1. Preamble
The Yokogawa Group (hereinafter, "Yokogawa") has formulated the Yokogawa's Purpose statement, which reads, “Utilizing our ability to measure and connect, we fulfill our responsibilities for the future of our planet.” Centering on its measurement, control, and information technologies, Yokogawa provides products and services that support various industries and social infrastructure. As a provider of optimal solutions that cover the entire lifecycle of plants which may remain in operation for periods of 30 years or longer, we place a high priority on the building of long-term trust-based relationships with our customers. The foundation for this is technology and quality.
Yokogawa is utilizing AI to strengthen its ability to measure and connect and provide completely new kinds of services. However, we recognize that AI presents various risks and social issues, and that Yokogawa should play a proactive role in addressing them. This policy clarifies the value Yokogawa will contribute through the use of AI, and declares what measures will be taken to accomplish this.
2. Our Core Competence, and the Value That AI Brings
Our Core Competence
As its vision for society in the year 2050, Yokogawa has set the Three Goals, based on which it is working to achieve net-zero emissions, well-being, and a circular economy. Yokogawa has established long-term trust-based relationships with a diverse array of customers in a wide range of industries and works closely with them to provide services. Based on the extensive knowledge it has cultivated, Yokogawa has systematized manufacturing processes and made it possible to optimize complex operations even in plants that are situated in harsh environments all around the world. Yokogawa provides durable, accurate, and reliable products and services that stabilize quality in the manufacturing process. By minimizing the risk of explosions and fires at manufacturing sites, these ensure secure and safe operations that will have a minimal impact on the environment. Providing optimal solutions is Yokogawa's core competence.
The Value That AI Brings
Yokogawa uses AI to further improve quality, security, safety, and reliability, and to reduce environmental impact. Yokogawa also fosters an environment in which AI can easily collaborate with humans as a partner, and provides its customers with products and services that bring value not only to plants, but to entire business enterprises. In every field of business endeavor, when humans can focus on creative and strategic tasks, productivity increases, issues such as labor shortages are resolved, and there is an increase in the ability to bring products to market that are high in quality, secure, safe, and reliable and have a reduced impact on the environment. As a result, customers can expand the scale and scope of their businesses and maximize their profits. The increased opportunity to use products that are high in quality, safe, and reliable and have a reduced environmental impact will enhance safety and security for society as a whole and foster the fulfillment of our responsibilities for the future of our planet. Yokogawa's AI is a key component that has the power to connect our core competencies with the future of this planet.
3. Commitment
In accordance with Yokogawa's Purpose and based on its core competencies, Yokogawa will observe the following points to minimize risks as it utilizes AI to provide value to its customers.
- Safety
Develop and operate products and solutions that pose no dangers, and ensure safety and security. - Accountability and transparency
Take responsibility for its products and solutions, be more transparent, and ensure reliability. - Sustainability
Increase the quality of its products and solutions and achieve sustainability by making more efficient use of resources. - Security and privacy
Strengthen security with its collection, storage, and use of data, and protect personal information and other confidential data. - Fairness
In development and use, clarify standards that will ensure fairness by eliminating bias in gender or race data and doing away with excessive reliance on certain indicators. - Stable supply of lifelines
Respect the laws and regulations of the countries in which Yokogawa operates and contribute to the stable supply of lifelines. - Legal rights
Protect related legal rights, such as copyrights, by complying with laws, regulations, and standards. - Realizing Yokogawa's Purpose
In addition to the points listed above, it is an essential requirement for Yokogawa's AI to comply with Yokogawa's Purpose, which reads, “Utilizing our ability to measure and connect, we fulfill our responsibilities for the future of our planet.”
4. Specific measures
Yokogawa will fulfill its commitments and take systematic measures to provide value to its customers through the utilization of AI.
- Building of a risk management system
For the continuous identification, evaluation, and management of risks in the development and utilization of AI, Yokogawa will formulate internal regulations based on guidelines published by public and expert organizations and establish organizational functions to oversee governance. The company will conduct regular monitoring and make improvements to maintain a system in which management and field personnel can always work together to respond to the latest situations. - Communication and information provision
Yokogawa believes that communication with customers is essential to building the long-term relationships based on trust that it values. In addition to providing products and services, Yokogawa will provide necessary information on AI risks and other topics. The company will also incorporate a wide range of knowledge through discussions with multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, educational and research institutions, civil society, and private companies. - Education and training
To foster a culture in which employees can deepen their understanding and responsibly develop and utilize AI, Yokogawa will provide education and training on AI ethics, including transparency, security and privacy, risk management, and compliance. - Responding to the latest global trends and utilizing diverse knowledge
Yokogawa will continuously collect information on the latest global trends, such as technological advances in AI, the resulting new risks and social issues, and guidelines for legal regulations and risk management. In combination with its highly safe technology, Yokogawa will provide unique value by leveraging the knowledge of external experts and specialists, as well as the diversity of its workforce.
5. Revision
This policy will continue to be revised as necessary. In that event, the details of these changes will be announced in an appropriate manner.
Enacted April 1, 2025
Yokogawa Electric Corporation