Anne of Green Gables

 

One Canadian book that I would really like to read is Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This classic novel was first published in 1908 and is set in Prince Edward Island, a place known for its beautiful landscapes and strong cultural traditions. It is one of the most famous works of Canadian literature, loved by readers all around the world. I am especially interested in this book because it represents not only the story of one girl’s life but also an introduction to Canadian nature, history, and values.

The story follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, two siblings who originally wanted to adopt a boy to help with their farm. Despite the mistake, Anne becomes part of their household and gradually wins their hearts with her lively personality. She faces challenges at school, builds friendships, and learns the importance of family, belonging, and personal growth.

I first became interested in this book after seeing photos of the beautiful scenery of Prince Edward Island. The landscapes looked so peaceful and unique that I immediately thought it would be a wonderful place to visit someday. When I later learned that this island was the setting of Anne of Green Gables, I became even more curious about the story.

Another reason I want to read this book is that it reflects Canadian culture and identity. Prince Edward Island is described with vivid detail, from the “Green Gables” house to the surrounding countryside. Through the story, I would like to learn how Canadians in the early twentieth century lived, what values were important to them, and how their connection with nature shaped their daily lives. I believe reading this book would give me a deeper understanding of the cultural background of the country I am experiencing now.

In conclusion, Anne of Green Gables is not just a children’s story but a timeless Canadian novel that explores universal themes such as family, friendship, identity, and hope. Even though I have not read the book yet, I am eager to do so because I believe it will help me learn more about Canadian culture and also inspire me to approach life with more imagination and courage. For these reasons, I consider this novel to be the Canadian book that I most want to read in the near future.

Different Spirits: Humor in Osaka and Formality in Tokyo

My hometown Osaka is not only famous for delicious food and historic landmarks, but also for the warm and humorous character of its people. Osaka people are often described as friendly, direct, and cheerful.Unlike in some other parts of Japan, they are not shy about expressing their feelings and are quick to strike up conversations, even with strangers. This openness creates a unique atmosphere where visitors immediately feel welcomed.

A key feature of Osaka culture is the Kansai dialect, which sounds quite different from standard Japanese. Kansai dialect is often described as rhythmical, expressive, and even playful. For example, the simple phrase "Thank you" is usually "arigatou", but in Osaka people often say "ookini", which carries a warmer and more casual feeling. Because of its lively tone, Kansai dialect is strongly associated with humour and is frequently used by comedians to make their jokes sound funnier.

(Dotonbori)

Osaka is also considered the birthplace of Japanese comedy. The style called "manzai", performed by two comedians who exchange quick and witty dialogue, has its roots in Osaka and remains popular all over Japan today. However, comedy in Osaka is not only performed on stage; it is part of daily life. People enjoy making jokes in casual conversations, and even shopkeepers or taxi drivers may add humor to their words. This shows how laughter is deeply woven into the culture of the city.

Compared to Tokyo, which is the capital and often seen as formal, fast-paced, and business-oriented, Osaka has a more relaxed and approachable atmosphere. People in Tokyo may appear polite but distant, while people in Osaka tend to be more direct and willing to joke around. For instance, in Tokyo it is less common for strangers to casually talk to each other, but in Osaka this happens naturally. This cultural difference makes Osaka stand out as a city where humour and friendliness are essential parts of everyday life.

(Namba Grand Kagetsu, the most famous comedy theatre  in Osaka)

Growing up in Osaka, I experienced this cheerful culture every day. At school, even teachers sometimes told jokes to makes the lessons more enjoyable. In public, I often heard strangers laughing together, even if they had just met. These small but memorable moments taught me that humour is not only about laughing, but also about building connections between people

In conclusion, Osaka is a city full of warmth, humour, and openness. The personality of its people, the charm of Kansai dialect, the rich comedy culture, and the contrast with Tokyo all highlight what makes Osaka unique. This lively and welcoming spirit is one of the reasons I am proud to call Osaka my hometown, and it is also why many visitors leave the city with unforgettable memories. 

