Nakano:It's not that it's impossible, but if an individual takes on the job, it will definitely not be profitable. Large companies with a massive library of templates are much stronger in this regard. Such companies can typically create a standard website in about three days. Even if a freelancer creates a website in about ten days, at a rate of 10,000 yen per day, it would cost 100,000 yen. Therefore, even if you ask an individual to create a website, it will still take a considerable amount of time and money, even if the web designer is fully aware of all the technical requirements. In that case, it seems better to choose a mid-sized company that can take on the job for around 20,000 to 30,000 yen, as there are many such companies available.
Hatori：Do you think there are companies that host their web servers in-house? As for me, I believe mid-sized companies often have their own web servers hosted internally.
Nakano：No, I don't think companies host their web servers in-house anymore. Virtual Machines (VMs) are much more convenient. They don't take up physical space and there's no risk of hardware failure. One of the biggest advantages of using AWS is the reliability. Even if a machine in the server center breaks down, AWS can seamlessly move the data to another functioning machine.
If a company were to host their web server internally, they would need to own around ten computers to ensure redundancy in case one breaks down, which is impractical. With VMs, if something goes wrong, it can be automatically restored to the previous state immediately. Also, when exposing data to the public, significant security measures are necessary. AWS and GCP handle security on their end. As long as you don’t make any mistakes on your part, they protect against external attacks, which is a huge advantage.
Another benefit is not having to monitor the servers. I once took on a project to build physical servers in-house, and it required 24-hour monitoring. For a corporate site, if a server crashes, you can usually recover it in the morning when you come to the office. However, for a 24-hour user full-service, this is not feasible.
Hatori：What kind of companies do you think will grow in the future? For example, according to recent reports, NVIDIA has become the world's most valuable company by market capitalization. It seems like companies that sell CPUs, such as AMD or Intel, could also be good choices.
Nakano：
I'm not very knowledgeable about this, but it seems that modern AI utilizes the technology of graphics cards. The way computational processing is done in computers is fundamentally different from how AI processes calculations.
Hatori：Isn't it possible to use multiple CPUs for calculations?
Nakno:No, the technology of CPUs and graphics cards is fundamentally different. A CPU processes each task sequentially, while a GPU excels at parallel processing, performing the same task simultaneously. In simple terms, a CPU handles serial processing, whereas a GPU handles parallel processing. GPUs can tackle a massive number of challenges at the same time, running a specified question a hundred million or a billion times in parallel to get closer to the answer.
Hatori：How do you work and what type of PCs do you use while working?
Ultimately, the software that requires the most power at home is games. Game development involves running power-intensive processes while simultaneously handling various background tasks, so you need a high-spec PC, typically one designed for gaming, to handle it all.
Hatori：What kind of software and systems do you think will emerge in the future? I believe material handling technology will advance significantly. For example, imagine a customer placing an order on a website, and the system automatically retrieves the product from the warehouse, prints the shipping label, packages it, and even loads it onto the truck. I'm currently considering such software and systems. However, the initial investment for this would likely be quite high.
Nakno：Not just in such systems, but I think humans may stop working altogether. If 80% of jobs are replaced by AI and robots, people won't need to work anymore. The remaining 20% could be work done for personal enjoyment. If machines and AI can automate all aspects of manufacturing, then goods could become virtually unlimited. In that case, the only thing that would retain value would be land, as it cannot be increased by AI or robots.
Hatori:Considering current technology, I believe healthcare is likely to change significantly in the future. We may reach a time when people won’t need to visit clinics. Instead, there could be machines at home that automatically analyze data such as blood pressure, weight, temperature, and blood samples taken that day. An AI doctor could then provide advice based on that analysis, leading to a system that enhances personal healthcare management.
Nakano：It seems that AI is already being integrated into endoscopic examinations. That sounds interesting! It must have been fascinating to see the doctor excited about using the latest technology during your procedure. How did it go?
Hatori：
I think we’ll also see the emergence of virtual girlfriends or similar concepts. Imagine androids that have a human-like face and voice, with conversations generated by AI. If that happens, it might reduce the need for real-life partners, and people might stop trying to build romantic relationships! (laughs)
Nakno：But it’s quite complicated, isn’t it? Ultimately, many people still want genuine human connection. This isn’t just my opinion, but I think it’s a common sentiment.
Hatori：Exactly! Those aspects are crucial in software development. It’s essential to consider how to cover the human element in software creation. Finding ways to incorporate that humanity can provide valuable insights for developing more engaging and meaningful applications.
Nakano: Ultimately, I think it comes down to human perception. Even if AI or technology can create something that is 100% identical to what humans make, it might still not be accepted in the same way. For example, if there are two products, "udon" and "handmade udon," people may perceive handmade udon as tastier, simply because of the emotional connection to it. There’s a perception that handmade udon has higher value. It might only be when the younger generation loses that concept that such things will be more readily accepted. This is less about technology itself and more about the mindset of the people accepting it.
Hatori: What do you think will happen as AI and computer technology continue to advance? I believe that artists and musicians may be replaced by AI. For example, if you instruct an AI to create a painting in the style of Picasso, it can do that. Similarly, you can ask it to compose ethnic music, and it can generate that as well.
Nakano: Still, those who want to create art will likely continue to do so. Ultimately, I think we may end up living in a society similar to that of the common people in ancient Rome, with the idea of "bread and circuses." People won’t need to work, and they’ll keep consuming entertainment. The government would provide food and leisure. In such a world, the monetary economy might cease to exist because goods would be unlimited, and no one would need to struggle to create anything. Without a monetary economy, land—which cannot be increased—would hold value, and people would begin to seek fame rather than wealth. Therefore, I believe professions like athletes will persist, and artists will continue to exist for the sake of honor.
Hatori: According to a broadcast by NHK, if AI and technology can do everything, only wealthy asset owners who can afford to own factories will remain, while everyone else will become unable to do anything.
Nakano: I don’t think that will be the final stage. The mindset of whether something is profitable or not is tied to receiving compensation for something. If everything can be done automatically, there will be no need to generate profit. The necessary energy could also be obtained effortlessly.
Hatori: Thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview today.
