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. Ichii, Manager of the Analysis and Insights (A&I) Department, to whom our data scientist belongs!

Kento Ichii
After joining aiESG in 2022, he has led numerous projects for companies to support their compliance with regulations such as TCFD and TNFD, centered on quantitative analysis in the area of sustainability. In addition, he has been leading a comprehensive analytical support service for companies from conception, design, implementation, to deployment.

Mr. Ichii has loved running since he was in elementary school. He was a member of the track team until high school and played ice hockey in college! He is still running and will participate in the Fukuoka Marathon again this year with the members of aiESG (^^)/.
Incidentally, Mr. Ichii is also enrolled in a doctoral course at Kyushu University while performing managerial duties! We asked him about how he balances academics and business, so please be sure to read to the end.

Axis of research: interest in the reactions shown by people and society

Underlying my research is my own interest in how people and society perceive them. Some people are quick to accept new technologies and concepts, while others are more cautious. Some organizations are proactive in their introduction, while others are not. My research focuses on how people and society react to such diverse reactions.

Area of research: city connections seen while driving, interest in urban functions

We are researching "how new technologies and concepts are received (social acceptance). We analyze the data obtained from various methods, such as questionnaires and behavioral data. No matter how innovative a technology or concept is, if it is not accepted by people, its implementation will be difficult, and in some cases it may even generate opposition. Therefore, when introducing technologies and policies, it is essential to understand the trends in people's values and perceptions and design them accordingly.

My goal is to capture these social reactions and clarify the conditions and considerations required when new technologies and institutions are introduced, in order to provide knowledge that will lead to highly effective technology introduction and institutional design.

Research from the perspective of social acceptability covers a variety of topics, but I am particularly interested in the functions of cities. I conduct research on roads, electric power, housing, medical facilities, parks, etc. from the perspective of "what functions does this city have now?" and "what functions will be needed in the future? Behind this is my personal desire to "take a bird's-eye view of the city and think about how its structure and functions should be.

Doctoral student at Kyushu University - business and academia, two feet on the ground.

Balancing managerial duties and doctoral research is not easy, but the two are closely interrelated and share much in common in terms of analysis and thinking. In some cases, the analytical activities are more academic in nature, while in other cases, the content is more relevant to the business world. Even if it does not lead directly to academic results, if it is useful to someone in the field of business, we consider that to be one of the results of our research.

A&I is a team that enjoys the unknown

The first contact with the client begins with an interview by the Business Solution Department, which promotes sales. At the stage of asking "Are there any services that aiESG can provide?" and "Is there anything we can do?", the customer is then linked to the A&I Department. Then, during a meeting with the client, a new proposal is made that takes advantage of existing services and aiESG's technical capabilities. Once the proposal is approved, a project is launched, and as project manager, I proceed with the analysis while answering any additional requests or questions.

The term "analytical support" in a nutshell covers a wide range of subjects and methods. We provide not only supply chain analysis, but also ESG evaluation, impact analysis, support for regulatory compliance, development of sustainability indicators, and other services to meet the diverse challenges faced by companies and governments. Our team handles a wide range of industries, including apparel, automobiles, construction, energy, and finance, and we are required to deal with new themes on a daily basis. Because there are so many opportunities to come into contact with the unknown, our team members enjoy the unknown and are able to flexibly accept the ideas of others while maintaining a firm grasp of their own ideas.

We would like to have people who enjoy encountering things they do not know or have never thought about, and who are willing to share their interests and work hard as a team.

Career Vision - aiESG's analysis to the world.

By spreading aiESG analysis around the world and accumulating multifaceted and objective facts, we aim to create an environment where people can discuss "how the world can be better" based on facts.

To this end, I will continue to take on the challenge of being a researcher and a businessperson on two legs, and I hope to build up solutions to the issues faced by each of our customers one by one.

Interviews and employment opportunities are also available on Wantedly.
https://www.wantedly.com/companies/company_9232529/post_articles/992351