London: A City That Remains in My Heart

 

Do you have a dream destination, a place you hope to visit at least once in your lifetime?
For me, that place is England—and more specifically, London. Not only did I travel there, but I also had the chance to live in London for two years. Because of that, my connection with the city goes beyond being just a tourist—it feels like a second home.

(On Oxford Street)

When I first arrived in London, I was amazed by the iconic landmarks. Seeing Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London in real life was surreal. Walking along the River Thames at night, with the London Eye lit up in the background, gave me a sense of excitement that never faded, no matter how many times I passed by.

However, the true beauty of London is not only in its famous attractions, but also in the everyday experiences. I loved exploring the different neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Camden had an alternative, creative energy with its music and street art. Notting Hill was colorful and charming, especially during the annual carnival. Shoreditch was trendy and modern, filled with unique cafés and street markets. Every part of the city felt like a new adventure.

(Camden Town)

One of my favorite things about living in London was the museums and galleries. The fact that so many of them are free is incredible. I spent hours inside the British Museum, amazed by artifacts from around the world, and the National Gallery, where I could stand in front of masterpieces by Van Gogh or Monet. For someone who loves art and history, London felt like an endless treasure chest.

(British Museum)

Of course, life in London was not only about culture and sightseeing—it was also about people. London is one of the most international cities in the world, and I could meet people from so many different countries and backgrounds. On the Tube, in cafés, or at school, I was always surrounded by different languages and cultures. That diversity made me feel connected to a global community, and it taught me to be more open-minded and curious.

Looking back, my two years in London were some of the most meaningful in my life. The city shaped who I am today and gave me unforgettable memories. For me, London is not just a place to visit—it is a place that will always feel like home. One day, I truly hope to return and experience that feeling again.

Upcoming Events in Montreal!

Looking for something fun and exciting to do this weekend in Montreal? From live music and theatre to delicious food and cultural celebrations, the city has something for everyone. Here’s a roundup of some of the most interesting events happening around town:

Festival des arts du ruelle

The streets of Montreal come alive with art! Various corners of the city transform into open-air stages, featuring live music, theatre, and parades. Walking through these streets feels like stepping into a unique festival, with art around every corner. It’s a great way to experience creativity up close while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the city.

Montreal Ukrainian Festival

The Montreal Ukrainian Festival is a celebration of culture and cuisine. Visitors can enjoy traditional Ukrainian dishes while taking in live performances and exploring a vibrant marketplace. It’s a lively event where food, music, and cultural experiences come together, offering something fun for everyone.

West Island Blues Festival

The West Island Blues Festival is a must for music lovers. Held in Pointe-Claire Village, the festival brings the community together to enjoy the best in blues music. With live performances that continue into the evening, it’s a spirited celebration of rhythm, talent, and local culture.

Volaria air show

The Volaria Air Show in Mirabel is a fascinating event for anyone interested in the history of aviation and the future of the industry. Visitors can enjoy an impressive outdoor display of vintage aircraft and learn about the evolution of aeronautics, all in an exciting and interactive setting.

Dumpling Fest Montreal

Get ready to explore a variety of restaurants and flavors, from Filipino lumpia and Japanese gyoza to Korean mandu, Mexican empanadas, Nepalese momos, and more. During the evening tasting event, each restaurant will offer small plates for you to try, giving you the chance to enjoy a wide range of cuisines all in one night.

Montreal hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, so there is always something new and exciting to experience. Whether you’re interested in music, art, food, or culture, there’s never a dull moment in this vibrant city.

My Idea for a Future Business: A public Toilet Finder App

 

Have you ever been out in the city and suddenly needed to find a restroom, but couldn't locate one nearby? This is a situation I have experienced many times, and it can be stressful-especially when you are in a new area, traveling, or on a tight schedule. Most of the time, the only available option is to go into a café or restaurant and buy something just to use their facilities. This inconvenience inspired me to come up with an idea for a business that could help solve this problem for many people.

