The Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry will hold an online seminar for the general public titled "Forum on AI Agent Utilization Strategies in Manufacturing: Breakthroughs in Next-Generation Manufacturing Accelerated by Physical AI and AI Agents" starting at 14:30 on July 17, 2026 (Fri). Participation is free of charge. We encourage you to take this opportunity to join us.

"AI Agents," drawing attention as the next trend following generative AI, are technologies with the potential to significantly transform manufacturing development and production sites by autonomously executing tasks with limited human intervention. This results presentation meeting will feature Professor Hidetaka Takeda from the National Institute of Informatics, Yukiko Nakagawa, Representative Director of RT Corporation, Hiroshi Tsukumo, General Manager of the IT & DX Management Department, Materials Domain at Asahi Kasei Corporation, and representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Research Group on Civil Liability for AI Utilization." They will explain in an easy-to-understand manner for the general public the expected effects of AI agent utilization, specific examples of connection to physical systems, the forefront of overseas utilization, Japan's challenges, and issues related to the risk of infringing third-party rights and legal liability.

In addition to content that allows for a concrete vision of the future of manufacturing, such as case studies of collaborative robots for food factories and the latest trends in automated/autonomous experiments, we will also introduce points to note and preparations that companies should make for implementation and operation. This seminar is open to anyone interested in AI, robotics, and manufacturing DX, as well as the general public who want to understand future industrial changes.

1. Event Overview

[Event Title] Forum on AI Agent Utilization Strategies in Manufacturing Breakthroughs in Next-Generation Manufacturing Accelerated by Physical AI and AI Agents

[Date and Time] July 17, 2026 (Fri) 14:30 (Start) - 16:30 (End) [Format] Online Event [Host] Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry [Capacity] Online: 500 participants [Participation Fee] Free

2. Registration

Those who wish to participate can apply through the registration site here. (Site URL: https://www.mssf.or.jp/news_r08004/)

[Note] You will be redirected to the Zoom registration site. Please note that Vision Bridge LLC has been contracted to manage participant registration, distribution, and other administrative operations via Zoom.

Application Deadline: July 13, 2026 (Mon) 17:00

3. Purpose of the Event

In April 2026, our society compiled "AI Agent Utilization Strategies for Manufacturing." Starting in August 2025, we established a forum chaired by Professor Hidetaka Takeda of the National Institute of Informatics, and held discussions with experts and participating members. The report includes preparations, points to note during utilization, and countermeasures to ensure that the expected effects of "AI Agents" in manufacturing development and production sites are maximized. Here, "AI Agent" is used as a concept that includes subjects discussed in agent-based AI, multi-agent systems, and physical AI.

This results presentation meeting will clearly explain the outcomes of this activity regarding the following points.

[Key Points] *For details of each item, please refer to the program below.

1 Expected effects and points to consider when utilizing "AI Agents" 2 Examples of "AI Agents" connected to physical systems 3 The forefront of utilization in overseas countries and Japan's challenges 4 Considerations regarding the risk of infringing third-party rights and related legal liability

4. Program

[Opening] 14:30-14:35

Munenori Yamada Senior Managing Director, Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry

[Program 1] 14:35-14:55

Breakthroughs in Next-Generation Manufacturing Accelerated by AI Agents (20 minutes)

Speaker: Hidetaka Takeda Forum Chairman, Professor, School of Information Science, National Institute of Informatics

<Lecture Summary> This lecture will explain the characteristics of "AI Agents" that execute independent tasks under limited human intervention, unlike generative AI, from the perspective of an "AI user," covering points to note during use, preparations for implementation, and technical and institutional challenges to be resolved.

<Speaker Introduction>

Specialty: Knowledge Sharing Systems / Semantic Web / Design Science

[Program 2] 14:55-15:15

Physical AI and Site DX (20 minutes)

Speaker: Yukiko Nakagawa Representative Director, RT Corporation

<Lecture Summary>

The generative AI boom, accelerated by the advent of ChatGPT, is expanding from automation in the digital space, including AI agents, to "Physical AI" that acts in the real world, backed by large-scale data and foundational models. Physical AI involves physical entities such as robots, operates in the real world while responding to human interaction and instructions, and is a technology that integrates perception including scenes, planning, control, safety design, maintenance/operation, business collaboration, and handles ambiguity in the real world. This enables DX not only in handling information but also in directly influencing the site.

This lecture will clarify the differences between AI agents in the digital space and physical AI operating on-site, and then, with concrete examples, will provide an outlook on the technical and practical issues that arise when site DX progresses from the "visualization of information stage" to the "stage of actually operating the site."

<Speaker Introduction> Founded RT Corporation in 2005. Since then, has consistently promoted the social implementation and commercialization of robots in the field of Physical AI. RT promotes "Life with Robot®" and "Work with Robot®," developing AI/robotics human resource training through educational programs and automation solutions for light and on-site work using AI and robots. In 2015, was selected by Silicon Valley Robotics as one of the women to watch in the robotics industry worldwide. Fellow of the Robotics Society of Japan. Also serves on the boards of the Nippon Technology Foundation, ROSConJP, and Open Robotics, contributing to the technical foundation and community building in the robotics field both domestically and internationally.

