CXOToday Interview with Mr. Manoj Nair, Head of India Global Delivery Center, Fujitsu
- What is Fujitsu’s current strategic direction and focus on the tech industry?
Manoj Nair: As one of the global leaders in technology solutions, we are fully committed to providing cutting-edge services and solutions to our customers across every region and every sector of the economy.
Through Fujitsu Uvance, we are combining technologies that Fujitsu has developed over the years and pairing it with insights into various industries and stimulating cross-industry cooperation to deliver completely new solution strategies and businesses. What is even more transformative is that by tapping into seven key focus areas focused on maximizing societal impact through technology foundation, we are turbocharging sustainable transformation and at the same time creating new markets that did not exist before.
For instance, through reduction of environmental impact associated with mobility and transportation, we are creating communities and societies where people can lead healthier lives.
In terms of our tech focus – we are heavily focused on 5 key technologies supporting Fujitsu Uvance – AI that creates new value leading to transformation of society and businesses, Computing, Networking – which processes large data volumes in real-time, Data & Security – building autonomous distributed systems through digital trust and Converging technologies. Earlier in April we also launched Fujitsu Kozuchi (code name) – our AI platform to fuel business development by providing AI innovation components.
- Can you share some insights into Fujitsu’s key innovations or upcoming projects?
Manoj Nair: With the growing digital shift, demand for energy and sustainable solutions has seen an uptick and now more than ever there is an ever-increasing need for energy-efficient solutions. Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has launched an ambitious initiative that aims to achieve energy savings of 40% or more in data centers domestically by 2030. Our R&D Unit in India works majorly at AI and Deep Learning Framework Level of Software Engineering for the MONAKA Processor. Fujitsu’s MONAKA is a 2 nanometer Arm CPU slated to be launched in 2027 and will focus majorly on energy efficient solution to meet the carbon neutrality goals for green data center super-computing facility. Fujitsu designs its own microarchitecture which is a key factor for CPU performance and power efficiency.
Another key highlight is Ekimatopeia, that was recently showcased at Japan Mobility Show. As part of our commitment to improve people’s wellbeing through Fujitsu Uvance, Ekimatopeia system uses AI to visualize environmental sounds, such as station announcements and the sound of trains running, as text, sign language, and onomatopoeia. The solution helps people with hearing impairment visualize ambient noises in stations. The solution also aims to contribute to the realization of safer and more secure travel experience for rail passengers and to promote mutual understanding of DE&I (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).
- How is Fujitsu implementing or working with emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing?
Manoj Nair: We are now living in an innovation economy – the massive shift to Generative AI has transformed every facet of computing. And with Gen AI, the pace of innovation has picked up just in the last six months. In line with this trend, Fujitsu Limited launched technology to automatically generate new AI solutions specific to customers’ business needs. By leveraging large language models (LLMs), organizations can reduce time required for AI model creation by a whopping 95% and meet specific business requirements.
Quantum computers that are capable of exponentially faster computation compared to conventional computers, have gained significant mainstream attention, and have several use cases spanning from drug discovery to genomic medicine and materials explorations. At Fujitsu, we are accelerating the practical application of quantum computers in both hardware and software.
Additionally, in the arena of motorsports, Fujitsu aims to develop technologies that not only maximize performance to help teams win in some of the world’s toughest races, but also enrich the viewing experience for fans, boost audience engagement, and promote sustainable race management. Fujitsu will further utilize the technology and knowledge gained through this initiative to realize a safe and secure transportation society and smart cities.
We are also proud to partner with the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) team and leverage our AI technology to support the development of their new video analysis system. The newly developed system will allow TGR to adapt to continuously evolving racing conditions based on video data from vehicle-mounted cameras.
- Share some insights on how Fujitsu is empowering global business solutions.
Manoj Nair: With the launch of Fujitsu Uvance as a global business brand designed to contribute to the resolution of societal challenges by addressing sustainability as a business, not simply as an activity within the company, we have strengthened our vision and mission towards making change and creating impact across the globe.
From supply chain to zero emission vehicles, and secure trading of water to enabling post offices, Fujitsu uses technology to help our customers to navigate through daily life. Our capabilities include everything from AI, Quantum Computing, Blockchain, Social digital twin, etc. to harness innovations and continue with providing high-quality delivery to our customers.
One such example is how Fujitsu is working closely with WBCSD towards utilization of our Digital Twin solution and understand the impact on a near real-time basis and encourage best practice adoption between states and local counties.
