[Event Report] Over 3,300 applicants! Less than 1% passing rate - A 3-day deep dive into Generative AI × Chat Commerce.
As competition for internships intensifies, there were not many companies that took on "Generative AI" as a theme for summer internships. However, it is undoubtedly one of the technologies that will have evolved further by the time you, the graduates of 2025, join the workforce.
This summer, Zeals held a practical internship focused on “Generative AI” utilizing GPT-4 provided by OpenAI. In the continuously evolving field of generative AI, it is essential to have personnel who understand the characteristics and challenges of generative AI technology and possess the ability to apply it to business, in order to maximize its impact on society. As a result of opening a special site titled “A Deep Dive into Generative AI” for three days, we received over 3,300 applications. The selection pass rate for this internship was less than 1%. Here, we introduce the highlights of 'ZEALS Internship 2023,' which was attended by the chosen 26 students.
Unraveling the history of digital business and the potential of generative AI
This internship was structured into two parts: an "input session" to thoroughly learn about generative AI and chat commerce, and an "output session" to apply the knowledge gained.
In the input session, Executive Officer Daisuke Watanabe gave a lecture titled "The Evolutionary Theory of Digital Business." Watanabe organized the transitions of digital business up to now and suggested the magnitude of the movements that generative AI could bring about in the future. He emphasized the importance of riding the wave of new technological innovation and proactively catching up to students.
On the second day of the internship, Watanabe conducted a session titled "Supplementary Lecture for Good Proposals" where he shared effective solution proposal processes and insights based on his approximately 20 years of experience and knowledge accumulated in digital marketing.
In the latter half of the input session, COO Ryuuta Endou provided a lecture to understand the "Chat Commerce®️" offered by Zeals. Endou explained that "Chat Commerce" is the "next-generation transaction" adapted to modern habits, discussing the future business development and possibilities that can be achieved with chat commerce and generative AI.
Each lecture was high-level content that deeply dove into their respective specialized fields as an introduction before entering the output session. The average satisfaction score gathered from the surveys afterward was 4.92 out of 5 points.
Voices from participating students
Create new solutions using Chat Commerce x Generative AI
The output session was conducted in two parts: a "GPT-4 Practical Work" that deeply explored GPT-4 and LLMs (Large Language Models), and a "Solution Planning Work" where groups used all the inputs gained throughout the program to generate new ideas.
In the "GPT-4 Practical Work," Kenta Roeji, manager of the Generative AI department, also participated, conducting research to understand the challenges and solutions for implementing GPT-4 in society and selection methods for LLMs. It seems that students also sensed that utilizing generative AI in chat commerce is not straightforward and requires verification capabilities and problem-solving skills.
Now, it's time for the "Solution Planning Work" to create new solutions using Chat Commerce x Generative AI. Based on the knowledge gained from the input session, it was impressive to see each group passionately discussing towards the final presentation. Given that it was a 3-day internship, students worked late into the night preparing materials and presentations.
From Zeals, multiple mentors participated from the Chat Commerce Business Division, not just Watanabe and Endou, to answer questions from students. The concrete feedback based on real-world experiences provided good stimulation and significant hints to deepen their thoughts.
Ideas are new combinations of existing elements
After three days of input and group work time, it was finally time for the final presentation. Everyone showed nervous expressions as they presented, having worked hard for three days.
The "ZEALS Internship 2023" was held in two parts, with the following two teams winning. The "Thick Cut Beef Tongue" team was recognized for their ability to identify issues by focusing on policies aimed at cross-using series services, and the "Makacelery" team proposed strategies considering both business and consumer perspectives, leveraging the strengths of chat commerce mediating online and offline channels.
After the students' presentations, COO Endou provided a model answer regarding this theme, presenting a solution that gradually leads to higher-level initiatives while nurturing AI strategies, taking into account the movements within the entire industry and the situations of both Zeals and its clients.
In conclusion, judge Watanabe offered the advice of "God is in the details" as a recommendation for idea generation. He taught that it is important to repeatedly ask oneself, "Why does this happen? Why do I think this?" to delve deep into the finer details of thoughts. He faced the students who earnestly engaged in their presentations until the very end, concluding the internship with words of encouragement and a passionate message that will be useful for their future careers.
“Leverage AI to become talent needed by society”
How was the three-day deep dive into generative AI and chat commerce? I hope it was a meaningful time as you consider your future careers.
At Zeals, we are continuously holding recruitment events for students graduating in '25. If you want to build a career specializing in AI and work amidst the significant changes that may arise, please apply!
For new graduate recruitment entry, please click“here”.