My idea is to create an app that allows users to quickly and easily find public restrooms on a map. The app would display available restrooms int shopping malls, public buildings, parks, and other free-to-use facilities. It could also include helpful information such as opening hours, accessibility options, cleanliness ratings, and even whether baby-changing tables are available.

One of the key features of the app would be community participation. Users could add new restroom locations, leave reviews, and upload photos to keep the information up to date and accurate. This would make the app more reliable over time and create a sense of collaboration among users.

I believe this app could be particularly helpful for tourists who are visiting a city for the first time, parents with young children, elderly people, or anyone with specific health needs. Having quick access to this information could make outings less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone.

In the future, I would love to work on developing this app and see it become a tool that makes urban life a little easier. This project would also allow me to apply my skills in web and mobile development while solving a real-world problem that affects many people every day.

My Business Idea: A Fun Detour App

Have you ever felt like your daily commute or walk is just… routine? What if you could turn those everyday routes into little adventures?

Detour isn’t your typical detour app for traffic jams or construction. It’s all about discovering hidden gems and fun spots along your route!

When signing up, users select their interests (e.g. art, coffee, nature, or bars). The app connects with a map, so once you enter your current location and destination (e.g. home, workplace, or school), the AI suggests personalized detours along the way.

Depending on the time of day and your interests, you might find spots with stunning sunsets, a hidden cafe, or an amazing bar you’ve never noticed before. Every route becomes an opportunity for discovery.

In the future, the app could partner with local businesses to host events or offer special discounts for members, helping to revitalize nearby shops and cafes.

Instead of just finding the fastest route, Detour transforms your daily paths into opportunities for adventure and connection.

Thank you for reading. I hope you like this business idea!

A Fun Visit to the Salon National Des Animaux de Compagnie

 Do you like Animals?

I have visited the Salon National des Animaux de Compagnie (SNAC) in Montreal, and i was an amazing experience! This event is perfect for anyone who loves animals.

(This event was held at the Olympic Stadium)

At SNAC, you can see a wide variety of animals, form cats and dogs to exotic species. What makes this event unique is not just the animals themselves, but also the fun activities and competitions. There are conformation contests and helpful advice on how to take care of your pets.

(Holding a snake🐍)                   (Savannah cat)

One of the most interesting animals I found was a hairless breed of dog. I own a Sphinx cat, so I had never known this type of dog existed until I saw it at SNAC. Someday, I would love to have one of these dogs myself.

(They are called xoloitzcuintle)   (My sphinx cat)

It's an event for the whole family, full of excitement, learning, and of course, adorable animal. I had a great time exploring all the different exhibits, meeting the animals, and learning more about how to take care of them. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in pets or looking for a fun and educational outing.

Homepage: https://www.snac.ca/en/

Date: October 18 - 19, 2025

Hello Everyone!

Hi everyone,

My name is Takahiro. I'm originally from Osaka, Japan and currently living in Montreal, Canada,where I'm studying Web and Mobile Development at Teccart.I've been interested in the Internet and how websites are created and function ever since I was young. I have always been curious about the technology behind websites and enjoy learning how different elements work together to create interactive and user-friendly experiences.

I've been living in Montreal since 2018, and during this time, I have gained a variety of experiences through a Working Holiday, a work visa, and student visa. These experiences have helped me adapt to different environments, manage responsibilities, and grow both personally and professionally.

In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, visiting cafés, going out with my friends, exploring new places, and learning new languages.(I speak Japanese, French and English, and want to learn a fourth language). I also love traveling. I have been England, France, Portugal, Germany, the Philippines, Taiwan and Canada. During my travels, I enjoy exploring local cultures, trying different foods, and visiting historical sites. Unfortunately, I haven't traveled since 2020 because of COVID-19, but I hope to explore more countries in the future!

                                                                                               

I'm excited to join the team as a frontend intern, and I look forward to contributing to projects, learning from the team, and growing my skills in a professional environment.

Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction.