Additionally, we are also leveraging blockchain through tex.tracer – a new supply chain transparency platform for the apparel industry. Over 28 fashion brands use tex.tracer as transparent fashion ecosystem. The platform helps verify coherency of all information; captures all data in one place making reporting easy hence reducing compliance burden; and provides a dashboard so that access to all gathered information can be used for further analysis and business improvement by the brands.
Another area where Blockchain is being leveraged is Botanical Water Technologies (BWT) which needed a blockchain platform to support its boldly ambitious Botanical Water Exchange (BWX), that enables the transparent, secure trading of water. Fujitsu is helping meet this goal with its robust, private, and permissioned blockchain-based platform, supported by global 24/7 support. The new platform relies on the FUJITSU Track and Trust service, which uses blockchain technology to ensure end-to-end transparency and traceability of processes. The solution helped in getting total visibility of refinement, sales, purchase, delivery, and usage for BWT while also delivering a real-time view of production, including weighbridges, pumps, and monitoring.
- Can you provide some insights into Fujitsu’s initiatives and community involvement?
At Fujitsu, our purpose is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. Staying true to our global responsible business activities, the India leadership and employees are committed to give back to the community around us. We are committed to minimizing our carbon footprint, diminishing the environmental impacts by driving a significant reduction in operational complexities.
Over the last year, over 20,000 volunteers have participated in various activities on and off-campus to support our journey towards sustainability.
We recently conducted a biodiversity survey at our Pune campus and the report is a testament to our belief to do good for society at large inclusive of all flora and fauna. We are working towards being mindful of and integrating environmental considerations into developmental projects. With over 570 trees planted, Fujitsu Pune campus has a 31.3% green cover, which is close to the national target of 33% green cover. We will take all necessary steps to surpass the national target with our internal stakeholder and our partners. Over 60% of the area in the Pune campus in open space (green cover and open spaces). Total Carbon stored in trees at Fujitsu Consulting India, Pune campus was 62.57 tons and the total Carbon sequestered in trees at Fujitsu Consulting India, Pune campus is 1.251 tons. It gives me immense pride to state that Fujitsu Pune campus is home to 84 species of plants, 35 species of butterflies, 31 species of birds, 3 species of reptiles, and 1 species of amphibians. Our rich biodiversity showcases the positive impact that our initiatives have created over time. We have set up a butterfly garden wherein various types of butterflies have made a habitat on our campus.
“Some of the key initiatives have also helped in reducing our waste. We have set up an EV charging station in the Pune campus along with a cycle stand which also helps in ensuring holistic wellness for all. Our OWC helps in managing the waste from our canteen facilities as organic manure for our 4-acre-garden areas. 30% of the campus is powered by solar energy.
We work closely with our NGO partners to help solve societal challenges and our employees are our biggest source of motivation. We have volunteered in various activities with several NGO partners and government and local authorities to bring a smile to people’s faces. We recently also donated equipment for rainwater harvesting to a local school. In partnership with a partner, we have launched a Mobile Health Unit (MHU), which over the last two years has treated over 5000 patients. As a part of the MHU, we offer holistic healthcare facilities to the community around us. We aim to bring about domain-agnostic change to society and create positive environmental impact.
- What are the biggest challenges you foresee in the tech industry, and how is Fujitsu getting prepared to address them?
Manoj Nair: One of the biggest questions posed when Gen AI emerged on the scene was how one could ascertain if the system is providing accurate information. At Fujitsu, in collaboration with Israel’s Ben Gurion University, we have found a solution that can help businesses and individual users alike to evaluate the reliability of responses generated replies from conversational AI systems. The key part is that businesses aim to implement the technology in actual operations and elevate AI trustworthiness of systems.
Another key challenge is that the rise of generative AI tools has also necessitated the need for reskilling. A skills-first talent strategy is crucial for the long-term resilience in a world where jobs keep evolving with the growing impact of AI on work. Now more than ever, there needs to be a focus on future-readying the workforce and talent – our building blocks. This entails retraining existing staff on core deep technologies such as Generative AI, deep learning and even cybersecurity. In addition, we are also running managerial training courses that help managers learn how to build effective teams and gauge the skills of potential employees during interviews. For instance, by understanding employees’ interests and skills, managers can make informed decisions regarding project assignments.
Another area which is challenging is that to build scalable architecture, large enterprises must build a modular, flexible IT architecture that can adapt to future challenges. For instance, simplifying the data and application landscape can help drive flexibility. In addition, embedding strong cybersecurity practices across data and platform layers can help organizations stay resilient.
