The CEO of a $55 billion conglomerate explains why the Japanese concept of 'kosoryoku' is so important in the AI age

Sumitomo Corporation's CEO, Shingo Ueno, emphasizes the importance of a Japanese concept called "kosoryoku" in the AI age. Translating to "the ability to envision futures that do not yet exist," kosoryoku represents a crucial human skill that AI cannot currently replicate. As the CEO of a $55 billion conglomerate, Ueno acknowledges AI's potential as a research tool, particularly in retrieving information quickly.

However, he argues that AI lacks the ability to conceptualize future possibilities. Ueno, who has spent over four decades at Sumitomo Corporation, praises the speed AI provides when it comes to finding information about past company experiences. Nevertheless, he notes that AI is not capable of generating new ideas or envisioning future directions.

Ueno suggests that developing kosoryoku involves improving existing concepts rather than inventing something entirely new. Additionally, he advocates for taking time away from work to rest and return with fresh ideas, underscoring that humans must ultimately decide what the future should look like.