[Program 3] 15:15-15:35

Forefront of AI and Automated/Autonomous Experiments to Compete Globally (20 minutes)

Speaker: Hiroshi Tsukumo Director, General Manager of IT & DX Management Department, Materials Domain, Asahi Kasei Corporation

<Lecture Summary> Overseas, AI-for-Science research and development, which connects hypothesis generation, experimental planning, automated experimentation, analysis, and proposal of the next candidate, is accelerating. Asahi Kasei views this trend as an opportunity for materials R&D transformation and is working to build smart labs that combine AI, MI, robotics, and data infrastructure. This lecture will introduce, within the scope of public disclosure, the closed-loop R&D infrastructure that connects AI-based candidate exploration based on target physical properties, formulation of executable experimental plans, automated experimentation by robots, scheduling including equipment and human work, data acquisition, and model updates. It will present the current status and outlook of the "Smart Lab" that Asahi Kasei aims for through Human-AI Co-scientist type material development, where researchers are responsible for questions, evaluation criteria, and decision-making, and AI accelerates exploration, planning, and analysis.

<Speaker Introduction>

After engaging in production technology development and R&D in business operations, has led the company's DX initiatives, including smart factory implementation, materials informatics (MI), and digital marketing. Currently serves as the head of IT & DX in the Materials Domain, overseeing the entire area. In recent years, has also focused on the development and implementation of AI agents and physical AI, and this lecture will introduce a part of those efforts.

[Program 4] 15:35-15:55

Overview of "Guidelines for Interpreting and Applying Civil Liability in AI Utilization" (20 minutes)

Speaker: Hiroki Miyashita Assistant Director, Information Economy Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

<Lecture Summary>

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry held the "Research Group on Civil Liability for AI Utilization" and compiled the "Guidelines for Interpreting and Applying Civil Liability in AI Utilization [Version 1.0]." These guidelines aim to provide direction on how current laws can be interpreted and applied, focusing on tort law issues in AI utilization scenarios, to enhance predictability for parties involved in AI development, provision, and use, and to promote AI utilization and facilitate smooth resolution in case of damages.

This lecture will introduce the contents of the guidelines, focusing on points deemed important from the perspective of AI agent utilization in manufacturing, which is the theme of this forum.

<Speaker Introduction>

Brief Biography Completed Master of Laws, Professional Degree Program, Meiji University Graduate School of Law, 2020 Admitted to the Bar, 2022 After working at a law firm in Tokyo and the Cabinet Office's Strategic Innovation Promotion Program, assumed current position in July 2025.

[Program 5] 15:55-16:25

Panel Discussion by Speakers (30 minutes)

Moderator: Hidetaka Takeda (Forum Chairman)

Panelists: Yukiko Nakagawa (RT Corporation), Hiroshi Tsukumo (Asahi Kasei Corporation), Hiroki Miyashita (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

<Discussion Points>

The introduction of AI agents based on appropriate policies in individual companies is important not only for securing industrial competitiveness but also for increasing social welfare, by enabling analysis on a scale impossible for humans and achieving operational accuracy and stability beyond human capabilities. In the panel discussion, the speakers will discuss the necessary preparations (infrastructure development), points to note during utilization, and countermeasures for the introduction and operation of AI agents in manufacturing development and production sites.

[Closing] 16:25-16:30

Hidetaka Takeda, Yukiko Nakagawa, Hiroshi Tsukumo, Hiroki Miyashita

5. Related Links

"Forum on AI Agent Utilization Strategies in Manufacturing (FY2025 Activity Report)"

6. Contact Information

Secretariat, Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry Please use the contact form on our website.

[Official Website] https://www.mssf.or.jp/

[Facebook] https://www.facebook.com/mssf.jp/

Announcements from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Machine Industry [Coming Next]

[1] "Strategy Formulation for International Cascade Utilization of Used Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membranes for Water Treatment" Results Presentation Meeting

Date and Time: September 30, 2026 (Wed) 14:30-16:00 (Scheduled)

Format: Online Event

Registration: https://www.mssf.or.jp/news_r08007/

Purpose of the Event: This results presentation meeting will focus on used RO membranes for water treatment (tens of thousands annually) that are used for ultrapure water production in Japan and are replaced and discarded before their performance declines. It will introduce the results of studies aimed at creating new markets through the reuse of these used RO membranes overseas (international cascade utilization).

[2] "Strategy Formulation for GX-AM Process Development" Results Presentation Meeting

Date and Time: October 7, 2026 (Wed) 14:30~ (Scheduled)

Format: Online Event

Registration: Will be posted on our society's website soon.

https://www.mssf.or.jp/

Purpose of the Event: This presentation meeting will organize technical challenges related to the 3Rs, such as reducing material usage and improving the recycling rate of powders, for additive manufacturing (AM), particularly focusing on resins. It will clearly explain the direction of research and development for achieving GX-AM, as well as implementation scenarios and market strategies for the automotive industry.

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