ZEALS and Matsuo Institute Announce a Proof of Concept to Develop Chat Commerce GPT

Tokyo, Japan, April 21, 2023 – ZEALS Co., Ltd. (ZEALS) announced a strategic partnership with Matsuo Institute, an organization which collaborates closely with the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo Lab, in advancing AI technologies and delivering practical applications. The two companies will conduct a proof of concept (PoC) to develop “Chat Commerce GPT” through this partnership.

Delivering tangible business results via “Chat Commerce GPT”

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has recently garnered significant interest across various industries. This highlights the rapid advancements and growing prevalence of natural language processing and artificial intelligence technologies in today’s society.

Since the launch of Chat Commerce*1 in 2016, ZEALS has focused on developing artificial intelligence capable of delivering tangible business results.
Although the company has achieved improved efficiency of its Chat Commerce capabilities through the usage of Large Language Models like GPT, it has decided to conduct this PoC to further scale the technology to various industries. The PoC combines ZEALS’ extensive experience with Chat Commerce with Matsuo Institute’s deep expertise in artificial intelligence.

Examples of Offerings

Utilizing Zero-Party Data*2 with GPT
By leveraging Zero-Party Data gathered through Chat Commerce, companies can accurately detect user intentions, optimize product proposals, and implement post-purchase follow-ups – contributing to increased conversion rates and higher customer lifetime value.

Conversation Optimization through Prompt Engineering
Constant training and iteration of the prompts that guide the GPT model will further optimize each Chat Commerce use case for every company and industry. This will in turn give companies better control over the conversational design process.

Building the Model via Fine-Tuning and Language Chains
Fine-tuning the model itself is an effective means of optimizing the use of the GPT for specific tasks. Using language chains to solve real-time information issues that arise during fine-tuning enables the creation of the optimal model.

Comment from Yutaka Matsuo, Expert Advisor at Matsuo Institute

Large Language Models like ChatGPT are rapidly advancing, as evidenced by their recent proliferation. As a result, we can expect these technologies to become increasingly prevalent in society, including in Japan, with startups playing a crucial role in their dissemination. As Large Language Models continue to mature, we anticipate numerous use cases in areas such as commerce, which will have a profound impact on society. We are excited to collaborate with Zeals to create an unparalleled Chat Commerce user experience that has never been seen before. 

Comment from Shinji Suzuki, Director at Matsuo Institute

Matsuo Institute is dedicated to leveraging the latest academic research and collaborating with industry partners to develop practical applications of cutting-edge technologies. Our mission is to foster an innovation spiral that facilitates seamless cooperation between academia and the private sector.
In our partnership with ZEALS, we aim to enhance the customer experience by utilizing Large Language Models like ChatGPT, which has garnered significant attention in recent times. By swiftly implementing these advanced technologies, we strive to maximize their impact on society and drive positive change.

Comment from Masa Shimizu, CEO at ZEALS

“Create a “Doraemon” for everyone.” “The power of human communication combined with machines will create an industrial revolution.”
Since 2015, ZEALS has been developing robots with these ideas in mind. In 2016, we shifted our focus towards chatbots, released Chat Commerce, and continued to iterate on applications of technologies like LLMs.
Recently, I had the privilege of witnessing the launch of OpenAI’s new plugin at their San Francisco office and was amazed to see the vision that many thought was impossible finally becoming a tangible reality. ZEALS is committed to leading the way in bringing this technological breakthrough to society. We are confident that we can achieve this with the support of Matsuo Institute and others that share our vision.

Comment from Ryuta Endo, COO at ZEALS

We believe that the ability to leverage generative AI will become a key factor of success for all companies moving forward. We have seen some promising results with the implementation of Large Language Models in-house, and we are thrilled about the potential impact “Chat Commerce GPT” can bring to various industries. We are determined to deliver tangible business results through the proof of concept with Matsuo Institute – by first understanding the goals and challenges of each of the companies we work with.

Contact Information
https://chatcommerce.zeals.co.jp/gpt/contact/

Please contact ZEALS’ generative AI department for any inquiries about “Chat Commerce GPT” or the proof of concept with Matsuo Institute. 

*1　About Chat Commerce　https://Chat Commerce.zeals.co.jp/en/
ZEALS, a trailblazer in the industry, is leading the way in the adoption of Chat Commerce solutions for major enterprises across a diverse range of industries, such as cosmetics, food, human resources, education, telecommunications, automobiles, finance, real estate, fashion, and entertainment. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous brands have accelerated their efforts to enhance their online presence, boosting ZEALS’ growth and cementing its position as the top conversational commerce provider in Japan.

*2　About Zero-Party Data
Zero-party Data, also known as explicit data, is a term coined by Forrester Research that refers to data that a customer intentionally and proactively shares with a brand. This can include preference centers, purchase intentions, personal context, and how the individual wants the brand to recognize them.

About Matsuo Institute　 http://matsuo-institute.com/
The Matsuo Institute, an organization formed to foster an “ecosystem” centered around innovative universities, collaborates closely with Matsuo Lab in the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo. The Institute’s primary objective is to identify practical applications for the technological research carried out at Matsuo Lab. By engaging in such endeavors, the Institute seeks to bolster Japan’s industrial competitiveness.

Company Overview  https://zeals.ai/jp/en/
Company Name: ZEALS Co., Ltd.
Date of establishment: April 1, 2014
Location: Arco Tower 6F, 1-8-1 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
President: Masa Shimizu
Description of business: Chat Commerce