Launch of 'NaviA Powered by OpenAI', an AI-driven Chatbot Leveraging Generative AI

Gifu Bungeisha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture; Representative Director: Ken Iio; hereinafter 'the Company') has launched 'NaviA Powered by OpenAI', an AI-driven chatbot service leveraging generative AI, positioning it as a core service for 'Operational Efficiency DX' within the Company's DX solutions.

This service is an AI chatbot that learns automatically by registering PDF, URL, and FAQ data, and provides accurate answers to user inquiries. While utilizing OpenAI's API, the Company has established a secure environment where registered data is stored in a private environment and is not used for retraining. Furthermore, with an affordable pricing structure starting at 20,000 yen per month, it allows SMEs that have previously hesitated to adopt AI due to costs or operational burdens to easily utilize the technology.

Since the emergence of conversational AI like 'ChatGPT', generative AI has spread rapidly, expanding areas such as operational efficiency and customer service automation. However, many regional SMEs have yet to adopt it due to 'shortage of specialized personnel', 'security concerns', and 'burden of implementation costs'. Additionally, a labor shortage of 11 million people is expected nationwide by 2040, and in Gifu Prefecture, the working-age population is projected to decrease by 5.3% over the next five years. The burden of daily tasks such as responding to inquiries and sharing information is becoming a significant management challenge as labor shortages progress.

Main Use Cases:
- Flyers (QR Codes): By placing QR codes on printed materials, the AI chatbot serves as the primary point of contact for inquiries.
- Websites: By embedding it on websites or landing pages, it provides immediate responses to inquiries, helping prevent user abandonment and reducing the burden on staff.
- Internal Use: By training it on internal Q&As and manuals, it streamlines internal inquiries and information sharing.
- SNS: By linking with SNS such as LINE, it realizes smooth communication with users.

Reasons for Selection:
- Affordable Price: While many services cost over 100,000 yen per month, NaviA limits features and starts from 20,000 yen per month.
- Original Customization: In addition to character settings and icon changes, response content can be flexibly customized according to usage and business needs.
- Comprehensive Support: Dedicated staff support everything from prompt design and data organization to improvements.
- Secure Environment: Registered data is saved in a private environment and not used for AI learning, enabling safe operation using OpenAI's API.

The Company upholds the philosophy of 'building a heart-enriching communication society' and has developed businesses that support 'conveying' and 'preserving' in both paper and digital formats. Currently, the Company is transforming its business model to integrate DX and aims to be a 'Regional Information & DX Partner' that can be entrusted with everything from information dissemination to business improvement and marketing. As a core DX service, this service accompanies regional companies in their first step toward utilizing generative AI.

Moving forward, the Company will propose this solution to fields facing challenges such as labor shortages and increased operational burdens, including local governments, medical care, education, tourism, and manufacturing. By combining this with its business foundation in printing, web production, and BPO, the Company will realize optimal business support and contribute to building a heart-enriching communication society.