Introduction
At SmartHR, our mission is centered around the concept of “Well-Working, Well-Being”: solving societal issues surrounding work and creating a society where everyone can choose how they contribute. Our ultimate goal is to create a world that offers a comfortable workplace for all, fostering the health and well-being of every individual there. Through technology and innovation, we’re determined to transform the landscape of work in Japan, one step at a time.
The rapid evolution of AI, we believe, brings exciting opportunities to benefit our users. At the same time, as AI is still in its early stages, it must be used responsibly, with the right knowledge and ethical considerations, to prevent potential risks.
Guided by the principles outlined below and our desire to make working in Japan better for everyone through the use of technology, we are committed to the responsible development and usage of AI technology, while contributing to the healthy growth of the AI field itself.
Principle of Human-Centered AI
When designing, developing, and offering AI-powered services, our first and foremost principles is to prioritize people first. The services we provide are meant to assist humans in decision-making and play a role in expanding the limits of what is possible. For example, drawing on a wide range of data including employee skills, characteristics, performance, and career histories, AI technology could suggest optimal choices from a multitude of potential combinations, far beyond what a human could process. Through AI-driven services, we aim to empower individuals to make more informed decisions, unleash their creativity, and help create workplaces where people are able to choose how they can contribute.
Principles of AI Education and Literacy
We aim to continuously gather insights on AI’s technological advancements, societal impact, and emerging challenges to ensure the responsible development of our services. Moreover, we are committed to fostering long-term expertise in AI, ensuring that our team members have the knowledge and ethical awareness necessary for the responsible design, development, and application of AI technologies.
Principle of Privacy Protection
We will comply with Japan’s Personal Information Protection Act and all other relevant laws when developing and operating AI-powered services. In addition, we will handle customer data with the utmost care, ensuring that individual rights, dignity, and privacy are never compromised. Our internal policies and ethical standards guide us in embedding privacy protections from the earliest stages of service design and development.
Principle of Ensuring Security
To safeguard user data and prevent AI-related security risks (such as personal information leaks), we will aim to implement rigorous security measures and comprehensive information management practices. In addition, we will aim to continuously assess AI-related risks and implement appropriate security measures to prevent cybersecurity threats.
Principle of Respect for Fairness
We aim to ensure that any and all individuals are treated fairly in the planning, development, and provision of AI-powered services. AI-based recommendations rely on data, and if that data is biased, the outcomes may be unfair in some cases. To prevent such issues, we will aim to regularly assess data for biases and make necessary adjustments. We also ensure that the data used in our AI solutions is sufficient and that AI models are designed to support fair decision-making.
Principles of Transparency and Accountability
We believe that the basis for any decisions made by AI should be transparent. Whenever AI makes a proposal or recommendation, we aim to provide clear explanations for its reasoning. Guided by this policy, we leverage AI to help people focus on meaningful work and foster an "Employee First" culture where employees and businesses can trust each other and work together productively. These principles reflect our commitment to responsible AI use, and we pledge to adhere to them while actively sharing the outcomes of our AI initiatives publicly.
At the same time, we do not intend to make this policy static. As technology evolves, society changes, and AI regulations develop, we will continue refining and improving it.