Preparation Process

Months of research went into preparing for this presentation, including:

  • Weekly meetings with the head of the global studies program (Dr. Spinney) and the head of the computer science program (Mr. Meyer) at Thacher with another student who presented with me.

  • Analysis of Rakuten's future endeavors and interest in the AI space

  • Contacted former Thacher students who interned or worked at Rakuten before

  • Took a trimester long class on Japanese history and culture, learning both historical facts and cultural norms

Presentation Impact

The presentation was well-received by Rakuten executives, leading to:

  • Ongoing discussions on how Rakuten could support Thacher’s Computer Science department

  • Recommendations for specific AI and data projects for Thacher students

  • Exploration of internship and research opportunities for students in Tokyo

  • Planning a visit from Ting Cai, Rakuten’s Chief AI and Data Officer, to speak at Thacher, observe Computer Science classes, and meet with our four-person team to advance the partnership