AI CROSS to Begin Generative AI Utilization Support for Construction Company Rise Co., Ltd.

AI CROSS Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO Noriko Harada, hereinafter "AI CROSS"), in collaboration with Fukuoka Bank, will commence generative AI utilization support for Rise Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, President and CEO Masaichi Enomoto), a client company of the bank, starting July 8, 2026.

This initiative will provide practical support utilizing generative AI to address the structural challenges facing the construction industry, including labor shortages, concentrated workload in indirect tasks, and the need for productivity improvement.

Background of Support: Structural Challenges Facing the Construction Industry

1 Long Working Hours and the 2024 Problem

The construction industry, while serving as "guardians of the region" responsible for the development and maintenance of regional infrastructure and disaster response, has long struggled with harsh working environments. According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the average annual working hours in the construction industry in fiscal year 2023 reached 2,018 hours, exceeding the average for other industries by 62 hours.

Since April 2024, regulations on the upper limit of overtime work (principle: 45 hours per month/360 hours per year) have been applied to the construction industry. Triggered by this "2024 Problem," efforts to correct long working hours and improve productivity have become a key issue. (※1)

※1: Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism White Paper 2025 (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, 2025)

2 Concentrated Workload in Indirect Tasks

Construction sites routinely involve a wide range of document creation tasks, such as construction plans, safety documents, daily reports, and estimates. According to a survey by the Japan Construction Information Center (December Reiwa 6) (※2), 61.5% of construction companies responded that "it took time to create and organize documents after site work" as a cause of long working hours, making document creation one of the biggest factors contributing to overtime for site engineers. Because document work is concentrated after site operations are completed, there is a structural problem where the burden tends to concentrate on specific veteran employees and become personalized.

Rise Co., Ltd. faces similar challenges, and the fact that indirect tasks (document creation, arrangements, etc.) are encroaching on the time of site engineers is the starting point for this initiative.

※2: Source: Current Status and Reduction Efforts of Overtime Work in Regional Construction Industry (Japan Construction Information Center, December Reiwa 6)

Collaboration Scheme with Fukuoka Bank (Second Phase)

AI CROSS, by combining Fukuoka Bank's extensive network with regional companies and AI CROSS's expertise in AX (AI Transformation) and DX, has established a system to provide support for regional companies in utilizing generative AI, all the way to concrete implementation and deployment.

This support for Rise Co., Ltd. is the second phase under this scheme, and we will provide ongoing support for regional companies in their use of generative AI.

Related Information (First Phase): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000255.000021834.html

Support Details for Rise Co., Ltd.

Rise Co., Ltd. is a construction company that handles everything from design to construction of steel frame work using BIM (※3) technology. While its strengths lie in high-quality and high-efficiency manufacturing, the company recognizes the efficiency of indirect tasks and the improvement of company-wide AI literacy as management issues, leading to this initiative.

※3: Technology that integrates and utilizes design, construction, and maintenance information in a 3D model of a building. It contributes to improved design accuracy and increased construction efficiency.

1 Generative AI Literacy Training (Company-wide)

Training will be provided to management and site employees to systematically learn everything from the overall picture of generative AI and safe usage methods to prompt design and context design directly linked to business operations. The training is designed with the premise of maximizing the use of already introduced Microsoft 365 (Copilot) and Gemini, emphasizing content that can be immediately applied in business operations after completion.

2 Brainstorming Advisory

For three months after the training, interactive advisory sessions will be conducted. We will identify tasks that are "time-consuming x AI-friendly," starting with creating drafts for construction plans, schedules, and estimates. By accumulating small successes through a small-start approach, we aim to expand these processes across the entire company. We will provide ongoing support to build a "self-sustaining AX (AI Transformation) system" that Rise Co., Ltd. can manage on its own.

Comment from Masaichi Enomoto, President and CEO of Rise Co., Ltd.

Photo: Masaichi Enomoto, President and CEO of Rise Co., Ltd.

While cherishing the construction site experience and technology we have cultivated, we will actively promote the use of AI as a challenge for a new era.

By incorporating AI into estimation work, construction management, and information sharing, we aim to improve operational efficiency and quality, and provide even greater value to our customers.

By integrating human capabilities with digital technology, we will contribute to creating a more comfortable working environment and the development of the local community, aiming for sustainable growth. We will continue to take on challenges without fear of change and remain a company trusted by everyone.

Comment from AI CROSS AI Evangelist Kikukawa

Photo: AI CROSS AI Evangelist Kikukawa

The construction industry is an indispensable industry that supports regional life and infrastructure, yet it faces structural challenges such as labor shortages and concentrated workloads in indirect tasks.

I have been supporting the AX (AI Transformation) of regional companies based in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu, and I believe that the essence of generative AI is to bring out the inherent potential of a company, enabling each individual to engage in more and higher value-added work than before, leading to the company's growth.

By redirecting the time previously spent on document creation and arrangements to tasks that generate true value, such as design, construction, and customer support, we will support the realization of this goal.

In our support for Rise, we will not stop at just training and tool implementation, but will work with management and site personnel to accumulate small successes one by one. Furthermore, we will consider rebuilding the business processes of the targeted use cases, not just partial generation and utilization, with the ultimate goal of establishing a "self-sustaining AX system" where Rise can master AI on its own. We aim to create a pioneering model for generative AI utilization in the construction industry from Kitakyushu and expand it to regional companies facing similar challenges.

Future Outlook

AI CROSS positions this support for Rise Co., Ltd. as a pioneering example of generative AI utilization in the construction industry. By efficiently handling indirect tasks such as document creation and arrangement adjustments with AI, and reallocating the freed-up time to core operations in site work, technology, and sales, we will support the strengthening of competitiveness and sustainable growth of small and medium-sized construction companies.

Through the collaboration scheme with Fukuoka Bank, we will continue to provide ongoing support for the AX and DX promotion of regional companies.

[AI CROSS Inc. Company Overview]

Company Name: AI CROSS Inc. (Stock Code: 4476)

Representative: Noriko Harada, Representative Director and CEO

Location: Toranomon Hills Trust Tower 20F, 4-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Established: March 2015

Business Description: With the philosophy of "Smart Work, Smart Life," the company supports corporate operational efficiency and productivity improvement through technologies such as SMS/RCS distribution and generative AI implementation support. It was listed on the TSE Growth Market in 2019.

https://aicross.co.jp/

[Rise Co., Ltd. Company Overview]

Company Name: Rise Co., Ltd.

Location: 1418-3 Hishioda, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Representative: Masaichi Enomoto, Representative Director and President

Established: August 2008

Business Description: A construction company specializing in steel frame manufacturing and comprehensive steel frame construction using BIM technology. It handles everything from design to construction in-house, providing high-quality manufacturing throughout Kyushu.

Corporate Website: https://rise2008.net/

[Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release]

AI CROSS Inc. Public Relations Representative: Abdul

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 050-1745-3057

AI CROSS Inc.

AI CROSS Inc. is a company that provides messaging services for corporations and AI-powered solutions. Its main services include the SMS distribution service "Zettai Reach! SMS," the RCS distribution platform "Zettai Reach! RCS," and various AI-powered data analysis services such as "Deep Predictor," supporting companies in improving operational efficiency and facilitating smooth communication with customers.