Spice Factory CEO Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi to Speak at Nikkei BP's "AI Foresight 2026 Summer" on August 6

Nikkei BP Comprehensive Research Institute Innovation ICT Lab Presents "AI Foresight 2026 Summer"

Spice Factory Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi; hereinafter "the Company"), which supports digital transformation, will be a speaker at the session on August 6, 2026 (Thu) of "AI Foresight 2026 Summer ~One Theme Per Day Free Online Seminar (LIVE) Created with Nikkei Cross Tech Editorial Department / Nikkei BP Comprehensive Research Institute~" hosted by Nikkei BP Comprehensive Research Institute Innovation ICT Lab.

We will explain how far AI-driven development has been practically implemented, and points to note during introduction and adoption, from the latest trends and practical perspectives.

Click here to apply for the speaking session

Please check the relevant date and proceed to the application form.

Speaking Session Overview

This session consists of two parts. Part 1 (first 30 minutes) will feature trend explanations on hot topics by Nikkei Cross Tech editorial staff. Part 2 (last 30 minutes) will feature explanations of the latest solutions and case studies related to the hot topics covered in Part 1, in a dialogue format by researchers from Nikkei BP Comprehensive Research Institute.

Our Representative Director and CEO, Takagi, will speak in Part 2 (16:30-17:00) of the session to be held on August 6 (Thu) (16:00-17:00).

Date and Time

August 6 (Thu) 16:00-17:00

Format

Online Seminar (LIVE)

Theme

Part 1 16:00-16:30 The Reality of the Field Transformed by AI-Driven Development Part 2 16:30-17:00 Ending the Multi-Tiered Subcontracting Structure ~ New System Common Sense Opened Up by AI-Driven Development

Speakers

Part 1 Sho Shimazu, Editor-in-Chief, IT, Nikkei Cross Tech Part 2

Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi, Representative Director and CEO / Group CEO, Spice Factory Inc. Tomio Kikyohara, Fellow, Nikkei BP Research Institute, Nikkei BP

Organizer

Nikkei BP Comprehensive Research Institute Innovation ICT Lab

Cooperation

Nikkei Cross Tech

Sponsorship

Spice Factory Inc., etc.

Participation Fee

Free / Pre-registration required (first-come, first-served basis)

*There is a limit to the number of participants, and registration will close once the limit is reached.

Target Audience

Managers and staff in corporate planning and management strategy departments, sales/marketing departments, corporate affairs departments such as HR/General Affairs/Accounting/Finance, design/manufacturing, and information systems departments, etc.

Program

【Part 1: Explanation】

The Reality of the Field Transformed by AI-Driven Development by Sho Shimazu, Editor-in-Chief, IT, Nikkei Cross Tech

The Reality of the Field Transformed by AI-Driven Development

Featuring Askle, which rebuilt its foundation with an AI-driven development lifecycle (AI-DLC) following a ransomware attack crisis; Osaka Gas, which partnered with IBM Japan for next-generation system development based on AI-driven development; and Mizuho Securities, which is determined to make all software development processes AI-driven. We will introduce company case studies covered by Nikkei Cross Tech. We will decipher the true value of AI-driven development from the behind-the-scenes story of how speed and decision-making capabilities were enhanced under adversity.

【Part 2: Dialogue】

Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi, Representative Director and CEO / Group CEO, Spice Factory Inc.

Tomio Kikyohara, Fellow, Nikkei BP Research Institute, Nikkei BP

Ending the Multi-Tiered Subcontracting Structure ~ New System Common Sense Opened Up by AI-Driven Development

With the evolution of AI code generation technology, an era has arrived where high-quality systems can be built while significantly reducing development costs and time. This change is beginning to force a major re-evaluation of the conventional multi-tiered subcontracting structure that assumes a large workforce.

How far has AI-driven development been practically implemented? What points should be noted during introduction and adoption? Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi, Representative Director and CEO of Spice Factory Inc., will explain from the latest trends and practical perspectives.

Click here to apply for the speaking session

Please check the relevant date and proceed to the application form.

Speaker Introduction

Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi, Representative Director and CEO / Group CEO, Spice Factory Inc.

Spice Factory Inc. Representative Director and CEO / Group CEO

Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi

<Profile>

After working at consulting firms, he became Representative Director of an IT venture company in 2009. After leading business growth and expanding the company to 75 employees, he experienced a buyout at the end of 2015.

He founded Spice Factory Inc. in March 2016. With strengths in UI/UX design and agile development, the company has supported the digital transformation (DX) of companies and local governments, and promoted business transformation projects in various industries.