Craving Something Sweet in Vancouver? Purebread Is the Perfect Spot!

Craving something sweet? 

This is the perfect place for you! 

Purebread started in Whistler and has now expanded to Function Junction, Squamish, Vancouver, and even YVR Airport in Richmond. Every cake, pastry, bread, and cookie is made from the finest, freshest ingredients, free of preservatives and artificial additives.

Today, I would like to share my favorite downtown location.

The cafe has a cozy yet stylish interior, with wooden tables and warm, soft lighting. There are lots of seating options, from tables to cozy window counters, so you can choose wherever you like. While I was there, the café was busy with lots of customers. The friendly staff also give a warm welcome, making you feel right at home.

What makes this cafe special is its showcase, packed with all kinds of pastries. You’ll find everything from classic brownies to unique treats like lemon blueberry basil scones. It’s probably impossible to try every single pastry here; there are just too many delicious options!

Of course, you can also order drinks. I chose a raspberry orange scone and an iced oat milk latte. The sweet and slightly sour flavors of the raspberry and orange were a perfect match for the sugar glaze!

The pastry flavor combinations at this cafe always give me so much inspiration. I’d love to try baking them myself someday. If you’re in Vancouver or planning a trip there, I really recommend stopping by.

Purebread

 Gastown, Vancouver

 8am - 4pm

159 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver 

Home page https://www.purebread.ca/

Introduce myself

Hi! I’m Miu. I’m happy to introduce myself as a new intern at Tenatch :)

I’m from Japan and currently studying digital marketing in Vancouver, Canada.

In Japan, I studied psychology at university and worked in the hospitality industry for three years. After that, I came to Canada almost two years ago on a working holiday visa. During that time, I worked at Starbucks as a barista. My experience there, combined with my background in psychology, made me curious about how people think and make decisions. Also, working in Canada, where I met people from many different countries, sparked my curiosity to explore the world even more.

While studying marketing at college, I have also been teaching myself tools such as Adobe Illustrator, Figma, and Webflow. Going forward, I aim to become a marketer who can think strategically and create visually engaging content.The picture below is my personal design and branding work.

In my free time, I like to watch TV series, read books (I’m currently on the 5th book of the Harry Potter series), and do hot yoga. Doing yoga helps me stay physically and mentally healthy, especially living in Canada where sunlight is limited during the winter. Since coming to Canada, I have realized the importance of both mental and physical health more than I did when I was in Japan.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the team. I am currently working at a local cafe and I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges small businesses face. I truly empathize with Tenatch’s mission, and I’m excited to learn, develop, and contribute during this internship.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to seeing you again!!

Business Idea: E-SIM for Tourists in Japan

Have you ever traveled to another country and had trouble finding Wi-Fi? You want to check Google Maps, message your family, or post on Instagram, but there’s no internet. I had this experience myself, and that’s when I thought of a new business idea: E-SIM for tourists visiting Japan.

My business idea is to provide E-SIMs for tourists coming to Japan. An E-SIM is a digital SIM card that you can download to your smartphone. There is no need to visit a store or wait in line at the airport. Just scan a QR code, and you’re online in minutes.

This service is perfect for travelers who want fast, simple, and affordable internet during their trip.

I thought of this idea because I have seen many tourists in Japan struggling to find Wi-Fi or buy a SIM card. Some get confused at the airport, and others can’t read Japanese instructions. I wanted to create something that helps travelers connect to the internet easily and enjoy their trip without stress.

Also, I noticed that many modern phones now support E-SIM, but not many services in Japan offer it in a simple way for tourists. I want to fill that gap.

How does it work?

1. The customer visits the website before their trip.

2. They choose the E-SIM plan: for example, 3 days, 7 days, or 30 days.

3. After payment, they receive a QR code by email.

4. When they land in Japan, they scan the code, and the internet starts working.

I will also provide clear setup instructions in English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages. If they need help, there will be customer support by chat or email.

Who is it for?

