HAL Professional School to Introduce 'Microsoft 365 Copilot' to All 8,000 Students

HAL Professional School (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya), which develops specialists for the IT and digital content industries, will introduce Microsoft 365 Copilot to all approximately 8,000 enrolled students starting April 1, 2026. While the use of generative AI is rapidly advancing, Japanese SMEs face a significant barrier in the lack of personnel to lead its practical implementation and establishment. HAL redefines this challenge as a 'lack of a system to deliver talent to society' rather than just a 'lack of individual skills,' and is working to build a new education and talent supply model to provide industry-ready talent. This initiative is supported by technical knowledge and practical insights from Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. and Avanade Japan K.K.

### ■The Talent HAL Aims to Cultivate (From AI Use to AI Implementation & Establishment) HAL aims not just to increase the number of 'people who can use AI,' but to send core talent into society who can implement AI in corporate settings, root it in business processes, and realize a state where using AI is not special—so-called 'AI Normal.' HAL will foster 'key implementation personnel' who can act as the 'first person' on the ground.

### ■Characteristics of HAL Education: Humanity Education x Creativity x AI To make generative AI function in business, 'the ability to ask questions,' 'judgment,' and 'ethics and responsibility' are indispensable, even more than prompts or operation methods. HAL has long prioritized humanity education and creativity development. Generative AI education is highly compatible with these pillars. Humans think, humans decide, and humans take responsibility. AI is used as a 'tool' for that purpose. With this philosophy, HAL will quickly implement AI utilization education.

### ■Moving Toward a Scalable System through Industry-Academia Collaboration In designing and implementing educational content, Microsoft Japan and Avanade will provide technical knowledge and practical know-how, building a collaborative industry-academia support system. HAL is also considering the creation of 'AI Skill Badges' to visualize students' AI proficiency.

### ■Expectations from Companies **Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. Executive Officer, Jiro Kobayashi:** 'I am very encouraged by HAL's initiative to introduce Microsoft 365 Copilot across all three campuses. Creating an environment where each student can use AI for organizing ideas, research, and enhancing creativity is an important step for future talent development. Microsoft Japan will cooperate in HAL's efforts, including safe and secure utilization in education.'

### ■Principal's Comment **HAL Tokyo Principal, Seijo Tsuruho:** 'The advancement of generative AI poses a major question to the nature of education. The important thing is...'