New Era of AI: Future of Work in Japan & the United States

What are the top AI trends for 2024? How is the rapid rise of AI reshaping the business landscape in the U.S. and Japan, and what implications does this hold for employees as well as companies? Which roles are well-positioned to flourish in the midst of the AI revolution?

Japan is coping with a declining birthrate, an aging society and a population shortage, while the U.S. is currently experiencing an influx of immigration. Additionally, projections suggest that the U.S. population will decline in the second half of the century. At the same time, industries are observing a notable surge in the integration of AI-powered platforms, such as chatbots handling customer service, analyzing data to generate forecasts, identifying defects during the production of goods, and optimizing delivery routes to enhance supply chain efficiency. The new era of AI at work has begun. This program brings together experts to discuss the impact and potential of AI on work, examining both challenges and opportunities, and shedding light on the future of work in both the United States and Japan.

Speakers 
Hisayuki Idekoba, Representative Director, President and CEO, Recruit Holdings
Vladimir Lukic, Managing Director & Senior Partner; Global Leader, Tech and Digital Advantage, Boston Consulting Group

Keynote Moderator
Merit E. Janow, Dean Emerita, & Professor of Practice, School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University; Chair of the Board of Directors, Japan Society

Agenda
6:00 – 7:00pm: Discussion and Q&A
7:00 – 7:30pm: Reception

Ticket/Admission Information
This is a paid event with advance registration required. A designated number of tickets are available for free to our corporate members. (Corporate member code is required to register for the event.) Please note that seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis. 

About the Speakers

Hisayuki Idekoba
Representative Director, President and CEO, Recruit Holdings

Hisayuki “Deko” Idekoba is Representative Director, President and CEO of Recruit Holdings. He previously served as Executive Vice President, COO overseeing the company’s business operations and was appointed as a Director in 2019. Deko has led the digital transformation of the Company’s numerous businesses including Jalan, travel service and Hot Pepper Beauty, beauty salon reservation service. He was responsible for transitioning print publications and marketing into online businesses, and making online booking common in the Japan market. In his previous role as Senior Vice President, he led the acquisition of Indeed and later served as CEO & President of Indeed, transforming the Company into the leading global HR technology company it is today.

Vladimir Lukic
Managing Director & Senior Partner; Global Leader, Tech and Digital Advantage, Boston Consulting Group 

Vladimir Lukić is the global leader for Boston Consulting Group’s Technology & Digital Advantage practice, including BCG Platinion. Vlad works with leading organizations to accelerate the successful delivery of large-scale end-to-end digital transformations powered by digitization, data, and analytics. Vladimir is passionate about AI and analytics and their application to business transformation, and shaping bold, tech-centric agendas for clients. He works to drive innovation in the tech stack, deploying technology (whether building or buying), rewiring operating models, and orchestrating large-scale transformations to accelerate the adoption of AI at scale. Vladimir believes organizations must have tech at their core to thrive and gain a competitive edge. Vladimir joined BCG in 2006. He co-leads BCG’s AI at Scale offering globally, working closely with BCG X to support clients in their AI transformation journeys. Vladimir is committed to developing the next generation of tech CEOs through his work in the tech community, within and outside of BCG. He is a steadfast champion of BCG’s DE&I agenda, particularly with respect to attracting and retaining the best and most talented women in tech. Before joining BCG, Vladimir was at Gisdata in Zagreb, Croatia, where he worked on business development across southeastern Europe and on implementation of complex IT solutions.

Merit E. Janow
Dean Emerita, & Professor of Practice, School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University; Chair of the Board of Directors, Japan Society

Merit E. Janow is an internationally recognized expert in international trade and investment. She has extensive experience in business, academia and government, and has had life-long involvement with Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. She has been on the faculty of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and Columbia Law School since 1994, and served as Dean of SIPA from 2013 through 2021.  She remains on the Columbia faculty and teaches in SIPA & Law, co-directs a Asia-focused research center at Columbia Business School and co-directs a start-up program in digital entrepreneurship. Janow has had three periods of government service: at the WTO, the U.S. Justice Department and USTR.  Professor Janow currently serves as independent Chairman of the Board of Mastercard, as well as a Board member of funds within the American Funds/Capital group, and Aptiv. She is Chair of the Board of Japan Society and is also a member of the Board of the National Committee on US China Relations and the Peterson Institute for International Economics. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is on the global advisory council of MUFG. She has a JD from Columbia Law School and a BA in Asian Studies with honors from the University of Michigan.

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Business & Policy Forum is generously supported by Japan Society Global Leaders & Corporate Partners.

Global Leaders

Corporate Partners

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.