This service is for anyone visiting Japan—tourists, short-term students, or business travelers. It’s especially good for people who:

• Want to use Google Maps, Translate, or social media

• Don’t want to rent a portable Wi-Fi

• Have a phone that supports E-SIM

• Want to set up internet before arriving in Japan

Many SIM services in Japan still use physical SIM cards or rental Wi-Fi devices. The service is fully digital, easy to use, and eco-friendly. No waiting, no return, and no extra devices to carry.

Also, the website and support will be made for international users, with simple design and multi-language help.

Summary

My goal is to help tourists enjoy Japan without worrying about internet problems. With this E-SIM service, they can feel safe, connected, and ready to explore from the moment they land. The setup is fast, the plans are simple, and the experience is smooth.

In the future, I hope to grow the service and offer more travel tools to make visiting Japan easier for everyone.

A Wonderful Day at Centennial Beach

If you have a chance to visit Barrie in Ontario, Centennial Beach would be a must-see place. It’s located on Kempenfelt Bay, which is part of Lake Simcoe. The beach has soft sand and calm water, making it a great place to relax, swim, or just enjoy the view. In the summer, there are lifeguards on duty, so it's safe for everyone, including kids.

Around the beach, there are many things to do. You can play volleyball, basketball, or use the playground. There are also walking trails along the water, picnic tables, and barbecue areas. It’s a good place to spend the whole day with friends or family. The beach is clean and well-maintained, and there are public washrooms nearby, which is very helpful.

It's easy to get there. You can drive there and park nearby, or take a walk or ride your bike. In the summer, you can also rent E-bikes to explore the area. The beach is right near downtown Barrie, so there are shops and restaurants close by too.

One special season to visit is in August, during a big event called Kempenfest. It’s a popular arts and music festival with food, crafts, and live shows. Part of the event also includes a swim across the bay that starts at the beach. It’s a fun and exciting time, and the area is full of energy and people enjoying themselves.

What I like most about Centennial Beach is that it has a mix of fun and peace. You can play and be active, but also sit quietly and watch the water or the sunset. It’s a beautiful place that brings people together and shows the best of summer in Ontario. If you haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend visiting. It’s a simple but special place to enjoy nature and relax.

Homepages:

Centennial Park & Beach

Kempenfest 2025 concert lineup

Location in Centennial Beach

65 Lakeshore Dr, Barrie, ON L9S 3T7, Canada

Introducing Myself

Hi everyone! My name is Taichi Kobayashi, and I am excited to join Tenatch as a new intern. I am from Japan and currently studying cybersecurity at Georgian College in Canada. Before that, I spent time studying and working in Japan. I have over five years of experience working in IT infrastructure and two years in web development, where I handled everything from setting up Linux and Windows servers to managing networks, databases, and automation tools. During that time, I developed strong skills in troubleshooting, scripting, and system security.

This is my first time working at a start-up, and I really appreciate the chance to learn and grow in this environment. I have a strong interest in cybersecurity, web development and AI. I am learning advanced skills in areas like network defense, cloud security, and penetration testing. I have also taken part in hands-on training at Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, where I practiced real-world attack and defense scenarios like privilege escalation and Kerberoasting.

In the future, I hope to work remotely as a digital nomad while traveling and experiencing different cultures. I believe that this internship would be the key to pursue my IT career.

Outside of school and work, I enjoy watching the TV drama Suits in my spare time. I find the characters and legal stories really interesting, and it also helps me improve my English listening skills. This drama was set in New York and Toronto, which is also why I came to Canada. I also like traveling and exploring new places whenever I have the chance.

I am looking forward to working with everyone and learning together during this internship!

Malaysia x Japan event

Recently, I went to a networking event for Malaysian companies and Japanese investors in Tokyo, run by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and others with connections to both Malaysia and Japan. It was a great opportunity to build connections with other start-ups from Malaysia and introduce tsuin.ai to people.

At the Industry Networking Night

The atmosphere at the event was nice and friendly. It began with a few short speeches about previous successes of similar start-ups connecting Malaysia and Japan and welcoming messages. We took a photo with everybody who participated in the event as well.

