Blab [Interview] Research on an AI Chatbot That Helps Families Living Apart Share “Positive Experiences” and Boost Their “Sense of Happiness” The 30th installment of the Neurodiversity Interview Series features the work of Professor Tomi Hiroi of the Department of Robotics Engineering, School of Robotics and Design Engineering, Osaka Institute of Technology: “Research on AI Conversational Robots That Help Families Living Apart Share ‘Positive Experiences’ and Enhance Their Sense of Happiness.”
https://neuro-diversity.world/report/interview_2026_hiroi/
Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVAS
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”
