Hidetoshi Takano, Representative Director, Keyplayers Co., Ltd.

What's needed in the age of AI is, quite simply, "human skills."

Hidetoshi Takano, Representative Director, Keyplayers Co., Ltd.

■ Profile
He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Tohoku University in 1999. He joined Intelligence Co., Ltd. (now Persol Career Co., Ltd.). In 2005, he left the company and established Key Players Co., Ltd., where he currently works. He is active as a career consultant and investor. His major works include "The Recommendation of a Second Job," "How to Choose a Job You Will Never Regret: The Front Lines of Job Hunting for Parents and Children," and "The Etiquette of Venture Companies."

President Hidetoshi Takano has conducted interviews with over 11,000 people and provided recruitment advice to over 4,000 business owners as a career consultant. We spoke with the president, who has been involved in various businesses and is also active as an investor, about his views on the AI ​​society and how to utilize it in business.

During my student days, I was a pretty average university student, doing a moderate amount of both studying and having fun. I was an economics major, and I feel that the economic knowledge I learned in class has been useful as a foundation for business.
I was good at answering questions in interviews, so I was able to get a job at Intelligence without much difficulty. I had been running something like a freelance business since I was a student, so I might have been an unusual student at the time.

■ Learn the fundamentals of business from a wide range of experiences

My first job was surrounded by talented individuals, and I was able to learn the fundamentals of business. After working as a salaried employee for six years, I became independent, and since then I have been working as a career consultant and investor. Since my student days, I have been reading the Nikkei Shimbun (Japan's leading business newspaper) and have acquired enough knowledge to discuss business with company presidents on an equal footing, which has been a major differentiator from others. I believe that being seen as an interesting person with broad knowledge despite my young age has broadened my business opportunities.

■Consulting skills required in the age of AI

From an investor's perspective, the AI ​​platform market is considered difficult to compete in due to Google's overwhelming financial power. However, AI-powered consulting is a promising growth area. Many companies recognize the importance of AI but lack concrete ways to utilize it, leading to increased demand for AI consulting services.
Furthermore, what will not be replaced even in the age of AI is, quite simply, "human skills." Skills such as problem-finding and problem-solving abilities, which AI struggles with, will become increasingly important. While many white-collar jobs may be replaced by AI, essential jobs such as cleaning and caregiving, which people tend to dislike, are still difficult to automate with AI. There should be business opportunities in these areas.
Looking ahead, I want to delve deeper into the role of KOL (Key Opinion Leader) and leave a valuable legacy for society. My job is to support startups and venture companies. I hope that more people in Japan will take on challenges, and that we can create a society where everyone can shine in the right place for them.

■Message to students

No matter how advanced AI becomes, I believe that the ability to understand human communication and the nuances of emotions is something that AI will find difficult to replace.
Ultimately, launching a new business depends on people's passion and drive. Also, during your student years, it's important to find something you love and pursue it wholeheartedly. Whether it's studying or playing, try to immerse yourself in something.

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