Hitachi and Microsoft Enter Milestone Agreement to Accelerate Business and Social Innovation with Generative AI
4.6.2024 04:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) and Microsoft Corporation announced a projected multi-billion dollar collaboration over the next three years, that will accelerate social innovation with generative AI. Through this strategic alliance, Hitachi will propel growth of the Lumada business, with a planned revenue of 2.65 trillion yen (18.9 billion USD)*1 in FY2024, and will promote operational efficiency and productivity improvements for Hitachi Group’s 270 thousand employees.
Specifically, Hitachi will embed the Microsoft cloud, Azure Open AI Service, Dynamics 365, Copilot for Microsoft 365, and GitHub Copilot into Lumada solutions to provide innovative solutions for the energy, mobility and other industries to deliver better outcomes for businesses and society. In addition, the two companies will promote joint projects to address pressing business needs such as bolstering cloud services, enhancing security, and mitigating the environmental footprint of data centers, which have become an increasing area of focus with the growing use of generative AI.
“Hitachi has been driving transformation by applying AI across the Hitachi Group to improve productivity and will invest 300 billion yen (2.1 billion USD)*1 in GenAI to capture new growth opportunities in FY2024. Hitachi and Microsoft have already been working on a variety of co-creation projects including the development of next-generation digital solutions for the manufacturing and logistics fields*2, and the development of a field-extended metaverse that runs on Microsoft Teams,” said Keiji Kojima, President and CEO of Hitachi. “Under this new agreement, we are excited to further accelerate social innovation by expanding our efforts to social infrastructure areas such as energy and mobility, and by applying generative AI, to improve the productivity of frontline workers, which will become even more important in the future. By combining our capabilities, we can help solve the issues faced by our customers and society, and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
“We are entering a new era of AI with the promise to deliver transformative business outcomes across every role and industry,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “Our expanded partnership with Hitachi will bring together the power of the Microsoft Cloud – including Microsoft Copilot – with Hitachi’s industry expertise to improve the productivity of 270,000 Hitachi employees and help address customers’ biggest challenges, including sustainability.”
Hitachi’s Business Transformation
Hitachi’s Generative AI Center*3 and Microsoft will collaborate to improve operational efficiency and application development within the Hitachi Group by using Copilot for Microsoft 365 and GitHub Copilot. Hitachi will also use Azure OpenAI Service to enhance its customer service. As part of Hitachi’s group-wide transformation, Hitachi will combine Azure OpenAI Service and GitHub Copilot with its systems development expertise to maintain high quality and improve productivity for mission-critical system development. Hitachi’s internal validation confirmed that when its detailed system design knowledge was incorporated with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and GitHub Copilot, the application source code could be properly generated 70-90% of the time, resulting in high quality output.*4
Hitachi Rail is leveraging GenAI for predictive maintenance, enhancing equipment monitoring and refining forecast accuracy. This proactive approach prevents breakdowns, increases service quality, reduces operating expenses, and augments safety. For example, a cloud-based platform on Microsoft Azure was utilized to streamline data visualization and analysis, empowered by AI to furnish data-driven insights to digitally monitor rail infrastructure. These insights were translated into actionable steps for Network Rail, enhancing decision-making for predictive maintenance of overhead lines.
Develop innovative digital solutions
Hitachi is enhancing its Lumada solutions by incorporating the capability of generative AI. As part pf the initiative, Hitachi has already started to use Microsoft’s Generative AI for JP1 Cloud Services, a SaaS version of JP1, its integrated operations management software with approximately 20 thousand customers. This will accelerate response times to address failures, and enable improved operational efficiencies for IT departments, financial and public institutions. In an internal verification test conducted earlier, Hitachi confirmed that the time required for the operator to make an initial response to an alert was reduced to approximately two-thirds by using generated AI to respond to the alert and displaying the source of the citation, such as a manual, that provided the basis for the response.
In addition to this, Hitachi and Microsoft will also support the energy transition with improved access to and strengthening of digital solutions for asset performance management, energy trading, and risk management to reduce downtime and increase profitability. Increased computing power and cloud infrastructure are both critical to scaling these applications. Hitachi Energy’s Enterprise Software Solutions technology and its partnership with Microsoft is key to optimizing the energy network, from generation, through transmission and distribution, and ultimately in delivering reliable and sustainable energy to customers.
Joint projects to promote sustainable growth
Multiple Hitachi Group Companies including GlobalLogic, Hitachi Digital Services, and Hitachi Solutions, deliver a wide range of digital engineering, IT & managed services, and application services for the cloud. Additional development efforts through this partnership will focus on enhancing this broad range of services with the aim of sustainable innovation with Microsoft.
As the impact of CO2 emissions from AI on the global environment increases, Hitachi and Microsoft will work toward zero carbon, starting with a data center project in Europe, to reduce environmental impact.
Strengthen digital skilling and talent development
Hitachi will train more than 50 thousand GenAI Professionals. As part of the partnership, Hitachi will incorporate training to acquire advanced software development skills using GitHub Copilot and Azure OpenAI Service into the program to develop GenAI Professional, talents who support customers’ transformation using AI.
