Fujitsu-Ochanomizu University Social Collaboration Program for AI Ethics

2023年12月27日更新

This Social Collaboration Program conducts pioneering R&D in AI solutions that enable quantitative and objective gender equality measures by combining Fujitsu's AI ethics technology and Ochanomizu University's knowledge of gendered innovations. The Program also develops talent that can contribute to solving social issues through interdisciplinary expertise.

Project Outline Activities Research Reports

Project Outline

Researchers

Role	Name	Position
Program Leader/ Social Sciences Team Leader	SAITO Etsuko	Professor and Deputy Director, Institute for Gendered Innovations, Ochanomizu University
Program Sub-leader in charge of research strategy	INAKOSHI Hiroya	Research Director, AI Trust Research Centre, Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited/ Visiting Associate Professor, Ochanomizu University
Project Manager	KASHIWAGI Shiho	Project Associate Professor (Social Collaboration Program for AI Ethics), Institute for Gendered Innovations, Ochanomizu University
Program Member in charge of technical strategy	NITTA Izumi	Senior Research Manager, AI Trust Research Centre, Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited/ Visiting Associate Professor, Ochanomizu University
Psychology Team Leader	OMORI Mika	Professor (Psychology)/ IGI Researcher, Ochanomizu University
Computer Science Team Leader	ITOH Takayuki	Professor (Computer Science)/ IGI Researcher, Ochanomizu University
Social Science Team Member	NISHIMURA Junko	Professor (Social Science and Family Studies), Ochanomizu University
Social Science Team Member	WAKITA Aya	Assistant Professor (Social Science and Family Studies), Ochanomizu University
Psychology Team Member	ITO Hiroyuki	Associate Professor (Psychology), Ochanomizu University
	MUTO Sera	Lecturer (Human and Social Sciences), Ochanomizu University
	MIYAKAWA Shoko	Psychology, Human Development Sciences, Graduate School Master’s Degree Program/ IGI Project Researcher (Industry-Academia Collaboration), Ochanomizu University
Computer Science Team Member	KOBAYASHI Ichiro	Professor (Computer Science), Ochanomizu University
Computer Science Team Member	IGARASHI Yuki	Associate Professor (Computer Science), Ochanomizu University
Program Collaborator	GOTO Masatomo	Head of AI Trust Research Centre, Fujitsu Research of Europe Ltd.
	TAKAHASHI Hidekazu	Researcher, AI Trust Research Centre, Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited
	NAKATA Tsuneo	Senior Expert, AI Trust Research Centre, Fujitsu Research, Fujitsu Limited (until Dec.20,2023)

Research Project

As a first step of the joint project, Fujitsu and Ochanomizu University aim to develop an AI solution for highly reliable human resource assessment by the end of March 2024 to contribute to the realization of a diverse, equal and inclusive society. To approach ethical risks in AI models, the two parties will apply Fujitsu’s technology to mitigate intersectional bias to human resource assessment AI technology and verify the fairness of the assessment results using evaluation methods including interviews and workshops, utilizing Ochanomizu University’s expertise in the social sciences. Within the verification tests, the two parties will use AI technology to conduct quantitative analysis of the fairness of the assessments and present the decision-making process and facts behind the analysis results to ensure that the AI eliminates any unequal treatment of women, but at the same time does not create any new unfairness affecting the total majority. Based on the results of the tests, the two parties will further improve this human resource assessment AI to ultimately develop a technology that ensures fair and nondiscriminatory decisions.

Utilizing the results of this joint research, Fujitsu and Ochanomizu University will propose concrete solutions that contribute to the solution of gender inequality and societal issues.

The two partners further plan to hold seminars and workshops on various themes related to AI technologies and societal issues to nurture future specialists and leaders able to address societal issues through cross-sectional collaborations.

Project Period

March 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026

Administrators

Role	Name	Position
University and Institution Executive in charge	ISHII-KUNTZ Masako	Trustee and Vice President for Research, International Affairs and Gender Equality/ Director of IGI, Ochanomizu University
Supervisor	OHTA Yuji	Vice President for Industry-Academia Collaboration and Innovation/ Deputy Director of IGI
Administration at Fujitsu	NAGAI Hiroki	Head of Office, Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Office, Technology Business Management Unit, Fujitsu Limited
	OHIRA Kotaro	Manager, Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Office, Technology Business Management Unit, Fujitsu Limited
	SHIMIZU Masayoshi	Expert, Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Office, Technology Business Management Unit, Fujitsu Limited
Administration at Ochanomizu University	YOSHIHARA Kumi	Research Administrator, IGI and Liaison URA Center, Ochanomizu University
Administration at Ochanomizu University	-	・Research Promotion Division ・Planning and Strategy Division (Promotion of Gender Equality) ・IGI Office

Activities

[MEDIA]
・December 13, 2023
A project member interview on Fujitsu transformation news (Fuji-tora news: in Japanese)
AG世代がいちばん話したいことより良い社会に向けてAIを研究「もっともっと女性も取り組んで」｜Aging Gracefully-わたしらしく輝く-

・November 30, 2023
A project member interview on Aging Gracefully (Asahi)
「AI倫理の産学連携」でジェンダーギャップや文理の違いを超える～お茶の水女子大学との実践～

・November 24, 2023
Report on The First Fujitsu Small Research Lab Conference on Fujitsu transformation news (Fuji-tora news: in Japanese)
これからのテクノロジーを、大学ともっと一緒に～第1回富士通スモールリサーチラボ全国大会の実施 - フジトラニュース : 富士通 (fujitsu.com)

・October 1, 2023
The NIKKEI VERITAS special feature article mentioned Fujitsu’s bias mitigation AI technology:
[Farewell to the male standard: Gendered innovation opening up the market]
"Saraba dansei hyōjun ichiba hiraku jendādo inobēshon (in Japanese) "

・May 19, 2023
An interview with the project members was posted on Fujitsu’s corporate blog.
“Gender equality and AI: Ochanomizu Univ., Fujitsu researchers collaborate to overcome social gap”

・March 17, 2023
Press Release
“Fujitsu and Ochanomizu University establish new AI ethics research lab, leveraging AI technologies to promote gender equality”

[Regular Meetings]
・Monthly Meetings: Planning, progress management and discussions.
・Weekly Meetings: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Computer Science workshops on AI hiring and fairness in machine learning.

Research Reports

PROJECTS