From Mere 'Operational Efficiency' to 'Vision Achievement': New Award 'Japan AI Awards 2026' to Discover Corporate and Individual Challenges Driving Transformation with AI, Entry Registration Opens Today, July 7 (Tue)

The Japan AI Awards Executive Committee (Secretariat: Japan Digital Transformation Promotion Association) will begin accepting entries today, July 7, 2026, for the newly established "Japan AI Awards 2026," an award that recognizes cases where AI was utilized to unlock the potential of people and organizations, and to tackle the achievement of high goals and the creation of new businesses.

This award focuses on the story of the challenge, "What was the goal, and how was AI used?" rather than mere daily operational efficiency. By visualizing excellent cases and sharing them across society, we aim to support the next step in AI utilization by Japanese companies, organizations, and individuals.

Background of the Event: From Mere 'Work Efficiency' to Challenges That Transform Society and Organizations

With the spread of technologies such as generative AI, AI has become an everyday tool. On the other hand, much of its utilization remains limited to "improving the efficiency of immediate tasks," and cases that lead to organization-wide adoption or the creation of new value are not yet widely known.

To unlock the true value of AI, it is important not to let it end as a mere convenient tool, but to set a vision, utilize AI, and bring out the potential of people and organizations.

JDX has established this award to shed light not only on the challenges undertaken by companies, municipalities, and organizations, but also on the challenges of individuals who have personally led their organizations as the driving force. By sharing these cases across the board, we aim to improve the overall level of AI utilization in Japan.

"Japan AI Awards 2026" Event Overview

- Name: Japan AI Awards 2026

- Organizer: Japan AI Awards Executive Committee

- Final Entry Deadline: August 28, 2026 (Fri) 23:59

- Entry Fee: Free

- Awards Ceremony: November 12, 2026 (Thu) / City Hall & Gallery Gotanda

- Official Website: https://ai-awards.jp

Application Categories

You can apply in categories tailored to your position as a corporation or individual.

- AI Utilization Category: Companies, municipalities, and organizations that have utilized AI to achieve goals and realize visions.

- AI Utilization Support Category: Companies, support organizations, etc., that have supported and led other organizations to successful AI utilization.

- AI Expert Category: Individuals who have designed and implemented AI utilization within their organizations and led transformation.

- AI Evangelist Category: Individuals who have communicated the value of AI, created learning opportunities, and motivated people.

How to Apply and Judging

Registration is possible regardless of self-nomination or recommendation via the pre-entry form on the official website.

Entry is in two stages: first, pre-entry to register candidate cases, and then final entry where you will answer six questions: "Vision," "Current Situation/Challenges Before Undertaking," "AI Utilization," "Challenges During the Initiative," "Impact," and "Future Development," to describe the story of your challenge.

▼ Official Website

https://ai-awards.jp

▼ Pre-entry Form

https://ai-awards.jp/application

[Judging Criteria]

Comprehensive evaluation will be conducted from four perspectives: "Vision/Challenging Spirit," "Practice and Results," "Originality," and "Shared Value."

Future Schedule

- July 7, 2026: Entry registration begins

- August 28, 2026: Final entry deadline

- Late September 2026: Finalist announcement

- November 12, 2026: Presentation judging and awards ceremony

About Japan Digital Transformation Promotion Association (JDX)

Name: Japan Digital Transformation Promotion Association (JDX)

Secretariat Location: 5F KS Floor, Risona Kudan Building, 1-5-6 Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0074

Representative: Representative Director Yuichi Morito

Established: June 2010 (Incorporated: October 2010)

Business Activities: Training for DX promotion personnel, regional DX promotion projects, industry promotion, policy recommendations, etc.

URL: https://jdxa.org