*1 | Forecast as of April 26, 2024, calculated at 140 yen to the U.S. dollar. |
*2 | Hitachi News Release (June 26, 2020) “Hitachi and Microsoft form a strategic alliance to advance next-generation digital solutions for manufacturing and logistics across Southeast Asia, North America and Japan” |
*3 | Hitachi News Release (May 15, 2023) “Hitachi Establishes New ‘Generative AI Center’ to Accelerate Value Creation and Improve Productivity in the Lumada business by promoting the use of Generative AI” |
*4 | Hitachi News Release (May 21, 2024)“Hitachi to Accelerate System Development Transformation with Generative AI" |
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers’ and society’s challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.
About Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240603649131/en/
Contact information
Media Contacts
Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications for Microsoft, (425) 638-7777,
rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com
Corporate Communications, Digital Systems & Services, Hitachi, Ltd.
koho@itg.hitachi.co.jp
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Regnology Completes Acquisition of Moody’s Regulatory Reporting & Asset and Liability Management (ALM) Solutions5.5.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
Regnology, a global provider at the intersection of regulatory, risk, finance and supervisory technology, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Moody’s Regulatory Reporting & ALM Solutions business. The transaction expands Regnology’s solution portfolio with Moody’s comprehensive capabilities covering Basel III compliance, IFRS 9 impairment, large‑bank asset and liability management (ALM), Solvency II insurance reporting, and prudential and statistical regulatory reporting. The transaction closes at a pivotal inflection point. Financial institutions face intensifying regulatory scrutiny, growing data complexity, and rising expectations for governance and auditability, while advances in artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities to modernize control frameworks and operating models. Regnology is responding by accelerating its Straight-Through Reporting (STR) vision and leveraging the combined capabilities of the transaction to deliver more resilient, transparen
AB InBev Reports First Quarter 2026 Results5.5.2026 08:02:00 EEST | Press release
Anheuser-Busch InBev (Brussel:ABI) (BMV:ANB) (JSE:ANH) (NYSE:BUD): This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260504526109/en/ Regulated information1 “Cheers to beer - the strength of the category and the consistent execution of our consumer-centric strategy drove continued momentum across our footprint. We are investing behind our megabrands and innovations to lead and grow the category. With strong execution by our teams and major moments of celebration ahead, we are well positioned for 2026.” – Michel Doukeris, CEO, AB InBev Revenue +5.8% Revenue increased by 5.8% with revenue per hl growth of 4.5%. Reported revenue increased by 12.0% to 15 267 million USD, positively impacted by currency translation. 8.2% increase in combined revenues of megabrands, led by Corona, which grew by 16% outside of its home market. 27% increase in revenue of no-alcohol beer. 37% increase in revenue of Beyond Beer. 55% increase in Gross Mer
Kerecis Drives the Fish-Skin Conversation at Leading European Wound Conference - EWMA-DEWU 20264.5.2026 21:25:00 EEST | Press release
Kerecis, the company pioneering the use of sustainably sourced intact fish skin in cellular therapy and tissue regeneration, will play a prominent scientific and educational role at the EWMA‑DEWU 2026 Conference, taking place May 6–8 at the Messe & Congress Centrum Bremen in Bremen, Germany. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260504487743/en/ MariCell® Solid This year, The European Wound Management Association's (EWMA) meeting is held in conjunction with the Deutscher Wundkongress (DEWU); combining two major wound-care congresses into a single forum for scientific exchange, education, and clinical discussion. At this year’s conference, Kerecis will highlight growing clinical experience with intact fish‑skin grafts across a broad range of wound indications, supported by two Kerecis‑led scientific symposia, multiple oral and poster presentations, and direct engagement with clinicians at Booth D30, located adjacent
Printing the Future of Medicine: CTIBIOTECH™ Announces $27 Million Investment to Launch U.S. Operations at the SelectUSA Investment Summit4.5.2026 21:00:00 EEST | Press release
CTIBIOTECH™, a pioneering Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) and global leader in 3D bioprinting of human tissues, today officially announces the launch of its North American subsidiary, CTIBIOTECH USA™. The official launch took place today at the prestigious SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260504107996/en/ From Biopsy to Breakthrough, CTIBIOTECH USA™'s Vision for Precision Medicine Operating from its new United States base in the thriving life sciences “Cellicon Valley” hub of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in association with BioLabs for Advanced Therapeutics, CTIBIOTECH USA™ will provide the company's proprietary human cell and tissue bioassays and New Approach Methods (NAMs) directly to North American pharmaceutical, biomedical, and dermatocosmetics markets. By producing and supplying these cutting-edge human bioassays domesti
Kubota Vision Inc. Signs Supply and Licensing Agreement with Laboratoires KÔL for Stargardt Disease Treatment Candidate Under Compassionate Use4.5.2026 18:16:00 EEST | Press release
Kubota Vision Inc. (“Kubota Vision”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan) announced signing of a Supply and Licensing Agreement with Laboratoires KÔL (Clermont-Ferrand, France) for the provision of a Stargardt disease (STGD1) treatment candidate under compassionate use authorization. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260414590785/en/ The purpose of this Agreement is for Kubota Vision and KÔL to collaborate on providing “Emixustat” for treatment of Stargardt Disease (STGD1) through compassionate use authorization in France. Kubota Vision will exclusively manufacture and supply Emixustat final products to KÔL and KÔL will have exclusive rights to distribute Emixustat in France under compassionate use access. Ryo Kubota, Chairman, President, and CEO of Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings, stated, “We are extremely pleased to enter into this Agreement with Labor
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom