Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab KOBE
A collaborative innovation ecosystem where Microsoft brings together companies, universities, and local governments.
Through an industry–academia–government co-innovation platform, the Lab accelerates innovation by leveraging Microsoft’s advanced technologies.
Operating organization:
The AI Co‑Innovation Labs Promotion Consortium, a general incorporated association.
For a wide range of stakeholders—including enterprises, local governments, students, research institutions, startups, and consortium members—the Lab offers co-innovation programs designed to support the implementation of Microsoft AI tools. Through communities for both corporate participants and students, the Lab explores practical applications of AI while providing opportunities for learning and co-innovation that lead to new businesses and product development, ultimately supporting the creation of new value.
The Lab offers a wide variety of programs for organizations seeking to build AI-powered solutions and drive innovation using Microsoft technologies, including lab tours, hackathons, seminars and workshops, and community events. By deepening practical knowledge of AI utilization and facilitating interactions among participants and partners, the Lab fosters the creation of knowledge and networks. Programs for students are also available.
At the core of the co-innovation programs is prototyping, where participants take the lead in development while Microsoft provides hands-on support through technical guidance and knowledge sharing. All intellectual property generated through the program remains 100% owned by the participating organization. Each engagement is customized to the needs of the participant and is conducted over approximately two months, including preparation and up to five days of sprint-based development.
Co‑Innovation Programs and the Industry–Academia–Government Ecosystem
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving into a cross‑domain capability that integrates people, the physical world, and data—bridging the digital and real worlds while combining multiple technologies and being applied across a wide range of industries and fields.
In an era where challenges such as physical AI, AI agents, and advanced data utilization span multiple technologies and disciplines, it is becoming increasingly difficult for a single organization to achieve solutions or create new businesses on its own.
The Microsoft AI Co‑Innovation Lab serves as a collaborative platform where Microsoft works together with companies, universities, and local governments. By bringing together Microsoft’s technology experts, co‑creation partners from the Lab, and a broader community, the Lab supports innovation from proof of concept through to real‑world and societal implementation.
To further deepen co‑creation initiatives, participating in the industry–academia–government ecosystem formed by council member companies, universities, and local governments enables even stronger AI‑driven collaboration. Within an environment where diverse expertise converges, the ecosystem promotes talent development and hands‑on learning, driving value creation that leads to new business opportunities and enhanced industrial competitiveness.
Apply for a Co‑Innovation Program From ideas to implementation. Take the first step toward Co‑Innovation.
The Microsoft AI Co‑Innovation Lab Program is a co‑creation initiative that supports value creation through the use of Azure AI, starting from participants’ ideas and scenarios.
Lab Tour
An introductory experience designed to inspire co‑creation through an overview of the program, case study sharing, and live demonstrations of prototypes.
Design Thinking
As a preparatory phase before prototyping, this stage focuses on structuring, visualizing, and refining scenarios, as well as conducting preliminary design and planning.
Prototyping
Rapid implementation and validation of prototypes within a short timeframe. Lab engineers work closely alongside participants, providing hands‑on support throughout the development process.
Experience Microsoft AI Co‑Innovation Lab KOBE—Where Industry, Academia, and Government Co‑Innovate the Future
Lab Locations
Microsoft AI Co‑Innovation Lab KOBE is located in Kobe, an international port city where innovation and culture coexist. Rich in global perspectives, Kobe provides an ideal environment for fostering collaboration and creativity.
While Microsoft’s headquarters is located in Redmond, near Seattle in the U.S. state of Washington, the City of Kobe has maintained a sister‑city relationship with Seattle—another internationally renowned port city—since 1957. Over the decades, the two cities have developed strong economic and cultural ties through continuous exchange.
The Lab was established in Kobe through an invitation by the City of Kobe and is operated in collaboration between Microsoft and industry, academia, and government. It is managed by the AI Co‑Innovation Labs Promotion Consortium, a general incorporated association with core members including Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., the City of Kobe, and Kobe University.
Location
24th Floor, Kobe Commerce and Industry Center Building
5‑1‑14 Hamabe‑dori, Chuo‑ku, Kobe
Hyogo 651‑0083, Japan
Our experts are here to help
Program Managers
You will organize your client's challenges and objectives, and lead the optimal program design and project implementation.
Your role will involve managing the progress of the entire lab, coordinating with stakeholders, and accompanying them in achieving results.
AI engineer
We are responsible for designing, developing, and evaluating AI models, and we will shape the PoC while assessing their technical feasibility.
It plays a central role in AI technologies, including generative AI, machine learning, and data utilization.
cloud engineer
Responsible for the design, construction, and optimization of cloud infrastructure, primarily Azure.
AI Supports the infrastructure that enables systems to operate safely and scalably.
software engineer
Responsible for application development and system integration, and we are responsible for incorporating AI into actual products and business operations.
We support value creation from the implementation side, including UI/UX, API, and backend.
Apply and Join the Lab in 4 steps
Discover how joining one of Microsoft's state-of-the-art lab facilities and program can help your development team build skills, overcome problems and reach goals faster.
Fill out an application
Streamlined Onboarding: A 2-3 Week Journey
Schedule and design the sprint
Go through the sprint with your team (1 week)
Supported Technologies
AI & Machine Learning
Enterprise-grade AI and machine learning services
Data Analytics
Services for big data and real-time analytics
Application Development
Tools and services for building modern applications
Case Studies
AI Quality Inspection in Manufacturing
A leading manufacturer automated production line quality inspection using Azure OpenAI Service and Computer Vision. Reduced inspection time by 80% and improved defect detection rate to 95%.
Demand Forecasting System for Retail
A major retail chain built a demand forecasting model using Azure Machine Learning. Optimized inventory, reducing annual costs by 30% and lost sales opportunities by 25%.
Document Processing Automation for Finance
A financial institution implemented Azure AI Document Intelligence to automate contract and application processing. Reduced processing time by 70% and significantly decreased human errors.
Demand Forecasting System for Retail
A major retail chain built a demand forecasting model using Azure Machine Learning. Optimized inventory, reducing annual costs by 30% and lost sales opportunities by 25%.
Join the Microsoft AI Co‑Innovation Lab Today!
Apply for the AI Co‑Innovation Lab Program and take on the challenge of creating innovation together with Microsoft experts.