IBM taps into ‘Steins;Gate,’ promoting cognitive computing in Japan

We live in a world where technology is prevalent in our everyday lives. If you take public transportation, like the DC Metro, you can purchase a card that stores credit. The advancement in mobile technology allow us to perform many functions with the tap on our smart phone or tablet computer. Purchasing items is relatively easier with the RedLaser app, which lets us scan barcodes of items to find other stores offering the same things for a lower price.

If you want to grow your business or organization, embracing technology is the way to go.

In the United States, on a political level, the TEA Party created a strong presence on the Internet due to the contributions of the late-Andrew Breitbart. Social media and online networking were center stage in the 2008 and 2012 US Presidential Elections.

Our personal entertainment has changed and enhanced because of technology.

We can cut the cord the pricey TV-subscription service thanks to the Internet. For example, Sony is offering Playstation Vue, which is a cloud-based TV alternative to cable and satellite. You can watch live streaming TV on your Playstation 3, Playstation 4, and Apple iPad.

If you have a compatible mobile device, you can watch content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, Viki, Crunchyroll, DramaFever, FUNimation, CBS, CW, and Crackle.

IBM, understanding the importance of advanced technology, has promoted this concept called “cognitive computing.” This concept promotes the unity of artificial intelligence and actual human intelligence.

IBM Watson is the first computer created for cognitive computing. Forbes reported that a $100 million initiative is in place for Africa, where Watson will be implemented. The plan will last 10 years. Under Project Lucy, the name of this plan, brings together people from many fields with the plan on improving Africa’s conditions.

Cognitive computing is not limited to Africa though.

IBM is promoting the concept across the world. While Africa will be using Watson, Japan will be receiving a next-generation cognitive computing lab. IBM has taken notice of anime being one of the country’s most popular domestic and exported commodities.

It tapped into the popularity of Steins;Gate, which aired from April 2011 until September 2011 for 24 episodes and one OVA. Unless you watch anime, let alone Steins;Gate, you would not understand the significance of that cross-promotion.

For everybody else that don’t understand, one of the anime’s plot devices is an IBN 5100, which is a play on the IBM 5100. Chaos;Head, the loose prequel, makes a slight mention of the IBN 5100.

5pb, the studio behind Steins;Gate, and IBM Japan joined together tocreate the mini-series Steins;Gate – The Sagacious Wisdom of Cognitive Computing. The mini-series, split into four parts, has the members of Future Gadgets Laboratory discussing the importance of computers improving people’s lives.

Steins;Gate fans can appreciate the comedy of Rintaro Okabe, who still tries to act like a deranged mad scientist.

Part one, “Cooking,” introduces Oopa, the mascot of IBM Japan’s Cognitive Computing. They use Oopa to learn how to make fried chicken. Unfortunately, the lab does not have the ingredients to create fried chicken. Oopa saves the day by coming up with different dishes they can make with the ingredients they have.

They end up making chocolate burritos.

Part two, “Navigation,” uses an AI-version of Oopa. Okabe and Makise, having a romantic spat, walk their separate ways. They both use Oopa to find a way back to the lab, with Okabe instructing Oopa to navigate a way back without bumping into Makise.

Part three, “Fashion,” has Makise using Oopa to find a new wardrobe for Okabe and Daru.

Part four, “Meeting,” has the group using Oopa to find a new location for Future Gadgets Laboratory after the group is handed an eviction notice for being too noisy.

The series is one of the examples of international companies tapping into anime to promote their products to the Japanese market. IBM Japan also streamed a live video promoting cognitive computing.

Keep in mind that this video is in Japanese with no foreign-language text. In the case of this video, cognitive computing will be used in most aspects of work. That includes serving meals to customers and recommending certain dishes to them.

If you enjoy Steins;Gate, check out Steins;Gate – The Sagacious Wisdom of Cognitive Computing.

The story of Steins;Gate, adapted from the original visual novel, explores “theoretical science” using the theme of time travel. Steins;Gate takes place one year after Chaos;Head. As Chaos;Head takes place in Shibuya,Steins;Gate takes place in Akihabara. Okabe, with ‘Mobile Microwave’ invention, discovers one method of time travel by sending text messages to the past.

SERN, an organization that is already sending humans back in time, learns of the invention and sets to kill Okabe and everybody else associated with Future Gadgets. Steins;Gate is like The Butterfly Effectwith text messages.

Robotics;Notes, the sequel to Steins;Gate, takes place 10 years later. The setting is Tanegashima and the theme is “augmented science,” with the focus on robotics.