SmartNews Releases Interviews with LayerX, freee, and NOT A HOTEL as Part of 'Smany AI Plan'
SmartNews has published three interview articles featuring leaders from LayerX, freee, and NOT A HOTEL. These interviews, focusing on AI implementation and decision-making, are available for free on the SmartNews+ subscription service and the web.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:58 (26 min after Collected)
SmartNews Inc. (Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Kaisei Hamamoto), whose mission is to deliver quality information from around the world to those who need it, has published three interview articles with LayerX Inc., freee K.K., and NOT A HOTEL Inc. as a related project to its advertising campaign 'Smany AI Plan.' These articles are available as free content within the paid subscription service 'SmartNews+' and on the web.
The series, titled 'The Current State of AI Implementation,' features Landong Hong, Vice President of JP Media Business at SmartNews, interviewing leaders from LayerX, freee, and NOT A HOTEL. The discussions delve into the practices of embedding AI into business and organizations, as well as the underlying decision-making processes.
1. Takuya Ishiguro, Executive Officer & CHRO, LayerX Inc.
'Company culture won't change if salaries remain the same while AI increases productivity.' LayerX shares three practices for rooting AI in the organization.
URL: https://www.smartnews.com/news/article/4938274746555959260
2. Takashi Yokoji, CAIO (Chief AI Officer), freee K.K.
From a tool used by humans to 'SaaS that is easiest for AI to use.' freee takes a step toward business self-destruction and redefinition.
URL: https://www.smartnews.com/news/article/4939362025055724499
3. Takayuki Okubo, Senior Executive Officer & CTO, NOT A HOTEL Inc.
'100x expansion over 1/100 efficiency.' NOT A HOTEL reveals why AI is an 'inevitability' for hospitality.
URL: https://www.smartnews.com/news/article/4939724328674533359
Through the 'Smany AI Plan,' SmartNews is working toward realizing new information experiences utilizing AI, while also addressing how AI should be utilized within businesses and organizations. These interview articles share the accumulation of trials, errors, and practices each company has undergone. Please take a look.
About SmartNews Inc.
Since its establishment on June 15, 2012, SmartNews Inc. has focused on its mission to 'deliver quality information from around the world to those who need it.' It develops the news app 'SmartNews' in Japan and the US, boasting one of the largest user bases for a news app in Japan. Since late 2023, it has launched its first subscription service, 'SmartNews+,' and together with its subsidiary SlowNews, is dedicated to delivering high-quality reporting and diverse content born from excellent journalism to as many users as possible. With algorithms that continuously analyze vast amounts of global information day and night, and strong partnerships with over 3,000 media partners worldwide, SmartNews aims to contribute to society by effectively delivering quality information through a comfortable interface optimized for smart devices.
The series, titled 'The Current State of AI Implementation,' features Landong Hong, Vice President of JP Media Business at SmartNews, interviewing leaders from LayerX, freee, and NOT A HOTEL. The discussions delve into the practices of embedding AI into business and organizations, as well as the underlying decision-making processes.
1. Takuya Ishiguro, Executive Officer & CHRO, LayerX Inc.
'Company culture won't change if salaries remain the same while AI increases productivity.' LayerX shares three practices for rooting AI in the organization.
URL: https://www.smartnews.com/news/article/4938274746555959260
2. Takashi Yokoji, CAIO (Chief AI Officer), freee K.K.
From a tool used by humans to 'SaaS that is easiest for AI to use.' freee takes a step toward business self-destruction and redefinition.
URL: https://www.smartnews.com/news/article/4939362025055724499
3. Takayuki Okubo, Senior Executive Officer & CTO, NOT A HOTEL Inc.
'100x expansion over 1/100 efficiency.' NOT A HOTEL reveals why AI is an 'inevitability' for hospitality.
URL: https://www.smartnews.com/news/article/4939724328674533359
Through the 'Smany AI Plan,' SmartNews is working toward realizing new information experiences utilizing AI, while also addressing how AI should be utilized within businesses and organizations. These interview articles share the accumulation of trials, errors, and practices each company has undergone. Please take a look.
About SmartNews Inc.
Since its establishment on June 15, 2012, SmartNews Inc. has focused on its mission to 'deliver quality information from around the world to those who need it.' It develops the news app 'SmartNews' in Japan and the US, boasting one of the largest user bases for a news app in Japan. Since late 2023, it has launched its first subscription service, 'SmartNews+,' and together with its subsidiary SlowNews, is dedicated to delivering high-quality reporting and diverse content born from excellent journalism to as many users as possible. With algorithms that continuously analyze vast amounts of global information day and night, and strong partnerships with over 3,000 media partners worldwide, SmartNews aims to contribute to society by effectively delivering quality information through a comfortable interface optimized for smart devices.