ELYZA Launches Revolutionary AI Tool to Automate Business Tasks in Minutes

In a bold stride toward transforming workplace productivity, Tokyo University–originated startup ELYZA has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-powered application creation tool aimed at businesses. This platform allows companies to automate routine tasks such as meeting minutes, expense approvals, and other repetitive workflows simply by describing the desired process in natural language. ELYZA envisions reaching 100,000 users within the next three years, signaling a significant push toward mainstream AI adoption in Japanese corporate culture.

ELYZA Works: Streamlining Task Automation

On September 9, ELYZA introduced ELYZA Works, a tool designed to help teams effortlessly build and share AI-driven applications that automate standard operations across departments like sales and legal. The platform intelligently selects the most compatible large language model (LLM) for the requested task, which can include ELYZA’s proprietary models or foreign models enhanced with Japanese language capabilities. Users can create functional apps in mere minutes without technical expertise, significantly lowering the barrier to AI adoption.

The system also leverages usage history as feedback to continuously improve workflow accuracy. Pricing is straightforward: businesses pay ¥2,980 per month per user for app creation and use, or ¥980 per month if they only use pre-made apps.

Responding to Workforce Challenges

While large companies have begun integrating AI into operations, adoption remains incomplete. ELYZA CEO Yuya Soneoka emphasized the importance of helping employees get comfortable with AI through hands-on app creation. Highlighting Japan’s labor shortages, Soneoka outlined the company’s ambitious goal: doubling the productivity of 500,000 workers by 2030.

Founded in 2018 within the lab of renowned AI researcher Professor Yutaka Matsuo at the University of Tokyo, ELYZA has focused on enhancing AI performance by applying Japanese-specific training to open-source LLMs, including models from Meta. In April 2024, the company joined KDDI, expanding its reach in corporate AI solutions.

What Undercode Say: AI Adoption at Scale in Japanese Corporates

ELYZA’s approach addresses two critical barriers in corporate AI adoption: accessibility and practical utility. By allowing non-technical staff to build AI apps in minutes, the platform demystifies AI and fosters engagement across teams. This contrasts sharply with conventional enterprise AI solutions, which often require specialized knowledge and prolonged deployment cycles.

The integration of feedback loops into app performance is a significant advantage. Over time, ELYZA Works could evolve into a self-optimizing AI ecosystem within companies, continuously refining workflow efficiency and reducing errors in repetitive tasks. For SMEs, the low-cost subscription model is a strategic move, enabling smaller companies to compete in AI adoption without massive upfront investments.

ELYZA’s alignment with KDDI also strengthens its ecosystem potential. With telecom infrastructure support and access to enterprise clients, the company is positioned to scale rapidly. However, the challenge lies in demonstrating tangible productivity gains and ROI within early adopter companies. Japanese corporate culture, which traditionally values human oversight and risk aversion, may slow mass adoption, especially in sectors with regulatory or compliance concerns.

Furthermore, ELYZA’s choice to leverage both proprietary and international LLMs allows flexibility, but maintaining model performance for Japanese-language contexts is critical. Misalignment or poor model fine-tuning could hinder adoption if initial user experiences fail to meet expectations.

🔍 Fact Checker Results

✅ ELYZA is a Tokyo University–originated startup focusing on AI workflow automation.
✅ ELYZA Works allows rapid creation of AI-driven applications using natural language instructions.
❌ There is no public confirmation of exact productivity doubling by 2030; it remains a company goal.

📊 Prediction

If ELYZA successfully scales to its projected 100,000 users within three years, it could set a benchmark for AI adoption in Japan, particularly among SMEs. The platform’s low barrier to entry may catalyze widespread experimentation with AI automation, potentially influencing corporate culture to embrace AI as an everyday tool rather than a niche technology. Over the next five years, ELYZA could expand into multilingual and cross-border corporate markets, positioning itself as a key player in the global enterprise AI landscape.