SMBC Group and AVITA Sign Agreement to Explore Collaboration Utilizing Avatar and AI Technologies

SMBC Group and AVITA Enter Basic Agreement to Jointly Explore New Business Opportunities Leveraging Avatar and AI Technologies

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (Group CEO: Jun Ohta; hereinafter collectively referred to as “SMBC Group”) and AVITA Inc. (CEO: Hiroshi Ishiguro; hereinafter “AVITA”) have signed a basic agreement to begin evaluating potential business collaboration that utilizes avatar and AI technologies (the “Agreement”).

1. Background and Purpose of the Agreement

Currently Japan faces significant social challenges, including a declining labor force. While many companies struggle with workforce shortages, a substantial number of individuals—such as seniors, people with disabilities, and those engaged in childcare or nursing care—wish to work but face barriers that prevent them from doing so. Japan’s labor productivity also remains low compared to other advanced economies.

Avatar and AI technologies have the potential to help people overcome psychological, physical, temporal, and spatial constraints, enabling new and more productive ways of working regardless of location or circumstance. As society continues to digitalize, these technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role, presenting new business opportunities with high growth potential.

AVITA is led by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering Science, who has over 20 years of experience in robotics and avatar research. Under its corporate vision, “Evolving Humanity with Avatars,” AVITA aims to create a society where diverse individuals can contribute meaningfully. Through collaborations with various companies, AVITA continues to advance the social implementation of avatar technologies. Its business initiatives include the development and operation of the remote avatar customer service platform AVACOM, AI avatar training services utilizing ChatGPT, avatar worker staffing, and custom avatar production for enterprises and municipalities.

Going forward, SMBC Group and AVITA aim to combine SMBC Group’s extensive customer base and business expertise with AVITA’s advanced technological capabilities to create new social value. Together, the two organizations will explore “warm and human-centered DX” that fosters new forms of connection between people and society through avatar and AI technologies.

2. Company Profiles