In March 2026, the company transitioned to a group management structure with three subsidiaries, and he assumed the position of Group CEO. He promotes sustainable growth through the creation of synergies among group companies and is working to transform companies and society through the power of technology, including generative AI.

Sho Shimazu, Editor-in-Chief, IT, Nikkei Cross Tech

Nikkei Cross Tech

Editor-in-Chief, IT

Sho Shimazu

<Profile>

After studying under architect Hiroshi Naito at graduate school, he joined Nikkei BP in 2008. After working as a reporter for construction industry magazines, a reporter for Nikkei Business, and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Nikkei Cross Tech, he was stationed at the Silicon Valley bureau from 2022 to 2026, covering AI, cloud, and logic semiconductors. He assumed his current position in April 2026. He also serves as Head of Development and Head of Audience Engagement for Nikkei Cross Tech.

Tomio Kikyohara, Fellow, Nikkei BP Research Institute, Nikkei BP

Nikkei BP Nikkei BP Research Institute, Fellow

Tomio Kikyohara

<Profile>

Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Science and Engineering in 1983. After working for an SI company, he joined Nikkei BP in 1987. He has primarily covered and written about trends in corporate information systems and business strategies of IT companies. After serving as Editor-in-Chief of "Nikkei IT 21," "Nikkei Solution Business," and "Nikkei Computer," he became Director of the Computer and Network Division in 2010 and Executive Officer in 2012. In 2013, he became Director of the Innovation ICT Lab at Nikkei BP Research Institute, and assumed his current position in April 2018.

Spice Factory's AI-Related Services

The Company offers various services that support companies' AI utilization across the board, focusing on the three pillars of "human resources, organization, and infrastructure" mentioned in this lecture.

Spice AI Enablement

A service that supports companies in achieving self-sufficiency in generative AI. It comprehensively supports everything from AI human resource development based on an AI maturity model to data infrastructure construction.

Details: https://spice-factory.co.jp/news/21150

AI Modernization Support

Supports everything from current status analysis of existing systems and visualization of return on investment to AI-based replacement design.

Details: https://spice-factory.co.jp/ai-modernization-service/

AI-Driven Organization Diagnosis (Free)

A free diagnostic tool that assesses an organization's AI utilization maturity and visualizes the next steps to take.

Diagnosis here: https://ai-enabling.spice-factory.co.jp/

About "AI Foresight 2026 Summer"

"AI Foresight" is an online seminar (LIVE) where Nikkei Cross Tech editors and Nikkei BP Comprehensive Research Institute researchers clearly explain hot topics and IT technology trends that are useful for corporate business transformation, one theme per day, one hour at a time.

Spice Factory Inc.

Spice Factory is a DX support company that acts as a "catalyst (spice)" to bring about digital transformation for companies and government agencies with an agile mindset that accelerates DX. To date, we have been involved in the DX of various industries such as education, healthcare, local governments, primary industries, logistics, manufacturing, and entertainment, realizing rapid value creation through an agile development approach, and working to solve social and customer issues while supporting business growth. We are involved in all aspects, from management issues to solving on-site business challenges, and broadly address issues in the digital domain. We provide end-to-end support, including business service concept support, system development, UI/UX, and marketing support. At the same time, we go beyond the framework of traditional contract development, working with client companies and government agencies with a user-centric design at our core, and deriving solutions through a collaborative approach while enhancing adaptability and agility to change. Our Mission is "Catalyst for Innovation," and our Purpose is "To make the world a better place, one pixel at a time." We pursue solutions to social issues and contribute to the creation of new businesses and innovation.

Company Name: Spice Factory Inc. Representative: Hiroyuki Kosuke Takagi, Representative Director and CEO Established: March 2016 Capital: 307,008,000 yen (including capital reserve) Tokyo Headquarters: 20th Floor South, Trade Pia Odaiba, 2-3-1 Odaiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Kansai Office: 10th Floor, THE VILLAGE OSAKA, 1-6-17 Honmachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka Fukuoka Office: Fukuoka Growth Next, 2-6-11 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Business Activities: 360° Intelligence Firm

Official Website: https://spice-factory.co.jp Official MAGAZINE: https://spice-factory.co.jp/allspice/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spice-factory note: https://note.com/spice_factory/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spicefactoryinc/ X: https://twitter.com/spicefactory310 Radio: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fMJ4IWtgPej5oGVTRWTRW1kf