In April 2024, we interviewed Lecturer Yuki Tokumoto and Professor Kazuo Goda of Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, and published articles introducing their respective research in June and July. This time, we are treating our readers to a cross-talk featuring Tokumoto and Goda. What did Tokumoto and Goda, two researchers involved in the completely different fields of solid state physics and computers, learn about the other’s work and what were their respective impressions? Join us for their in-depth and energetic dialogue.

Typically speaking, computers use a combination of hardware and software to operate. Connecting these two elements is the system software. System software is an unseen element that supports the computer at its core. Professor Kazuo Goda, of Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, considers himself a computer lover down to his very core. Over his many years working with computers, Professor Goda found himself drawn to the workings of system software, and has dedicated himself to research activities in that field. System software developed by Professor Goda today serves a major role in various fields, including health care and social infrastructure. We spoke with Professor Goda about how system software operates and what he sees as the future of computers.

Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo (UTokyo-IIS; Director General, Toru H. Okabe) and Hitachi, Ltd. (Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO, Keiji Kojima) jointly set up "Big Data Value Co-creation Platform Engineering" social cooperation program on April 1, 2022. By combining the great experience of UTokyo-IIS and Hitachi and applying their cutting-edge data platform technology, the social cooperation program aims to offer tangible solutions to social problems and to contribute to achieving a sustainable society.