First, please introduce yourself. What mission do you have at NRI IT Solutions America (ITSA), and what is your role?
I joined NRI in 2019 as an application engineer. Since then, I have been working in the Financial Solution Division and the Financial Technology Solution Division, focusing on developing smartphone applications for banks and building digital marketing platforms for securities firms, as well as conducting data analysis. Additionally, I've been involved in the agile development of smartphone applications for property and casualty insurance companies, where I have worked as an architect to standardize design and development processes. Having had an interest in working abroad and being fortunate with the timing, I have been stationed at ITSA since April 2024.
Can you elaborate on the activities you are currently engaged in?
I am focusing on exploring business applications of generative AI in the financial industry and creating new business opportunities within NRI Group. My work includes researching the latest technologies like generative AI, building alliances with local companies, planning and promoting proof-of-concept (PoC) for financial AI platforms, and disseminating information both internally and externally. I leverage my technical experience across applications, infrastructure, and AI to engage in discussions and technical validation with local big tech firms and startups. I am also involved in PoC development and solution creation utilizing these technologies.
What activities do you engage in outside of your work?
After work and on weekends, I often participate in meetups and hackathons. In Silicon Valley, where ITSA's Pacific Branch is located, multiple tech meetups are held almost daily, and there's always at least one hackathon every weekend. These events attract various people, including startups, big tech companies, investors, and students from prestigious universities. Each event is energetic, and although I often leave feeling exhausted, I gain inspiring experiences by forming new connections and encountering the latest technologies and ideas.
Participating in events in America can seem challenging. What do you keep in mind whenattending?
At local events, it's common to engage in networking and interactive communication rather than just listening passively. It's usually easy to strike up conversations with strangers. For example, at hackathons, it's not uncommon to form teams with people you've just met while having breakfast on the morning of the event. Initially, I lacked confidence in my English skills and felt quite anxious about conversing with strangers or teaming up at hackathons. However, once I participated in events, I realized that the other attendees were friendly, listened to my conversations, and showed genuine interest. Since then, I have made a conscious effort to proactively reach out to others, listen to their stories, and clearly communicate about our company and my initiatives. As I continued this proactive approach, my confidence grew, and I became more engaged in communication at various events.
[Photo] A picture with team members from the hackathon, with Ryota on the left.How do you build relationships with individuals in your local workspace (both internally andexternally)?
With my colleagues in the same office, I deepen our interaction by going out for lunch together and participating in hackathons. Additionally, I actively engage with startup representatives outside the company during events and hold regular discussions about potential collaborations during follow-up meetings. I also strive to build better relationships by sharing lunch or dinner with key collaborators.
[Photo] Enjoying lunch with office members in the courtyard of the ITSA Pacific Branch. From left: Shinpei Yagyu, Ryo Shirahama, and Ryota.