represented by OT and Products. Hitachi aims to convert this knowledge into value more quickly and solve social issues such as the labor shortage and the transition to green energy. And the key technology for this is generative AI.

It is certain that Hitachi's differentiating factor, IT x OT x Products, will be accelerated by Gen AI, but the development of solutions and services cannot be done by us alone. Therefore, we have formed strategic partnerships with world-leading players such as Microsoft, Google, and NVIDIA, who have this core technology. This partnership aims not only to expand business but also to provide new value by maximizing the strengths of each party under the common purpose of solving social issues.

Your understanding and cooperation are essential for accelerating the resolution of social issues through this collaboration. In addition, knowledge and skills to master new technologies will also be necessary.

To achieve this common goal, our partners have promised to fully cooperate in creating opportunities for upskilling. If you can agree with Hitachi's business direction and understand the need for upskilling, I hope you will make the most of this opportunity.

Over the next few years, we will provide opportunities for all of you to gain Gen AI literacy and upskill globally. This opportunity will not only develop your skills and raise your market value but also provide better value to your colleagues and customers, enabling a substantial change in the quality, quantity, and speed of resolving issues.

In particular, I would like all of Hitachi's IT and software engineers to acquire more advanced Gen AI skills and technologies. To achieve this, we have prepared training and certification programs from each vendor and programs that are already being implemented at GlobalLogic, creating an environment where engineers around the world can evolve into "generative AI professionals". Acquiring advanced generation AI skills will not only contribute to the creation of new businesses but also greatly expand the range of your future success as IT engineers. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and I look forward to working together towards it. "Digital for all", let's create the better future together.