Konosuke Matsushita, who founded Panasonic in 1918 at the age of 24 in Osaka, is celebrated as Japan's 'god of management' and transformed the company into a global electronics leader.

Under his leadership, Panasonic pioneered innovations such as rice cookers and video recorders, earning Matsushita a spot on the cover of Time magazine in 1962.

As the number of individuals trained directly by Matsushita has declined, Panasonic has turned to generative AI technology to preserve and share his management philosophy.

In collaboration with the University of Tokyo-affiliated Matsuo Institute, Panasonic has developed an AI clone of Matsushita, utilizing his writings, speeches, and over 3,000 voice recordings.

This initiative aims to convey Matsushita's management approach to current and future employees, reinforcing Panasonic's Basic Management Policy.

The AI is designed to assist users in making management decisions reflective of Matsushita's views, raising discussions about the role of AI in corporate leadership.

In a demonstration, the AI avatar suggested that living a good life involves maintaining a youthful spirit filled with hope, echoing Matsushita's optimistic philosophy.

The digital representation of Matsushita aims to impart his wisdom to future generations who never had the chance to meet him in person.

Panasonic sees generative AI as a means to explore traditional research questions and foster interdisciplinary research, enhancing its overall AI expertise.

This initiative complements Panasonic's investments in electric vehicle batteries, hydrogen energy, and workplace digitalization, further solidifying its commitment to innovation.

Reviving Matsushita through AI aligns with Japanese cultural practices of revering ancestors, and it does not raise concerns about being perceived as creepy.

The development of AI avatars for historical figures is part of a broader trend, with similar projects like an AI Buddha and an AI Jesus emerging in recent years.