One of the people I talked to at the event was Chor Chee Hoe, who introduced me to Qarbotech. They are developing technology to accelerate photosynthesis using a completely organic solution to be sprayed on plants. Chor Chee Hoe demonstrated this technology to me using two vials, one which had regular water in it and the other one with the organic solution. Shining a flashlight into both vials, it was clear that the one with the organic solution reflected the light a lot brighter. This was a fascinating demonstration of how such a solution can be used to enhance photosynthesis.

With Chor Chee Hoe

When I talked to people about tsuin.ai there, they seemed to be sympathetic to the need for a twin agent to help with software maintenance, especially as many of them had experience with developing software. We also had an interesting discussion about the way the digital twin should be trained, with a few people expressing ideas about how the AI should learn the coding style and logic of the best or most efficient programmer so that it can be standardised for everybody else. A similar idea is in fact aimed to be done with tsuin.ai as well, since the AI twin will be developed to have a company knowledge base of individual developers and teams on top of industry best practice knowledge. This way, it functions as a living knowledge base.

It was also great to talk to others about more personal things including university, living in different countries such as Japan, the UK and so on. I also talked to someone who was interested in using tsuin.ai in their business. 

Finally, the food offered at the event was fantastic, as I find Malaysian cuisine delicious. It was nice to be able to have dishes such as mee goreng, otak-otak, kuih bakar and more !

Food at the event

For me, this event helped me to see how networking happens and industry connections are built. It is something inspiring for the future.

SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025

On May 8, I went to SusHi Tech Tokyo. It was a great opportunity to talk with various other companies, share about tsuin.ai and learn about interesting new initiatives. I previously went to Takeoff Tokyo which was a similar event, so I had ideas of what I could expect there. I wrote about my experience at Takeoff Tokyo as well here.

When I arrived at SusHi Tech Tokyo, the first thing that stood out to me was the scale of the event. It was even larger than Takeoff Tokyo with more booths and people attending. The next thing I noticed was that the event was more international than I expected, which I found great. I could see booths for companies from Germany, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, Malaysia and more.

Booth of companies from France at SusHi Tech Tokyo

The first person I talked to at the event was Yuki Shirato. I participated in his interactive presentation about the Techstars accelerator programs. The audience was about 4 people, and we all introduced ourselves. I was the only person representing a start-up, so I was glad to be able to introduce tsuin.ai to the people there. The Techstars accelerator program was very interesting to learn about, as it is an incredible opportunity for founders of 12 selected start-ups to gain experience, learn and launch there business further. This is done with a 3 months bootcamp for founders, and an investment. Tsuin.ai has also already applied for this program.

With Yuki Shirato and Techstars Tokyo

As tsuin.ai is a Malaysian start-up, I decided to first talk to other start-ups from Malaysia at the event. Thus I went to the Malaysia booth run by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). One of the companies I talked with there was Boostorder, where I found out about the possibilities of sales automation through our conversation.

At the Boostorder and MDEC booth

Later on in the day, I went to the Switzerland booth to talk with a couple of companies that sparked my interest. One of them was CynLr, which researches and develops a robot capable of performing physical tasks such as picking up items. I approached the booth because it reminded me of a lecture I attended at another event previously, which discussed the developments and challenges of robots powered by AI that could recognise objects, fold towels and so on. I talked there with a researcher at CynLr, Dr. Michael Bombile. I learned that the concept of CynLr was slightly different from what I heard in the other lecture it initially reminded me of. This robot was not capable of recognising objects specifically, but it was could perform general operations on any objects such as picking it up and moving it. The concept therefore was to create a general purpose robot capable of performing those basic functions that can be adapted later on to various applications, through added "intelligence" such as the ability to differentiate objects or perform a pattern of the basic tasks. An analogy was made to developing personal computers which are capable of performing all kinds of basic tasks and operations so that it can be adapted to specific needs by installing applications. The robot is therefore like building such a computer. I thought this concept was very interesting.

