aiESG Inc. is a Kyushu University startup established in 2022.
A society where happiness is linked and no wrinkles are left behind." With this vision, we provide our clients with optimal solutions to their various ESG assessment issues through the world's first comprehensive ESG analysis at the product and service level, based on our cutting-edge AI technology and solid research achievements.

In this article, we introduce Mr. Oda, who is active in the Analysis and Insights (A&I) Department, where data scientists belong!

Takahiro Oda
He received his Master's degree in Climate Change Impact Assessment from the University of Tokyo. Joined a construction consulting firm as a new graduate, where he was in charge of consulting and R&D for water resource risk assessment. Developed water cycle models and conducted research to improve water risk indicators. Later joined aiESG and engaged in data analysis and consulting.

Despite his calm demeanor, Mr. Oda is actually an athletic person and devoted himself to long-distance track and field during his school days. He still jogs, but recently he was invited to run a marathon by an aiESG member, and he was very enthusiastic: "I can't lose in a marathon! I can't lose in a marathon!

Social Contribution Motivated by the Earthquake

The year I entered high school, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. At the time, I lived in an area adjacent to the Tohoku region, and I remember spending anxious days with mixed information about the earthquake and the nuclear power plant accident. That experience strengthened my interest in environmental issues and disaster prevention, and I spent my high school years always conscious of these issues.

After graduating from high school, I entered the University of Tokyo. During my first year of college, I watched a TV program featuring a professor at the University of Tokyo who was conducting research on tsunamis, and I felt a yearning to see how he was contributing to society through his research.

At the University of Tokyo, students enter specialized departments from the second semester of their sophomore year. I decided to enter the Department of Social Infrastructure Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering because I could learn about infrastructure and disaster prevention, which I had been aware of as an issue since high school, and because of a professor who appeared on TV. I could only study in the specialized field in the Department of Infrastructural Engineering for two years, which I felt was not enough, so I decided to go on to graduate school.

How to apply your research in society

After graduating with a Master's degree in Climate Change Impact Assessment, I joined a general construction consulting firm. I worked in a research laboratory and was mainly involved in research and development related to water resource risk, drought risk, and flood risk assessment. While working there, I began to think that I could contribute to society in a different way than I do now, by helping companies utilize what I have been researching and providing support in close proximity to customers.

I decided to join aiESG because the ESG information disclosure and TNFD report disclosure that aiESG conducts is related to my specialty of "water risk," and I thought that the company led by Professor Umanaki would be an interesting place to work. I decided to join the company because I thought I would be able to do interesting work at a company led by Mr. Managi.

A workplace where professionals gather and gain new insights

The A&I team to which I belong currently consists of 8 data scientists and is responsible for project management and execution of analysis in aiESG's analytical work. aiESG's mission is not only to provide ESG evaluations of products in which we specialize, but also to contribute to our clients' value enhancement through communication with them to My mission is to contribute to the enhancement of our clients' value by identifying issues and proposing solutions through communication with them, as well as by providing ESG assessments of the products in which aiESG specializes. Since joining the company, I have been involved in researching, analyzing, and explaining to clients ESG assessment projects for construction companies, textile companies, and ceramic manufacturers. I have also been involved in the development of some new products.

Because many of the projects are ones that we have never experienced in university research or in the corporate world, we have members with high intellectual curiosity who enjoy taking on new challenges, and our backgrounds are diverse. In my case, my specialty is "water," but I am currently working on a "plastics" project. Although my previous research is not necessarily equal, I am able to acquire new knowledge, and because the research process and approach are common, this is a place where people with diverse backgrounds can thrive.

In addition, aiESG is a start-up from academia and is a group of professionals in that field, all of whom are able to work hard not only for themselves but also for the company and to deliver better analysis results to our clients. I often gain new insights through communication, which inspires me every day.

Career Path - Utilize your research background.

In the future, I would like to contribute to service analysis that can improve corporate value. To do so, I feel it is necessary to catch up with the world trends and research developments in ESG evaluation, and to develop my ability to understand clients' issues and make good proposals. First of all, I would like to improve my skills by gaining ESG knowledge and analytical experience, which I lack.

I would like to make use of my background experience in research and development and catching up from papers to create new indicators and make proposals that will help customers recognize issues that they are not yet aware of.

Interviews and employment opportunities are also available on Wantedly.
https://www.wantedly.com/companies/company_9232529/post_articles/961311