Hello, everyone. Welcome to the NEXT ACADEMY Podcast. Our theme this time is "Why do people at the forefront of technology study Eastern thought?" Beginning with AI company founders and Steve Jobs, the conversation gradually ventured deeper, exploring the ideas of Japan's postwar business founders and what Masa himself values in his business.
Why People at the Forefront of Technology Turn to Philosophy
HAL: Recently, Anthropic's co-founders have talked about how the humanities, philosophy, and our humanity become even more important in the AI era, and the company's employment of philosophers has also attracted attention. Masa, I understand you have long been interested in why people at the cutting edge of technology turn toward philosophy.
Masa: That's right. Steve Jobs also learned from ideas such as Zen and traveled to India as he developed Apple's approach to design and its philosophy as a company. Why do people working with such advanced technology want to study these ways of thinking? It is a question I have personally wondered about for a long time.
Moments of Reflection on Why We Do What We Do
HAL: In your own work, are there moments when you step back and ask what you are doing it for? Were there pioneers who had that kind of philosophical outlook?
Masa: Yes, quite often. Personally, I think this tendency was particularly strong among the founders who supported Japan's postwar economy. I feel that Konosuke Matsushita and Sony founder Masaru Ibuka are especially good examples. Late in his life, Ibuka set up the ESPER Laboratory and explored ki, or vital energy, and even paranormal phenomena. The further people take technology, the more they seem to become interested in such invisible things. I feel there may be a clue there.
The Social Value I Keep in Mind in My Business Today
HAL: What kind of social value do you keep in mind in your own business today?
Masa: Recently, more and more people are unsure how to use AI in this new era. That is why I want to organize the information and share it, even at a low price or for free. That is what I am putting effort into. The other area is health. It is something where you have to learn for yourself, understand yourself, and design your own approach, so I am always thinking about how to share that as well.
How to Give These Ideas Form and Share Them
HAL: As the next step, how will you turn those efforts into something tangible?
Masa: Ultimately, I think I just have to keep releasing things in different forms. They might be digital services or apps that incorporate these ideas, printed books, or perhaps videos or music. I believe that unless I keep putting things out there, they will not reach many people.
Communicating Philosophy Through Creative Work
HAL: Finally, how would you like to connect your own philosophy with your practical work and creative output?
Masa: I think it is about telling stories through my work.
This time, we discussed technology, Eastern thought, and the philosophy of someone building a business on their own. See you next time.