With Dr. Michael Bombile from CynLr

Last but certainly not least, I had a great discussion with Cécile Maye, who is the CEO of AckTao. I wanted to find out more about AckTao because it seemed to be about technology for education, which is something I am interested in. After I introduced tsuin.ai, she explained AckTao to me, which is an educational program for raising awareness about cybersecurity. The educational philosophy is "learning by doing", so users get placed in various scenarios where they must answer questions on risks related to cybersecurity. It also has an AI that adjusts the level according to each user. I found this discussion inspiring, as I am thinking of making my own educational websites or applications as well, possibly one for learning languages. I thought that this kind of idea with interactive scenarios and AI powered level adaptation would be great to try to implement.

With Cécile Maye of AckTao

Takeoff Tokyo 2025 Experience

Hello, this is Kanta K. I would like to share about my experience going to the 2025 Takeoff Tokyo event as an intern with tsuin.ai. Takeoff Tokyo is an annual event featuring a wide variety of start-ups, investors, panel discussions and start-up pitches. I went there with the goal of hearing from the other start-ups and to network by having conversations and sharing information about tsuin.ai as well. Overall, it was a great experience and I would like to share some of the highlights here.

On the first day of the event, I arrived at Big Sight Tokyo where the event was held, and like the name of the venue suggests, it was a very big building with modern architecture. I found it fitting for an event featuring so many novel technologies and fascinating ideas !

Photo I took when I arrived at Big Sight Tokyo

When I arrived at the hall where Takeoff Tokyo was held, I started by talking with the Newell Road start-up. They are developing an artificial intelligence tool for market analysis and business insights to help businesses. What I found interesting was the way their connections to other institutions gave them access to data for the tool that allowed them to have a competitive edge over similar start-ups.

With Newell Road start-up

Through further conversations with other start-ups, I learned about uses for AI technology that I was previously unaware of. For example, I talked to a person who was working on an AI to help make dental impressions, collaborating with various dentists across Japan. 

I have the impression that when most people think about AI, it is likely they think of ones such as ChatGPT which individual users and consumers can access. However, what I found at Takeoff Tokyo was that there were many other AI tools that were geared towards businesses as well to perform a range of different functions from financial analysis and business insights to planning to become more environmentally friendly. Kurrant.ai is an example of the former and Green AI that of the latter.

With Kurrant.ai (left) and Green AI (right)

I found these to be exciting, because they present opportunities for collaboration between different start-ups in the future. By having conversations at an event like Takeoff Tokyo, I felt that I could be part of the path towards these collaborations. I find this to be one of the values of networking. When I explained about tsuin.ai to people from other start-ups, many of them took an interest, especially those who had experience with software development themselves, and said that they could see using tsuin.ai in their businesses too !

On my second day at Takeoff Tokyo, I had further interesting conversations. For example, there was an AI company called SWIRL which combined many different AI models into one and had impressive capabilities of being able to find and organise data from huge databases. In my conversation with them, they told me about their customers which includes Harvard University, who uses the tool for providing a chat bot to prospective students asking questions about applications to the university. Simultaneously, other customers used the tool for more business applications, where they could automate tasks using databases and drastically reduce the time it took.

With SWIRL

One thing that stood out to me was a discussion that I had with the founder of MusicMoney.ai. At first, I approached the booth because music is one of my hobbies and their slogan about music promotion using memes caught my eye. The idea was interesting, where musicians and their fans are able to promote their music using AI which generates promotion media from music and photo material that is provided to the AI by the artist themselves. He remarked that this was an ethical use of AI, because the generation does not make use of any stolen material used without consent. He is developing a tool called IPTO.AI as well, where users can submit media that they want to be used for training AI models. This way, it is paving the way for a more ethical future of AI where data rights are respected. I felt that this was a very important consideration and I appreciated his unique insights and ideas that I believe has lots of potential.

With MusicMoney.ai and IPTO.AI

Thank you for reading !